Single Op DJ Business Versus Multi Op DJ Business (revisited)

I have been in a single operator (single op) for many years so I may have some bias then I did some sub contract work for a multi operator (multi op) so I have seen both sides. Which one is the best and why?

With a Single Op you know what you get when people hire them. Sergio Garcia Entertainment and you get Sergio Garcia as your DJ. You do not have any surprises and you know who you get. All the reviews will mention Sergio Garcia. For a Multi Op you can get someone one year for a holiday party and may get someone else the following year. It all depends if the other initial dj is available. Then there is the question that the other dj that you hired will be as good as the previous one.

If one wants to actually debating on staying a single op or starting a multi op there are many things to consider. Once you start being established as a single op there will be days where you are double or triple booked. With those events, then you refer them to dj buddies you know who do good work. The bad side about that is that does not generate revenue and if the dj buddy does a good job then they will be called instead of you. If you run a multi op and have one of your team do it then you are able to generate money and they can leave a review for your company. 

If a company has a strong Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) then the owner’s standards can be passed down to their team. The staff is representing a band. The most difficult issue with an multi op is finding good help. If someone is really good and driven then they can be with your company for a short term and then can be your competition. In that case, you can have the folks that you hire and train sign noncompeting agreements so they cannot start their own company in a certain area for a certain amount of time.

So, which is better if you ask me now? I think if one is organized and make their employees follow their standard practices then in essence, they are creating clones then the multi op is the way to go. It is better to have your company represented 4 times in one night then when a single op just does one event in one night. There will defiantly be more reach with a multi op. 

With a multi op, they can send djs to do nonprofit or free events to make it good with the decision makers to set future dj events. Also, with an multi op there are more folks helping with the marketing and more folks can call venues and develop relationships with them.

Hey Mr. DJ, I am a single op who has unmatchable talent and I do not want anyone to mess up my brand. Then stick with what you know but you will not be able to grow. There are only 52 Saturdays in the year and you cannot be at multiple places at once.

So, with more reading and learning about how a multi op works, I have changed my mind and find that having a multi ops have more pluses than minuses. With more power, comes more responsibilities. But with a good management software, then running some djs can be a manageable task.

If you are thinking of taking your dj company to the next level contact me at Omar@bwadj.com

My original thoughts of the Multi op versus Single op article