Elements of a DJ Invoice
This document serves as a record of work and a formal request for payment. It should be completed in detail and submitted promptly. In the least, the DJ Invoice should include:
- Description of all work completed
- Itemized costs
- Total payment due and due date
- Terms for repayment, including late repayment
Though the entertainment industry can be informal – and largely digital – it is always wise to set things down in writing.
Step by Step: Getting paid as a DJ
1. Set up a payment gateway
DJs should aim to make payment easy for clients. This means providing customers with multiple payment options – both high-tech and old-fashioned. Accepting checks is standard practice, though care should be taken to ensure that the payment clears before services are rendered.
Credit card processing is generally considered a ‘must’ too. Taking payment by credit is made easy with the help of a merchant services account – through one of the large national banks or other smaller competitors – which provides tools (a payment gateway) for processing purchases online and in-person.
Finally, PayPal is a standard alternative for online payment: easy to set-up and relatively cheap to use.
2. Obtain a downpayment before gig
All service businesses should establish clear payment policies. While some DJs do not require full settlement of balance until after the event, nearly everyone requires some downpayment. This is rightly considered standard practice, since it provides the DJ with insurance against late cancellations, and can help to cover ancillary event expenses.
3. Finalize DJ Invoice at end of gig
The invoice should be submitted promptly. Ideally, it is handed off in person, but if mailed or emailed, it is wise to follow up to ensure that the client understands payment expectations.