DJ OwnerI'm Rob Aylesworth and I've been a DJ for over 25 years. I've seen so many talented DJs who can't pursue their passions simply because they don't have the business skills they need to make real money as a DJ. I want to share the lessons I learned the hard way, so you can be successful too.
If you are out there on your own as a DJ, running events, you know what it’s like to try to manage an event while you are DJing. There are so many things going on, so many people to talk to and make happy, that sometimes it can make your head spin. Plus, all that logistical thinking is taking you out of your DJ flow. The easiest way to take all of that worry off of your mind is with a Wedding Planner Worksheet.
If you want to run a successful business, you need a business plan. It’s pretty much Business 101. You need something written to understand if you are working on something that’s going to pay off, or if your time is just being wasted. And, once you’ve determined that your DJ business is viable, you’ll use your business plan to figure out what to work on next. A business plan is so useful for a small business owner. And, think how many DJs actually sat down to write out a plan for their DJ business. Basically none. You will be light years ahead of your competition.
Ugh, taxes! Nobody likes them, and it’s the last thing you want to think about as a DJ. But, you know what worse than paying taxes? Getting in trouble for NOT paying taxes.
So repeat after me: I am a professional DJ running a professional DJ business, so as a professional, I will pay my taxes.
So, you’re running a DJ business. Things seem good, you’re booking events, you’re making money. But, how do you know if you’re actually doing well enough to meet your goals? How do you know if you are going to succeed, or if your DJ business is on the road to failure?
What happens if the client wants you to keep going? Do you do it for free? Do you have an awkward negotiation? Do you just say no?
Renting DJ equipment is a strategy I’ve used to save time and hassle, and to increase my DJ business. Let me give you some quick insight on how renting gear can help you.
I thought I knew a lot about sales until my current day job. I’d sold real estate AND mortgages before. But now I’m selling vacation ownership and, let me tell you, luxury sales is MUCH different from necessity sales. Anyone in the home buying process needs a place to live, and they need a mortgage to buy it. Vacation ownership is a totally different animal. You are dealing with people who may want your service, but you really have to help persuade them to make a decision. I can’t tell you the number of I’ll-think-about-it’s I’ve gotten (and still get) over the years. Then add in sales quotas and bills to pay and you have a recipe for major stress and anxiety.
Seriously, we gotta talk about wedding etiquette. I know I covered some of this in “6 DJ Mistakes That Cost You Thousands”, but we’re going to get specific for weddings. Weddings are a totally different ball game that you need to be ready for. Imagine playing someone hundreds or thousands of dollars to play host for the most important day of your life, and the DJ makes a fool out of themselves. Would you ever recommend that DJ? Or, would you tell all of your friends and family to avoid that DJ at all costs? That’s what I thought.
Tipping can be a sensitive subject as a DJ. Of course, we love them. You can earn some serious extra money if you are consistently earning tips. But, it’s not like you can just come out and ask for one. Or can you? Like Salt-n-Pepa said, “Let’s talk about [tips], ba-by!”
If you think about a professional concert venue, there’s two main areas for the performers: on stage and backstage. At a mobile DJ event, though, you are almost always on stage. Any place a guest can see you is “on stage” in our world, and that includes the bathroom! If you are not aware of how you appear to your clients and their guests, you could be costing yourself thousands of dollars in lost referrals and future events!