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Assistant Pay.

I work as an assistant for a small DJ company. At all events, I play the music and the owner MC's the event. At small gigs I bring my laptop, controller, music, lighting if needed, TV for music videos if needed... owner brings amp, cd player and speakers. At large fancy weddings then all the equipment used is mine... down to the extension cords. This is because my equipment is much better than the equipment the owner has. I am also in charge of the technical aspects of all the equipment.

Even though I have all the equipment needed, I am not looking to start my own DJ business. Enough of those in my area already and I like things the way they are. The owner enjoys MC work and I enjoy playing the music. I already have a full time job in computer field

I also attend meetings with potential or current clients. I also assist with marketing ideas, etc. I don't get paid for this stuff.

Assume we charge $900 for 6 hours for a wedding.

My question is... what is a good rate of pay for my postion... $25/HR, $50/HR?

At all events I bring at least some of my equipment and at large events, it is all my equipment that the guests see.

Thanks,

Dale
 
Posté Mon 10 Sep 12 @ 2:04 pm
If you get $900 for 6 hours and the gear is yours I believe that $300 would be a very good payment for you. Perhaps even more, but you didn't told us what exactly your MC is doing...
 
By the sound of it a 50/50 split is warranted.
 
The Owner/MC assists with setup and teardown. Also does all the wedding party announcements, cake, Toast, dances, etc,

Does a far better job than I could... Owner is a woman and loves to talk and really relates to the bride. Brides just love her.

It's her business, so I don't think a 50/50 split is going to fly... would be nice.
 
Your gear is the cost and you have invested in it!
 
I know I pay my DJs that have their own equipment about 90-95% of the gig. Its their time and their quipment. I generally just take the deposit for getting them the gig (booking fee if you will). If I had to use my equipment then I just pay them for their time (about $25 and hour). So in a situation like yours I personally think you should be getting a good portion of the gig (50% or close to it). I would definately talk to the owner and see if you can get something worked out. If she values you and you are an asset to her she will negociate. Or you can go the other route and open up your own business and take a risk. My 2 cents! Good luck!
 
It's a difficult one, but from what you said below I would tread carefully as good customer relations are a really good asset of hers. 40/60 her way possibly 50/50.


wblair wrote :


Does a far better job than I could... Owner is a woman and loves to talk and really relates to the bride. Brides just love her.
 
What the puck!!!!!!! You are not an assistant. Assistants help out, get this, load that, etc. You my friend, are a full fledged partner. If I rent out a full system, I get $100.00 an hour, an that includes drop off and pick up only, and does not include music or videos, or TVs. Also, I am not playing. You should get half, at a minimum. You smell what I'm cooking? It's your equipment, music and videos, manual labor, DJ skills, transportation. Is she paying your auto insurance, up keep on the vehicle, equipment up keep. I'm not getting this arrangement. Unless she's touching your private parts, this is not a fair trade. Even if she is, you should still get half.
 
What he said ^^^
 
The question is, how much are you getting at the moment??

It's all fine everybody saying what they think you're worth, but negotiating that might be a tricky one. Let us know your starting point so then we've got an idea of what angle you can take...

I'm just hoping that you're not doing it for free right now! :-(
 
50/50 or, tell him to use someone else's gear.
 
I started in the business as an unpaid assistant,building and maintaining equipment though the week, loading and unloading
equipment at gigs, and assisting in music selection during the show.
Eventually I ended up running the shows ... and was paid.
I started my own record collection .... buying equipment then, started my own business in another area.

It sounds like you enjoy what you do, and your contribution to the Business in the way of equipment.
It also seems there are some aspects of the business that you enjoy not having to do, MCing and some aspects
that your employer/partner is better at like dealing with some clients.

It sounds You both are important to the success of the enterprise, in what you both bring to the buisness,
interms of skills, equipment, and experience.

You need to talk honestly with her, about how you feel, be diplomatic ..... good luck.
 
andytaylor125 wrote :
The question is, how much are you getting at the moment??

It's all fine everybody saying what they think you're worth, but negotiating that might be a tricky one. Let us know your starting point so then we've got an idea of what angle you can take...

I'm just hoping that you're not doing it for free right now! :-(



What ever it is, he knows it's not enough. He would have told us up front. It's OK, you don't have to tell us, we know it's not enough. Look, we know she brings a lot to the table, but in my opinion, she should not get the big piece of chicken. This is how you break the ice. "Linda (I made it up), we have been working together for awhile, and I like that we get along so well, and share the same philosophy about quality service. I would like to take it to the next level. How do you feel about us becoming partners? This way, we could share all the expenses and rewards. I'm ready to do what is necessary to go forward, what do you think?" Don't say any more, and listen very carefully. If you are looking for who farted, that's the bullshit you smell. If it smells all rosy and sweet, maybe she's sincere (or she sprayed the bullshit with some sweet stuff). Either way, you will know where you stand.

 
Currently I'm getting $25 an hour.
 
OK................before I slit my wrist let me get a little more info. Is that $125.00 for a five hour wedding? What about the load and unload time, travel? Break it down for me. Also, just say "there is no personal relationship", so I don't have to wonder. How old are you? How old is she? You don't have to be exact. I'm trying to get the dynamics of this relationship.
 
AMAHM, This smells like a fish...
 
I was going to stay out of this but.....


It sounds like it's YOUR business and the other party is assisting you by doing mic work.
That being said, you should be getting the BULK of the pay. $25/hr is not acceptable (At least to me).

You should seriously sit her down and have an honest heart to business talk about your worth to the business. I'm doubting she will be able to find someone else that will do ALL that you are doing and provide equipment for the pay that you are excepting.

Know your worth and stand up for yourself within the business.

50/50 should be a minimum. A bare, no bones, no frills minimum.

Just my 2 cents
 
Thanks for all your input. I will have to talk to her at the right time about increasing my pay. I do it for fun and most of my money goes into buying more equipment.

I know she won't go for 50/50 but I do agree that I am being underpaid for the work I do.

Example:

Setup - 1.5 hours
Gig - 6 hours
Teardown 30 minutes

Total of 8 hours earns me $150.00 ($25 x 6)... no pay for travel, setup, or teardown. Also no pay for 1st and 2nd meetings with clients to go over details.... another 2 or 3 hours.


She of course could decide not to use my equipment and use hers but she markets her business as having new and up to date equipment which I have, but not her. I have received lots of compliments for how good the music sounds and how cool the music videos are.
 
You my friend are getting taken advantage of...you probably wont get 50/50 but 60/40 is definitely more than fair with what your doing. I pay my assistant 100 -125 for the gig, but all he does is help me get in and out, runs the board suring introductions at weddings and plays dinner music. thats it, he's a college student and he's making decent money for practically doing nothing. You ar doing ten times the amount of work AND supplying equipment and technical savvy...get your money dude or start your own thing...
 
wblair wrote :
Assistant Pay.

At all events, I play the music

At large fancy weddings then all the equipment used is mine... down to the extension cords. This is because my equipment is much better than the equipment the owner has. I am also in charge of the technical aspects of all the equipment.

Assume we charge $900 for 6 hours for a wedding.

My question is... what is a good rate of pay for my postion... $25/HR, $50/HR?

At all events I bring at least some of my equipment and at large events, it is all my equipment that the guests see.


So....

A 6 hour event charged at $900
8 hours of work for you including set up and breakdown time. (You don't get paid for set up and breakdown?)
All equipment and music AND videos are yours.

$150 to you for your 6 hours of work

$750 to your associate.

That is WAY off balance.


Sometimes you have to see it written down to get the impact of your position.

I learned something about this business a loooooooong time ago and I am happy to share.

ALL MONEY IS NOT GOOD MONEY!

Me personally, I would rather sit home with my wife watching TV and doing...OTHER....things than going to a show and getting far less than my worth.
My time is precious as wasted time will never be recovered.

Good luck.
 
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