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Originally posted by Kevin_Cheung If you're not making money, then there must be no one showing up, basically bombed the night. Then yes, a promoter wouldn't have to tell me for me to know they didn't make any, still the DJs need to get paid. But what about parties where it's absolutely packed and they still complain they don't make anything? It takes SOOOO much work to promote a party, it sounds pretty stupid that a promoter could promote a party to be fully packed and then not make money? Either something wrong with the budgeting, or something wrong with what he or she is telling you or me.

I've been involved with parties which have had 75% capacity and still lost over a grand... and I went through the finances afterwards and saw they weren't lying about it - which as you say, is down to attrocious money handling.

As nice as it is to think that promoters who are solely in it for the money will put on awesome parties, there's no way they'll stay afloat if they haven't got any business sense.

That said, I think one of the best ways to get ahead is just spend silly amounts on making your first few parties as over the top and memorable as possible to get yourself a regular crowd then over time make it back again... takes a lot of guts and a lot of money up front to go all-out like that though

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Stu Cox |

I would slap myself in the face so hard if I had 75% capacity and didn't make money.

And I would never ever promote again. That's retarded. Really retarded. If one had to make 100% capacity just to make profit, that person really shouldn't be promoting. There really are better investments than that.

Actually, I think one main problem I didn't mention is ticket prices.

5 BUCKS? For an all night rave? 9-6? It's like 52 cents per hour of entertainment at a party with like 12 DJs? OK OK. 10 bucks? Wow that's expensive. 1 dollar and 4 cents per hour of entertainment. At a venue that can fit 500+. I mean how are you supposed to budget off that? No wonder they're broke at 75% capacity.

If you had 200 on the dance floor and it cost them 52 cents per hour, that's 100 bucks, X 8, 800 bucks. You do the math on how you could make that work. Because I can't see it.

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Originally posted by Kevin_Cheung I would slap myself in the face so hard if I had 75% capacity and didn't make money. And I would never ever promote again. That's retarded. Really retarded. If one had to make 100% capacity just to make profit, that person really shouldn't be promoting. There really are better investments than that. Actually, I think one main problem I didn't mention is ticket prices. 5 BUCKS? For an all night rave? 9-6? It's like 52 cents per hour of entertainment at a party with like 12 DJs? OK OK. 10 bucks? Wow that's expensive. 1 dollar and 4 cents per hour of entertainment. At a venue that can fit 500+. I mean how are you supposed to budget off that? No wonder they're broke at 75% capacity. If you had 200 on the dance floor and it cost them 52 cents per hour, that's 100 bucks, X 8, 800 bucks. You do the math on how you could make that work. Because I can't see it.

Yes. Very retarded. Which is why they've decided to stick to boat parties, cos for some reason they nail them every time.

Over here it's pretty standard to charge £15-20 (about $30-40) per head.

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Stu Cox |

I never been to a boat party. Sounds cool.

What happens though if someone is high, falls into the sea and no one knows. Later their family sues the promoter, who might not even be a registered company.

OUCH!

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Originally posted by Kevin_Cheung I never been to a boat party. Sounds cool. What happens though if someone is high, falls into the sea and no one knows. Later their family sues the promoter, who might not even be a registered company. OUCH!

The boat's hired from a company who do parties like that all of the time - they've got insurance and they take the fall

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Stu Cox |

Stu Cox,

How much do they rent the boat for, and what capacity?

I'm interested in doing that, summer time is here. Does it cost a lot more than the per head average at a venue? It cost around 1 dollar per head in capacity here.

Kevin

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Originally posted by Kevin_Cheung Stu Cox, How much do they rent the boat for, and what capacity? I'm interested in doing that, summer time is here. Does it cost a lot more than the per head average at a venue? It cost around 1 dollar per head in capacity here. Kevin

Tbh I don't know all of the details of the boat parties, I've never got as involved with them. They do it on a 240 cap boat (but the same hire company have a 300 cap one as well, which I gather they're looking at using for a future party), I don't know how much they pay to hire it but I'm pretty certain it's upwards of £1000. I do know they also have to hire their own sound rig in (the boat has one but it's crap)...

And somehow it still works out easier to break even with them than club events on land! Although they do charge £20 per ticket for the boat party and can only really get away with £15 for club events.

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Stu Cox |

I am still in college, and as a college student with 2 jobs (including a co-op job) I have shelled out $4300 on my DJ equipment setup, including speakers. I dont expect to get paid a penny, not even planning to become a pro and big-club DJ (since I am unlikely to play any new music), but I didnt do it to make money or become famous. Its for the love of music, at the same time to get respect, to have a good time, to have easier time with the ladies and being able to pick up ladies better. Respect is important. At the same time its a long-time dream to play the music that I like, playing the gigs that I wish I was able to attend but I couldnt because I was too young. Oldskool stuff, pre-2005.

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Originally posted by Magnetonium I am still in college, and as a college student with 2 jobs (including a co-op job) I have shelled out $4300 on my DJ equipment setup, including speakers. I dont expect to get paid a penny, not even planning to become a pro and big-club DJ (since I am unlikely to play any new music), but I didnt do it to make money or become famous. Its for the love of music, at the same time to get respect, to have a good time, to have easier time with the ladies and being able to pick up ladies better. Respect is important. At the same time its a long-time dream to play the music that I like, playing the gigs that I wish I was able to attend but I couldnt because I was too young. Oldskool stuff, pre-2005.

I think the money should be going to people with your outlook, not the people actually just doing it for the image or the money... don't you?

Well. I would assume. People who do it PURELY for money and fame, usually aren't very good. They might be good on the rise but give it up when they actually get there.

There are a lot of good DJs out there, that can't get any luck networking, or are just timid.

But then, there are just too many DJs. Why be a DJ one isn't prepared for the steep climb? Trying to become a big DJ is like trying to get into the NHL nowadays. It used to be simply a matter of time, now you really gotta stick with it and grind it out. Only the worthy will make it.

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Originally posted by Kevin_Cheung Well. I would assume. People who do it PURELY for money and fame, usually aren't very good. They might be good on the rise but give it up when they actually get there. There are a lot of good DJs out there, that can't get any luck networking, or are just timid. But then, there are just too many DJs. Why be a DJ one isn't prepared for the steep climb? Trying to become a big DJ is like trying to get into the NHL nowadays. It used to be simply a matter of time, now you really gotta stick with it and grind it out. Only the worthy will make it.

UNfortunately, much of the industry and the general population associate money with success in our sort of field. So at what point do you draw the line?