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Topic: How Much To Charge? - Page: 1

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I live in Delaware and have been wondering what to charge for a Christmas party. There will be approximately 150 people. It is a union's Xmas party (i belong to the union). I don't have many gigs under my belt (5). I've done 2 weddings (one hispanic wedding), 2 college grad parties and a business-launch party. This Xmas party will be my first holiday party and the first with more than 60 guests. All feedback will be appreciated.
 
geposted Sun 30 Nov 08 @ 11:06 pm
I've done work in the Wilmington area... I would start out at $675 for basic DJ and MC work. I'm not the most expensive or the cheapest guy out there. Don't let your lack of experience set your price. You still have the music and equipment to do the show no matter how many you've done.
 
Good advice don't go in too cheap as it will be bad for the other DJ's.
 
I definitely wasn't going to go cheap. i was thinking about $750. They want lights and i will have to take my subwoofer. lol
 
If they want all that... I'd go at least $750.
 
DeeJay EL wrote :
I definitely wasn't going to go cheap. i was thinking about $750. They want lights and i will have to take my subwoofer. lol


changing that into old money sounds about right for a four hour works party... lol
 
When I was setting up to leave the club I was working at and go to mobile DJ'ing. I had my GF call around the phone book and get Service quotes from about 10 DJ services in my city.

I set my prices somewhere in the high middle range.
 
Well, after more then 10 years, I refused to work for New Year's night. I will go somewhere and have some fun, for a change ;)
Still looking where, but this sounds good: Junior Jack, Tom Novy and Seamus Haji at one place, and around 10000 people :) What do you think?
 
Where do you live in delaware? i do alot of work in milford and dover... as well as club h2o in oc
 
alf , that looks like a party and a half brewing there...
 
I think there are many opinions when it comes to price.
what would it cost your client to do the following:


pick up the gear
rent speakers
rent a microphone
rent a mixer
rent lights
have a laptop set up ready to go/ or cd player with enough cd's
obtain the correct/right amount of music for the evening.
set up the gear
host the evening
tear down the gear
return the gear back to the rental place. how many hours did all of this take the client.


I think the DJ makes or breaks the party. Sure the food can be good. the cake is normally pretty tasty but in the end if you do a good job as a DJ then people will stay. the party will be a success. I often ask my clients how much is piece of mind worth? This is what I love to do. I don't do this cause I have to, I do this cause I want to.

For christmas parties I normally charge 1000 for 4 hours it includes karaoke and then 100 per hour for overtime. I am a single owner, I generally have between 3 and 5 holiday parties during the month of December.

I can remember the days of doing events for 350 and I would have to do three times as many events.
I raised my price, I use really nice gear, I make sure that I arrive two hours early for setup, and I have spare of all the equipment.
Finally I have a lot of fun, this is just my opinion. hope it helps.







 
tayla wrote :
alf , that looks like a party and a half brewing there...


Yep, today they will announce the price of the ticket :)
 
lamont76 wrote :
Where do you live in delaware? i do alot of work in milford and dover... as well as club h2o in oc


I live in Bear, which is between Newark and Wilmington.



n01mower wrote :
I think there are many opinions when it comes to price.
what would it cost your client to do the following:


pick up the gear
rent speakers
rent a microphone
rent a mixer
rent lights
have a laptop set up ready to go/ or cd player with enough cd's
obtain the correct/right amount of music for the evening.
set up the gear
host the evening
tear down the gear
return the gear back to the rental place. how many hours did all of this take the client.


I think the DJ makes or breaks the party. Sure the food can be good. the cake is normally pretty tasty but in the end if you do a good job as a DJ then people will stay. the party will be a success. I often ask my clients how much is piece of mind worth? This is what I love to do. I don't do this cause I have to, I do this cause I want to.

For christmas parties I normally charge 1000 for 4 hours it includes karaoke and then 100 per hour for overtime. I am a single owner, I generally have between 3 and 5 holiday parties during the month of December.

I can remember the days of doing events for 350 and I would have to do three times as many events.
I raised my price, I use really nice gear, I make sure that I arrive two hours early for setup, and I have spare of all the equipment.
Finally I have a lot of fun, this is just my opinion. hope it helps.



Yes, it definitely helps. I think I'll stick with $750. They can go elsewhere if that is too much.
 
I agree man, it is your holiday also, so you need to charge it :)
 
I didn't get the gig. They got someone who charged them $450. Oh well. Is there a pecking order, with reference to types of events, that determines how much to charge? Just curious if all else being equal, would one normally charge more for weddings than for company parties, for example?
 
Being the age that i am, i tend to charge WAY less than the competition. Sorry guys... but thats only how people hire me. I dont have 2nd rate equipment, nor am i a second rate dj. But they see me and they think that im just too young and unprofessional. So this is what i charge and amazingly, there are other djs that cost way less than me. the djs that just play itunes and have 2 floor home theater speakers. pisses me off, people think theyre getting a good deal.

well this is what i charge usually, and i usually give in to those who think its too much... need the money.

house parties the lowest i usually go is 150... 2 speakers, laptop, VV box, mixer, mic.

dance at a school, usually lowest is 200-250. people STILL complain of the price. and this is middle school usually... high schools usually complain of 300$ for a dance. whatever.

did my first wedding. charged 700. they came back 2 weeks afterward AFTER the contract and said another one was gonna charge 450. despite the contract, it was a family friend. i matched his price. ugh.

damn economy ;)
 
I agree with lamont. Also, why charge a price that a 20 year experienced DJ does if you have only done five gigs previuosly, start a lil low, so what. Things will pick up, ppl will learn to like you. Plus, once ppl know you can do inexpensive(not cheap, quick and dirty) for a nice low price starting out, you'll be gettin all the the 300-400 dollar house parties from those that don't wanna pay 7-800. Plain and simple logic. :)
 
i seriosuly woudlnt know, but djing at xmas sounds like a great idea, CHARGE THEM AS MUCH AS YOU CAN HAHA
 
I read the last two posts before I left for my event.
I did not reply because I was wondering what value anything I have to say would be to someone who is reading it.
I just finished my event and with overtime I just made 1450 for the night.
It was a long event. it started at 5 with dinner music, then there was door prices, Then we had a Karaoke off. where the two winners got cash, Then they danced until 1:30am.

This is the 6th year I have done this particular company party. We always have a good time when we get together. (mind you I only see them once a year)
One of the first thoughts that comes to my mind is to charge what you feel comfortable. I happen to believe that I am worth a lot to a party. I feel that if the food/drinks/appetizer/dessert is bad people go around it. if the DJ is bad people go home.

just some 3 in the morning thoughts.
 
I appreciate all the feedback Good food for thought. Keep them coming.
 
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