Hey folks, for all the experienced KJ's out there, how do you charge for private parties vs. public (i.e. Bar/Club/etc) gigs? Do you charge more for private parties, more for public gigs or the same for both?
Me, I've always charged more for private gigs that regular bar/club bookings. The regular bookings are repeating gigs so I feel they deserve a price break, plus my experience has been that the public gigs are more likely to lead to bookings at other events.
However, today something interesting happened. I was called to do a last minute gig this weekend. However, after I gave the guy my price and explained what all he gets for that he told me that he'd rather have my show but that he's got a quote from another KJ who's offering to do it for less than what I make at my lowest paying bar gigs. Now I don't mind getting telling him no way, it's his loss and he'll get what he pays for. I've had and have plenty of gigs that knowingly pay more to book me for their events so there are plenty of people who are willing to pay for quality and I'd rather do those shows.
What I'm trying to figure out is if some half assed KJ really offered to do this show that cheap or if this was just posturing on his part for negotiation. I could see a cheap KJ doing a bar gig for the price he told me he was quoted but for a private party it really surprised me. Thoughts?
Private Parties vs Public Gigs
The country is full of crap KJs that can't work steady. For any number of reasons. They undercut to get bar jobs, what's so different from under cutting to get party jobs?
Two things ruin wedding, parties etc. Bad food and bad DJ/KJ. SO let them go for it.
Bars are my steady bread and butter. Weddings and parties should be considered icing on the cake. Nice to get but not the end of the world if you don't.
Every steady bar job is worth $10,000 a years. How many parties will it take to replace one steady job? If you have to cancel a steady bar gig to do the party, I wouldn't do it. Steady money over one time money. Steady money wins for me. Yeah the temptation of bigger money for the same amount of work looks good. What if the bar owner decides to replace you for someone more "reliable." (Even though this might not be the case) We know how bar owners are.
$100 an hour is my party fee. That includes DJing too. I never just DJ anything. I hate DJing. Actually that is starting to sound too cheap. But that said, I really don't care if I ever book another wedding or party again.
I am more than happy with my steady gigs. Steady gigs = steady income.
I never had one call for a Christmas party this year. So I didn't miss anything ($$$$) waiting around for one either.
Everyone should be well aware of the old "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR THING." So if Mr. Party wants to get Mr. Cheap KJ, let'em. If he wants to impress people he should pay up. I hate cheap people. Big shots that don't want to pay. SUCK.
I personally would rather work for Mr. Blue Collar any day of the week before doing a party for MR. White Collar. They always want a price break. Mr. Blue Collar knows the value of a dollar and is way more willing to spred it around on a good time. Doctors, lawyers nope. Give me a plumber or welder or grass cutter anyday. They will treat you better, like family. Not act like you are a commoner.
Two things ruin wedding, parties etc. Bad food and bad DJ/KJ. SO let them go for it.
Bars are my steady bread and butter. Weddings and parties should be considered icing on the cake. Nice to get but not the end of the world if you don't.
Every steady bar job is worth $10,000 a years. How many parties will it take to replace one steady job? If you have to cancel a steady bar gig to do the party, I wouldn't do it. Steady money over one time money. Steady money wins for me. Yeah the temptation of bigger money for the same amount of work looks good. What if the bar owner decides to replace you for someone more "reliable." (Even though this might not be the case) We know how bar owners are.
$100 an hour is my party fee. That includes DJing too. I never just DJ anything. I hate DJing. Actually that is starting to sound too cheap. But that said, I really don't care if I ever book another wedding or party again.
I am more than happy with my steady gigs. Steady gigs = steady income.
I never had one call for a Christmas party this year. So I didn't miss anything ($$$$) waiting around for one either.
Everyone should be well aware of the old "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR THING." So if Mr. Party wants to get Mr. Cheap KJ, let'em. If he wants to impress people he should pay up. I hate cheap people. Big shots that don't want to pay. SUCK.
I personally would rather work for Mr. Blue Collar any day of the week before doing a party for MR. White Collar. They always want a price break. Mr. Blue Collar knows the value of a dollar and is way more willing to spred it around on a good time. Doctors, lawyers nope. Give me a plumber or welder or grass cutter anyday. They will treat you better, like family. Not act like you are a commoner.
Yeah no way I'd ever miss a public gig to do a private one, that would be suicide. I have a benefit that maybe some KJ's don't, this is not my primary income nor is it even income I rely on for day to day financials. Anything I make from my gigs is money that goes into my pocket and back into the business.
The benefit of course is that I can be selective in what gigs I take. I don't have to "whore" myself for less than half of what I know I'm worth just to get jobs. I get the impression that many KJ's go for quantity, I go for quality. Plus for me personally, I dlike to keep open days on my schedule because I have many other things in life that i like to have time for (touring with the band, my kids' sports, etc).
The benefit of course is that I can be selective in what gigs I take. I don't have to "whore" myself for less than half of what I know I'm worth just to get jobs. I get the impression that many KJ's go for quantity, I go for quality. Plus for me personally, I dlike to keep open days on my schedule because I have many other things in life that i like to have time for (touring with the band, my kids' sports, etc).
I charge double for private gigs than what I do at a bar. this is for the simple reason that at a bar, people know they are coming for Karaoke, they sing and my job is easier. in a private gig, most people don't want to be there but have to be there and unless it's a convention for karaoke singers, it makes my job harder, because not as many singers.
now with that said.. I'm in a same town and when gigs come up for the big wig oil companies and I have insider info on what they normally pay, I go straight to that price which is close to 3 times my regular rate. I really don't like private gigs, they are very stressful and no fun for me... another downer is that I would have to move my equipment which has no appeal to me what so ever.
now with that said.. I'm in a same town and when gigs come up for the big wig oil companies and I have insider info on what they normally pay, I go straight to that price which is close to 3 times my regular rate. I really don't like private gigs, they are very stressful and no fun for me... another downer is that I would have to move my equipment which has no appeal to me what so ever.
