Getting Paid As a DJ... Let's Talk Money! | The DJ Discussion | Episode 3

[@Technorobert99]

Money is always important but the love & dedication to music is the best feeling!

[@stadium999]

It doesn't always have to always be cash money but if you're getting the gig, it means you are bringing something valuable and you must be compensated fairly in some way. Lose the hesitation around talking about this. As a dj/promoter I know both sides. Early on booking I was too casual with this part and it lead to misunderstandings and unnecessary confusion. I quickly learned that lesson and now when ever I ask a dj to play a party, I always lead with how we expect to pay them, either guarantee or percentage and when they can expect to be paid out. I don't book people I don't think are up for the task even if they are just starting out. Honestly, a lot of times beginning djs bring great crowds specifically because they've not played out a lot already. That builds confidence in them and by paying them I know, one, they will want to come back, and two, it gives them the experience of best practices to expect when working with promoters.

[@h.alfred5320]

This is how I see things. Charge as others would charge in other fields. The club/bar/festival owner makes money on that spec event. So u should get ur cut too. The min. u should charge from the begining : 1. Travel expenses (pertol, flight ticket, taxi) example by car from London to Brighton (obv. dep. on the model u have got ) u r looking to 30-40 GBP return. 2. Accommodation if neccesary (Brighton, some cheap from 10-20 GBP), 3. Tracks what u play . 1h techno set about 10-15 tracks , beatport price *10-15 , 1.3GBP*10-15 = 10-15 GBP. 1h set just covering your track costs.If u spin vinyls add them to it 4. Meal (optional, u can take a sandwich with u and have it before gig). 5. Your fee: min hourly rate in your country after tax. One could skip num. 5. but just a couple of times. The bare minimum imo , applies anywhere in the world.

[@nonduality8915]

Some of the most helpful videos I’ve seen on the practicalities of DJ'ing. Thanks so much!

[@SHUJINCELL]

One bit of advice regarding Bar/Club venues if you're doing your own event or an event alongside promoters you don't know personally: ALWAYS hire Local Police to be present where the entry fees are being accepted. This is absolutely necessary when a huge amount of Cash is involved to reduce the likelihood of theft or fraud when counting money. Make sure you get paid.

[@househeadspeakz]

Great video! As a upcoming DJ, I knew from the start I was not getting paid. I didn't care. My focus was the play the music I love and gain knowledge of DJing. You can't grow by playing in your bedroom. Exposure is important for a DJ. Often times you won't get paid and you will have to take any gig available to get your name out there. I was once a promoter so I learned first of how valuable a DJ is to an club, venue and event. In the beginning, don't expect to get paid. Use every gig as a learning experience. Once you have played enough times to reach a following or land a gig outside your country, you should get paid for your services.

[@Crossfader]

Excellent Advice, Antoine! I went down a similar route myself promoting nights. It all about learning in the early days! LJ!

[@illasoul]

Crossfader thank you :)

[@AdderAudio1]

i know these videos dont get many veiws but plz keep making them. really good!

[@Crossfader]

We Will!, Thank You!

[@djxyoungking-julian708]

Hmm i got a problem like this before by not getting paid after party, i was so angry to the extend i left without knowing what the problem is, but i just learnt a new stuff now.. thanks for the knowledge

[@djoliashman3638]

I own a bar in a small town and it is very difficult to find decent DJs without paying loads. I have been djing for 20years so do a lot of the nights myself but I still have a couple of other DJs so it changes it up and so I can have a break. The problem I find is most DJs don't do cross genre djing. We are a in a small town near Bath, UK and are one of the only places to go to dance so we cater for most tastes. I usually play a range of music including: Hiphop, R'nB, House, Pop, Drum and Bass, Bassline and cheese! I end up booking mobile disco djs but they use our system so offer a discount. Some advice I can offer is listen to the popular radio stations as the public know this music. Don't stress too much about having tunes pre release (songs take a while to get popular now days), working for free as a trial is a good idea but make it clear it's only for one or two sets and if you get a chance visit the venue that has booked you before you play there. The struggle goes on but I love djing so it's not too bad.

[@charlieford9533]

djoliashman hello mate I’m and open format Dj how about letting me play at your club for a set ?

[@djoliashman3638]

Contact me on: [e-mail]. We can sort out a set. @@charlieford9533

[@richardottley4611]

good video good advice.. getting paid is important

[@JohnEnergy2012]

I'me done w. all negotiations. Pay upfront.

[@willievaughn6474]

You're greatly appreciated thank you

[@abeltje57]

I recently played at a Halloween party. far fewer people showed up than expected. Now the client only wants to pay 25% of the agreed amount because, according to her, I performed poorly and did not keep to agreements. I think these are excuses not to pay. These are supposedly friends who were very positive about my performance at a Halloween party last year. wise lesson. trust no one. I am very frustrated and disappointed.

[@hot4futureyears2come]

Nice tips

[@apofficial2946]

Thanks for the advice!

[@Crossfader]

No Problem!

[@mntk]

Very good content here!

[@skipx98]

#AskLJ What do you think about creating your music library as a beginning DJ? Do you strongly recommend to buy all your desired songs for €1-2 each? Even though it is possible to download them 'illegal' with the same quality. I find that a good basic library consists of at least 300 songs but that comes with a high price for a beginner. What is your opinion?

[@kdyn]

Never rip tunes online it will always sound worse in the club as they are a lower bitrate, usually 128-192ish kbps (sometimes there are youtube compressors for 320 but its just rewriting a 128 to a 320 its not actually 320 and its also still compressed) , comparing to 320, also its being compressed twice, originally it was compressed into an mp3/wav by the producer and then is being recompressed by youtube/soundcloud/spotify etc, I highly recommend record labels and promos, its a great way to build your library and also get some unreleases, if you wanna get tunes for a bit cheaper I recommend beatport albums/ep's, you can get 60-100 tunes an album for £10 or £20 which is a really good price :) another thing is free downloads, theartistunion and hypreddit are really good alternatives to getting free music, alot of producers give there music away for free, theartistunion is a really cool website as you can download music for free that the producer has put up on the site in exchange for reposting/liking/following his soundcloud page which is done automaticly once you login to the site, its one of my favorite sites for getting free music! :D

[@skipx98]

@@kdyn thx!

[@timtom5883]

I strongly recommend record pools for building your library! Not expensive and not limited, perfect to begin

[@Crossfader]

@@timtom5883 Yes id agree with this advice from Tom! Record pools such as DJCity, BPM Supreme etc.. is the way to go! LJ

[@jamiesherry28]

On beatport I use toolroom albums. 60ish songs for £10 and there is also a 50% off deal over £60

[@apofficial2946]

What do u think is a good upgrade from a Pioneer DDJ- SB2

[@jamiesherry28]

Depends your budget the sx range is a good jump

[@iPTRiMaper]

Free gigs on early? But everybody must buy any music, get money for bus ticket or something... it's not good way...

[@mettin.5292]

KING

[@DjALLG]

amasing

[@jedsucap3082]

So it means u need a lot of money to become a DJ.? I got 3$ huhu

[@jpswerve182]

OF COURSE. A decent DJ setup can go for $5000 upwards. So for anyone wanting to pay me $100 or less....that's not a profitable business to be in.

[@maciekamrozy1735]

how do you do that?

[@djmutzang8242]

How do you pay taxes as a DJ in the UK?

[@h.alfred5320]

I think they are self employed. Hope this link will it helps : www.reddit.com/r/DJs/comments/757t74/uk_djs_self_employment_tax_questions/

[@hugobaez5196]

My favorit

[@yousefhamdy2689]

i want nina kravis to play in egypt

[@inhouseclubdj]

My father is trying to uncourage me not be a dj what should I say

[@skipx98]

It depends on how old you are

[@karengeldart2350]

If it's something you love to do then I would start by doing it on the side.

[@inhouseclubdj]

SkipX I am 35

[@inhouseclubdj]

Karen Geldart I am 35 I started by being in the marching band in high school and I just love music

[@inhouseclubdj]

Karen Geldart I also do lighting and sound I have my own speakers and lighting I have whole setup

[@homeboy6243]

what if i want to get laid?

[@McClainS]

Dialect doesn't mean what you think it means, my guy. Other than that, great content! Keep it coming.

[@lucascolley0]

McClain S yeah pretty sure he means dialogue