As I'm in this crazy mad rush I'm handing over the reigns to last months interviewee Sista Stroke who will be providing an insight in to the murky world of "getting paid" as a DJ.

I've always found that the general public have a slightly uninformed view on how we get paid... Of course It's going to be slightly more than your average 9 to 5, other times you don't get paid at all because its a favor for a mate/family member/evil twin. But what if you are supposed to get paid then you start to notice that things in the club are just not right...

It's the end of the night, your gig was done 2 hours ago. All you can think about is going home. But there's a hold-up: The Promoter. You have seen them walking around, talking, welcoming or thanking folks for stopping through their event. You have seen them at the bar, buying a round of drinks for their "friends" and have even offered you a drink. But what you really want, is your money, so you can get on your way. For some DJs, there's another gig they need to get to and time is money. For others, it’s pretty simple: they have done their job, hung out, and now they need to make their way home. So why is it two hours later, and they are still standing around, hoping the promoter will stop ignoring them and pay them?

Well, folks, it's pretty simple and it comes down to 1 of 2 reasons: the promoter is either

a) hoping you'll leave so he doesn't have to let you know that he doesn't have the money to pay you

b) he's thinking of ways to break it to you that he didn't make enough at the door and doesn't have the money to pay you.

When they have the loot, they're usually right there, waiting to hand over the money you've earned. Am I right? (Exceptions are made for the clubs that usually wait until the end of the night, to pay their DJs with a check).

When a promoter books their talent, they should ensure that they've got the money to COVER their talent. The bar, venue, security staff, etc., is usually taken into consideration when securing the venue with the manager or owner. Even though this should be standard, nightlife rules can vary, when it comes to certain percentages taken in at the end of the night. Some promoters/bar managers make an agreement on numbers: You bring in x amount of people, at x amount of an entry fee. If there's x amount taken in from the bar, you take home a percentage of x amount. Of course, there's the even exchange: the promoter can charge what he wants at the door and keep the till. (Beware: if you go this route, I highly recommend you have someone from your own staff working the door and handling the money. This is to ensure they have a “ticker”, marking each customer who pays. This way, there is no argument as to how many PAYING people, you brought in to your event).

Now, with that said, I can't stress this next part enough. Unless I'm on your "team" and we've agreed on something prior like "we're all in this together", you're (the promoter) loss IS NOT my (the DJ) loss.

Point to the Promoter: Have the money to pay who you hire. Your loss is just that: YOUR loss.

Somewhere down the line, it became "okay" for Promoters to f**k over the talent. Somewhere down the line, it became "okay" to only pay your talent if YOU made your money back as a promoter. In everyday business this is no where near how an establishment should run. You used the light, you pay the light bill - whether you were home or not. High profile DJs have the agents to field shady promoters out, but other every-day DJs who don't have this same privilege seem to get screwed. This happens to a lot of DJs, I hear it all the time, as matter-of-fact, just as recently as this morning!

In closing, I just want to add one small, but very important bit: The internet has made this a very small world, and word does get around a lot quicker these days. Never underestimate your crowd and those dancers supporting the DJs of your events. If you continue to screw around your talent, and continue to act as if this is "okay", you will alienate those people you've come to depend on. Along with their hard-earned money, and all their potential friends they would have passed the word to. In the end, throwing an event includes building a trusted following. A Promoter who gains a reputation for screwing people over, will eventually, in almost all cases, be the last one standing at his/her event.

Point to the Promoter: Have the money to pay who you hire. Your loss is just that: YOUR loss.

Thanks to Sista Stroke for that wonderful insight into our world. Some of you may have found that informative, some of you may find that it will ruffle a few feathers. But who in the world has changed anything without doing so? If you can tell me who I'd buy you a pot noodle with a sterling silver fork so you could eat it while i eat my own words washed down with a cup of sarcasm. You can catch more of Sista Strokes insights at http://sistastroke.blogspot.com

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Point to the Promoter

24 July 2010

Hi Readers. At the time of writing I am in a mad rush to kick off my own unique European tour. London, Corfu, Hungary... Bristol... Hmmm, not really the combination of places you see on the back of a perfume/cologne box but it will be special all the same.

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