| Some Mobile DJ's make the mistake of not asking for | | | | very minimum, I suggest $50.00 (MINIMUM!) If you are |
| a deposit for their services when they are just starting | | | | contracting other DJs out, you can use the deposit as |
| out. They feel that customers won't like this and it is | | | | your cut of the referral, and let the DJ who is working |
| too much of a hassle for them. Unfortunately this one | | | | the event get the remainder of the payment at the |
| little mistake can have devastating consequences. It is | | | | event itself. |
| something that you will only fail to do once. The fact of | | | | But what if they DO cancel? |
| the matter is that your clients will EXPECT a deposit | | | | Deposits don't guarantee that your client won't cancel |
| for your services, and if you don't require one, your | | | | (although it does lower your probability). There will still |
| respect and professionalism goes down the drain. | | | | be clients who had a family emergency, weather |
| There is nothing worse than saying "no" to business | | | | change, or some other freak reason for needing to |
| because you are already booked and that client | | | | cancel your services. In this case, you need to decide |
| cancels on you at the last minute. IF you have the | | | | whether or not you want return their "non-refundable" |
| deposit in place, their chances of canceling on you are | | | | deposit or not. I always do. But whether or not you do |
| drastically lowered. | | | | the same is up to you. You may want to do it based |
| When the client gives you their deposit, they are much | | | | on a case by case basis. If you BELIEVE their reason |
| more committed (and invested) in you and your | | | | for canceling is legitimate, it is better not to burn any |
| business. When you don't, they could EASILY find a | | | | bridges and just return their money. |
| cheaper DJ and go with you without evening canceling. | | | | Remember, always think about the long term. They |
| How much to charge for a Deposit? | | | | may have canceled their event, but if their experience |
| That is really up to you. I would go so far as to charge | | | | with you was bad, they'll never use or recommend |
| up to 50% of the final price as a deposit. But at the | | | | you in the future. |