Big City vs. Small Town
The debate over the rates a DJ in a big city can charge vs. the rates a similar DJ in a small town can charge is a never ending battle. Here is what I have heard from all around the U.S. from many DJ's and experienced myself.
I was reading on a private forum a new thread by a DJ who in less then two weeks had booked one event for $1800 and two more for $2000. I know this gentleman and believe that he gives a wonderful performance and really offers spectacular service to his clients.
He started this new thread because of a few DJ's who on this site and other sites have been upset with people like myself who believe that they are worth more then the current price that they charge and propose to them to adjust their rate schedule in accordance to their talents, skills, training and the cost of running a successful business.
We would never suggest any particular price to anyone, that would not be ethical and not part of what our group is about. We just want our members to be the best that they can be and charge accordingly. "Charge what you're worth and be worth what you charge"
As I spoke of in one of my articles, this DJ was offended with me suggesting he was worth more (charging a less then average price for a service he said was as good or better then the average DJ)
His argument was that he lived in a small town in the middle of nowhere and he has to compete with multiple other DJ's who undercut and back stab each other for business.
He believed that because he lives in a small town that he can not charge as much as DJ’s who live in the "Big City” because of the economic situation of the small town.
I once explained to him that I had actually performed some years back in his area (small town) and even three years ago was booking those events at double to almost three times his current rate. He didn't believe me.
The DJ who started this new thread who had just booked the three major events ($1800 & $2000) were for events in areas that would also be considered "Small Town" These new clients had never seen his performance but had heard from others and the location site of the work he does.
He really impressed me so I wrote him this
The following is a short excerpt from my posts to him.
This weekend I did a wedding in Owatonna (a fairly small town location) About 40 miles south from Burnsville, the next closest “Big City” on the edge of the Minneapolis, St. Paul Area.
I took the total number of hours from the moment I left my home to the moment I got back and divided it up by the amount I received.
Driving time (1 1/2 hours), set up & tear down (3 hours), sitting, waiting/downtime (1 1/2 hours) performance time (6 hours) and found that I received just over $110 per hour, every hour. (12 hour day)
I guess what I am trying to say is that clients WILL pay higher rates for DJ's no matter where they live, IF you provide them with a service that they feel is a good value and worth the amount you charge.
Maybe I should cut back on my preaching to others to raise their rates to a livable wage standard of life and let them continue to charge pennies on the dollar because maybe just maybe, they are not worth the higher rates.
I apologize to anyone who I might have pushed to be better and to make a living who in the past got offended by my words of praise and suggestions to charge what they are worth.
I now realize, they were charging EXACTLY what they are worth. MY BAD!
Jeff Richards
http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz
The views expressed here are those of only Jeff Richards, and do not reflect the views or opinions of any Chapter or Executive Board Member of MAPDJ or that of the Management of The Disc Jockey News.