i just got bumped to 275/night and ive been at the same place for 16 months! 9-1:30 last call, and im usually in my car by 2. i dont get parking. all equipment is provided by the club. I also have to manage other djs, make sure they're bringing at least their B game, not playing the same shit day in day out. I was making 200 a night for ages, which was better than the occasional school party / house party, even though they paid more. i couldnt go any longer without knowing when i was going to get another gig, and i was tired of working for 10-15 dollars an hour.

oh. in LA 200 is the norm for half a night from what ive heard. some places pay more, but i havent heard of anything more than 400 a night.

I would guess 100-150 an hour at the very list, if you bring your A game... Depends on location, club, promoter, many variables. Ive seen some super wack DJ's on the local level make scrill. Sad!

in nyc, big clubs pay at least $500-$1000
smaller clubs(lounges)$350

wasnt there a thread like this like yesterday?

Smaller clubs/lounges pay a lot less in my experience (talking about LES spots, bar/lounges, etc).

I make $20 an hour. Clubs love me because I'm cheaper than most DJ's. Ever since I got Serato last month, I've been making like $200 a month DJ'ing 4 times a week! Its AWESOME!

$20 an hour!? You're nuts man. That's only about $80 a night! You need to up your price man. The clubs dont love you because you're good but because the bartenders make more money than you! You must be a newbie that's undercutting and taking all the good DJ's spots.

That's Awsome, I use to be at $20/hour. But with the influx of Serato/Tracktor/...Ipod. I've had to lower my rates to $15/hour plus drinks. The problem is I don't drink, so I get the drinks and put them in water bottles and sell them to the bums outside after my gigs. What's really cool, is they buy them with food stamps, so I can charge double the price. Than I go and buy muffins at the Cosco, family pack. Comes out to about 25 cents per muffin. I take them home and individual rewrap them and put a fresh sticker on em (get those from the super market fish department) and resell them to the local drive thru espresso stands for 50 cents. I'm starting to understand when DJs talk about "you gotta hustle" shit's getting tired after weeks end, but hey if I wanna sport XXXXXL shirts, it's gonna cost extra.

Niros

man soon people are gonna be djing for 10 bucks a night

u serious about the muffin business man? that's just too much work.

free drinks-water bottle-bum- food stamps- muffins- wrapping- resale- how often?

Im at 10 per hour...been there done that.

Lowest I go is minimum wage.

man. on the real, i did a calculation of how much time i put in during the week for prep, and how much time from setup to teardown a gig took, and it came down to about ten dollars an hour. but i don't see any of it as work, so it still feels like i just found three hundred and got to rock a party.

Gotta do it for the love, like some would say on this board, if you're doing it to get rich, than you shouldn't be doing it at all.

Actually since summer is approaching, I figure out I can buy water at Cosco for about 17 cent a bottle and sell it at the beach for $1 and cut out the middleman (espresso stands) But, I'll probably go back to muffins in the fall, unless I can find another hustle. What's cool is I can use the dolly I use to use for hauling crates around to haul the cooler full of water.

Man only if I was in Oregon, than I could pick up the bottles afterwards and cop another 5 cents off each one. You Oregon guys (Evil One, Wicked...) are some lucky guys.

Niros

Niro, you are a funny dude.

don't worry about being replaced by a dj that's undercutting you..worry about having enough skills and killer sets that a club would never concider replacing you.

150 an hour plus drinks and parking.
Pretty standard stuff.

I think Michigan gets 10cents a bottle.

OMG Niro, LMAO. You actually had me going at first with the whole pour the drinks in water bottles.

your about the les. they pay around $200. i was taking about the meat packing district.

You are either 15 or you are seriously joking...Right? Right?

web.mac.com

I'm moving to Michigan this fall and gonna get rich bitches. I saw a episode of the simson's where Mr. Burns gets rich by recycling. Recycling's going to be the new recycling, just wait and you'll see.

Niros

I don't think you understand how competitive the can picking up game is here Niro. You might want to consult your health insurance policy and see if being sliced open with a hanger by a rabid homeless person is covered...

Dude, I heard Niro bumping "Now I am the muffin man" in one of his sets the other night.

$10 and $20 per hour? You guys are crazy and killing the game for other DJs. I charge $225 if the club has equipment, $300 if I have to bring my own.

Depending on the club. Smaller sports bar or lounge maybe $200-250, larger trendier clubs $300.

Oh, if they want video, add another $50-100

This sounds way more logical than these other guys charging $10 and $20 per hour. I put in a lot of time and effort to undercut myself like that.

Extra $100 for that.

Telling ya man, you bucks f'ing up the game. They learn their sh*T on youtube, but never bother to learn the business side of things. They pirate everything else, so its no cost to them. Same cats that open for you and burn through all the hot tracks cause they wanna be Tiesto in a weeks time. SMH

I've actually had to drop my prices to compete. That's barebones low for me.

I got $150-200 going out to record/video pools a month. So I have to gig out at least once a month just to break even.

I know. I went from charging $100 per hour to $75 to compete but I can't go any lower than that if I'm using my own equipment.

You two cry too much.

nm

It's that time of the month, I'm a bit emotional.

I dont think thats what they mean by u gotta hustle, most people i know are talking about putting in work as a DJ when they say that, not selling muffins. Damn. And to all the DJ saying they gettin paid $10 or $20 a hour u need to say u aint taking that low a price, it f's it up for everyone else, we trying to get more money not less

Lmao that's 60 bucks for a 6 hour gig.


DA FUCK OUTTA HEA.

Even if its 120 for 6 hours

STILL GET DA FUCK OUTTA HEA

lol they fucking themselves with no vaseline

maybe they like to fuck themselves?? o_O in the end it all levels out if you are doing it right

i don't usually do club gigs. but when i did, the promoter said he pays 75 for openers and 200 for closers. caught me off guard. i didnt know it was so low out there.

$75!!!! Damn!!!! How long is the opener spinning?

I have a guy that plays for free using you tube ripped music and virtual dj what is this world coming to peeps will do anything to get sum nookie he doesn't even mix SMH.

Can still find gigs for 100 an hour here, so long as you're willing to sell tickets/promote/bring a big crowd. Otherwise you won't get hired.

After doing all that promotion and selling of tickets, I really doubt it's really 100 an hour.

nm

Well, a little more depending on the venue. 100 an hour was just a general example.

Hmmm.....so since you have to do the promoters job for him/her, does the promoter have to DJ so you can just kick back??

lol I wish. it's a shitty deal and I'll never do it. but that's the game nowadays, you either become a big name, or you become a DJ/promoter. rarely are nightclub DJ's hired solely on skill anymore. hell, that aspect has probably become the least important.

Yep, that's why I stick to the bars in the suburbs. Big clubs are not worth it nowadays. I make a decent living. I DJ, promoting is optional. I'll never have the fame local or otherwise, but I play every weekend. :D And for the most part, its open format. So within reason, I get to play whatever I want.

If you really wanna make some money, host/dj your own events. I do 3 sale out boat parties a year in Austin and on each on I profit $1360.

whaaaaat? you guys get paid to DJ? man, i've been paying like $250 a night just to get on and do a one hour set. how do you make the transition from having to pay to DJ to getting paid to do it? help.

Get paid in "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs." this is the lowest row on the pyramid, the psychological portion. So this means getting paid in sex, food, water (beer, liquor). As you move up in your career and become more self-actualized (creative, aware, accepting) you will probably make the most you can make as a dj. If you are truly aware, you will never do a club gig for less than $500.

That was me back in the 90's. But the DJing career path is the only one I know where pay has gone down. I blame it on the ease of becoming a DJ, and every monkey out there with a pirated software and music saturating the market doing gigs for free, bar tabs or just $50

I blame it on people like this

toronto.en.craigslist.ca

This is a guy that apparently gets hired by companies, and actually needs someone to sit through and find songs for him because he's too damn lazy to do it himself. Where is the work ethic? Where's the love and desire to actually find and discover and listen to shit yourself? It's DJ's like this that have fucked up the game.

Well at least he has someone sift through it. Some folks just download the Beatport 100 the morning of their gig. Beatgrid it, arrange by BPM and play out that night. LOL

i will say there are DJs in westchester county NY doing weddings for $250! i just lost a job because of one of these guys...

lmao.... westchester county - the home of the undercutting djs

So far my best outting has been $600 for a two hour set. But to put it in perspective it was for a big name casino club so it was chump change for them vs some regular bar or club

Let me know next time you have one and I'll come thru - I'm in the ATX.

We do this also from time to time some turn out great and we've had one that was a total bust. That one was one with too many trying to call the shots and overspending on everything.

$300k for a club dj (just bring sd card) :)

example pricing
mobile dj pricing - Watchwww.youtube.com

I'm glad I saw this forum because for a long time I was messing up the game and didn't know the business side, but I learned through failures.

BUT NOW, ISH* HAS CHANGED!

Thank you DJs on this post!

Everything must be by contract/agreement or we don't play.

Kobe, Lebron, or Ryan Leaf don't play for crumbs. This is a business. Pros get paid

pay is a interesting thing. to me it should be and often is relative to the crowd you draw in. If your at some small bar down the street playing in the corner with 15-20 people nightly... yea maybe 10 bucks is about right. and nothing wrong with that type of venue to get experience. If your at a dance club with a $20 cover downtown and 200-300 people rolling in the door in a night, you should be seeing 500-1000 a night and they should be pleased to pay you that.

it should be more about the music and the thrill of making the fans have a good time. find that high and the drive to achieve that at every single show... and the money will follow.

10 - 12

1360 is kool. But I always thought the profits on those boat rides were much higher. Unless that's just your cut.

Depends on the boat. I usually just get a summer time party barge. It only holds 70 people. Clearing $1360 for a guest list of 70 is a great profit. I have thrown parties on yachts but the initial cost to rent and set everything up gets expensive. I usually do those with a group. Party barges are something you can do with no help.

Make a rate for yourself. Try not to undercut other DJs purposely because, it devalues us all. I have spots that say we'll give you (blank) for a Saturday night. If it's under my rate I just say respectfully my rate is (blank) you come up to it or find someone else but, I say it as respectfully as I can.

I know DJ's that will always rock it at a spot and if I owned the bar/lounge I would be giving them what they want (within reason) since they are able to keep people there drinking, dancing and providing good vibes furthering word of mouth advertising but, that is just me.

I live in NYC. The average for smaller venues seems to be $200. That's pretty low if you are killing it every night and I suggest you negotiate the rate but, places don't see it the way a DJ sees it.

I remember covering in a very popular hip-hop spot in the Lower East Side. They called me in desperation because, at the time because the owner hated the fact I spun a competing venue although I hung out at his spot a lot. I came thru in a pinch, killed it all night. At 4am they turned on the lights and nobody wanted leave. Did some of my best dj'ing honestly and I was proud of myself. At the the end of the night I got $150bucks hardly worth lugging 3-4crates of records and dissing my girl to go DJ. I was perplexed. These big name NY DJs are spinning the spot for $150 on Saturday night? The spot was probably pulling in $5000-$7000 a night at the bar, 300-500 at the door and gave their DJs $150bucks? I didn't ask what it paid before agreeing to spin because it was a favor. I never made that mistake again.

I'll let you know homie.

Local club i rock at on saturdays, i dj from 10-2, they have a 57 and 1200's. i get paid 300$

$250 to $400 opening, $400 to $800 closing..... No Equipment must pay equipment rental prices... On Average you should be making between $400-$600 a night if your a talented seasoned DJ. Anything less is BS

Depending on the venue and the hours.. My rate is for 4 hours. If need to play longer then price changes to a per hour rate

Nm nh

$500, no matter how long they want me to play. And a bowl of green skittles in the booth....

NYC depending on who you are is anywhere from $500 - 2500 + bottles for your personal party
some venues will even work out payment on a plus list basis.
Normal of $5-10 per paying person on top of your fee.
$30-50 per bottle popper you bring in
above the LES
there are a few spots downtown that have bank to pay.
But if you're coming to NY or are from here, you focus on getting booked by conglomerates
with ownership of venues in
MPD, Chelsea and Midtown spots that can pay your rates

want to break into the NY club scene the fastest way these days?
guarantee any club that you'll book 5 bottles and charge them $600
have the bottles booked before you spin... you'll be booked weekly.

Hi I'm from the uk don't understand this, whats this about booking bottles?

Table booked for bottle service.

So if you have groups coming in, they book/reserve a table for bottle service, you guarantee the club XX amount of tables booked for bottle service the night you are spinning.

Clubs love it cause, it cost them maybe $20 for a bottle of Grey Goose for example, and they charge the group $500. Most big clubs will do 2 bottles minimum on a table.

en.wikipedia.org

Thanks I get it now,you know I'm not aware of this being a regular thing in uk clubs maybe its an American thing,can anyone correct me?

Just a brief google search and I came up with this: www.designmynight.com

bottle service became the thing in the mid 2000's. every venue that I've spun at since 2003 has pushed bottle service to anyone and everyone.
I've played at a few venues in the UK and they've been bottle service places.

models and bottles was a party that stemmed from France that the promoters eventually made their way into NY.

Reading some of these posts on what DJ's charge makes me sad, and its the main reason why I jumped into the private event scene a long time ago. Gentleman, invest In equipment, keep your quality high, and in no time you'll be charging $2000 + per gig. I remember charging more then some of you 10 years ago!! And yes the game changed and clubs are crowded with undercutters which is exactly why I got the f*#k out of that scene!

There is no way I could charge more than I do without going the wedding route. For Festivals and larger outdoor parties I get what I ask for. This community on this island is very small and can not support a DJ that demands $2000. Now, maybe on O'ahu....

If I lived on the mainland I would definitely charge more.

This brings up another good question. Do you stay on the club/bar circuit for $200 a night or do you buy thousands of dollars worth of audio and lighting to do private events. A good amount of club DJ's don't have a PA that can properly handle a large room and setting up a PA for an event demands knowledge beyond just mixing, you need to know how to troubleshoot your equipment if something fails. So for a young DJ with just a controller and a laptop the club/bar route seems to be the most practical. There is a lot involved in the mobile game, you have to purchase the gear, this means everything from your DJ gear, Audio Gear, ALL cables plus extras, road cases for everything, Care & maintenance for your gear and your vehicle. Then you have to have a place to store everything. Now on top of all that you need a working knowledge of all genres of music, something a lot of young DJ's don't have.
It requires a substantial initial investment and a commitment to quality to make anywhere near $2000 for an event.

Agreed.

I got out of the wedding/corporate/mobile DJ side of things about 6 years ago. It cost too much to maintain and there are not enough gigs on this island and too many DJs doing it to support myself. The biggest mobile jock on island is actually ranked in the top 10 in weddings for the nation and I have no desire to compete with him. I now strictly play festivals and the occasional club night. I don't need to look for gigs anymore simply because I have built a good enough rep here to get called and asked to play at parties on a regular basis.

Not everything needs to be outright purchased though. For example, me and my guys rent larger sounds/lights until it makes sense to purchase.

Look at strategies other businesses use to grow.

We'll your normal pa and lighting for a large indoor space runs at least $600 a night to rent. Rental rates are about 10% of retail.

Plus the deposit which is almost retail, (at least that's what I had to do when I rented). Paid more than 10% too, I think. It made more sense for me to buy.

This was about $2,000 gigs though, no? I'd rather get the gigs and pay the $600 rental fees while saving up instead of not taking the gigs due to lack of equipment.

Also, renting eliminates the issue of needing a way to transport and store large equipment, lowering the "initial investment and commitment".

Also, building relationships with rental places can help to lower fees. It's not often that I rent but after working with the same spot for a while, I've been paying closer to 5%. Maybe because their business is kinda slow (it's Pittsburgh after all) but it's an option.

We are 2 DJ´s we take 350€ with 2 DJ´s and with Equipment in the Club and 400€ with our own Equipment. I know that sounds a lot but we are doin a lot promo Jobs for free so people can see what they get, and honestly the most people accept our price after they heard us for the first time.

+1

Completely agree with that and your other post. When I was renting for a while, (same reason, did not want to lose the bigger gigs due to lack of equipment), my fees did not go down that much. The place I use was constantly busy, but the level of service was outstanding. That was really nice.
It got to a point where we forgot to include some speakers. My gig was starting soon. The guys there got them to me and said, " it's you who is using them, we will figure out the details later". No worries about paperwork or anything.
They made my gig the priority for the moment, and showed that there was a level of trust which I did not want to lose. I liked that. I still rent sometimes, it just made more sense to buy.

If you establish great relationships with vendors... they'll eventually give you preferred rates.
Work on building the relationships with the same vendors that you'll rent/purchase from over the years if that's the route.
I never leave one area.
I still do private and corporate keeps me busy 50% of my year.
I hardly touch a club once football season starts.
It's just not worth it.
From August until Bowl season is over, there's early call times in stadium, traveling, and weeks where there's bye's, I can be in clubs...but when the team is home, and I have an early call time of 6AM, I'm not doing the club to the stadium weekly anymore.
I'll do the game, nap then do a club where I can take former players turned pro.
But I spend 75% of November and December doing corporate events which include sound, lighting and spinning. corporate $ is real $.
there's time and planning involved...but I'd rather dedicate 15 hours of planning that in a week, than spend 5 hours in a club taking home xxxx and your club night is just that... your club night. corporate events are great places to network to something bigger and better.
flip it to something else because it's a different atmosphere where you can pop in a pre-mix for 30 minutes and sell yourself and your services to the greater powers and obtain a sponsorship or be booked on a retainer.

Thank you everybody for their input, I'll decided to charge 200, 250if it get packed, the place it's not that big and it holds about 200-250people tops, there isn't really a dj out here that plays the style of music they require Latin music, I have been doing this for 9 years now and know this crowd like the palm of my hand, have also had to do promotion in the past and since I didn't really know any better was charging 50per night 4years ago this post has made a lot of sense, I go on there and rock the shit out of my parties , just got offered 85dollar and 120 if it get packed by the promoter, not the actual owners, so I'll just deal with the owners directly thanks so much

True... you're hurting yourself and other DJs in the longrun. Up your price and don't be afraid to turn down gigs. Trust in your skill!

anybody here ever thought about organizing your own event and taking the door? that's the best way to do it if you ask me.

I knew opening this thread was gonna irritate me! Some of these DJs either ned to have more practice, business sense, and/or sense of pride when dealing with pricing. Damn shame at some of the rates I'm reading

is 40$ per night, fine?

How about working with a record label?

I am talking with a local record label and have an audition set up for next week.

I have an idea about what I would like to make, but I don't know what would be considered too high or too low. Anyone with some experience working with labels?

If you can get a label to pay/sponsor more power to you, but labels these days have almost non-existent budgets.

We´re doing this, we get the money for entrance and the club is getting the drinks, but you have to rent the club in this scenerio and you need at least 3-4 Persons plus security. In Germany you have to pay taxes, so we need about 250 people min. to get a profit, for a new DJ this could be hard.

NEVER LOWER YOUR STANDARDS!

not trying to burst your bubble... but seeing that everyone and their mom has a "record label" now days... not sure if you should even waste your time man. you could probably spend that energy hooking up with a local dj and networking the right way.

I'm doing a small club in Manhattan Friday. Super mellow, easy gig... Getting $300 for about 4 hours. Been DJing for about 2 years. I am ok... not playing big gigs yet, but considering I fucking love what I do this is plenty dough for the night IMO.

What club?

I think some of you are missing the point that some DJ's are just starting out and don't have a name that draws anyone to the venue. In this case it is like asking for what Tom Cruse makes on a film, when I'm the dude no one has ever heard of before. It is ridiculous to even ask. You have to start somewhere, and its never at the top unless there is some nepotism or money involved. Nobody starts off, otherwise, pulling in more than $300-600 a night, unless your a Hilton, of course.

The other thing is location; a DJ in Cornfield, KS can not expect to get as much anyone playing in NYC, or Vegas. Just not gonna happen.

When I started out, I played for drinks for me and free cover whenever I wanted for me and 2-3 friends. Just playing out somewhere is where you have make a name for yourself, when you draw people on the floor and keep them going to the bar, then you can start setting minimums.

Once you are doing the pulling and can set minimums, unless someone [who can pull as much as you] comes along a lot cheaper, you don't have to worry about your slot ladies and gents. That's just how the free market works.

Peace

Your missing the big picture, you need to be making a name of your own BEFORE getting tje high profile spot. Put mixs out on soundcloud, do house partys, open for names, build yourself BEFORE getting the spot and get paid what you deserve. What would the point be of building a name for yourself if venues just replace you with a no name dj who is only booked because he charges $20, as soon as you ask for more.

Youd be suprised, sure Cornfield KS wont be paying anyone four figures a night but the drinks in KS are probably just as costly as they are elsewhere so the veune HAS the money. You just have to realise you have every right to your share as they do to theirs, grow a pair and ask for it.

Soon as you start building the spot and asking for money, boom they find another DJ that will DJ for free like you were willing to before. Don't feed the cycle man, don't play for freakin drink tickets.

This


----

Plus, it's always harder to ask for more than to ask for less money.

nm

The only name you will be making for yourself is "The Cheap DJ". Once you start playing for less than standard wages, regardless of your skill level, then you will be labeled as the Cheap DJ. When promoters or managers needs cheap entertainment you will be the one they call. When they know that they need to step it up and get some serious entertainment you will NOT be the one they call. If you don't feel like you have what it takes to get standard wages then you should stay home until you get what it takes.

And please believe that once you build up a crowd coming to your spot then the management and owners will try to figure a way to remove you from the equation.

It's realy nice to read, that somewhere is a place wher Dj's are well paid . I'm from Poland. It's normal to get 200-500 for night, but in zł (+/- 50-125 $). In capital 300 $ and only the best dj's in the best's club's.

I had to borrow money for my first equipment and play 3 night/week (2 months), to pay off. But that was worth of it. I always loved this feeling when I see full dancefloor.

Sorry for mistakes ;)

$500 is pretty good money.

I agree about opening for another DJ completely. That's exactly what beginners do to build up their name. Your chances of becoming famous on Soundcloud is literally just a touch better than winning a multistate lottery. There are hundreds of thousands of DJ trying on one site. Ergo, you get the $20 BEFORE you get to $50 and you stay there BEFORE you get to $100. If you are better than "no name" and you know you're pulling more people in the club then, again, no worries mate.

The other factor, again, is location. No, there is not a standard, or this thread would have had just one post on it. That little place... in Bumfuk, KS; has an average pay of $8.25/hr and Lou the barber gets $10 cause his been there 30 years. And Dr. Bob, the town's only doctor pulls in $85/hr., he is the richest man in town. The watered down drinks at the only club run no more than $4-5 each (for premium) and usually there is no cover, but sometimes they charge $5 at the door after 11pm. What do you think you are really gonna get paid there, even if the party population in the town love your beats? Hint is here you aren't gonna come close to the doctor's pay, not even close. You will not see nurse money. You would be lucky to have a job DJ'ing.

Part of the problem here is some of you need a course or two in economics or at least business management, because you don't seem to know how the free market operates. You obviously know that there are some real cheap DJs out there, so you think the solution is to tell them to raise their price so that they don't get the job, but you still might. Instead of either getting better and pulling in a bigger crowd, or lowering your own price.

The other part is that some of you are speaking from behind the decks that are in your bedroom or your mom's basement, and not from playing in front of a real crowd. When your good enough to pull people in to drink and otherwise spend money, than you can then start asking for what you really want, because you can take your name with you when you leave.

If your in this for the money, do weddings. You can see how much they pull in in your area by doing a search of local wedding DJ's. Unless your Tiesto, or someone like that, then for sure get your money and your rider and play on.

I hope they get rid of me the way they did Skrillex and Tiesto so I can make bank. If what you are saying made sense, then clubs would not pay to have national headliners come in. They don't remove you, they would reward you. Because if you go, you take your name and YOUR crowd with you.

If you are as good as you think, it won't matter who is asking for what because "DJ Cheap" doesn't headline like you, he is going for a different spot.

This is just like getting into stand-up comedy folks, you don't start off touring the US your first time up. You start at the bottom and you get bottom pay, or sometimes drinks. If you are funny everyone will know it and the club will ask you back for the middle man slot, where you open for the headliner. Someday hopefully you get to be last up and close the show, until then find work where you can find work. And may the force be with you.

False, A) if we're still talking about middle of nowhere Kansas, odds are spots are limited and they are all going for the same spots. Even un larger areas there are a ton of great venues manned by play for drink djs due to cheap owners

Skrillex was never a club Dj and they both got famous on production, your argument is invalid.

Clubs that are hiring play for drink djs are not typically the same clubs booking Skrillex

Your putting the horse before the carriage. Tje goal of putting mixs on soundcloud is not to get you famous. Its to show off your skills locally so that you build a local following that will warrant you getting paid the right amount for working without hurting yourself and those around you in the process.

Exactly.

Depends, what is the population of the town, how many people does the venue hold, how much compition does the venue have?

A) if the towns that small, odds are there is no "club" if there is one it prob has little to no compitition, if so lets say the building holds 500 people. The fact that the drinks are watered down means the bar is in fact making more money per pour per drink so add that to the till, so lets say you reach capacity and half of them come after 11, $1200, and all if them have 3 drinks, $7500, $7500 + $1200 = 8700. So almost 10 grand a night and you think they cant afford to pay you $200?

Yet your the one with the idea of running a business (because djing is a busniess) with a high operating cost (equipment, music, resources, travel) that operates on a net income of...vodka?

Im curious to know how many residences you have and at how much per night.

Yes you can take your name when you leave, and that name now has a value of 0 due to you giving it away for free.

If your NOT in this for the money stay the fuck at home and play in your room and at your friends houses.

Heres another econ 101 lesson. Perceived value, people will pay more and desire something more if the perceived value is higher. Do jordans make you run faster or jump higher? No. Do they even look better than other shoes? Not always. Yet people pay hundreds of dollars for them when they can get an equivalent shoe from shoe dept for $30. But people think Js are better because they are priced higher.

I'm going to pick on bar owners rather than DJs for a bit ...

I've found two types in my residencies over the years ...

One (which was the first residency I held) was a bar owner that knew what they were doing. The DJ (me), was a part of their brand that they projected to the outside world. They were willing to pay for my expertise, and increased the pay as we grew together. Ended at $400/night when they sold the business.

The other (which was a residency that I had before I moved) was an owner that inherited their bar. They wanted something slightly more alive than a jukebox. They were angling for a free or low cost DJ, but eventually talked them into a lucrative split of bar receipts. I do not think they expected a crowd or receipts (or DJ percentage of bar being so large) like they got. They still never saw the DJ as helping their brand, but rather as a commodity.

I believe scenario 1 is rare, and 2 is much more common across the country. Sad but true.

I would agree.

nm

Same

You sound like a well trained consumer of goods, and maybe services too. All you have to do to sell you something is raise the price right? Makes sense, actually perceived value works like this: one buys (at their higher price) a BMW or a pair of Jordans, because of the NAME recognition, not simply because it costs more. If you are still "DJ No Name" than you are also "DJ Cheap." As I have said many times before, make a name for yourself, doing things other, presumably cheaper, people can not or will not do, or take the entry pay like everyone else, or you can go home and play/cry to your walls.

This is just like getting into stand-up comedy folks, you don't start off touring the US your first time up. You start at the bottom and you get bottom pay, or sometimes drinks. If you are funny everyone will know it and the club will ask you back for the middle man slot, where you open for the headliner. Someday hopefully you get to be last up and close the show, until then find work where you can find work.

I'm only talking about Bumfuk in the Bumfuk paragraph, which is a town of only 200-300. A single dancefloor club that hold 500 is pretty fukn big already. Really the club is in a bigger town 12 miles away, where the Dr. lives. And you have to go there for the ONLY club for another 35 miles of state roads, because of fire codes it will hold about a 100 max, it really only sees maybe 70 on a good night.

All you have to do is. at most, come in with a laptop and your controller, or at least a thumb drive (or gig stick). The club does everything else, promotion, lighting, managing the door, serving the drinks, maintaining security, cleaning up after, speakers, liquor, beer, mixers, licenses, inspections, TV's, loads of people behind the scenes, taxes, eclectic, water...etc. You think there gonna have you in 6-8 times a month a $200 a night so they can pay off your equipment for you in a month and a half to two months? Grow up and quit dreaming!

200 a night is at least 50/hr unless you just play only 2 hrs. My 11 y/o niece can DJ with the best of the 15 boys, who can DJ almost as good as most you, judging from the infantile arguments, and counter arguments, being put forward, plus the total lack of logistical considerations, about who hires whom and how much money is reserved for entertainment. I'm not gonna pay you $50/hr to do what an 11 y/o girl can do, just because you think you are special. In fact I bet she would actually draw a bigger crowd.

A lot of you are acting like you are doing the club some kind of favor by gracing them with your showing up, for most of you there really doing you the favor, bc there are 100 other squirts out there that want in, ergo cheap labor.

However, if you play a wedding with 500 guests, you would be looking at $2,500-5,000 on the low end for most cities with over 100k population, just starting out. With only a gig or two under your belt. So again, if you in it for the money go where the monies are. It also happens to be a good way to make a name for your self before asking for a nice first club gig.

Don't get me wrong, if you can hustle your way to the top right of the gates by convincing the promoter that you really a pair of Jordans, and not a pair of Jordash, then by all means do what you do playa.

The quote of mine you selected does not contain Skrillex chum.

I'm confused about the first scenario, you were part of their brand but you were not sold as a package deal? I do love a good mystery.

It's not a mystery that a new owner would want to save money wherever he could.

Just a guess though.

nm

But the old owner would just throw the money at the DJ (that was part of the brand)?

What I understand from what he wrote is that they grew the brand together and he got paid more as the business expanded.

But I have seen new owners come and start cutting costs.

nm

My scenario was a little different. New owner had another bar that used lowest bidder DJs. Changed name of bar, brought his DJ and bartender friends who he was comfortable with.

He didn't really care about old brand, felt he had his own branding. Had this conversation with him, said "whatever dude".

I had an 11 year run before it was sold. Felt fortunate at any rate!

^^^this

Fine, Ill fix it

Clubs that are hiring play for drink djs are not typically the same clubs booking national headliners

Did that change anything?

Do you still think people would be lining up to buy Jordans if they cost $10 or would yuppy busniess guys still be driving BMWs if they cost less than a Kia?

And yes, name recognition is important, which is why you should never brand yourself as DJ Cheap because Dj Cheap will never get paid well in the future.

You literally just described the area I live in and im making $400 a night....your argument is invalid.

Yes, you are providing them a service, services are meant to be paid for....do you think the door person, security guards, alchohol companys, venue owner (most venues are rented or leased), the bank who issued the loan ect ect are getting paid? Their equipment is being funded through service, why shouldnt yours.

Mabye thats a reason your not in the position to do such anyway.

Until you factor in the time it takes to setup equipment, time to and from the gig, time spent searching for and organising music, making edits, practicing, ect ect ect

Typically when people buy a bar, its not to continue the same brand as the bar before it. Usually theres a name change, cosmetic changed, rebranding ect

When you get into standup you start off on open mics, you dont go talk to the owner and say youll headline for free for a spot. Also theres a difference between stand up and djing because people understand comedy, they know if someones funny yet a bad dj can still play music people like. Also with standup the entire night is NOT centered around just you AND by doing an open mic your not taking the spot from someone who should be getting paid.

Im still waiting to hear how long your longest residency was, how much you were making, how long youve been at this ect ect

Been at it since 2000ish, starting playing raves in the woods in the summer of 2001 for free as was the way it was done. Plus a few house parties here and there. Its about the music and culture, but I digress. Had a British DJ, tutor me, till the end of 2002. Won my first competition in 2003, which got me a regular gig twice a month for about a year @ $100 for 3 hours sets. All I had to bring was my records and needles (and their cartridges). Then got my first weekly gig the fall or winter of 2004 starting at around $150 for 2 hours and ending @ $225 for 2 hours. Lasted till I moved in 2006. Family issues. Spun, back then, under the names DJ Cumba, and DJ Blackfoot, respectively.

What is your story? I can not find it so please just cut n paste it.

I think he said 200-500 Polish dollars only $125 USD, but hey, who's counting?

Just my 0.02 cents on the matter of your equipment getting paid off...
Here's my point of view. DJ ing at a club where some of the stuff is provided or doing mobile work where you bring everything is still a buisness. You have a certain skill, invest time and money and provide a service. Said bar owner requires the service you can provide. He hires you for the agreed amount. The equipment required for that service is an expense on your part required to operate the buisness and provide the service. They are tools of the trade. The cost of purchase, maintenance and upgrade is always factored in to your price. That equipment not only has to be paid off, but it must also make you a profit and eventually contribute to te upgrading portion once it is no longer dependable. You can't run a successful buisness with shity equipment that is band aided together. So, I would say that it is not unreasonable to expect a wage for a service that I can provide and the customer requires which would pay off the equipment in approximately 2-3 months with a steady residency at a local bar, obviously this will depend on what equipment you are providing .
If we say for example $300 a night, one night a week. That's $1200 a month , $14,400 a year. You might not be there every weekend due to whatever, so let's say $12,000 a year.
Say you show up with a Rane 64, two 1200's, a MacBook Pro, carts and needles, miscellaneous items like hard drives and your subscription to record pools and other music purchases etc. those are all expenses on your end required to operate the buisness. About half of your income will go toward spying that off.
Those may be the tools you choose to use, or you may choose other ones such as a controler, or CDJ or whatever. As long as you are on point and providing a good service that you are contracted to provide. Not really the bar owners problem, but yours. You know what your profit is going to be. The time it takes you to prepare, practice, organize music and get to the gig is not his concern. You will do the job promised for said cost. If you are doing all of that to break even, you're doing it wrong. Any buisness that plans to be around for a while operates with just enough income to keel the doors open, including the bar owner, ( that may be the case, but that's because he does not know what he is doing). I have never heard of someone opening a bar and saying "let's run this place at just enough to cover the cost and not worry about a profit."
So, I guess I'm reffering to the statement that the bar is going to "pay off your equipment". No, he is hiring a service. How that service divides and allocates that money is none of his concern. His concern is to decide whether he is getting the desired results from spending the money for that service. If he feels he can get better service for a cheaper price, then go for it. I don't think it's right for him to like the service but hold a grudge and low ball the price because "he's not going to pay off your equipment". Dealing with people like that will not end up good, they feel that they are the only ones entitled to make money. They think everyone is out to rip them off and no one worked as hard as them to get where they are. What do you think his response would be if you told him the drink prices are too high?
If we say an average of $5 a drink which contains 1-1 1/2 oz. How many drinks sold until he pays off the bottle? Not many. Factor in the expenses such as staff, licensing and operating costs and he feels justified in whatever he is charging because he is providing you with a venue, an atmosphere and entertainment for the evening where you can go and socialize, drown your sorrows or whatever.
On top of that, he may charge a cover, to pay for the entertainment. So, that's not being deducted out of the $5 drink, it washes out. So it's not coming out of his pocket. A $10 cover charge with 50 people showing up more than covers the DJ and probably door man.
It just seems to me that lately, opinions seem to be that the bar owner is expected to make profits, but the DJ (or entertainment), which should draw the people in and keep them there should be happy to be there at cost.
When you order a drink at the bar, would it be acceptable for you to say, "it only costs you $3 out of this drink to operate this place (just a number), I'm not paying for that BMW that you have parked outside!"
Just my opinion, kinda based on 20 yrs in the contracting buisness. Was meant to be a short and sweet post. Sorry for rambling on.

^oooops

yup, exactlly

Yep, right on point. What I don't understand is DJs that are willing to essentially eat the cost of this expensive equipment (and their time) and play for free/drink tickets/$20 hour. Just doesn't make sense as a business.

Costco pays 15-20/hour, but you don't have to bring your own forklift (or own one to practice on at home).

Yep, right on point. What I don't understand is DJs that are willing to essentially eat the cost of this expensive equipment (and their time) and play for free/drink tickets/$20 hour. Just doesn't make sense as a business

The reasons are many, I'm sure. I think the biggest one is that there is no confidence in themselves and the abilities that they are able to bring to the table. They are convinced that they are Lucy to get that and the more expensive DJ is even luckier.
They don't have a clue as to the basics of how to operate a buisness. Not even the basics. They are convinced that nobody makes money any more, they just do it to get by and that's just the way it is.

It's simple. It's not a business to them. It's social hour. They're probably using it to get pussy. Sad but true.

nm

So 5 grand (minimum) on equipment to get pussy? Smh!

They probably have at least $10k-20k in just lighting equipment per dance floor (if the club has multiple rooms). Their risk is exponentially higher than yours so.... so is the potential profit. If you want club owner money open a club, they are a business complete with city and state licensing fees and taxes, which your pool subscription fees can not even touch.

It seems to me, to get the kinda pay we all want, even though all may not deserve, is to start a national/international DJ union. I know of associations, but never heard of a union. Then we can start talking about min standard pay. But until then, it is the free market all the way.

Sad, but true, when it works like it is supposed to (with little influence from 3rd parties) then it is by far the best kind of market in the world.

I'm all for free market, but if it worked perfectly for DJs, the bars that get volunteer or cut rate DJs would go under.

Unfortunately, music is just one part of a bar.

Nah. You can play at a club with less than 500 bucks.

nm

Think I phrased that last one badly.

I meant becoming a DJ usually entails dropping 5 grand on equipment. So these cats do that, play for drink tickets and the promise of pussy?

There has to be easier/cheaper ways to get laid!

It will cost even more to marry it, lol.

Yup. There is. Go downtown and rent it.

I think $5000 is a little on the high side, these days, unless you also mean music purchase costs. Or unless your doing top of the line CDJs and a good Mixer. $5-6k ought to get you two Pioneer CDJ Nexus 2000's and a pretty great mixer. But, if you having to haul and hook up all that, then you should get a fatter check. But, even the crappier clubs that I have been in have at least the Nexus 900's now and at least a DJM 850 or 900's. In which case, you only need a couple of thumb drives, or gig sticks.

If your going the, more popular, controller way, than you are looking at max of $800-1100 for the controller and at least $700-800 on a decent laptop (unless you have to have an Apple). The software will usually come packaged with the controller so your looking at around $1,500-2,000 for equipment that you have to bring to the club. That should get a few months worth of strange. If your just starting out you should expect to have it paid off in 2-4 months of semi regular gig'n, most will take longer, some will take less.

Or you could get that back doing a wedding or two.

And if you make enough DJ'ing to pay all of your bills than my hat goes off to you, that means you're a real pro, and you are living the dream lol. Unless you are living with parents still, cause that just don't count.

If their is no union to set market minimums than its just between you and whom ever represents the venue. In this case the best DJ's will headline and close the night and get the best, while the lesser know artists will get opening slots and get lesser pay. This economic method should give the better known, and supposedly better DJ the best slots.

Unfortunately, I'm dealing with a club were the promoter thinks he is a headliner too, but he kills the dance floor every time he plays. I don't mean 'kills' in the good way either. He gives himself the headliner slot to make a name for himself, but since he is, shall we say, lacking the necessary skills/experience he is only bringing the club and himself down.

It's where I really wanna spin but word got back to him that I don't think he should be there, before I knew he was the manager/promoter. So I may be stuck going somewhere else, until someone catches this hack.

FYI I don't advocate playing for drinks for weeks on end, you should be able to make the right impression in a set or two and work it up from there, usually jumping up to at least $20-30/hr for a few more weeks should be a good place to start, but this all depends on the factors I previously addressed: skill, name recognition, location, and sophistication level and size of the venue. And if you are looking to switch clubs, ask the new promoter to drop in on your current set so you can skip past the lower pay levels of negotiations.

Peace

I dont think $200 a night is exactly club owner money. Sure their investment and risk is higher but so is their pay.

I was looking at things this way:
Decent MacBook Pro - $1,299
****
Decent Rane Mixer - $1,299
2 decks - $699 (pio plx-1000) or $899 x 2 CDJ 850 = min $1,300
or minimally decent controller maybe ddj-sx $1,000
***
decent headphones $200
***
music investment, minimally $100/month

So even controller route, by far the cheaper is > $3,500.

My comments were more geared towards cats that are doing residencies at these rates (and there's a ton of them in LA).

Even if they drove all of us out of business by undercutting and giving away their time, good luck to them when they eventually want to get paid what they're worth.

That is what I said.

You would think actors and other musicians would get paid for an audition, but they don't even get drinks, so consider that a plus. That's what an hour set would be when no one has heard of you, an audition.

LA is expensive, the cost of living there is through the roof, so like I said about location being a huge factor, you would expect cats in LA are getting lots of money. But, if you live there or near there your bills are equally higher, so its all relative. I may only get $200-250 a night but my mortgage payment is less than $350 a month so I'm doing pretty well. There is no standard in which to stick, unless we form a union, so telling cats they are wrong for taking less than you in LA, is kinda a moot point.

True, and I did forget to add in headphones. I wasn't counting music costs either. So when you do that with a Mac, $3,500 is a better estimation. Still not in the $5k range though.

My original scenario was based on a high end mixer and two decks. The controller lowers the cost a lot.

Oh, and now I remember why I didn't consider controllers. I was looking at set ups that had a proven 5-7 year return on investment. I'm not sure controllers have that just yet. Time will tell.

military bases are the cheapest folks when it comes to paying DJs overseas. I could DJ downtown for a little more money but why risk an asthma attack with all the cigarette smoke....military bases are smoke free.
no one here has a clue as to what the DJs get stateside and they freak when I ask for what I deserve vs. what they want to pay. I don't get over $100 a night unless it is a party or special event...then it is usually over $200
the club on base doesn't get packed till 2330hrs and then dies at 0130 hrs...some of it due to military curfews. Base clubs overseas are hurting for money. maybe I will renegotiate my pay when my contract comes up..but as far as I am concerned...as long as I can plaster my name up all over the club... it is nice free advertising for the real events.

I think you may be misinterpretating the senario we're talking about. Noones saying demand money for an audition. What we're saying no to are the djs who go to venues or events with NO skills and use playing for free as leverage to get a job, taking a full time position, or constantly in lineups.

Wow, you guys get paid?!? I just started djing 2 months ago and have to pay my friends to come. I pay them $10/person ($5 for girls) I spend $500 on a party bus. It really makes me look good in front of the club owner... When I'm djing, I buy 2 bottles of Popov vodka so that all my bottle rats have something to drink. I only end up spending about $800/night. I do look like a pimp though! #DjLife

Undercutter DJ's Starter Pack:
oi59.tinypic.com

dont buy new, you are spending way too much

when I got back in the game nearly 3 years ago:
2 used VCI-300s, $500 (both with deck save and one with a case)
2 Used Dell Intel dual core 2.2GHz USFF PCs, win 64 8GB $500
(one set for home and one set I leave locked up in the club)
Promo Only account $24/Mo

I already had monitors and upgrade video cards, KBDs and Mice on hand because as a computer technician, I rarely throw things away.
so yes, way cheaper than $3500 to start
but in the past two years I have spent $5000 about to be completely mobile. Got a VCI-400 recently on the cheap cuz folks are bailing on Vestax (suckas!) Getting MBP next year with my tax refund and then selling off the other stuff. I should be making a great profit starting next year.

Lol honestly if djs are going to be that sheap may as well dj for free by donoting your time lol sounds better to donate time than to be sheap

Exactly

If I'm just starting out with my first residency at a huge hotel (and never snagged any regular spot, this will be my first), is $60 per hour good? Should I be thankful and not really negotiate? I just glad to be hired for every week!

I've dj'd for a while now but I've been dying for a redisency, let alone the spot I'm getting hired for. I just don't want to miss the opportunity being it's my very first real night club dj chance.

To me, that's actually a fair price for someone who is inexperienced. Make sure you're able to renegotiate down the road though as you gain more experience and hopefully, as you bring in a bigger crowd after a while.

nm

I get $250 a night (4 hours) at my Friday residency, which is a bunch less than a lot of the other one-off gigs I'll play; but I also get unlimited bar tab and a hotel room whenever I need to sleep one off.

I never take the piss with the bartab though, some DJs ream it, but I think that's hella rude.

Most club gigs here in NZ seem to pay between $300 and $500 depending on the bar/club; I've played for as low as $100 for a set, but that had extenuating circumstances involved.

I also have the option of playing any Saturday I choose (at my resident bar) for that same $250 rate, but I try to mix it up a bit club wise, and tend to book Weddings/Corporates on Saturdays whenever possible.

I find the exposure of a weekly residency, the word of mouth it generates and the subsequent gigs/bookings that come from it make up for the lacklustre pay.

I also really enjoy playing my residency too; been there for 1.5 years now, have some great friends there and usually get a nice drink swerve on whilst working (I swear, it helps my cuts) haha ;)

I won't get into numbers but...

I think if you are willing to promote. be the service arm or at least the liason for equipment maintenance at your residency, provide feedback, observations and creative event ideas you can make more than you expect without question.

I think sometimes we get too caught up with just the DJ side of things and forget to be able to sell ourselves as a 'value add' business wise day to day.

Another thing is I don't drink or mess with drugs so I find clubs are finding that portion very attractable now vs a pitfall.

I'm not drunk halfway through my set f'ing up the music. I'm focused all the way through from start to finish.

0 people to the club to X, grind all the way through everytime.

If we do have a special guest, I work with them and enjoy the show. If there is any technical issues I always try to be available. If I can't be there for soundcheck I'm a phone call or text away.

You guys are making it hard for any talented new DJ.... Please stop accepting peanuts if you know you are worth more. The only reason clubs hire you is because of your price, not your skills. You need to think about that, maybe be more selective and work as hard as you can to get at least 200/300 a night.

and you get hired becuase of your tits and blonde hair,

and let them play for peanuts if they want everyone has to start somewhere, and when they fuck up crack under the pressure it makes the better paid dj's look more reliable

i see you were a model before how much dick did you have to suck or nude shoots,

your answer will probably be zero hence why you turned dj couldn't get work,







welcome abord it's my way of saying hi

you were knocking the lowballers,
who themselfs have to start somewhere,
i don't agree with losing gigs to undercutters but it's just how buisness works

and you are naive yourself if you think you get hired because of your skills,
promoters see you and go i can market this and will pull a crowd

drunk dudes just want pussy not to hear the best set of their lives

Yummy popcorn.
nm

Learn how to quote properly blondie.

all reginas links are broken. real or troll?

there real you just have to know how to use the internet as she put in https// in the links,


i.instagram.com

some nice pics and she can twist my knob any day

I charge $100 per hour minimum 2 hours if I don't have to travel. That's about average for my region. Sometimes I go lower if the venue is small. I'm on the radio so sometimes I can get more off of that.

Do you guys give a discount if the crowd does not show up?

Promoters don"t give me extra cash when they have good turn outs so I don't give discounts.

Seems fair to me.......

i dont remember you being so cranky sparky? you get in a bad divorce or lose your job?

Didn't get my Christmas bonus this year, was going to get a pool as soon as the ground thaws

lol

nm

Let's play nice...

were you been, dude been mad cranky for at least a year now.....lol

ROTFLMAO

:D

I am an African based deejay av bin in the business for like 1yr now and I wanna go for my masters at NYC. I still wanna go on with Deejayn there so can someone please tell me what pay to expect. I play hip hop. My guess was 150 bucks

She never came back too :(

Wow! You did it. Your brilliant. You insulted her for no reason at all and she left.

I fail to see the downside to this

What a shocker Vinnie!!!

so Barbie dj claims she gets gigs because she is talented,
i gave her a reality check and its clearly her image that gets her gigs all you have to do is look at her instagram, so I stand behind every thing i said although the cock sucking comment was a bit harsh but probably true

Why is it your job to give her a reality check.? How do you know whether she has or lacks talent based on an Instagram page.? There are some very talented attractive female djs and there are some unattractive horrible male djs. Your cock sucking comments we're completely uncalled for. I'm sure it's easy to say what ever you want behind that stupid Chevy chase mask you wear, with no additional info on you where someone knew who you actually were and could hold you accountable for your rude, ignorant comments. I reported you to serato and hopefully you leave and never come back.

I'll get you a box of tampons when i pop out to the shop

GTFOHWT captin save a hoe white knight buuuuulllllllhiiiiit

Thanks. That's it. I must be on my period.

hahaha

nm

Lol now i'm a pig, well oink oink

if you review the evidence then tell me she's not a Barbie dj
and a little digging will also reveal she seems to be a bit of a gold digger too

Your missing the point here sparky! It doesn't matter whether she is or isn't a Barbie dj. She might be. That doesn't give you the right to ask her how many dicks she had to suck to get work. Its just wrong and rude. Why is that so hard for you to grasp?

as an American you should know all to well the freedom of speech,

I just say whatever I want to whoever I want,
whenever I want, wherever I want, however I want

and if it offends you all the better

The first amendment. Yes you are one hundred percent correct. In this country you have the right of the freedom of speech. You can say whatever you want to whoever you want and when ever, wherever or however you want. It would benefit everyone here Sparky if you used your brain put some thought into what you say when you exercise your right to say it. Just because you can does not mean you should or have to.

Or you could not be so easily offended by what others say, how about you try that,

this is the internet if you don't like what you see pack up your modem and call it a day

I never said I was offended Sparky. I said it was rude and sophomoric. Which it is regardless of your reason for saying it. So there is nothing for me to try. I also have the right to freedom of speech and choose to exercise my right by telling you that you come across as ignorant, immature and highly insecure and I would rather stay here and exercise that right and let you know that, than leave because someone like you tells me to pack up and call it a day.

See you around Spark!!!

Correct




Probably not, my mother has been "attacked" on this forum for years. Had she ever actually seen any of it shed laugh and clown back on them 10 times harder. Just because she's a woman does not mean she needs random guys on the internet to jump to her rescue.

Just like 99% of everything else that is said on this forum

That's a s(low) blow. lol

nm

I wasn't rescuing anyone. I was making the point that what he said was unnecessary, rude and sophomoric. I stand by that. It did not make one bit of difference to me what the persons sex was. It was just wrong.

I'll start a crowdfunder to raise 56k if you never make any more modem jokes

Oh Geez Bizzles. Now I get it. I thought that was probably the case but I never bothered to look at your profile. "One of the rising star djs of Mobile Alabama" So impressive!! Im sooo amazed at all your talent. It must be so hard fighting of all of your 300 followers. No I know why your so grumpy. It must be living hell leading the life that you do as a star dj and everything in Moblile Alabama. Next you will probably take over another huge metropolis like Montgomery with your amazing mashups. Wow! who would have that you were all that! I cant believe I get to talk to you. "A real rising start in Mobile Alabama". I should learn to mind my p's and q's around you. An up and comin soopa star you is. You might want to spend more time on your djing carreer than on defending Idiots like Sparky! Then you might have the opportunity to take over another huge dj market like Biloxi Mississippi or Tascagoochee Oklahoma. You big star you. Im soooo soooo sorry I eva spoke to you like that Vin, I mean DJ MBEZZLE BEZZLE BEZZLE BEZZLE BEZZLE.

P.S. I learned how to use the echo efx from your soundcloud page. So thanks!!!

Oh what the fuck ever I know for a fact you've seen MUCH worse said on this forum, in fact I've seen you SAY some pretty rude immature shit on this forum. Yet somehow NOW you wanna become spartacus, sure, the fact it was a female has NOOOTHING to do with it

I wasn't, but you should know better than that Vin, being from the south and all. You don't speak to ladies like that in Mobile Alabama do you?

By the way there is clearly a huge diffence between being funny and throwing out a little shit talking and asking someone how much dick they suck just for posting an opinion about how much djs should get paid. You cant see that Vinnie?

Nathan,
i learned real quick to get a thick skin on the site. DJs aren't like they were in the late 80's and early 90's. (tight group of folks who sincerely want to help each other and not to just sound like a know it all who is good with Google) but i think SNS brings out the worst in everyone.

this has been entertaining for the past week I must say. and yeah, i researched that girl.....wasn't too impressed either.

Hey dee jay cee,

I get what your saying and I have thick skin. I can see that the dj community isn't the most helpfull bunch of people (there are some here who do want to help). I never said she was impressive but what did she do to deserve that level of bullshit? She replied to a question in a reasonable manner. If she had responded in a way that was shit talking or being rude to others I wouldn't have said a peep, but the response she received was just so out of line in addition to not being contributative to the descussion in ANY way. Anyways I'm glad this has been entertaining for you.

分かりました

I agree! I think.

negotiating a summer residency this week. nice read up.

euro zone, biggest/busiest pub in a small town with no cover charge, the pub has its own crowd already and they do live bands on the inside, i get the beer garden if there is a band playing.

if they get a live band cancellation i get the entire club.

10 - 1:30 (lets say 4hours). not much to set up...using my ddj sx.

i do mobile gigs but just like the idea of doing the pub too. recently moved into the town for my day job.

ive got enough info to negotiate with here.

cheers guys.

It wasnt necessary to be this rude to her. Attacking a stranger for no reason (and in this case a woman).

You seem to be the complete opposite of a gentlemen. More like a real jerk it seems.

Hopefully you don't treat women as as you talk to them.

If you don't have anything positive or nice to say to others, just don't speak at all.

as bad*.

They don't get paid enough (for the avg. Joe) to do it on a weekly basis (EVEN IF) you love what you do. I only do clubs once a month

I remember when getting $400+ per club in my area was the norm. 3 nights a week gigs x 4 for the month and you were living good.

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nm

What's it down to now, on average?

I say $150


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nm

A relative of mine makes about $200-$300+ each gig. But they're not regular gigs. And they're usually private events for an exclusive crowd, meaning the people who host the event have money and so does everyone who attends.

The best paying gig she had so far was through some people she met at burning man.
She made friends with some billionaires who after burning man festival invited her to their island to play for 2 hours at their beautiful mansion. They paid her $2000, gave her a fancy room for the night, and were pretty much awesome hosts to everyone who was at the party.

That was a one time thing, but would't it be nice to have two of those gigs every month? :)

Most of the bar/restaurants in my immediate area are paying $150 for a Saturday or Sunday, and those spots are extremely Ratchet.I hate playing those spots and have pretty much stopped altogether. If I travel a little farther I can get $250. I did a spot on labor day for an agreed $250 and they ended up giving me $300. It wasn't even crowded that night either. Some managers and owners get it while others just try to pay as little as possible. This particular bar has a few locations and all of the DJs are making at least $200 a night I believe.

Some of the managers.... That sentence is definitely how it has been.

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nm

I work 2 nights a week at a small pub (149 person capacity) and charge $200 per night, plus $50 bar tab.

That's another thing that pisses me off. Drinks not being given to the DJ for free. And yes, I understand some take advantage of this but come on. I'm sure places could figure out this easy.


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nm

Generally, not near enough.



And this. THIS. You want to pay me terrible money, just so I can pay you back for drinks. Luckily there are some OK bartenders.

Very true on the bartenders. That's usually the way to go. Warm up to them and they treat you right.


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nm

I don't drink and DJ...but I get free soft drinks and bottled water all night

I just bring my own flask or bottle. No waiting for a waitress, and it's cheaper.

I do that sometimes but seriously, a refreshing beer or two should be standard.

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nm

I would say the average here in the Tampa Bay area is probably $150 as well.
I very rarely have to pay for drinks. Even the places that usually charge the DJ usually comp mine out. I don't drink much when spinning but a few drinks helps loosen you up and makes it better for the whole room. Owners should at least understand that...

The biggest issue around here is that Tampa Bay area has a population of 2.7 million, 1.467 million of them are DJs, allegedly.

im pretty sure thats how the chick from earlier in the thread made her money as well lol

AGREE! In my experience, most venue managers or owners will try to take advantage of DJ's and pay a lower rate, but offer a "bar tab."

DON'T GIVE IN. If they're offering you a $100 bar tab, tell them to just skip the drinks and add it onto your pay. KILL the night, market yourself and they'll have you back at that + rate.

Drinks should be included. It's not like we're popping $15k Nebuchadnezzars.

Of course venues will attempt to offer the "bar tab" compensation selling point.
They're pouring well vodka that they've purchased for $5 on the bottle, turning and selling the drink at $8.
That's a profit to the venue of $120 for the bottle when poured HEAVY (16 shots vs the 25 if they pour light).

They'll give a DJ 10 drinks for them and their friends and call it a day. in reality, they've only spent around $60 of their profits for your $100 bar tab.

and six is on point with how the rates have dropped. I remember a time when it was EASY in NY to bring a crowd of 2 birthdays, charge 750-1000 for the night plus get 1-2 bottles for the parties coming (once they drink they won't stop and will run up the bill on their own).

These days, unless you're Tier A or B, I've heard some guys being offered $300 for 4-5 hours and a few drink tickets.

The market is flooded with DJs now... that is the problem

Then theres the bigger problem....its not going to get any less flooded...its gonna get worse

Overseas on a military base they panic at anything over $50/hr ....I still charge more than that though....and they never regret it.

I know dj's in la thats djing for $50 all night and even some are free. just so they feel important, but the club pay is $150 all night. 1 reason why I stop djing for clubs. its sad here in la.

$150 is sad in comparison to what the clubs make. If it's a small lounge and they gross $1500-$2000 a night I can understand the rate. But that shouldnt be the standard across the board. There's levels to this shit

Ya, ive never been able to understand the math on this one. At one of the place I worked they would CONSTANTLY bitch about paying me my $200 a night. At the end of the night theyd be counting money and id be thinking ok so we made 25K....and we have a total of 8 to 10 employees working....and its only friday.......so why is scroungin up another $50 more than your original financial offer an issue again

its not across the board its just the wanna be's. I would go to a club where the guy was playing just from a laptop and virtual dj and he was getting paid $50 or sometimes free.and one of the promoters called himself a so called dj. after the guy quit he started playing music from his laptop also. that night lasted 3 yrs they had a dj battle and wanted me and kid fresh to go against this laptop guy. well this was the 2nd battle and we both lost as they say. how can you beat 2 battle dj's on 12's and your play with just a laptop and virtual dj. shit was comical.

you just gave an entry for You DJ So Bad....that you spin vinyl in a competition and lost to a guy using just Virtual DJ....LOLZ

"What's trivv is, i been doin the club scene since about 07.....Back then, cats was dishin out maybe 150 a night, an thats considerin 1 dj, their own equipment from 9:30-1:45......Now, same situation?, least 250-300.....Too many cats willin to under bid, an they'll copy someone elses playlist......smh.....I always say, if your venue holds over 200 plus, then the 1st 40-50 people at 10 bucks a head should cover your dj.....if you chargin 20 plus a head then, the first 25-50 people at 20 a head should cover.....Clubs want the best sound, music, blends, mixes, etc....an bomb security, Yet pay pennies for a sucessful night.....All these under cuttin djs, doin the game dirty.........No matter how good you may be, folx always want the better deal.......I believe REAL dj's are the cats many cant even afford....all that overtime, away from family, etc......they really aint carin about what you sacrificin to make they nite jaaaaam......smh.......Now with the controllers takin over, folx dont even have to have skills anymore......the controllers do everything for em.....smh.....all they need are the songs........ Dam reading the comments of the dj's in the big cities, thats crazy......they clearly should be making twice as much.....BARS, AN capacity stay packed, but u give your djs pennies..........cold world"

Why it got to be about controllers. I have my djmom s9 at the crib but gig with ssx2. . But agree with everything else u said

Man even peoples moms tryna be djs now adays

" @ dj M.Bezzle, i use controllers now because i travel with an artist now, so ns 7's were too heavy, an having a production writer for shows wasn't too reliable when the promoters can't tell if the dj equipment on the writer was fully functioning.......so the decision was made to carry my own, so that way i know i'll have what i need, an not be worrying too much about over weight flight requirements, or faulty dj equipment rented from some local spot, an we doin a venue wit over 20000 folx.....bring ya own, no worries...lol"

im a beginner in Australia, what would be an average pay for a 16 year old for just little parties

i just got my first ever dj deck the pioneer wego3

you pay them at that point

ok is my dj deck good

If you have to ask its probably to small

im just beginner tho

I would focus on developing your music selection and mixing skills first versus worrying about your equipment at this point. Better equipment definitely helps the learning curve especially if you want to be a hip hop DJ but you can learn on your current set up if you're really dedicated.

As for the clubs stay out of them for a few years once you learn to DJ you will then need to learn to DJ at different venues. I would look for a mentor.

ok thnx

Here in africa specifically kenya. The pay is arund 50 bucks for a rookie to 1,000

Remembered just getting back into the club scene and the promoter booked me to "try" for a night and he was suggesting I play for drinks. Told him as a matter of principle that I have to get paid and if I smash the club I will get double that next time.
If it tanks he can just assume he booked a bad DJ which often happens.
The rest is history!
Irrespective of your level always ask to get paid!

when dj play in usa, what its normal tax?? in norway are mobil dj think its minimum 750 dollars for one gig and pay tax of that are normal ca 30% tax

re: Norway ... Don't try to use USA pricing comparisons. In the USA the venue is responsible for the music license fees, IIRC in Norway the DJ is. You also have a completely different tax structure. The USA DJ is often paid without any taxes being taken at the source, but will pay 15.3% self employment tax (for retirement income and medical) plus income tax of 15%, 25%, or 35% depending on the base income their DJing is adding to. When the USA DJ spends the money that's left after taxes the price of goods and services isn't inflated by the VAT tax, and is generally much lower. If you compare the rates directly you would be misinformed about what difference that made to the list of goods you could afford to buy.

ok thanks

Most Venues here i Norway do actually provide the music license fees. Income tax is progressive, meaning you pay a higher percentage as your income increases.

You still get writeoffs for equipment invest and anything related to the business ie transport, overtime food, reoresentation costs etc. Still our tax levels are fairly high, but so are salaries and general cost of living.

wh

when i play in 90s in norway was good pay and manny thing was good, now salary not good and most pay tax and not so much freedom we have before

Compared to the US, We Norwegians are having a way easier grind...

sure we are, i like begining again after i move from thailand too spain djs things here in thailand are chiper and are in norway, in here i thailand are bad pay i know one dj play 1 mnd and pay ca 13000 kr its not much

Cost of living in Thailand is way lower though, you can't really compare the two.
Btw, for you other peeps, when norway writes 1 mnd, he means one month... fyi

yes one month sorry my mistake


yes one month sorry my mistake and play from ca 9pm to 4am mybe 5 am evry day

No worries man, and yeah those are long hours. If you plan on getting rich then Norway is a better option for you LOL, but still the climate in Thailand is very nice... :D

but i not coming to play here i coming too move to spain

List the best way to pay a Dj is to pay him or her by % this way you both are not rip-off and you both make money.

Normal club gig is 250$, theme event 300$ and 1hour set is 100$, stantard price.

When I first started ages ago... I did a few free gigs (some comp tickets and some drinks), once I started getting paid I never looked back. I'm older now and don't have the time nor the energy to do a club gig all night for $250-$500, Im mobile now and I do large events/weddings.... $1,500-$5,000+ for a gig.... makes it worth my time.

And I assume that u charge for equipment, stage, lights, speakers etc??

its always the story, clubs are fun and pay no money, big events are wack and pay mad money and you have to get the equipment and cater to peoples every need.

trump has a point about wages, people were getting what superstar dj tommy deem is getting in 2000 when i started still today. rough on these streets.

WTF?? xD

so what? At lease charge $100 an hour for the night? And at most $150? or should pricing be based on your experience! Or will the Club just PAY you what they want?

Negotiate what you are worth. I don't bring any equipment to the clubs except my laptop, iPad, Vinyl & needles.
If I bring gear I expect to be paid same as any other event I provide gear for.

But if you mostly do weddings and private events don't expect to be paid what a regular weekly club dj gets and vice versa.

Just my two cents.

what them paid??? eks in ibiza 100 of euros, in benidorm from 60 to 100 euro for 1 night

Ha I was going to say the opposite, if your a wedding DJ, don't expect to get paid what you normally get paid because it's going to be peanuts.

Around here I do weddings for $1500. A local DJ gets $50-$100 for a bar/club set. Headliner at the biggest night at the main spot gets like $600.
No big clubs here though, just a couple if bars/breweries.

same in benidorm too, but in ibiza diff price

I'd say $200-400 is minimum for small clubs and lounges, you should shoot for $300-800 personally, especially if you consider that you are not actually just working those 2-8 hours at the club. Think about how much time and money you spent on equipment, loading it etc... equipment maintenance and replacement, laptops, software, music and organizing the music setting up crates and or playlists, meeting with owners, clients promoters etc... Creating your brand and image etc...

New DJs don't understand how much we used to pay for records and how hard it was to really build a collection, that was factored into the old school pay grade. But also important skills that are still relevant today, like being able to completely control a crowd, read it stay with it and keep the people entertained and specific mix styles and specific remixes other DJs didn't have. Things that make you unique and stand out from other DJs.

I have personally seen almost immediate declines in every club that has let me go right after they let me go. I will build up their night from 200 people to 800 to 1200 then they want to replace me sometimes thinking they can "Save some money" not even 3 weeks later they are back to 200-300 people, then they quit the night LOL sad, but most club owners and promoters are fools like that... or really club management, the promoters tend to be more loyal, but sometimes the clubs want them out too so they can get "The whole door, or the whole bar" etc...

I've literally seen a club owner try and bring back a promoter that in the 90's had made $30-60,000 at the door all the promoters money, while the club owner made $120,000 - 400,000 a night on a Thursday night grant you, but then he decided to get greedy and not give the promoter full door again on a new club he opened in 2005 he did not give the promoter the same deal or the same amount of support. That greed cost him more money and the stupidity of not realizing we were bringing 800+ people every week in 12"-20" of snow since for whatever reason in 2007 it snowed every damned Friday from November all the way through March in Denver LOL he was complaining because one week we managed to get 1200 people to come out in the thick ass snow and the rest of the weeks were only 600-800 people LOL... I was like, does he even realize it's been snowing? I'd have been shit balls happy to see the club pretty packed when the snow was that packed as well. LOL so he gave the promotion back to another promoter and they took all our success over the winter and ruined it for summer LOL. The first week was sad though because the first week that promoter took over our night the snow stopped and the sun came out and so did all the people we had promoted to all winter. 1400+ deep but it quickly fizzled out when they realized it wasn't the same DJs and promoter.

He could have easily been sitting pretty all summer at the old numbers but instead shot himself in the foot. He then gave us Saturdays but we didn't feel the loyalty at that point and were really mad at him for taking away our Friday. We did increase the numbers on Saturday back up to 1200 but had we felt the loyalty could have pushed those numbers way higher, just didn't want to get screwed over again.

It all comes down to greed and club owners that don't know what they are doing. The smart ones pay properly the people they realize are helping build their crowds and recognize when a DJ is helping with that. The dumb ones think any DJ will do and basically run off their crowds week after week.

As far as mobile gigs, weddings you should expect $1200-1500 minimum for most weddings and then add in extras like uplighting etc... at whatever cost you feel covers each item... I add an additional $400-1000 for uplighting depending on how many are needed etc... and other extras like a second wireless mic or a projection screen or large TV etc... I'm in Denver.

When I travel I make sure to have a rider with all equipment included at the venue or I add it into the cost for me to rent and pick up the equipment etc... (usually travel with my own mixer if need be) It comes down to you, it's all your own judgement call, ask what you want and you might get it, ask them to name their price and if you don't negotiate it up, they will low ball you every damned time! You are a brand, market yourself, believe in yourself as a brand and as a DJ and as a promoter, promote yourself. Bring the crowds, and if need be tale them with you.

littel diffrent in usa are in europa in how much mobil dj can have in salary, eks in norway u gett 7000 and up or less like mobil dj how good you are, dj in bar and clubs gett max 4000 kr for one night, if u play there have u 30000 or 40000 kr u free living and food that 30 days u live there if u play 2 or 3 or 4 days

PS: I once had a guy say How about $200 for 3 hours to open (for Mark Da Spot, who was in town for a special Cinco De Mayo Party in Denver) and we give you a $50 Drink tab.... I said "I don't drink and the DJ is supposed to drink free anyway LOL" and then I got my asking price which was higher, same when you buy a car, hold out keep your price low, walk away if you have to, sometimes you gotta just walk away... do slight favors only for people that help you as well, never let them just flat out take advantage... it's hard. It's negotiation, and most people hate that part of life :) LOL

To clarify... when negotiating to buy a car keep your price as low as possible, negotiate your trade in as high as possible and for DJ gigs stay within your comfort zone keep it as high as possible. Don't let them low ball you, you have a set of specialized skills even if they think everybody can DJ these days, in reality they can't at least not well. There's more to our profession than playlists and gear. See your own worth and project that outward.

when talking abot price eks benidorm spain one of dj tell me at if u going lover and 60 euro in night u gett big prob with all dj some play in there

Give me Norways social services over my higher American DJ rates anytime. It's way easier to live a creative life in Norway than in the land of milk and honey.

thats true lol

Go to the very beginning of this thread. Classic serato forums. How it used to be!

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Nowadays it is EDM DJs that get payed the most. However, since you are mentioning top DJs who are mostly active in the Techno www.mybalancenow.bid, Deep & Tech House and Progressive realm, these guys will play a 2-3 hours set for anything ranging between 10K and 30K USD, depending on the stage of the their tour at which they get booked and how much competition (clubs and promoters) there is in the town they'll be performing.
I used to work in an underground club and we booked people like Nick Warren, Dave Seaman and Dubfire, so these fees are very real.

Nowadays it is EDM DJs that get payed the most. However, since you are mentioning top DJs who are mostly active in the Techno www.mybalancenow.bid, Deep & Tech House and Progressive realm, these guys will play a 2-3 hours set for anything ranging between 10K and 30K USD, depending on the stage of the their tour at which they get booked and how much competition (clubs and promoters) there is in the town they'll be performing.
I used to work in an underground club and we booked people like Nick Warren, Dave Seaman and Dubfire, so these fees are very real.

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That greed cost him more money and the stupidity of not realizing we were bringing 800+ people every week in 12"-20" of snow since for whatever reason in 2007.

It snowed every damned Friday from November all the way through March in Denver LOL he was complaining because one week we managed to get 1200 people to come out in the thick ass snow and the rest of the weeks were only 600-800 people LOL.

I was like, does he even realize it's been snowing? I'd have been shit balls happy to see the club pretty packed when the snow was that packed as well.

LOL so he gave the promotion back to another promoter and they took all our success over the winter and ruined it for summer LOL.

The first week was sad though because the first week that promoter took over our night the snow stopped and the sun came out and so did all the people we had promoted to all winter. 1400+ deep but it quickly fizzled out when they realized it wasn't the same DJs and promoter.

He could have easily been sitting pretty all summer at the old numbers but instead shot himself in the foot.

He then gave us Saturdays but we didn't feel the loyalty at that point and were really mad at him for taking away our Friday.

We did increase the numbers on Saturday back up to 1200 but had we felt the loyalty could have pushed those numbers way higher, just didn't want to get screwed over again.
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