Why Do Professional DJs Charge The Amounts They Ask

If you hire a "bargain DJ" you will get an individual who (most likely) has a full time different job and/or individuals who "DJ" strictly for extra money.

Because of this, they will not (and cannot) give your event the attention needed to create a successful event. The "bargain DJ" will also not have the funds for professional audio equipment or training and education.

Further, a "bargain DJ" does not and will not have the funds and time to commit to the success of your event.

This chart shows a typical "Expense & Activity" sheet for an average DJ job:

Expense	Notes - $	Hrs
1) Advertising, management, customer development, web administration.	Thousands per year
2) Stationery	Thousands per year
3) Telephone calls (labor; before, during & after)	varies	1.25
4) Telephone expenses	$5.35
5) Media kits & brochures	$9.20
6) Postage	$3.78
7) Consultation appointment	(time including travel)	4.5
a. Gasoline	4 gallons @ $2.99= $11.96
b. Travel & expenses	Meals, lodging, misc. auto expenses
8) File building, office	Copies, forms, contracts, lists, checklists, conversation logs, misc.	3.25
9) Process deposit		.5
10) Process contract		.5
11) Endorse and forward contracts to customer		.25
12) Compile music requests & lists		1.75
13) Organize music requests & lists	Music tracks must be coded, numbered & referenced for locating	2.25
14) Locate special requests music (retail)	Web, shopping, download services, & archives- Avg: $8.99+ tx	.75
15) Obtain & purchase music (internet downloads)	Average: 18 tracks per customer @ .79 per track= $14.22	1.25
16) Custom CDs, edits (music, labor, supplies, CD burning)	Average: $15.50	5.0
17) Rehearse playing order of music selections		1.25
18) Custom CDs (creation, editing, labeling, burning)	Blank CDs, labels, etc.	.75
19) Dry cleaning & laundry expenses	$7.50 (not including time & gas)	.75
20) Clothing (3+ clothing changes per event)	(ongoing)
21) Last min. calls for details, concerns & bal. due	(not including telephone expenses)	.5
22) Travel expenses to event		1.5
a. Gasoline	4 gallons @ $2.99= $11.96
b. Travel & expenses	Meals, lodging, misc. auto expenses
23) Set-up at location		2.25
24) *** Performance Time ***	(including arrival music)	4.5
25) Consumables (CDs, gaffer tape, batteries, bulbs, office supplies, etc)	$10.00
26) Tear-down at location		1.25
27) Travel expenses (return to base)		1.5
a. Gasoline	4 gallons @ $2.99= $11.96
b. Travel & expenses	Meals, lodging, misc. auto expenses
28) Process final payment		.5
29) Inventory and check equipment		.75
30) Insurances (liability; professional)	$175 per year (yearly expenses¸50 wks)
31) Professional organization affiliations	$365 per year (yearly expenses¸50 wks)
32) Continuing education	varies
33) Website related expenses	Thousands per year
34) Equipment maintenance	varies ($30-40k of equipment per event* )	1.5
35) Equipment purchases	varies ($30-40k of equipment per event* )
36) Equipment repairs	varies ($30-40k of equipment per event* )	.5
37) Documentation expenses	varies
38) Business licenses and (auto) insurance	$2025.00/yr
Totals:	(not including business location) $161.72 +	39+Hrs.

That total is over $160 in expenses before your DJ arrives at your event and does not include business location, equipment expenses, clothing, meals, lodging or advertising! Instead of a four hour performance time (what most customers consider a DJ's working hours) a total of over 39 hours are committed to make your event a success!

. . . This is why the professionals demand a higher price than "bargain DJs."