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djing & vjing rates?
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djing & vjing rates?

djlayz666 12:19 AM - 7 May, 2012
Hi, i was just wondering what other dj/vj are charging. ive been in the same lounge/club for the last year & a half. when i started i was making $15 an hour from 9-2 for 1 night a week plus $40 bar tab (which is used 90% on water or food before i start). then i slowly started adding lights. i never charged them extra for it, seeing that they were sitting at home and not being used. friday nights they had another dj. but since the new year started i guess the other dj wanted more money, but people didnt really like his music choices, but whatever since then ive replaced him so im up to 2 nights. he never provided any lights just used mine that were already there. very shortly after i started it moved from 10-2 so im getting about $60 a night. i know im way underpaid but im good friends now with the owner and alot of the people that go there, plus i still get paid the same amount even if i do start late because of ufc or other like events. ive now added video to it, and know for a fact people only show up there because they like what i play and know what they want to listen to. ive never had problem with the $60 a night until now. the problem is im a bigger guy, and usually just wear casual clothes (jeans, sweats, shorts) there because im comfortable and the place isnt even really classy & no one important to impress. so my boss/friend asked me if i could start looking a little more presentable, im not really offended its true i should probably dress a little bit better. But, i dont own "nicer" clothes, and dont really care to because its too expensive to find clothes in my size and cant afford to go out and buy new stuff with my $120 a week. djing is pretty much the only work i have right now (it use to be a side job) due to that my regular job goes towards all other bills, and dont buy clothes that often. so i just want to know what everyone is charging out there with video & 2 lights, 1 laser & fog, so i can go at my boss for more cash to make up for his "dress code" he wants.
DJ DisGrace 12:42 AM - 7 May, 2012
Quote:
i guess the other dj wanted more money..... but whatever since then ive replaced him

wow


Quote:
im good friends now with the owner

for $60 a night you would be my best friend too
str8nger 12:44 AM - 7 May, 2012
You are getting rape! 60 a night!! I made 150 in just tips plus 400 for 4 hours! Business is business who cares if its your friend I would say fuck him look for a spot somewhere else! Plus u bought your own lights for his place??? Get out man!
Maskrider 1:23 AM - 7 May, 2012
Your Friend is an Asshole $60 bucks Ain't shit.......lol

Think.........! You invested money on your gear plus the cost of Gas,Music and Video.

I don't know How much they make a night but $60 is just a tip on a slow night.
popnwave 1:46 AM - 7 May, 2012
No dj should be making that little per night. I guess if you are doing some corner bar with capacity of 50 and no dancefloor. But DAMN as others have mentioned how do you even break even with keeping your EQ working, getting new music and even fuel costs??

I know sometimes I feel like a prick when I turn down gigs for friends but really, sometimes it's not WORTH the wear and tear to do stuff.

If I had to do NOTHING other than show up, drink what I wanted and play whatever I felt the crowd responded to I wouldn't say yes for under $180 and that's only IF it's not a day job work night for me AND it's within a 15-20 min drive back home.
dj_soo 2:28 AM - 7 May, 2012
You're getting completely taken advantage of
DJ PNUT 2:49 AM - 7 May, 2012
AGREE WITH EVERYONE HE AIN'T A FRIEND HE IS FUCKING YOU OVER
Chrisjin 3:22 AM - 7 May, 2012
1. He should buy you your clothes because he can use that as a write-off

2. Tell him to add at least a 1 before the 6.

3. If he refuses, tell him to fuck off. Seriously, you are getting anal raped with no KY
Taipanic 3:15 PM - 7 May, 2012
This is the state of many bars today. Owners will be as cheap as they can be - they will hire someone for the lowest amount they can, irregardless of skill, music collection, sound quality. I understand you (and thousands of others) are trying to start somewhere, but taking jobs like this for that kind of money really hurts yourself and the business - especially all of the DJs who have invested serious time, money and effort into their profession. When I do a gig, I am bringing $5-25k of music and equipment with me, along with the decades of experience I have. I can't tell you how many times I have been turned down for a job, only to see them bring in crappy DJs with terrible sound, only because they were working for peanuts.
Rates vary, depending on what part of the country you are in, size of the venue, amount of business they do, etc... but you should be at least be making $100/night. As far as your appearence goes, if they are complaining about the clothes you wear then it is an issue for this establishment. If you don't have much money, go to a thrift store or high end second hand clothing store - $30 would get you 3-4 outfits for sure.
Remember also, as stated above, the owner is not your friend; he is just using you because you are working cheap. If you take an honest assesment of your DJ skills and you think they are pretty good, you need to have more pride in yourself and the profession and work for reasonable rates. When I am not doing club work, it is because I am have too much pride to provide my skills for no money - I would rather stay at home on a Saturday night rather than work for nothing. I also get my gigs by my ability to work a room, not by undercutting all of the other DJs. Cheap bar owners who don't want to give me the opportunity to prove to them my value are only hurting themselves...
djaction 4:51 PM - 7 May, 2012
+1 You should be charging at least $70 a night.
Sunny Up 5:48 PM - 7 May, 2012
Quote:
+1 You should be charging at least $70 a night.


Lol.

Are you paid under the table or are you an employee of the bar?
Sunny Up 5:49 PM - 7 May, 2012
I only say that because you could try making your own company and write off costs, at least you'd save in taxes...
Logisticalstyles 5:59 PM - 7 May, 2012
Damn this guy is getting ripped off big time.
DJ Laurex 9:49 PM - 7 May, 2012
I don't care where in the country you are,any bar or lounge or club that requires a DJ should pay no less than $150 a night. If they can't afford that then get a juke box.
canicypher 10:16 PM - 7 May, 2012
The lowest I have ever taken is $50....an hour...at a dive bar...on a monday...and I took my "B-squad" equipment to that gig. Don't be taken advantage of. Have more pride in yourself and your ability.

The only other times I have taken less then I wanted is gigs that I know were gonna have big turn outs and viewed as good marketing/networking opportunities. Gave out a bunch of professional looking cd's (ie thermal printed, no sharpie or blank cd-r's), business cards. etc. I still didn't accept peanuts for the gig, but made up for the lower rate to capitalize on the exposure.

I've been offered to fill in some spots for DJ's I know and have turned some down because I was shocked as to what they were getting paid, even in NYC. (now, maybe some were low balling me and trying to keep the rest, who knows...but i feel somewhere in their hearts they gotta know i'm not playing for 4-6hrs and bringing equipment for $150).

It's one thing to get redic offers from owners, it's more insulting to get it from a fellow DJ...but it does show how crazy the market is right now and what ppl are getting away with...
DJ GOOK 10:50 PM - 7 May, 2012
This is the reason why I can't get a residency!
dj_soo 11:30 PM - 7 May, 2012
i didn't even see the part where you "boss" is asking you to dress nicer.

fuck that.

For the amount of money he's paying you, he has absolutely no say in what you wear or play - or even for how long you play for.

again, you are getting hosed.
DJ GRIAL 12:35 AM - 8 May, 2012
I say at least $150 on a slow night... and $250 or more on Friday or Saturday
djvtyme85 2:14 AM - 8 May, 2012
Wow raped with no lube lol nmnh
O.B.1 12:24 AM - 9 May, 2012
ouch!
don't sell yourself short...
dj_jose541 4:21 PM - 9 May, 2012
I've DJed at bars where I just had to bring my computer and controller and made $150. They provided the rest. I once did a gig for $50. It was a 10 year old bday party and I used my Virtual DJ and some computer speakers. 2 hours of work, and it was for a good friend.

$150 plus a % of the bar over a certain dollar amount.
slimmjimm 5:57 PM - 9 May, 2012
This has got to be a troll, right.......RIGHT????
djvtyme85 6:49 PM - 9 May, 2012
I may do one or two a month but it sounds like in twos I'd be making more than most these newbies being booked out for a week... Sad
Chrisjin 8:36 PM - 9 May, 2012
Quote:
This is the reason why I can't get a residency!



Maybe your Dj name?
Djaward 9:08 PM - 9 May, 2012
He's only your friend until you ask for more money. On average, you should be making at least $300 on friday night and anywhere from 400-500 on Saturday. If you're as good as you say you are, then go look for another spot.
DJ Laurex 11:13 PM - 10 May, 2012
Quote:
The lowest I have ever taken is $50....an hour...at a dive bar...on a monday...and I took my "B-squad" equipment to that gig. Don't be taken advantage of. Have more pride in yourself and your ability.

The only other times I have taken less then I wanted is gigs that I know were gonna have big turn outs and viewed as good marketing/networking opportunities. Gave out a bunch of professional looking cd's (ie thermal printed, no sharpie or blank cd-r's), business cards. etc. I still didn't accept peanuts for the gig, but made up for the lower rate to capitalize on the exposure.

I've been offered to fill in some spots for DJ's I know and have turned some down because I was shocked as to what they were getting paid, even in NYC. (now, maybe some were low balling me and trying to keep the rest, who knows...but i feel somewhere in their hearts they gotta know i'm not playing for 4-6hrs and bringing equipment for $150).

It's one thing to get redic offers from owners, it's more insulting to get it from a fellow DJ...but it does show how crazy the market is right now and what ppl are getting away with...

$150-$300 with just my laptop or if I choose to bring my own console.
DJ GRIAL 9:49 AM - 22 August, 2012
I don't get why djs go so low :(

The lowest I go is $250, spent years building my music collection and spend lots of cash on equipment and music... and still do
Dj AR1 2:35 PM - 22 August, 2012
IS DIS KID OUT HIS MIND???
IM JUST ASKING LOLZ.
get sum lotion, or lubricant... ask ur friend if he wants to F... to.
damm they will love u here in NYC, charging dat? with ur own lights? DJ Vid? asking u to dress more formal?
HOW BOUT U GIVME A LIL MORE MONEY...

start goin to other clubs on ur free nights, ask them to let u play for 1 hour for free, its not gon hurt u.
show them wat u got... negotiate, see were n how much u can get.
from wat ever offer u get, talk to ur boss/friend n let him know wats good n the u want wayyyyyyy extra MONEY $$$$$$.
$ $
I
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DJ'Que 3:45 PM - 22 August, 2012
These clubs don't want to pay you shit hell you lucky to get $150.

I got a gig yesterday and told then $300 .

They were like ok cause its this Friday.

Then they call me like they have a friend that has music and he's bring it over to show them.

We like show what his music collection I said ok cool.

Guess he didn't never show or something cause he came to my gig last night to sign a contract and deposit right when I was doing another contract there.

So he got to are the same price I charge him $300 with top end and 1 powered top
Dj AR1 3:49 PM - 22 August, 2012
Quote:
These clubs don't want to pay you shit hell you lucky to get $150.

I got a gig yesterday and told then $300 .

They were like ok cause its this Friday.

Then they call me like they have a friend that has music and he's bring it over to show them.

We like show what his music collection I said ok cool.

Guess he didn't never show or something cause he came to my gig last night to sign a contract and deposit right when I was doing another contract there.

So he got to are the same price I charge him $300 with top end and 1 powered top


i would had charge him at least 100 more so he can learn n stop listening to friends... business are business, leave friends out of it. lolz.
Que btw, i been thinking on making a contract sheet, but i hav no idea how to start it, u think u can email me urs so i can copy it, if u dnt mind, i might do sum changes here n there since im in NYC n theres so many F...d up ppl over here.
djar1nyc@gmail.com

thanks
DJ'Que 3:58 PM - 22 August, 2012
Cool. I would of charged him more but his Neice was handling the DJ and the lady that booked me there for her party was like let me call there uncle cause he's the one I'm sure that's paying.

So she did and he came straight to the bar I was spinning at. Then comes to find out he's friends with pretty much the whole dam bar.

And they saw us doing a contract and was like were there.

Guess the bar will be empty Friday.