I am curious about the responses you are going to get on this one.

It couldn't hurt to ask for more. In my experience, most of the video gigs pay the same as audio, but once the owners/managers have seen video in the club, they want to only hire video djs to take advantage of all the screens.

^^^ what he said. A few years ago, it seemed like venues were willing to pay more for video - but there were only a few guys doing it in our area. Now there are so many video DJs that it's hard to get that extra money, despite the fact that it costs more/takes more prep time/requires a more expensive laptop/etc. I've found that video is more likely to help you lock down a residency at a new spot, get repeat bookings from a first gig, etc than it is to really get you more money per show... at least around here!

I always TRY to get more, and my median average is higher now than it was a couple years ago, but realistically, promoters and owners are cheap bastards and they just want to get the most that they can out of whatever they are already used to paying. I definitely think that venues should be paying at least $100 more for video than for just audio, but there's no way that's gonna happen consistently unless EVERYONE doing video bands together and doesn't undercut (not gonna happen, unfortunately).

Have to agree with D-Twizzle n Eric N on this one !! Ive been playing video in my venue now for about three months and everyone really enjoys the added attraction but considering the economy it doesnt seem like the right time to ask for more money !! The concept of video really works but def costs more money !!

You could price it the same and then when the owners are hooked try to negotiate more, but it might be hard.
You just gotta make sure your shit is up to par and better than the average guy in your area.

Set yourself apart from your competition. Incorporate key features and elements that make you unique. This is what we had to do 10 years ago when the DJ explosion of laptops came about.

With video, you have a palette and your library is your colors and paintbrush. Change it up and make it exciting. Incorporate the venue's logo & drink specials into your nightly presentation. My clients get full branding with every show and that is a key element that enables me to charge and get 2 to 5 times the amount over my competition. Pubs and Bars are going to be tougher, their overhead and revenue are smaller. Go for residencies and try to negotiate clearance for approved additional income from their clients. Examples (charging $10 / $20 to put someone's name or greeting on the screen) A good way to advertise this is to do one or two a night for free or that have to do with staff at the venue to show the crowd that it's ok to have messages up on the screen.

Liking this thread a lot

does that work in your market? charging to put up a "shout out" on the screen?

It works in certain markets, yes. Not big clubs but in the smaller venues (lounges, bars, pubs, hotels, etc)

This is how I got paid more.

I did it in the club and bar. Then after 1 hr I shut down video.

So now the owner and promoter came running up to me like what happen to video.

I was like that's a seperate video pool I have to join and its more money.

They were like how much more and I hit them with a price . That was 4 years ago and im still there .

But with a much higher pay.

And they dont hire no one but video dj's

Depends on your built in crowd and more important, the owner/promoters acknowledgement that he is getting more money because of what you are doing.

Whether this is bringing balloons, naked ladies, lights, movie stars, Steve Aoki Cake Face props, and Video - your rate depends on your value no matter what you use.

I personally like video because i'm a tech nut and its just logical progression of doing something new where you can get away with it.

People pay to see Mike Relm play video - but that is quite a performance. So if you got that talent and bring the crowd he does - well then by all mean give yourself a well deserved raise

Fuck it, give your self a raise regardless - everyone here. If you don't ask, you don't get. If they tell you no, well then no loss

Video does cost more....I asked my boss to give me an extra more for videos since it cost more....At first he was reluctant then I told him then I'll just go back to Audio and then he told me ok I'll give you a raise....lol

Now I'm getting paid more than those Djs that play there at the same bar I work at.....

I'll try to get paid by advertisement that's another source to get paid more....lol

For club dj's it's a hit and miss type of thing. As a wedding dj you can sell video really easy and get 2 to 3 hundred more a gig if you market yourself correctly. I make personlized slide shows which I say are included in the price for video but I make them do all the work for me. They scan the pictures upload them in folders. I open my program and drop them in, I have a really nice slideshow program that makes anything I put in it look like I spent days doing when at most might take 15 min. : ) ... Well no more then 30min if your doing the bride and grooms first dance and the father/mother dance slide shows. I play those videos for them while they are dancing which goes over well with the crowd and get's me gigs at the same time. I also mention that for an additinal $150 during the wedding we can take pictures so the video can be done with those pictures for the first dance. I have had 3 people bite on that. I have my wife go take the pictures and leave bring me the photos and make the video I give her 75 and she's out. Now heres the kicker I still have the video if they want it but they have to pay for it.... They are pretty nice videos and people pay for them I only charge 35 dollars for it but that's where I make my money up for the time to build them.

update im no longer at that bar doing video. the manager brought a karaoke hd and video's and now is doing all the shit on vdj trial version big as day on the screen. he uses 2 laptops and a mixing board. lmao. yesterday they had a jamaica night and the dude did it for free and used 2 ipads not apple but cheap. everybody always ask why you dont spin no more.
I'm like they wanna cut cost.

Sorry to hear that Que, I would suggest you start gearing yourself to do Weddings if you can stand it. Clubs are hit and miss and unless you bring your own crowd you will have to build it and building takes time. Weddings are a good source of income, trust me I know. I have done clubs but I want to get paid my worth or at least what I think I am worth and not have to deal with bullshit. So I started doing weddings more as a matter of fact they are 95% of what I do now. With video added to the event I get call backs or referrals as you would say all the time. America use to be about building a good biz now it's about the all might dollar and to save as much as you can by any means. FUNK EMM