Just started watching your videos. Very informative and helpful. Been DJing for a few years now but have only done a few paid gigs. Even when I don't make any money from a gig I still have fun and don't let the fact that I'm not making anything affect my set. I love what I do and really enjoy making people happy with the music I play. Thank you once again. Looking forward to more videos.

Your advice is so on point! Please keep sharing the knowledge (as your tee shirt said in another video)! Thank YOu

DJ TLM, YOU ARE THE BEST!!!! I LEARNED FROM YOU AND GET MOTIVATED AS WELL!!! THANK YOU, SIR!

What a great video man! Love your professional approach to teaching what you know. Keep it up man.

This video really helped me get an idea of how to go about pricing gigs and different events and whatnot. Thanks man! Love your videos!!

Bro, this was the best advice I've heard about my current situation. Thanks for sharing your experience with us B! Thanks!!

Hey Dj TLM!!!!! Im a big fan and I have to say you are definitely on point!!!! The information you bless us Djs with is PRICELESS and Accurate as well. I live and die by your videos, and I like to see you live broadcast your radio shows keep up the Great Work!!!!! Salute the Dj!!!!!!!

I used to DJ in the 90's and I am looking to get back into it... yer a superchill dude and I like listening to yer wisdom. I'm going to check out more of yer videos. Thanks for what you are doing. It appears there are others that also appreciate you as well!

Thanks Man! This Helped me out alot , i had no idea what to about this Situation ! I am a Latin DJ , i play alot of Spanish Music & EDM But Thanks DJTLM for the hard work you put in these vids that help out alot of the Beginner Djs like my self. ONCE AGAIN THANKS MAN

I'd like to thank you very much for all your videos. You're a master teacher of the highest quality. I will pass on the knowledge fam.

I started at a local bar which paid $50 for a 2 hour set. It didn't seem like much, but from people coming into the bar and seeing me/hearing my sets has expanded to a second weekly gig for me as well as people approaching me to play parties and other small gigs like that. I can't complain considering I've been djing for 6 months and its starting pretty well. I love the part where djTLM talked about doing the free gig for a year. I can't agree with that more. Experience in front of a crowd is KEY to being a beginning dj. I did the same thing when I was in a band for a few years and it helped out so much. Fantastic video. You never disappoint with your videos man!

Another great video with valuable information. The value of experience when starting out is a great lesson and great point. Love your videos. Well done. The intro clip with collage is cool. Keep that.

EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO BE A DJ LEARNING 90'S AND EARLY 2000'S HIP HOP/R&B IS CRUCIAL!!! THOSE SONGS WILL GET THE HYPE GOING!!!

Hey DJ TLM, I've learned tons from all of your DJ info videos! I started DJing about a year ago, and slowly started playing gigs. I agree, with playing gigs for free at the start. I did it at the nightclub in my hometown and it gave me the confidence to play even smaller venues. I now charge everytime I play, either weddings, private events, or at a club or bar. It all depended on how much equipment and time the customer needs from me and that is how I charge the customer!

Great video man! Don't worry about long videos. I can listen to you all day! I'm a DJ also . Not a beginner I would say but I can tell you have crazy experience. Some of what you say I been in through. The other stuff I will hopefully soon encounter. Thanks again. I'm subscribed.

Hey! I just subscribed to you! I'm a musician who's transitioned into DJing a few months ago. I got a "good" DJ-ing gig on the weekends and I'm finding your tutorials golden! I'm from California but I've been living in Europe for 10 years now. Just want to say , Thank you!

It was nostalgic when you mentioned Gilders. I recalled my childhood in Holland when I was buying candies and popsicles. Going back to the discussion, I learned a lot from this vlog. Bedankt DJ TLM. 😊

I had to learn this on my own... wish I would of seen this video before I messed up so many prices (I bartend with DJ lights/music/fog) love this video thanks man

Thanks TLM! With your advices i became a better dj and next week i will have my first gig in Milan (Italy). I hope to meet you one day! Thanks again!

Have been practicing at home for about 6-7 months, then had my very first gig towards the end of last year, friend of a friends 18th Birthday party. Small venue, around 50 people. Played the whole night (around 4 hours) £120 (about $180), had my friends with me and time flew. Hear alot about charging p/h which makes absolute sense with experience, but as this was my first time, I really wanted to play. I didn't feel like I undervalued myself, I knew I could of charged more and still of justified the price. But I almost felt rude trying to go any higher knowing I didn't have that level of experience. Initially I was worried, my crates consist of House/Hip Hop and RnB! and I was getting request like My Chemical Romance. Wifi was a blessing. Overall! the night was a success - chart/house/hiphop/rnb. Great advice for in the future though TLM! plan on playing in nightclub venues around my Universities city (Nottingham, UK) so definitely helps. I have a soundcloud if you're interested - soundcloud.com/mysterydre Thanks.

Honestly with u and ur tutorials, i have regained a very big confident that i can make it as a DJ. I'm about going into being a career dj and i see alot on youtube but just today i came across u and i have hope. Keep it up bro and soon i will make u proud

Great advice all around, Im in the US Navy, and play at the base clubs. DJing in front of different crowds from different places teaches you a lot (especially about requests). Usually i get about $20-25 an hour and average about 5 to 6 hours per set. i use an NS7ii.

There are a lot of great dj channels on youtube, but you are quickly rising to the top of the mountain. keep up the good work. ps. beard looks good.

I usually charge $125 an hour when doing something mobile for a basic set up meaning, a controller set of powered speakers and a small light show and the price gets adjusted from there as I find out more info on the gig such as size of the venue and amount of people expected. After that info is when I determine now if I have to bring subs which is gonna jack the price up even more. And if they start asking for video mixing which means bringing flat screens that jacks up prices further. When it comes to lounges and clubs(club scene isn't as big as it once was here in NYC. The lounge scene is more where it's at these days)there are other factors. It's $150 to bring my laptop and my controller and $250 if I have to bring my powered speakers. I charge a little less at the lounges because that's where you really create your following of which I have a small one but it's growing fast. Just a little history, I've been spinning on and off since 1987 and I pretty much have knowledge of and can play almost every genre of music so I can pretty much take any gig that comes my way. Anything from latin music,hip hop and r&b,house and edm,funk soul,freestyle,classics and even rock. Hope this point of reference can help anybody out. Let's not mention the technic 1200's. Those bad boys don't leave the house for no less than 1g!!!!

thank you so much for the knowledge, learned a lot , much respect!

After watching this and learning professional dj's like TLM first started doing free gigs/shows, I am gathering courage to go and offer free reggea shows at some local 'English club' in France, thanks again for your videos man.

Yes, experience is more important. I gotta keep that in mind.

Nice video! I'm just getting into scratching and your videos have been a great help. Thanks for sharing :)

I started out with packages then switched to $125 per hour. It works better for me straight to the point let the client do the math. I get more gigs charging by the hour then I did with packages.

really good advice for someone like me who's just starting out in doing

Another great video of useful info. Keep it up!

reaallyy thanxxx very much!!! Today i got a answer of my every question related to dj.

Brilliant. Very informative and down to earth. Big fan.

Great video and a good subject, personally I charge based on type of event and day of week. Which has worked for me, I see a few people have commented that they charge by the hour - interesting 😎🎧👍🏻

love the videos man , keep them coming

djTLMtv......Muuch love bro, Been rocking with you for quite some time now and you always deliver the answers I need!!!! Thank You

To add as well: I would always request more informaiton and to meet with the client before giving a price. Giving a price over email allows them to shop around and not really see the value in your services (unless your Dj TLM or a big name!:) It has a better close rate with clients and it's really personable. It also prevents other Djs doing reserach and emailing you as a customer where they're really finding out other Djs prices.

I've been Djing for about 2 years on the side. I charge 15% of the equipment I use plus travel and time. I use a DDJ-SX ($1,000 roughly), so if I don't have to bring speakers ($500 each), My base would be 150 plus gas and $10 and hour. SO for a gig that's 4 hours long and maybe half a tank of gas away it would come out to $150 for the equipment. Another $150 if I have to set up and travel with sound. Gas ($30) and 4 hours (40) to come to $370. Then I'm flexible around that. I'm just starting out, so I'm not going to charge too much, but I'm not a novice, so I'm not going to short myself. I figure, once I get better, I'll up the hourly rate and my equipment percentage, but I'll probably stop at 30% of equipment and just raise the hourly rate.

Great tips! For us newbie DJs this is very helpful! I've been working on mixing and producing as new DJ and look forward to cutting my teeth. Agree all fields have pay dues and the 10,000 hour rule applies.

TLM, at first I saw the total time of this video and said to myself, "Man this guy is going to talk about extra stuff that I do not need to hear". Well when it came to the 10 min mark, I was hoping this video would last for "hours" as you put it. Thanks for the info, it really helped me out on how to go about pricing.

My answer is simple Ive been DJing for 7 years off and on. I say pay me what you think im worth at the end of the night. If it was bad I usually dont get much. If i did great and I STILL got paid low I decide not to work with that guy again, But that doesn't happen much. I have been paid so much MORE that i was picturing. Once i got paid 350 for a half hour set in a small crappy club that blew up that night

DjTLM.......great videos, very specific and educational, I started this as a hobby then friends ask me to play at different house parties and Bar-B-Que........just upgraded from a Traktor S2 to a DDJ-SR and since then i'm doing nothing but looking at your instructional videos....I have no intentions of doing this professionally but i do want to master the craft....thanks for sharing your wisdom and experiences stay blessed.........DjO

Cool! I'm on the same boat, right now! Thanks for sharing!

thank you very much for sharing your knowledge and experience

I had just recently watched 3 or 4 of your videos and I clicked this.. I thought this was Thierry Henry. But anyways, I have gotten a good amount of knowledge from you sir. Of course, much more to learn. Thank you!

Thanks for the info. You always a big help

This was a awesome question. For me I have a base price of $100.00 a hour with a 4 hour minimum. Now that is a based price subject to change depend on the event needs. Anything over 4 hours and just like a job overtime was time and a half. The reason My base price was based on time, the equipment I brought, 4 speakers, 2 mixers,3 sets of lights, bubble machines and fog machine. I also gave you a recorded CD of you event and the kicker I would do live calls or prerecorded calls from people that can't make it. But I base the final quote on distance, time. setup people needed. Foe me it was easy, my first clients were members of a country club I used to be the Banquet Manager, so I know I they had money. At the same time I was doing family and friends parties at 50%, and I was working at a club that when I started had 6 people on a Friday night, I play there for free. Like the DJ said there are a lot of things to consider where quoting a price. Hell I did gigs where I rented 2 50inch TV's and added 100. a hour. My last point sometime you have to start out free, well I thought it was losing money because of the business cards and flyers, but it was a investment. Also I always made sure I had a signed contract, stating what I would bring, and how long I would play and the price. It would also state what they would suppy ect. tables chairs, drinks, for things like that. The biggest part of the contract was the you had to let me know 72 hours in advance in you wanted to cancel or I would still charge you. oh, yea don't forget the cancel check thing. Any questions email me at bigdaddieproductionsllc@comcast.net DJ BIGDADDIE

As said in video starting out do what you can and gain as much experience however possible that is best for you. Remember, as you gain experience, confidence, and grow your ability/equipment (also if you're a mobile DJ) the more you can charge as your requests for gigs become greater. Stay humble, but stay true!

Really enjoyed this video! Really got into the story time :D

Good video bro. I been Dj for about one year at home. I done 3 house party's for free and it feels good. Free because I don't feel secure with my music and mixing. I play Latin music very little rap.

Great vid @DJ TLM. Back in 2011 I started my own company in web consulting and it didn't really pay the bills for me. Did these things, 1. made Twitter search alerts for phrases like "dj is ill" "need dj tonight" 2. I found a guy who could teach me how to dj in a different (more commercial) genre (small bar/clubscene/apres ski) and give me some gigs for low money. Not my type of music, but I needed to pay the bills. 3. created my own social media brands, websites and so forth (at that time that was not as common as now) (all of it removed from the internet by now as it doesn't really fit with the work I'm doing now) Within about half a year I could live of dj-ing fulltime, playing 5-7 gigs in a week and could drop any other work I was doing. According to some dj list website at that time there were 20.000 djs in the Netherlands, so trying to make a living seemed dawnting, as well as that there was some post-recession backlash going in, forcing a lot of venues to close. It was fun to work both the dj gig and the marketing of events to try to keep those places open. Only regret I have... making my hobby into a job, made me not listen to any music for a couple of years or go to any bars or clubs for that matter cause I had seen more than enough. Now, 10 years later it's starting to itch again and I appreciate your videos as they get me up to date on what's new in the scene in terms of gear and knowledge. Thanks!

Great vid. I'm glad you illustrated for the new DJs your early experience gaining gigs. My first times playing in front of people were basically house parties and ended up costing me money. It was me and a friend throwing a party for our friends and we bought all the food and beverage for the parties (soda,chips, snacks, beer, sometimes hard liquor) We wanted to party and wanted to have all the girls show up. I also wanted to be the DJ and the life of the party so the girls would pay attention to me. I'm the DJ. I have all the equipment and all these lights. I've got more music than that dude over there (I have everything he has plus all this other music) I didn't know how to Mix yet but I had a mixer and could crossfade from one song to the next like they did on the radio. That fellow over there cant do that. Plus, who else do you know that has speakers with 15" woofers Back then being a DJ was my way of being a rock star when I couldn't play an instrument. I eventually got better and was able to start making money from it. I learned The equipment and started installing and maintaining PA and lighting in local bars and clubs and was available to DJ when the bar's regular DJ needed a night off. I landed a few residencies and also got into Karaoke. All these things added up to years of entertainment experience and knowledge and finally decent pay.

I have been doing the same thing, not as a DJ, but as a pro touring sound system owner. I can't take off nothing, very well said.

I know this comment is late, but this is so helpful because this is exactly the phase I'm at. I'm thinking about starting to ask for payment soon, but I'm doing a few gigs for free and considering them an internship where I can learn things like how certain groups react to my music selection, how I can get a crowd going, etc.

Well im a mobile Dj and just like you mentioned, i do take into consideration the distance i have to travel, if i need to pay toll and i dont have a car but a good friend of mine takes me to these venues so i consider how much i have to give him and all of that gets added on to the package they choose. I based my prices on the amount of equipment i have to take which i made into packages. I have 3 packages. One which is just music 400, second is music and light effects and fog or low lying fog for 1000 and if they wanna add a photo slideshow or if the guest wanna play video msgs, i throw in 2 32" screens or projectors and that is 1600. I also have a monthly gig at the greenhouse cafe in brooklyn where i get paid 75, but i get free drinks and food and i do it mainly for the experience.

Thumbs up very informative really appreciate your videos

Awesome video man! :)

Great segment on dj pricing. Your right, it is a very dicey topic. However asking questions about a gig is key because the last thing you want is to be overworked but yet underpaid. I have been Djing in northern va for 4 years and I play primarily hip hop & R&B. Although I'm fairly new to the game I'm still capable of rocking a party. My fee starts at $75 per hour. Anything additional services(production, party lights, etc) will be extra. It's the only way I can be fair to customers as well as myself. Djays aren't jukeboxes. We are expected to entertain the crowd with everyday music and make it interesting enough to dance to. This takes research, practice and a lot of time and money. So I try to make sure that the people that I deal with respect that first. If this is the case, Then we can talk money:)

To be honest, thanks to TLM, my mixing and my transitions have gotten a lot better. I really want to see more of your mixing tutorial series for some more info and stuff I could do!

you have hit the right mark with this video.. i have been in this game for over 25 years and you hit every point..i agree with you 1000% on how to price for certain gigs.. i tell the young cats i know the same thing.. with your permission may i share this with them cause i swear we sound like..lol thanks again for the information..you are a really humble man for doing this! #djtimdogg

Love your videos, Thanks!

Great video bro! Thanks 👍🏾

your so helpfull! love your video's! Thanks man

DJ Bob cola d thanks DJ TLM you helped very much with your video on pricing you've given me a better perspective on how to bid on my jobs and offers I always went by how much I figured the client was making on the event or their take in on their ownership if it was a club or bar / but now that I've been DJ so long and have been bidding for a few years i'll reevaluate my thinking god be with you and good fortunes from DJ Bob cola d -Baltimore MD

Hey TLM, thanks for the great vid! I've just started playing in front of an audience, at my friends' parties and such, for free. It really helps a lot, it's way more fun and a very good practice for my future career (if i get the chance). Playing at a club or something is quite a big step though, i'm not sure when or if i''ll get the chance to try that. Must be very scary.

DJ TLM i truly like all the Knowledge You Share wth the Universe, and as A Young Ugandan DJ. I need your help in everything. thanks.

I like your videos a lot. You've helped me to understand how to scratch and a lot more. I'm just thinking to moving out of my home and go play at some clubs. So all of your videos give a lot of information, Thanks for that! :) And just a video idea for beginners: Music Copyrights. Becouse i would like to know about them.

Your video's help out a lot! Thanks

Wow I appreciate ur video,nice work bro

Very informative man thank you, I was scared to death when I started charging for my dj services, thought I was the only one LOL

lol totally agreed i just started playing at a small venue down here in Denver for a weekly event and i may end up talking about a price after another 6 to 9 months bu as far as right now ill take all the experience that i can

On point as always

This helps a lot. Thanks for the info djTLMtv

beautifully said bro. tq for the sharing... i am dj sonic from India. this has helped me.

On my first gig, me and my partner made 300$ we were poorly prepared but still managed to rock the crowd! I can say that the first time I mixed, there were injury inducing mosh-pits! I consider myself lucky to have had the BEST learning experience of my life while getting paid... This said, my next gig is supposed to be for the school party... should be a little more difficult to squeeze even a dollar out of their pocket... Thanks again TLM for the informative content!

best Ever advice concerning the subject.

this is very educational thank you for the info!

Me starting back out after a long time not doing it, iv done a few for free, but i have this women wanting me to do her wedding in July, an i asked her what their budget was for the dj, an she gave me a decent number an i agreed to do it for half of that because i still need experience myself. She was like your booked. At least ill have enough to cover travel money. Plus it gets my name out there amongst the folks at the wedding. Word of mouth is the best advertisement

Thank you DJ TLM for the information. Yes i am an experienced DJ now playing for 9 years. My first year or 2 i played for alot of events for free to get my name known through word of mouth and flyers and now i am famous.

I have been DJing for over 15 years, but struggle to get gigs that pay anything. I live in Austin, TX and there are many DJs willing to give away their talent to massive festivals, raves, dances, etc. It makes it really hard to get paid while DJing. I did hold a club residency once and made $100 for Thursday nights and $150 for Friday nights. I thought this was great but I'd be DJing about five hours a night, but I loved it. It was my first steady gig and I got a shitton of free drinks so that's pretty cool! But that was back 10 years ago and it's so much harder to break into the scene now v.v

i like your videos,I am DJ. and all the staff you said is true, nice dj TLM

Yes I like it and I'm a Dj as well and I been djing for like six months now and I and I work for e.b.t entertainment now they been doing and doing many giggs for years but I'm trying to work my way up to be really good so I like it

Great video.......keep them coming boss

This is an older video but I still hope you see this. I love your videos, it’s helped me keep going. I love you Dj TLM. Even though you Dj a different style. Your videos still apply to all genres. Thank you for doing what you do on KZfaq. Makes us think outside the box we live in. Love to meet you one day. Would you be down for that?

you are a smart man :) really enjoy your videos

thank you for this great tips , it helps a lot

@Dj TLMtv Echt super goed advies! ik vroeg mij af of jij nou nederlands bent? Thanks for the inspirational video :)

Things to consider when calculating the price: 1.) How far do you have to drive? (I tack on an extra 20$ for every 5 miles over 80 miles away) 2.) What type of event are you doing? (A wedding will *always* be more than some kids 16th birthday party) 3.) Do you need to bring a generator just to power your rig? (Adequate power is huge, and having to bring your own is an additional $70 right off the top) 4.) Do you need single day insurance just to play there? (If so, another $60 right off the top, and that's cutting them a deal figuring the average single day general liability costs over or around $100) 5.) How big is the crowd? (Less than 100 = $2-300 USD, Over 100 = $4-5, Over 200 = $6-8, over 300 you're a serious DJ and can charge almost anything) 6.) How much gear are you bringing? ( Bringing one speaker, no subwoofer, a soundboard, and your controller and latpop is nothing compared to bringing every piece of gear you own) 7.) *How long are you performing* (Generally speaking, if you have quality gear and are good, $100 an hour is not asking a lot. Some DJ's are around $150 to 200$ just because of their reputation) 8.) Are you setting up in more than one place? (Mostly for weddings. If the ceremony and reception are in different areas, charging close to double is fair since you need twice the amount of gear) 9.) "Feel out the client" - a dad who's wringing his hands together and sweating about price points for his daughter's wedding is WAY different than a club owner who isn't even looking at you as you go over the pricing. Realize what you can and can't charge. Some people will actually turn you down if you don't charge enough....they have this weird way of reasoning in that if you're not asking for a certain price range they figure you're not used to performing at high profile events.

Thank you. Very helpful.

Good and informative video!!

Great video!

Thank you man!

I haven't yet gotten a paid gig but I plan on trying for it soon (I go to a party school with a large stress on greek life). I think I'll go off of what I do for fiddle playing (I have a celtic band). For myself, it's generally around 75-100 an hour depending on how much money the people have and how far I have to go. If they feed me it'll be lower.

I started djing in 2005..didn't feel comfortable playing in front of people until 2011 where I had a year residency at a Brazilian restaurant in Hollywood City Walk. I did some small gigs here and there from 2012-2015 and I just recently got to go DJ in Germany, all paid travel / food on top of my fee! I do have a regular office job but now looking to take djing full time. It's a bit tough since I live in LA where everyone and they're mom is a DJ lol.

I'm a starting dj been practicing for a while and was asked today to do a birthday party for free on Friday night at first I said I'll think about it really wanting to say no but after watching this video I will be doing that party Friday you changed my mind thanks bro

I played for beer and a great experience. Because I liked it. Later when I was making a bit of a name, the money offers started to roll in. I didn’t care for the money, I did what I like. When you’re past that phase you know enough of the scene to make a good price.

Hey love you videos watch them all the time just water to know if you could give me any tips on mixing edm and jungle drum and bass ? Thanks

+djTLMtv You are an inspiration man. It's good to see people, such as yourself, who are willing to share knowledge with others. Keep doing what you do brother.

Dj gus,been DJing 1984 til 2004,stop doing it because of my back.i charged on how many guest,inside or out, graduation, party, wedding reception,business ect. My low end $175 3 hours +75 after the 3 hours or high end was $600 for 4 hours( for businesses). I did one party outside and the bonfire tore my equipment up it wasn't worth it at any cost. I did a reception out side and had a great time,except need a lot more power outside.i was pushing 500 + watts and still seem like it wasn't enough. In side I push 75-125 watts and it plenty. Been over 10 years since I quit,now I'm starting up again because I like talking to people and when you can bring two people close,well I can say I did that, kool. 90% of all the shows I did they had me stay to drink with them. Pretty cool feeling. I could go on and on about the good times and the srewups.

Hey TLM, thank you for all your helpful videos. However, I was wondering how you came up with/made your logo? And where do you go to make your business cards? Thanks in advance!