READ ON FACEBOOK:
“I know some great DJs that are cheap and some god awful ones that are expensive.”
To me, this statement (written by a DJ, presumably “cheap”) defies logic. I know of very few people who would intentionally sell an oceanfront house in Malibu for $50K and a mobile home in Compton for $2.3 million. The reverse it true. And it makes sense.
But this type of statement is made time after time as an argument to justify someone’s “cheap” price. “I’m the greatest DJ on the planet! And you can have all this greatness for next to nothing! The other guys suck and are ripping you off!”
Right.
If I was a bride looking for a quality DJ, this sort of declaration would scare me to death. Just the fact that someone would assert something so completely illogical would be enough to frighten me. In fact, I remember one of my brides once saying, “$600! Ewwwwwwwww…what are ya gonna get?! You’ll get nothing! I mean, you get what you pay for!” True story. She said it on video. And that was back in 1998.
“$600! Ewwwwwwwww…what are ya gonna get?! You’ll get nothing! I mean, you get what you pay for!”
The price that is placed on a thing reflects its value, whether it’s a car or property or artifact or performance or profession or mobile DJ. Charity aside (which by the way is given for free), why would anyone charge something below its ACTUAL value? Especially when no one else in a LEGITIMATE, self-sustaining, successful BUSINESS does? BAM!
As an individual, I decide to be paid to work. I love my work. My work is fun. I’m good at it. I place a value on it. People pay the value I place on it, thus agreeing to its value. Which is the only way I would know its worth.
My DJ service was worth $950 in 1985, $1200 in 1993, $2500 in 2000, and $3500 in 2002. Now, I don’t go out for less than $5,000. I’ve come to find out that my work was actually worth more back in the old days – my clients told me, but I didn’t believe them. Silly me.
“I wish I had an advocate – a DJ mentor – who would tell me that I was worth more!”
I wish I had an advocate – a DJ mentor – who would tell me that I was worth more! Well, DJs, YOU do! I’m that advocate! And YOU ARE worth more!
If you are a talented, in-demand, professional mobile DJ, your price should reflect that. If it doesn’t, then you’re doing a disservice to you, your family, your clients, the public, and your “industry.”
“Great” DJs can and should command the highest prices. Being a mobile DJ should NOT be a minimum-wage job! You should NOT have to moonlight or rent extra gear just to earn a living!!
If you don’t place a high value on your work, how will you know its worth?
Collectively, if we don’t place a minimum LIVABLE value on our work, how will the public (markets) know what it’s worth?
And… You can quote me on that.
©2015 Mark K. Ferrell
