10 Things I Hate About Being A DJ

Most of you have mentioned a lot of mine already, but there are a couple more that stick out for me...

When people approach and ask "What songs do you have?" or "What kinds of music do you have?" This is so stupid I can't for the life of me comprehend why someone would ask a DJ such a generalized question. Like I can read off to them the 7000 songs I carry.

The other one is sweating during setting up in the summer. If I am close to home I'll set up early then go home and shower and come back, but if it's away from home then I have to towel off before putting my tux on. This can get me started off in a bad mood depending on how sweaty I am. But oh well, any job you have is gonna have it's good and bad points!

I would ditto much of what Larry Williams said.

Setup, co-ordinators who don't get it, photographers who take takes the B&G and family out for photos right after dinner.

I'll add...At 46, I feel brides don't want me due to my age, looks.

Biggest one....

Not making enough money!!

I dislike how my body feels most mornings after. No matter how long I sleep the next morning, I am shot.

Probably because I could stand to lose a few lbs.

1. stairs

2. People who seem not to know how to address an envelpoe and mail a check in a timely fashion

3. Chat boards that go over the same shi* all the time

4. My aching knees and back at the end of the night

5. playing the electric slide for the 1,000,000,000 time

6. taking requesets from middle school kids

7. bars that want you to play till 2am for $50.00

8. how heavy my equipment is

9. seeing people line dance to the backstreet boys or AC-DC thats just wrong

10. announcing 30 person wedding parties...

*But above all I hate dealing with wedding planners on the day of the wedding...

Things one hates about being a DJ....BUT....

The Cons:
They have already been spoken in previous posts . So theres no need in repeating them.

THE PROS>

1. Be thankful that our country still allows the self employed business owner, own and operate a successful busines and make a living at it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. If your healthy, can load and unload your equiptment and function at a good level event after event...COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS! You could be bed riden and cannot do anything!

3. THe complaning client- be thankful you have clients.
4. The nagging requests- you cant satisfy everyone.
5. I get no repect?- respect is earned not given.
6. If you dont enjoy it, do something else
if your partime...pick another hobby you can make money at.
if your full time- go for a career change.....like punch a clock for 40 hrs a week for 8.00 an hour

DJ PRICING.....touchy subject I know...but the truth is this....
IF your a dj business owner...whether your partime or fulltime.
if your smart you have a business plan or model...youve anaylized your debts...and have come up with rate that will cover your debts and live on money left.
whether its 400.00 for a show or 1200.00 that's your personal buisness what you charge.
The DJ Business is not governed on what the majority thinks you should do.
IF all dj's charge the same rate..that would be Price fixing my friends and that is against the law everywhere.

BOTTOMLINE---the great thing about being an independant business owner is that you set your own plan..that is unique to you and your business and your needs.
Ive never seen posts in photographers and caterers chat boards bicker about how one should charge this and that....
they understand....that every business is different..and its the owners business how they operate. (PERIOD)

The BOTTOMLINE OF THE BOTTOMLINE>

Count your blessings..for they are many....and be thankful for everything...because it can be taken away in a heartbeat.

None of the following is to disrespect anyone or any business.
This is my opinion ( a Full time DJ) who is thankful.

nice post Buckeye... how's this for an all-timer..."can I see what you've got.".... what I'd like to say as I move my hand towards my zipper on my pants"well, okay, if you really want to, but hurry up before someone sees us." - disclaimer- that would only be said to a very attractive feamle guest - any male gets the immediate "NO YOU CANNOT, I DON'T COME TO YOUR OFFICE AND LOOK THROUGH YOUR FILES DO I?"

[RANT]
My top 10 list from 10 to 1:

10. Wedding party intros. Difficult to pronounce wedding party names, some crazy last names in this area thats for sure and the lists that are huge.

09. Arrogant hall managers & other wedding vendors who "know it all".

08. Can you make me a CD with that on it?

07. Hi my name is Uncle Joe. (the guy who stops up to greet you as soon as he arrives, usually 30 mins or more earlier than everyone else and you're usually finishing setting up, and he is usually the biggest pain in the @$$ the entire night).

06. Person who hired you- Can you turn it down? (Well then you should have hired a boom box). Guest- Can you turn it down? (And they usually sit right by your setup).

05. Kids, kids, kids running around wild while parents sit there and watch. No matter where you setup your speaker or light stands, they manage to come close.

04. People who send their "cute" kid up to make a request because they're too fat and lazy to come see me themselves, and if I might add this usually happens multiple times with the same guest.

03) Guest who comes up with 10+ requests and thinks they are the only one's at the event who can make requests then get pissed when you alternate between their requests and other requests. "Well, mine was there first".

02. Big drunken 250lb Uncle Bob who is completely and utterly trashed with 1-2 miller lights in his hand and will come up to you every 5 minutes if you don't play his Led Zeppelin while everyone is up and dancing to disco, 70's + 80's dance favorites, hip-hop etc.

01. PRICE SHOPPERS! URGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH. Well this guy quoted me $400.
[/RANT]

BIGTIME35 said:

IF all dj's charge the same rate..that would be Price fixing my friends and that is against the law everywhere..

Click to expand...

I guess you missed some major legislation signed into law this week?

DJsean102 said:

07. Hi my name is Uncle Joe. (the guy who stops up to greet you as soon as he arrives, usually 30 mins or more earlier than everyone else and you're usually finishing setting up, and he is usually the biggest pain in the @$$ the entire night).

05. Kids, kids, kids running around wild while parents sit there and watch. No matter where you setup your speaker or light stands, they manage to come close.

04. People who send their "cute" kid up to make a request because they're too fat and lazy to come see me themselves, and if I might add this usually happens multiple times with the same guest.

Click to expand...

AMEN TO ALL THESE!!!