Gettin' paid to play records at the bar
Snagglepus
1,756 Posts
I have a weekly DJ night at a bar in New London, CT. There's no cover to get in, so I get paid a percentage of the bar $$$. The advantage to this setup is that I end up being paid more on busier nights. The disadvantage is that they don't deal with the $$$ until the next day (or sometimes later) and, depending on who's workin' the calculations, they sometimes forget to pull out my pay. I'll always get it eventually but it means popping in a couple of times to remind people.I'm just curious how other people get paid for regular DJ nights. Do you just agree on a set amount, or does it vary with the success of the evening? Do you get paid that night, or do you have to chase after it?I'm considering demanding a set amount at the end of the night to eliminate the BS (even though I may lose out on busier nights).
Comments
Personally, I get paid a lot more puddie-tang if I just stay home with the lady. Of course, I let her keep it as well.
either way, we always got paid at the end of the night after they did all the totals and shit so, we just had to wait around. the place i play now, thurs through sat i get a check for all 3 nights after close on saturday.
the percentage thing can be cool but also bites you in the ass. i prefer to have a flat amount, try to find an average and just ask them to pay you that and just have a check ready so you don't have to waste time coming back multiple times to get paid.
I don't like the percentage of the bar type shit. They always make shit up anyhow. You think they want you to know how much they are bringing in?
You should get a set amount and get it at or around last call.
Watch your crowd over several months and if it's solid and increasing, use that to get more money.
Always remind managers that while you may not be breaking their fire-code, you've noticed that people who are there stay for a long(er) time. I think that's the best argument for places that don't keep lines around the block. You want to do your best to keep the crowd that is already there happy and enjoying themselves. Don't get trapped into making your pay contingent on bringing in way more people. Just tell them that you will build up on their preexisting clientele over time. Otherwise they need to start booking people like Cosmo Bake-me-a-cake and REALLY get out some cashmoney. LOL.
tried it once. worked well for a month, but then the promoter started getting less people and it got real bad for a few weeks. see ya later. maybe if its your own night with all your friends it could be worth it to stick it out through some rough weeks. if that is not the case, i would definitely demand getting paid a flat rate.
every week? damn.
This is a good thing to keep in mind.
Unless you've got a real good relationship with a place like kingotto has (I assume, since he's there three nights a week) your best bet is a flat rate. And only in rare instances have I not been paid that night. Again, if you're in good with the place and they're trustworthy, then you can wait to get paid. Otherwise, wait around that night. They know what their totals are after they Z out the registers or whatever. Plus if it's a flat rate, the bartenders (who you probably haven't been dealing with before) don't have to do any math. They can pay you out, write the shit down, and you can bounce.
Again, thanks for all of the advice.
I glanced at this and read puddle-tang... then I decided I'm going to start using that phrase. If it catches on, please remember this post.
If you play percent - ALWAYS see the tape.
"I dont give a fuck, I want to see the Z."
That's one nice perk about this place ... I never pay for drinks anymore (any night of the week). Though, of course, I always tip heavy.