I’m trying to get my DJ business going, and i need to tell you some things about myself to keep this thread more on track with my question.
I run a lawn service and am familiar with advertising but not sure what has worked with the dj scene, I am a senior in high school and want to try dj more because its something i really enjoy. I am working on business cards and will order them soon. I have all equipment and music I need to start up.
Not sure if i want to get in to weddings as much as smaller parties and things of that nature. I’ll probably take what I can get at first and grow by word of mouth. I will get a facebook page up and going for my new company, and get some Craigslist ads up as a starting point.
Let me know what all you guys think. Super excited to get this thing going and hope to have a gig every couple weeks booked throughout winter as a means of income since lawncare will be dead until April.
Do people REALLY hire DJ’s for small/house parties?
Everyone’s got at least 1 DJ friend, so free DJ’s for parties are abundant.
The truth is, if you’re gonna run a successful DJ business, weddings are gonna make up a very large part of your income - and weddings are a revenue stream that you can’t afford to ignore.
If you’re really serious about running a DJ business, head over to the VDJ forum. There are a lot of very successful DJ business owners over there that are willing to help.
Didn’t even know they had a forum on there. I’ll register later and start asking some questions. It’s not that i don’t want to do weddings, i just dont want weddings to be all i do.
I’ve been doing parties for friends and family for a few years now and have just moved to expand.
I’ve actually done a few house parties where I’ve been paid but the majority of it is weddings and birthday parties. As Patch said, you can’t afford not to do weddings, the money is there for them.
In the month that I’ve actually started to advertise, I’ve got 3 weddings, 3 birthdays and a Christmas party.
So far it’s just word of mouth, have a retirement party, and 2 school dances and quite possibly trying to get my high school homecoming dance. In the beginning do you guys just take what you ca get for work, or do you pick and choose?
This is literally the most insightful post every made on this forum… my experience starting a wedding DJ business this year proves Patch’s post to be 100% on the money. Money being the operative word.
word of mouth is the best advertising you can get. i was just talking to another mobile DJ today, and he just keeps upping his rate because he wants to phase out, saying 25 years is enough. he’s at $900-$1200 for some events (not a massive setup) and people still get him because people talk.
In the same breath though, if you have a couple of bad events, that word of mouth will kill you in a smaller community.
I hired a graphic designer to make up a logo for me to use so i could brand my company, and make it stand out from all the other mobile guys. i also had stickers made up, and am seriously considering a batch of hats/caps next. it’s all about promoting, and presenting your brand in the best light for it.
For the record, it cost me about $400 to get my logos designed by a guy here in canada.
It’s ok and referrals from previous gigs can also bring in work but having a great website with excellent SEO is ‘the’ single best way to be found and booked. Fact.
Having a well designed logo and an engaging website is vital. Who’s gonna wear a cap? That’s a waste of money in my mind. Save the money for Facebook adverts and blog advertising. If you aren’t a big club DJ nobody is gonna wear your brand.
I had badges made and they are very cool and people wear them cus they can take them off. They can also put them on bags etc.
You need to think less locally. Most of my wedding gigs are 100+ miles away. I get very little in my own city or county because that isn’t where the money is.
The wedding DJ industry is different in the Canada/US to the UK though. Those prices that you mention are above the usual basic standard UK wedding DJ but lower than mine. If you have a great brand and something that makes you stand out from the crowd (and it is crowded in the US, I know you are in Canada) you can command more money.
People will pay for quality.
This is true as well. a properly laid out webpage will def. net you more customers than word of mouth. the area i service spans about 300 KM, and because of my background as a construction electrician throughout the smaller communities up here, word of mouth has worked well for me. You need to keep in mind that as you stated every area is different, the town i grew up in only has a population of 10,000. The other places i’ve worked/lived are smaller still, if this is the type of area you’ll be playing in, don’t discount the fact that word will spread. Good or bad.
As far as the website goes, don’t do what i did and wake up hungover wondering why you bought a domain the night before without knowing how to make an actual site lol.
Do weddings, corporate gigs, and private events. At these events, be ready to socialize and hand out business cards. Cater to every customer personally and let them get to know you before the gig. Be open to feedback and suggestions. Let them be part of the process and experience. Always thank everyone you speak to for their time. This will help you grow your referral orchard.
Get a simple website going that describes why you do what you do, how you do it, and what you do… in that order.
Yes, yes they do, in fact most of my DJ money I made this way. People paying $100 an hour for a 9-year olds birthday party eventually quit accepting these jobs as i felt a little bit too guilty for charging these ridiculous amounts.
The money to be made from doing kids parties in the UK is pretty good - if you do it right and it’s themed.
Personally I will never do them cus I can’t stand kids in groups larger than just my niece on her own.
I just had an enquiry to DJ at a birthday party. The person was at a wedding I did a few weeks back and now wants to book me for her party - I’m already booked so I can’t do it which is a shame as they were an great bunch at the wedding - non stop dancing for 5 hours.
eventually quit accepting these jobs as i felt a little bit too guilty for charging these ridiculous amounts.