Taking Gigs "Just for Money"

[djtunes]

I take the gig.. rock the place.. pack up.. go home..

Sweet!

This member says thanks for that remark.

[JMM773]

I don't think there's been a word wasted so far guys... Thank you very much for all your input, it's giving me a lot to think about (present tense - keep the thoughts coming!)

[fox1316]

Well for me, I also wrestled with this question for years. I always loved the money weddings bring, but every Saturday, I would wake up and feel like, "Oh god, i gotta go do this again". And much like what others said, sometimes it would be a dancing crowd and sometimes it would not. Even with the same HITS playing. I even use to tell my clients, I can not guarantee the guests will dance, and would tell them If they are signing, smiling, tapping their feet, then they are having a good time, and they were having a good time, but not a GREAT time. I also came to realize that I had been brain washed to believe it's the brides day, whatever she want. Damn it, 95% of the time, she has no clue what she wants and when she does know, it will probably mess up the reception. Personally, I feel that if you only care if the Bride and Groom or Client is happy, you're working to please 2 people. I want every single person, every single potential client walking away saying "that was the best wedding reception I have ever been too". A few years ago, I really re educated myself and came to a conclusion of what I wanted and what my company name will stand for in my market. Today my company stands for FUN! Period. I don't sell brides on my systems, my lights, my music or even my personality... I sell them The ATMOSPHERE of FUN... I will not jeopardize my name to make the money. If a bride tells me her crowd may not dance, I tell her they will and they'll be entertained. I came up with so much more then just the dance music to keep the flow and there interest. I explain to the bride that the ceremony is about her, the reception is about Her, Him, Mom, dad, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, family, friends. EVERYBODY and if she wants success, she needs to tell me some things she likes, so I can make dinner music have a theme and/or make sure I'm spike in his and her personalities during the reception, but to trust in my experience to bring it all together, after all isn't that why they hire us instead of using an Ipod. I don't go to a doctor and tell him how to fix my issues.. Just my two cents, but it has worked wonders for me. And IF I get the bride that wants a more laid back reception or nothing but a certain type of music and she doesn't care about the guests and success of the event (which by the way is my reputation) I will tell her, we are not the entertainment company for you. I would rather lose out on the money then have 1 person let alone 150 on the street saying my company stinks because no one danced or we played crap music. After all the guests have NO IDEA, you were handed a playlist for the entire evening or told not to do anything to allow them to have fun.

Fox

[Chuck The DJ]

it would depend on how high the stack of bills on my desk are... I've always said we don't have to take every gig,,, but we do gotta pay the bills...

[djfatman]

As you posit the question, I take the event: everyone deserves a good DJ. Of course, the additional element for me is whether they want/need an MC. If not, I can suggest a few good names that will be less expensive than me.

I very much disagree with this statement. Why does everyone "deserve" a good DJ? That's like saying everyone deserves a good car. Does that mean they should get one, even though they can't afford one? To answer the question, if they say they can't afford any more that say, $400 for a DJ, then THAT is what they deserve. Frankly, I don't know any $400 DJs. What upsets me is when a prospect calls me two weeks for the event, looking for a cheap DJ, and their wedding reception is being held at a country club. Or, here's a classic - a bride calls up in a panic, saying that their DJ backed out at the last minute. You give her your price, and she says something to the effect, "Gee, the DJ we had booked was only half that price." Really? How'd that work out for you?

[Cap]

Taking an event just for the money make a ton more friggin sense than those that post here they do it for free because they "love music".

It's a business and should be run it like one.

On the surface it may look like a rock; dead, cold, lifeless, misshapen. But with the right tools and experience, plus a little bit of work to turn the rock over to the other side, check out all the life going on under it. Work 'em.

Besides, measuring success based on a dance floor is setting oneself up for self-doubt and internalization.

Use my coat room analogy. If you start the event with 100 coats hanging in the cloak room and four or five hours later, even though hardly anyone danced energetically all night, YET there are still 90 coats hanging there, you dun good! (or at least didn't stink!)

[DJSTEVEZ]

Taking an event just for the money make a ton more friggin sense than those that post here they do it for free because they "love music". It's a business and should be run it like one.

On the surface it may look like a rock; dead, cold, lifeless, misshapen. But with the right tools and experience, plus a little bit of work to turn it over,d check out all the life going on under it.

Besides, measuring success based on a dance floor is setting oneself up for self-doubt and internalization. Use my coat room analogy. If you start the event with 100 coats hanging in the cloak room and four or five hours later, even though hardly anyone dancing energetically all night, and there are still 90 coats hanging there, you dun good! (or at least didn't stink!)

[DJ PAUL W]

I had a couple southern baptist receptions, NO DANCING ALLOWED (well they could slow dance) and to top it off they wanted dance lighting. I completed both of them one was a referral from the other.

Paul

[Cap]

(well they could slow dance)

And there, my friends, is the secret to the propagation of the Baptist faithful. 70 bpm and south.

[Scott Hanna]

We are in the business of booking events. Sure, on occasion there may be a compelling reason we don't want to accept an event, but for the most part, we'll do the event. The possibility that everyone might not dance has never been a reason not to accept a gig.

I personally did a wedding on a Friday. 4 hour event, "cocktail" reception, and they wanted cocktail music and some Mcing. Wasn't going to be any dancing. Ended up going 6 hours with 3 hours of full dance floor.