One of the biggest questions new DJs ask is, “How much should I charge for a gig?”
Charge too little, and you might end up spending hours preparing and performing without making much money.
Charge too much before you have the experience to back it up, and you may have a harder time landing your first few clients.
The key is finding a price that reflects your experience, equipment, preparation time, and the value you bring to an event.
When you're starting out, you may want to offer a discounted rate to build your portfolio and collect testimonials (I know I did).
This can be a good strategy, especially when working with family or friends. However, avoid making every gig free or extremely cheap. Your time, preparation, transportation, and equipment still have value.
I would say a good starting point for a new DJ in Denver is $100 an hour. Myself and many friends started at that same price.
As you gain experience, collect positive reviews, build a portfolio, and become more confident managing events, review your rates regularly.
Personally, I increase my hourly rate every time I upgrade equipment or feel I improved my skills.
All in all I can't tell you what you should charge but start by considering your experience, the length of the events, the equipment you'll provide, your travel and preparation time, and what comparable DJs charge in your area.
Choose a rate that makes sense for the service you're offering, communicate your pricing clearly, and focus on delivering a reliable experience for every client.