Since the Corona crisis and the beginning of the war in Ukraine, prices in general have skyrocketed. This is also true for DJ fees, where, true to the motto "the sky's the limit," almost anything is possible. Therefore, in this blog post, I want to offer all engaged couples and birthday celebrants a little help, a guide, to determine whether the quoted price is justified or simply wishful thinking on the part of a bedroom DJ. Because with some of the offers you receive, you really have to wonder if you've contacted "the next David Guetta" or why the whole thing is so ridiculously expensive...

First, be clear about what you value in a DJ...

The first questions you should ask yourself when planning to book a DJ are:

• How important is music to us? ( in private and at parties )
• Do we prefer mainstream music, or should the DJ also be able to cater to specific genres?
• How much equipment should the DJ bring, or what do we actually need? ( Sustainability issue )
• What kind of music do we absolutely not want to hear at our party?
• What budget do we want to invest in music?

These are five questions you can ask yourself beforehand to clarify what kind of DJ you need. This also helps to narrow down a large portion of the enormous number of DJs, or those who call themselves DJs.

Evaluate and correctly classify references...

In professional life, it's common practice to consider references, education, and previous employers when applying for a new job or interviewing a candidate. While formal training might be difficult to verify for a DJ, as it's not a recognized profession, other factors become even more important. Here are some points to consider:

• How long has the DJ been performing or been on the market under his DJ name?
• full-time or part-time DJ
• In which clubs and at which events has he already played?
• Is there a professional website?
• Are there references or testimonials from former customers?
• Are there social media profiles?
• Are there DJ mixes available to listen to online?
• Are there any releases by the DJ himself?

If you want to pursue DJing as a full-time profession, the points mentioned above are the basics you absolutely must have. If none of the above points are apparent or don't exist, then you should definitely be cautious. If a DJ fulfills all of the mentioned points, that's a good starting point for trust, and you can be reasonably sure that you're not just hiring someone who collects MP3s and has a sound system.

Don't be fooled by boosted social media accounts (high follower counts only have a certain relevance for club or festival bookings) or by too many positive reviews on rating platforms. Positive reviews can be bought cheaply online, and in 2022 you should be aware of this and know how to evaluate it when choosing a DJ.

Many of my clients tell me some truly awful things, because, as I mentioned before, anyone with two thumbs and a Spotify account can call themselves a DJ these days. You'll find DJs who charge exorbitant prices without any reputation, musical background, or even having ever performed in front of an audience. Another common tactic is to use different DJ names for the same person, and if you ever come across one of those, all your alarm bells should be ringing...

Full-time DJ or part-timer?

Since the pandemic, the number of full-time DJs has dwindled, and ultimately only the truly good DJs remain, those who had also been financially successful in previous years. Therefore, it has become more difficult to draw a line between professional and part-time DJing, as what was once a full-time job is now often a side gig. Generally speaking, it's difficult to judge quality based on this criterion alone. Nevertheless, it's important because a full-time DJ has significantly more experience (musically) and a larger, well-known music library (think MP3 collector) due to the sheer number of events they've played, compared to a part-time DJ who only DJs on weekends. I've also noticed that especially older DJs, who may have once done this job full-time, have musically stagnated and have been stuck in their own musical niche ever since, a repertoire that no longer reflects current trends. Because the ways people find and discover new music have changed, and this is becoming an increasing problem, especially for DJs with fax numbers... 😉

These days, you can't distinguish between full-time and part-time DJs based on the price they charge; in fact, part-time DJs are often charging even more than their full-time counterparts. My question is, what justifies this? Is it simply because they once bought the latest Pioneer equipment on credit, but otherwise have no references? Therefore, always ensure you receive a clear and fair quote for your event. What's included in the price? Are there terms and conditions? Are there cancellation fees? These are all indicators that you're dealing with a professional DJ, not just someone playing in a club for the sake of drinks for themselves and their crowd.

As a rough guide, you should budget around €100-200 per hour ( including VAT) for a full-time DJ, excluding equipment costs. If you're running the business seriously, taxes and various overhead expenses are also a factor, which employees only notice when they're suddenly deducted from their paychecks. I wouldn't set this hourly rate so high for part-time DJs, as it's not justified since it's (essentially) a secondary occupation for tax purposes. For example, all the insurance costs are irrelevant in this case, as the part-time DJ is already covered to a certain extent through their main job.

As a side note: In most cases, professional DJs also offer card payments. What's becoming increasingly common in all areas of life during the pandemic should also become more prevalent here, because not everyone wants to carry a suitcase full of cash on their wrist to pay all the vendors in cash on the wedding day. Offering card payments is also always an indicator of how "clean" a DJ is...

Other factors also influence the DJ's fee, such as the time commitment, the equipment that needs to be maintained and stored (this applies to both DJs, whether they are local or freelance), and the distance between the venue and their home base. And of course, you should also consider your budget beforehand – how much you want to invest in a DJ for an unforgettable party that will be talked about for years to come...

So how do you find the right DJ?

In the forest, it's easy to miss the important details because everyone is presenting themselves as the DJ you absolutely need for your party. It's always a good idea to ask around among friends and acquaintances to see if anyone has booked a DJ before and what their experience was like. This usually gives you a small selection, allowing you to research whether the suggested DJs would be suitable for your event. At this stage, whether they are a full-time or part-time DJ is less important; a first conversation with the DJ will often provide clarity.

Things get interesting when you're the first in your circle of friends and acquaintances to get married, for example, and/or you want to make your celebration unique and not use a DJ who's already known to your guests. (Yes, some couples are very particular about their preferences.) In this case, you have to consult a search engine and then be overwhelmed by all the impressive websites that DJs run online, including the meaningless information they contain.

Here, you should pay attention to the points mentioned above and make a shortlist of about five DJs (it could be just three or even ten, depending on how much time you want to invest in the search). Then, simply submit an inquiry via the website (if a working contact form is available) or call the DJ directly and ask for a non-binding offer. Be aware that some DJs charge extra for creating an offer and/or for a personal meeting. You should steer clear of these, as both an offer and a personal meeting should be free of charge. Anything else is unprofessional. Do you really have to pay upfront to schedule a workshop appointment...?

What to do if your desired DJ is already booked?

As is well known, the best DJs are always booked very quickly and then no longer available. In these cases, you'll usually get a recommendation from your preferred DJ, meaning a second-tier one, and you should definitely check them out. When a DJ recommends another, it's usually about whether they're competent, socially adept, and have the necessary equipment, not about whether the DJ plays your music or not, as is often the case with recommendations from friends and acquaintances. You can then discuss the musical preferences during the initial contact, and a professional DJ will clearly state, for example, that they don't play German pop music and aren't the right fit for your specific request. BMW doesn't make Mercedes, and there's no such thing as a perfect, all-rounder, even if some try to market themselves as such...

Why are DJ fees so high even when there are no references?

I get this question quite often, not because I don't have references, but because many couples and people celebrating birthdays ask this to understand it better. Just recently, a couple asked me how my price is calculated, and there are really only three factors that determine the price: experience/references, the time required, and technical requirements, as well as any special requests and extras. Here's a short explanation I sent to my clients:

For your specific wedding, which is scheduled from, say, 6 PM to 2 AM, we're already at 8 hours of pure music playing time. Then there's the travel time and setup/teardown of the equipment. This time is included in the price of the offer, but that doesn't mean I won't be there to handle everything. That would add another 3 hours, bringing the total to 13 hours (on-site). Now, there's also the preparation time at my home office, since you mentioned, "then you just play a playlist that we agree on beforehand." The amount of work involved depends on the length of the playlist and how many of the songs I don't already have in my library and which ones I need to purchase (these additional costs are already included in my offer with a one-time flat fee). Depending on the scope, this can take anywhere from one hour to four hours.

In your specific case, I would estimate 2 hours here, which would bring the total workload for your wedding to 15 hours.

As a full-time, self-employed DJ, I would actually have to charge a sum of 1,500 euros here, and that sum wouldn't even include the equipment.

This is just to illustrate the amount of time and effort involved in every wedding. Birthdays are usually a bit more relaxed, but of course, that always depends on the client's creativity. This is a calculation based on how a full-time DJ operates, and would operate, economically.

For example, it's common practice for DJs who work part-time to offer additional services. A photo booth is always very popular. Okay, what does a DJ have to do with a photo booth? That's usually covered by photographers, or you can rent one online for a reasonable price with a cheap weekend rental and all the necessary accessories. If you want a slightly different kind of photo booth, there are also specialized providers in certain regions, such as Foto Rosi or Fotokoffer. With these, you get something special, and let's be honest, a DJ should concentrate on the music and not have to deal with technical problems that can occur with a photo booth in the middle of a party.
Another popular addition is the so-called live musical part of a DJ's set. This can include anything from percussion (electronic drums) and saxophone to bass guitar – anything a DJ can play alongside their DJ set. However, you should ask more questions about a DJ offering a live music component, because, for example, you can't learn to play the saxophone and what it takes to play it well with the music you're DJing through YouTube tutorials. Often, you just end up with a lot of blaring phrases without any claim to accuracy or musical merit. In my opinion, DJ and saxophonist in one person usually doesn't work, and why is that? There are plenty of top-notch saxophone players who can accompany a party for two to three hours. The mere fact that a DJ who also plays saxophone while DJing can't really be in the middle of the crowd to even come close to creating that unique experience should deter you from this combination.

The only thing that I think works is the combination of DJ and percussion, which the DJ plays live via an electronic drum set. While this limits you somewhat in terms of genre, it's the only combination that makes sense and comes across as authentic.

The ideas DJs come up with to charge a few extra euros are vast, and everyone can decide for themselves whether it makes sense and actually achieves the desired effect. Mostly, though, it's the professional DJs who focus on their core competency, which is the music...

Technology - how much technology is useful?

Opinions differ when it comes to technology, and it's best to check what equipment is already available at your chosen venue and can be used. Often, various technical features are included in the room rental, so why pay twice for something that's already there?

Unfortunately, based on my experience, I always get suspicious when venues have sound equipment (speakers) and it's being used. This usually indicates that there are neighbors who are sensitive to noise, and I have to say that, with one or two exceptions, the systems in most venues aren't designed for parties. Therefore, for a decent party, the DJ should always be allowed to use their own sound system to ensure proper party-quality sound.

Regarding lighting, some venues have already upgraded, meaning the obligatory floor spots (decorative lighting) are usually already in place, especially in purely rental venues – places where there's nothing else, like a restaurant or hotel. The best and most sufficient technical equipment for a DJ consists of active speakers, some decorative lighting, and two to a maximum of three moving light effects for the dance floor. (A DJ mixer and wireless microphone aren't explicitly mentioned here, as these are considered standard equipment.)

Depending on the room size and number of guests, you can of course add more lighting, but this setup is usually more than sufficient for up to 100 people. Of course, you could really go all out with the lighting, but does that even make sense, and more importantly, is it sustainable? Is it sustainable for a DJ to buy cheap Chinese lighting every year that ends up in the e-waste bin after just one season? Most of the time, if something breaks on these devices, you can't even get them repaired, and I think that if you want to run this business professionally, you should invest in quality, if only for the sake of the planet.

For example, I rely on Astera floor spots. The company is based in Munich, and yes, they also have their lamps manufactured in Asia. But since these products are currently the best and most durable you can buy in the lighting sector, it makes more sense to spend a little more money upfront, as the lamps will then last at least five to ten years. A big advantage for me is having a local contact person. Of course, I don't keep huge quantities of them in my garage, because if someone wants to book additional lighting, I work with a reputable Munich equipment rental company, and I can get as much as the customer needs. And the CO2 footprint is much better that way, whether it's for my place or at a party.

Conclusion - it's not difficult to find the right DJ...

There are other factors that artificially inflate DJ fees, such as commissions. In these cases, one DJ recommends another, who then usually adds their commission to their offer. This is especially absurd when you're already a third-tier DJ and are still expected to pay the same price as for a top-tier DJ. This is because everyone wants a cut, and ultimately, the customer is the one who pays more for something completely pointless and avoidable.

Since the pandemic began, I've stopped charging a commission for referrals because I believe clients deserve a good DJ without having to pay extra. I see it as customer service. Even if I'm fully booked on a particular date, I'm happy to recommend good, professional DJ colleagues, and I don't think clients should have to pay extra for that. They'll definitely book another event and remember me. DJs know that they often get recommended here. It's a win-win situation, but I think that word just needs to get around. For some, money is the main motivation, and interestingly, that's mostly true for DJs who do it as a side hustle (because they rarely get bookings back, and I only charge for those colleagues I know won't get anything in return). Full-time DJs know how tough the business can be...

Overall, finding the right DJ isn't difficult if you read and take to heart the points mentioned above. This is especially relevant for couples getting married or celebrating birthdays who are already starting their search for 2023. Here's a little tip: first, contact your absolute dream DJ, and if they're still available, book them. If they're already booked, it's best to wait until the end of the year or January 2023, as prices will likely stabilize and reach a more reasonable and fair level. It's also a good idea to wait for the annual energy bill; you never know...

There's definitely something for every budget, and you should only make a decision after you've spoken to the DJ in person and established a rapport. In a workshop, it doesn't matter if someone speaks broken German or has Tourette's, but at a party, that can definitely cause problems.

I hope this little guide is helpful for all future brides and grooms and birthday celebrants who want to hire a DJ for their unforgettable day...