c. staley @ Tue Apr 20, 2010 4:02 pm wrote:
It's a video monitor, monitor stand, video lines and additional power lines (and a rug to cover them), microphones (and cables), "vocal mixer" not just a dry DJ mixer, a number of $10-$15 song selection books, pencils, song slips, specialized software to play the tracks and finally, the VERY expensive song library. You will never recoup the cost of this if you continually give it away.
OK, OK, OK, there are a couple of accessories to bring. Actually I have 2 consoles, one with a Rane DJ mixer and another with a Behringer mic mixer installed. The rest of the accessories, i.e. mics, cables, songbooks, are already in my rig. I also use a software program (Swift Elite 4) that mixes audio, video and karaoke in the same interface.
c. staley @ Tue Apr 20, 2010 4:02 pm wrote:
There are plenty of people that "add karaoke free" as an "add-on" to their DJ services and yes, I have a problem with that. My KJ library costs many-times more than a DJ library, my equipment cost more... and there's more of it... so there's no way I'm going to minimize its value it by making it a simple "free incentive."
Did I mention that karaoke is offered as an incentive only when it will help me close a booking that's
over $800? (Often they're corporate events more in the area of $1200.) I believe at those rates, karaoke or no karaoke, I'm getting a fair price for my time, use of my gear and library. That's not "giving anything away" except the use of things I have already paid for. When your gear is in the garage, it's making ZERO.
c. staley @ Tue Apr 20, 2010 4:02 pm wrote:
Agencies here try that from time to time with a booking and say; "It's a DJ job, but bring along the karaoke in case they want it."
That's an entirely different story because that's something HE gave away of YOURS without first asking you. He should have called you before the deal was done and asked what you would charge for DJ + Karaoke. Then allowed
you to make the choice of whether to accept his negotiated rate or not.
c. staley @ Tue Apr 20, 2010 4:02 pm wrote:
You're welcome to offer these "free incentives" all you like and your competitors will be forced to do the same... then what do you have left? Free DJ services too?
First, no one "forces" anyone to do anything. Every DJ/KJ is entitled to place a "bottom line" value on their time and not accept shows for anything less than that. Are there DJ/KJs who'll provide the same services as I for less than my bottom line? Of course! (Although not with my sparkling personality...LO L)
Read the news? These are tough times! As I said, gear in your garage makes zero. It might well be some DJ/KJs would rather give away the candy store for half my price because they're aout to be evicted. Or their kids are hungry. More power to them.
You always retain the final "right of refusal" on taking gigs. Ultra cheap prospects are not my clients.
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