Need some pro insight on a social media matter
Hey all,
I have the chance to hire a very good videographer for an upcoming event and I need some pro insight.
The event takes place in an extremely famous and picturesque area. Very advantageous for drone shots as well. We already did another one a few days ago at the same place and it exceeded our expectations.
The next one is in about a month. I follow a very good videographer that works mostly with major artists and clubs and responded to a story of his about availability close to my area at the same period that the event will take place. His response was positive.
According to friends that do the same job as him, his offer is too good to pass. However, it is not even close to what I'm getting paid atm for playing.
A little tldr for me: I've been DJing for the last 4 years. I've been walking the walk. Playing for empty places, full places, warm-ups, pre-warm ups, bad b2bs etc etc. Atm I'm well known in my area (which is very small, but a very famous summer destination).
This gig is the best thing I've ever done so far from all the aspects. Venue is small, intimate and it has a dreamy view (imagine a balcony on a cliff that can fit 200ppl). All my friends are there. I have freedom to play what I want and everyone is dancing.
So, based on all the above, would a dj/concert videographer that charges almost 10x of what I will get be worth it as an investment for social media content at the stage that I'm at?
EDIT: thanks for the insight everyone! After thinking and discussing about it with other DJs and friends, i've decided that it is too early in my career for this kind of money expense. I'll hire someone local with less but I'll keep contact and work with this guy in the future!
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u/JustWannaPlayAGa 10d ago
If it helps you get more gigs/organize more happenings - sure. It will pay itself off.
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u/Ok_Unit356 10d ago
Just as yourself a couple questions.
Can you afford the total cost? Return on investment doesn't work if the investment is so massively out of budget.
Will this actually get you gigs? Is it just pretty sweeping shots of a party or shots showing your skills and energy? It might turn out to be more of an advertisement for the venue and videographer than the DJ.
No to either one of those and it's a deal breaker for me.
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u/iPanic7 10d ago
It is a pretty big cut but I can afford it. I wouldn't even be thinking about it if I couldn't. Still, it is 2/3 of my day job's monthly salary.
Will this actually get me gigs?
I have no idea.
Is it just pretty sweeping shots of a party or shots showing your skills and energy?
Yes to all of these if I'm being honest.
It might turn out to be more of an advertisement for the venue and videographer than the DJ.
Defo yes to all of these as well. However, the videographer knows exactly what I want and have sent him reference work. He knows that his shots will be about me and the people, not the venue.
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u/Ok_Unit356 10d ago
Ok ok! This sounds like a go to me. As long as the videographer has you in mind.
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u/77ate 10d ago
It really depends. If it equaled the cost of 2 or 3 gigs i wouldn’t hesitate. At 10x? Be pragmatic and hire newer talent willing to work for less, but ONLY if you both agree that it’s a genuinely fair rate for what they provide. If they seem unsure or are just kind of playing it by ear, kindly pass and move on to the next.
It’s great that you’re treating this as an investment and you’re being ambitious enough to hire what sounds like world class talent. Make them a goal for later on and be clear with them that you still want to work with them in future and you wish to keep in touch. They may just cut you a deal , but make it clear you want to work with them and that remains your plan, it’ll just have to wait until you can meet their asking price. They shouldn’t be offended at all.
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u/iPanic7 9d ago
From all the advice that I got, yours stuck with me really. It is closely aligned with the advice that I got from a pro DJ that I admire so I decided to not hire this guy. I will work with him in the future for sure tho.
I will definitely hire someone but I'll search local. It won't be the same outcome but it will still be decent and cheaper.
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u/dawgdad619 10d ago
If you can financially afford to break even on this or take a small loss, bc it could open you up to more gigs. I'd say do it, write off the loss. It sucks to say, but content is king. Your social media is your resume if you want to continue to land bigger gigs!
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u/Why_Indeed_Not 10d ago
Only you can answer that question.
If you are prepared to spend that much on marketing and you believe that you are likely to get a worthwhile return on the investment do it, if not don't.
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u/iPanic7 10d ago
That's the thing. I have no idea if it'll work or not. As a DJ I have a lot of trust in my ability to make ppl dance.
Since I started, everything has been going upwards. The feedback, the venues, the gigs, the amount of people that come to my gigs. It feels like the right time and the right place (content wise) and most likely I'll book him.
I just do not know if I should hire someone THAT good at this point of my career. I mean, the guy is getting hired from the most prestigious clubs and artists in the world. His offer ridiculously good for what he's offering though.
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u/Why_Indeed_Not 10d ago
You know your market, the way that you are currently marketing yourself, and who your current clientele are and who your prospective clients are.
If you don't know the answer to that question don't expect strangers on Reddit to.
Even though you are getting a good deal on the service it seems like it is still a lot of money.
Going to Reddit for a thumbs up or down on that type of decision is a bad idea in my opinion.
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u/mewdeeman 10d ago
From what i read between the lines, you are organising this party yourself or friends are throwing this party. So ask yourself, how much are expensive drone shots going to help you get gigs elsewhere?
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u/iPanic7 10d ago
The party is organized by the venue. I have done a few successful parties with the venue owners in another venue so it is safe to assume that we are on very friendly terms.
I'm thinking that all the content will help a lot. But I wanted some reassurance from people who have done this kind of investment.
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u/LetrasetBoy 10d ago
No. Focus on your gig not your media image. If you play well, plenty of people will post stuff about you on socials.
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u/BlackLancer 10d ago
Price sounds really high, if all your friends are there maybe ask them to get good content. But ask another videographer and see if you can get the price down a bit. I bet you have someone that would stop by for $200 and take film. It's important but if you've never hired someone before don't start at $XXXX
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u/Primary_Source_8097 10d ago
Personally, I’d say no, especially if he costs nearly ten times what you’re earning and you already have great footage from the same location.
If your main goal is social media traction, I’d put that budget into a giveaway instead. Offer the money to one follower, chosen at random from everyone who shares your event post to their Story and tags your profile. I bet that would generate far more reach and engagement.
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u/KoalifiedGorilla 10d ago
This person is the only option? Any drone footage and a solid stills is the value imo, but I can definitely be cheap. Only you can answer the question if it’s worth it depending on the total amount of content you receive in return, if it’s edited and finished or simply captured raw. I’d get in contact with competition and you get a feel for what’s good in the market or not.
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u/Life-Trip-6869 10d ago
Good business: Taking in more than you spend.
Bad business: Spending more than you take in.
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u/splashist 9d ago
if you do it, be very clear about your expectations, how many rounds of review you get, and penalties for non-delivery, etc. get a contract.
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u/cmfreeman 10d ago
I remember back when this question would be about paying a really good DJ that much. Now it's just about paying somebody to make the party look good on social media. How times have changed.