View Full Version : what is the best way for a dj to make money?
xfatrabbitx
05-02-2008, 03:12 PM
one little tip..which is stupid but it works...we have probably about 80 girls a night working.. so the djs are busy. well one thing that one of the djs do that i love and is the main reason why i tip him big is... like, we check in with the dj at the start of our shift and i'll say hi..i'm here..and he'll say things like, damn finally..and you're looking hot as hell today.. or..turn to a girl stadning in the booth and be like..damn look at her lips(mine)...she's sexy as hell...
i know its corny but silly little confidant boosters perk up my mood and i'll remember him when it comes time to tip...
BUT.. keep in mind that i've known the dj for years..we're not friends friends but have worked together a lot.. plus I KNOW he's not hitting on me so its not creepy or uncomfortable...
anyway..hope that helps ya
Djoser
05-04-2008, 02:51 PM
My club has a mandatory tip of $15 for the DJ. We usually have about 10 girls on a night. He gets paid by the club on top of that.
That seems like enough to me. There are many nights where the DJ is making more than the girls...which I think is ridiculous. That's just me though.
I do tip an extra few bucks if he does something cool for me (keeps me company, etc). I just meant that I don't think they should EXPECT to get tipped more, necessarily.
He probably gets about 100$ from the club, which means he might walk with 250$ a night if you have 10 girls, which is shit, really. When it comes down to it. 5$ a girl is shit, too, but that's all that some clubs require.
Of course, if you look as good as your avatar, and you are out there hustling every night, you shouldn't walk with less than the DJ, no fucking way. But I have worked with ugly dancers who look like shit onstage and don't hustle at all, they don't deserve more than I do if I am busting my ass, which I generally am. I make at least 500$ on a friday, and I deserve every penny of it.
OTOH, there are DJs (and dancers, and bouncers, and managers) who don't deserve to be paid anything at all, but somehow, somebody hired them, lol...
Elvia
05-04-2008, 04:28 PM
Djoser-
He works in a club where it's apparently a big deal for a dancer to make $300. In such a club, if he's making $250 a night, he really shouldn't be complaining or expecting more.
CuriousSeeker
05-04-2008, 07:54 PM
Madmonk, I’m a newbie dancer, which means I can’t say much in the way of advice, though I do have my story.
I can’t tell you how much I struggled during my first few shifts with getting acclimated to the environment, figuring out the norms (i.e., I bugged the shit out of people to ascertain tipping norms, and now I’m being a pest over what exactly constitutes unacceptable physical contact with customers – eh, I’ll find my comfort zone yet with boundaries), and learning which costumes and hustles work best for what’s unique about me.
I’m very much aware of when folks have helped/are helping me. I do my best to show appreciation with tips, which at this point for me is merely “sharing the wealth” that they helped to generate. When I do better, I tip better. Not-so-great nights yield not-so-great tips, though even then, I try to be fair.
I think Morgan is completely right about the way that “sharing the wealth” helps everyone in the long run financially: for example, I gave a dancer an outfit that didn’t look right on me, but made her stunning. She gave me a nice tip because guys really liked the costume; she said I made her night, so she helped to make mine.
Anyhow, in my case, the DJ (MrChristopher) has consistently made an effort to play my favs, including some obscure stuff like “Saved by Zero” by The Fixx, which he remembered from some random chit-chat in the DJ booth. He helped me to understand what was a good choice and what wasn’t with songs for pacing my set.
He even played “Seventeen” by Winger, which I know physically pained him }:D, but he did it anyway because he knew I would have a good time with it. When it looks like I’m having fun, guys notice: I sold dances off the stage, and that translates into how I’m tipping (I include security in this statement, because they really do watch like hawks and help me keep up my spirits).
In my view, I wouldn’t have had a shot at those dances unless those folks were also making the effort. When I score a dance, I don't see that result as purely "my hard work" (then again, I admit I'm blessed with the personnel at my club).
Last shift, I had a few minutes before my shift was over. MrChristopher put me on stage so I had a last shot at making tips (he also gave me the option of not going on stage if I was too burned out and ready to go). I got an extra song up there by myself during my set (;), thanks!), and that extra attention helped when I did my tip walk.
I definitely appreciate when the DJ makes that kind of judgment call (obviously, a far cry from being a mere button-pusher) that directly helps me in making money. To answer your question, Madmonk: yes, I do care that you try to help, and I do my best to reciprocate.
DJ Steve
05-04-2008, 08:14 PM
curious, will you come work at my club please?
sounds like mr christopher is a lot like me, you have to realize that your only job is not just to play music and announce names, that gives the rest of us a bad name. try to lighten the girls day, keep them in good spirits and feeling good about themselves. EVERYONE makes more money when the morale at the club is high. If the girls are in a good mood the customers have a better time, stay longer and drink and spend more money, which relates to higher sales for the bar more money for the club better tips for tipped employees. some DJ'sAND clubs just dont understand this idea.
CuriousSeeker
05-04-2008, 08:20 PM
Thanks, Steve. ;)
charlie61
05-04-2008, 08:52 PM
He probably gets about 100$ from the club, which means he might walk with 250$ a night if you have 10 girls, which is shit, really. When it comes down to it. 5$ a girl is shit, too, but that's all that some clubs require.
Of course, if you look as good as your avatar, and you are out there hustling every night, you shouldn't walk with less than the DJ, no fucking way. But I have worked with ugly dancers who look like shit onstage and don't hustle at all, they don't deserve more than I do if I am busting my ass, which I generally am. I make at least 500$ on a friday, and I deserve every penny of it.
OTOH, there are DJs (and dancers, and bouncers, and managers) who don't deserve to be paid anything at all, but somehow, somebody hired them, lol...
I totally agree! (And thanks for the compliment...::) ) If a girl is working, and is good-looking, and the club is just slow that night, then it's ridiculous that the DJ could walk with more money. Our club is so small that it actually happens much more than it should.
Djoser
05-05-2008, 10:26 PM
Charlie, maybe you should try a better club. 300$ is shit for a good looking dancer down here, even during slow season.
I think Morgan is completely right about the way that “sharing the wealth” helps everyone in the long run financially: for example, I gave a dancer an outfit that didn’t look right on me, but made her stunning. She gave me a nice tip because guys really liked the costume; she said I made her night, so she helped to make mine.
Anyhow, in my case, the DJ (MrChristopher) has consistently made an effort to play my favs, including some obscure stuff like “Saved by Zero” by The Fixx, which he remembered from some random chit-chat in the DJ booth. He helped me to understand what was a good choice and what wasn’t with songs for pacing my set.
He even played “Seventeen” by Winger, which I know physically pained him }:D, but he did it anyway because he knew I would have a good time with it. When it looks like I’m having fun, guys notice: I sold dances off the stage, and that translates into how I’m tipping (I include security in this statement, because they really do watch like hawks and help me keep up my spirits).
In my view, I wouldn’t have had a shot at those dances unless those folks were also making the effort. When I score a dance, I don't see that result as purely "my hard work" (then again, I admit I'm blessed with the personnel at my club).
Last shift, I had a few minutes before my shift was over. MrChristopher put me on stage so I had a last shot at making tips (he also gave me the option of not going on stage if I was too burned out and ready to go). I got an extra song up there by myself during my set (;), thanks!), and that extra attention helped when I did my tip walk.
I definitely appreciate when the DJ makes that kind of judgment call (obviously, a far cry from being a mere button-pusher) that directly helps me in making money. To answer your question, Madmonk: yes, I do care that you try to help, and I do my best to reciprocate.
This is cool, you are working with one of the best there is. And from the sounds of it, you deserve exactly that--to work with the best. It makes me happy to read stuff like this, not just personally, but for the future of the business.
Djoser-
He works in a club where it's apparently a big deal for a dancer to make $300. In such a club, if he's making $250 a night, he really shouldn't be complaining or expecting more.
Oh, I totally agree. I have worked in clubs like that. I didn't complain, either--though now I would, or better yet get the hell outta there, lol.
It sounds to me like the guy (the OP) is being taken for granted, taken advantage of. It can happen to a newbie DJ, just like it can happen to a newbie dancer. One of the less attractive aspects of the business, sad to say...
EVERYONE makes more money when the morale at the club is high...
This is so true. You can feel the mood in a club the minute you walk in the door, especially in some clubs. And a good DJ will do whatever it takes to make sure the dancers are happy--short of being a schmuck, lol. Sometimes you cannot make them happy, for instance if some rude fuck just tried to stick his finger up her ass. So then you channel her anger--play "You Suck" by Consolidated, for instance. Sometimes it works and she's in a good mood again, laughing and making money.
Do this well, everyone in the club will make more money, and so will the DJ, which of course he or she deserves.
Dj Captain Rob
05-07-2008, 08:05 PM
curious, will you come work at my club please?
sounds like mr christopher is a lot like me, you have to realize that your only job is not just to play music and announce names, that gives the rest of us a bad name. try to lighten the girls day, keep them in good spirits and feeling good about themselves. EVERYONE makes more money when the morale at the club is high. If the girls are in a good mood the customers have a better time, stay longer and drink and spend more money, which relates to higher sales for the bar more money for the club better tips for tipped employees. some DJ'sAND clubs just dont understand this idea.
Well Said!!!!
:thanx:
You left out that we are also, part doctor, part councilor (sp), part sound and lighting tech, part buffer between management and dancers (either helping save a girl or helping troublemakers out the door), and of course part time superhero :)
DJ Steve
05-10-2008, 04:45 PM
i like to consider myself a full time superhero thank you very much, but your additions were absolutely spot on rob
CuriousSeeker
05-15-2008, 02:46 AM
Madmonk, any updates? How are things going now?
goldengrl69
05-15-2008, 03:41 AM
As a DJ your job is to sell a product-the dancers. Make the customoers tip and mre.Dont act like your workin at a night club. Know the girls and sell them. They make money, you'll make $$$.
madmonk
05-15-2008, 03:35 PM
[quote=CuriousSeeker;1545044]Madmonk, any updates? How are things going now?[/quote
well i took a little of what it eveyone said (pos and neg) and put it to use and it seems to be working out well (knocking on wood) that and i really dont care a whole lot any more i just tell them tip me what you think is fair and that works out well to. but i still have some girls who demand the world and give as little as possiable and i just smile and nod at them.
so in turn thank you all for the help maybe some day i can return the favor.8)
Dj Captain Rob
05-25-2008, 03:14 PM
And i really dont care a whole lot any more i just tell them tip me what you think is fair and that works out well to. but i still have some girls who demand the world and give as little as possiable and i just smile and nod at them.
LOL....welcome to the world of being a adult club DJ......
little miss stripper
06-06-2008, 07:53 AM
Alright, I hate to sound anti-stripper here. (I am going into my 7th year.) You are being to nice. You need to have general niceness and extra niceness. Be generally nice to all girls. Be extra nice to girls who over tip. When the min. tippers see you doing extra for an over tipper they will ask her why you do for her what you don't do for everyone. Chances are she will say that you take care of her because she takes care of you. I always overtip by $5-$10a dj who does this. I know that the dj's I have worked with treat us overtippers better. Why overtip to be treated the same as a min. tipper or worse, an under tipper?!? Girls who feel like your extra attention is worth it, will tip you for it to get it. Girls know that over tipping gets us extras. We're "f"ing strippers. Our worlds revolve on tips. WE KNOW THAT TIPPING GETS US EXTRAS. Don't give out the extra nice for those whowho are not willing to tip for it. I LOVE my dj's and hate to see one get walked on because he is being taken advantaged of. Don't be a dick, because we hate to see our friends treated like crap just because of money, though. That is the #1 thing dj's do wrong. Acting entitled. Just be nice and save the extras for those who are wanting them. They will decide on their own and you will save a lot of wasted time and effort. Reread the posts, the overtippers overtip because the dj is taking care of them, going beyond what he does for everyone in general. You sound like a great dj. Ignore those who say you sound greedy. I have worked with greedy dj's. We all have. Those are the ones who play crappy music during your set, don't spend time announcing you, sound bored when you're on stage, ect. I don't know a single dj who would take min. from the girls in his club without turning into a prick. You are above and beyond, just stop giving out the extras for free and keep on being the sweetheart you sound like. Sorry I'm so redundant, I just get so tired of girls who don't appreciate dj's who manage to be good and nice at the same time. I have had to dance to Row Row Row Your Boat, played by an evil dj who thought I was undertipping him, when really, I was making no money and spent my nights sick in the bathroom preggos! Mean dj's suck. Regardless, all dj's are on the mike about every 3 minutes the entire shift. No breaks, no long convos, no getting drunk, BORING. It's mundane work and probably the crappiest and most underappreciated job in the club. As for housemoms. "F" 'em. I get tired of the sucking up, too, Ghostinpa!
Arizona_Angel
06-09-2008, 06:15 PM
The only reasons I don't tip a DJ good are:
~ He plays outrageously sh*tty music (I don't pick it but he should have an idea of what customers like to hear)|
~ He is constantly trolling for extra money (irritating and usually undeserved)
Otherwise I usually try to tip 10% of what I make - that may be high or low to some but that is what I am used to. Of course that is barring a financial crisis on my end. Being 'too nice' to people will also put your extra tipout on the back burner - not sure why but I have seen it happen.
All in all management should be implementing the tipout rules - if it is just not happening there find another club. You can make jack at one and bank at another, just like dancers.
Good luck!!
Kindred27
06-10-2008, 01:39 PM
Wow, I wish I had most of you all in my club LoL...
Being a Manager I notice a couple of things. The DJ sets the mood of the club, if the DJ is playing all rap and the croud is all older white guys that can only mean one thing no tipping and no VIP dances. This usually ends up with the dancers not wanting to work any shifts with said DJ.
As a DJ your managers should be talking to you about the status of the dancers and seeing if they are "doing what they are suppose to be doing" In my club we have 5 different DJ's who do things 5 different ways. One of the DJ's is also a manager and is a DJ for my shift, If the dancers don't like him as a manager they are not going to like him as a DJ which affects his tips and my attendence and the clubs bottom line.
ok got off track for a second.. Bottom line is keep the croud happy the dancers make money which in return will reflect in your tips that you receive. Also make sure to hype the girls up attatude is everything!
VegasPrincess
06-10-2008, 02:14 PM
He probably gets about 100$ from the club, which means he might walk with 250$ a night if you have 10 girls, which is shit, really. When it comes down to it. 5$ a girl is shit, too, but that's all that some clubs require.
...
250 a night * 5 = 1250/ week * 52 weeks =$65,000 dollars a year, untaxed = $80,000 a year if you paid taxes.
I'm just saying, I don't think that's shit. Only 3% of the population makes 100,000 dollars a year, and that is damn near close to that!
Not that you don't deserve the money or anything, but honestly, I don't think anybody who makes that much money should call it "shit." Maybe I'm just over sensitive cause I'm back in MKE now and the money is so shit, but I would be HAPPY to make that!
:D
Tauries
06-10-2008, 02:24 PM
250 a night * 5 = 1250/ week * 52 weeks =$65,000 dollars a year, untaxed = $80,000 a year if you paid taxes.
I'm just saying, I don't think that's shit. Only 3% of the population makes 100,000 dollars a year, and that is damn near close to that!:D
*COUGH* your math is a lil' off...I dig your optimism...would you like to be my accountant??