simple

they take a cut of the djs earnings in return for finding them work/booking them
Normally in the region of 10% is their cut

The Agency gets you bookings and shows. You sometimes have contracts, sometimes not. It depends on the booking agency.
They ask you what your pay requirements are, equipment preference, etc, and try to accommodate most of it.
Obviously, in order for them to get you booked, they usually have contacts with different promoters and get all arrangements for gigs on certain dates.
If travel is required, they (promoter not agent) cover most travel expenses (flight, hotel).
So really, they're objective is to get enough money from the promoters to cover all expenses, including their cut, while still covering your salary requirements.

quote:

Originally posted by bachatu The Agency gets you bookings and shows. You sometimes have contracts, sometimes not. It depends on the booking agency. They ask you what your pay requirements are, equipment preference, etc, and try to accommodate most of it. Obviously, in order for them to get you booked, they usually have contacts with different promoters and get all arrangements for gigs on certain dates. If travel is required, they (promoter not agent) cover most travel expenses (flight, hotel). So really, they're objective is to get enough money from the promoters to cover all expenses, including their cut, while still covering your salary requirements.

I know this will sound stupid, but i have to ask - who is a promoter then? is it a representative of the venue that is responsible for finding a dj for the particular party or what?

I would like to know the answer more from the agency/promotion point of view rather then the dj point of view for now. any details greatly appreciated

A promoter is the person who is putting on the event. They may or may not be linked to the venue that the event is being held at.

That's a really good question ~! Thanks for asking but now I have a couple of question >
1>How can I get in touch with a DJ agency ? website will be great
2>Before you get book somewhere, do u have to pay the DJ agency ? Or do they start getting pay at the same time the DJ does ?>
Thank you

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quote:

Originally posted by IKKI-ZUVK That's a really good question ~! Thanks for asking but now I have a couple of question > 1>How can I get in touch with a DJ agency ? website will be great 2>Before you get book somewhere, do u have to pay the DJ agency ? Or do they start getting pay at the same time the DJ does ?> Thank you

1) There are many DJ agencies all over the world catering for A-List DJ's right down to that bloke you hear play pop music at your local club!

2) Don't really understand what you are getting at here. If it is what I think you are saying some agencies will require some money from you to get promotional material out to promoters. When you get a booking most agencies want their cut up front and the DJ will collect the rest of the money on the night!