Trust me.  I don't lack tact,  but I don't sugarcoat things.  The problem in Christian EDM is everything's been sugarcoated for so long,  the quality of events and music is just not ast the level it should be.  That was the inspiration behind my whole "The Business Of Dance Music" article series in the 'zine.

Save your money until you get about $2500 in the pot.  THen you have enough money to get a good headliner and do the event right.

Oneel: I won't dispute your level of tact, but you are right that you don't sugarcoat things. 

As for costs... I agree money will get out access to items that help shape a professional event.  But the best sound, lighting, and even DJ skills will not make an event successful.  (II Productions has thrown over $4000 into one event, but the results were the same as an IIP event that cost around $2000.)  Getting the people to come to the event is key... and I've found that most people who are coming are already friends of the DJs, or personal contacts the lead organizers made 1-on-1 while promoting.

Some other models I've been thinking of is how Franklin Graham (of Billy Graham ministries) throws an event.  This last year they pulled in 10,000's of people over 3 days for a revival event in Baltimore.  The way they advertised was two fold... first they connected directly with the local churches, and asked each church to promote the event.  Then a week or two before the event they use all forms of media to reinforce (billboards, TV, and radio.)

Now I've tried getting local churches to spread the word to their youth and young adult ministries.  (It's how I found my home church, Horizon Church.)  But for the most part it didn't work.  I've also tried newspapers and flyers (and some success with radio).  But I still see the waterfall idea of finding communities who find an interest in the event and passing on word that way.  Right now I still only see friends of the DJs (and of the DJ's church community.)  Perhaps there is another avenue I'm overlooking.

It is BTU policy that we don't release numbers,  be it our budget,  how much we make or lose,  or how much our headliners cost.  However,  I can tell you that the event WAS a success financially.

All that depends on 1) the definition of a headliner and 2) how cheap you can get him/her/them.

Seriously, in a small town... a headliner could be the big dj from 2 towns over. Some headliners, if you are friends with them, will try to cut you a deal too. And... if you can work it out so your event is in between 2 of theirs and on their way... that's a plus too.

Gulf Shores got Shiloh the same weekend BTU did simply because of the connections, timing and geographical location.