PDA

View Full Version : Disco or Kids entertainer



mike8863
16-08-2010, 10:32 PM
I am noticing more often lately that if i am covering the wedding breakfast etc with background music and the like that clients are now asking me to play tracks to keep the kids amused early on in the evening.
I have so far, reluctantly, put "High school musical" muisic on etc, but i am planning on telling clients in future that they need to sort an alternative out as i am not a creche entertainer. Or, do i whack up the fee to reflect that i am now being seen as an alround entertainer.......!!.
Is it just me, being grumpy, old, worn out etc, or has anyone else noticed this.....???.

Vectis
16-08-2010, 10:33 PM
Use it as a USP and knock the price up a bit :)

Kids are easy - HSM, Glee, whatever's-hot-right-now, charts. Bit of musical statues if they start getting a bit bored. Sorted.

mike8863
16-08-2010, 10:35 PM
you have way to much patience...................:D :D

Vectis
16-08-2010, 10:39 PM
you have way to much patience...................:D :D

What, for an extra £50-£100 when you'd otherwise be playing boring background tunes anyway? Patience can be found :p

mike8863
16-08-2010, 10:43 PM
that is a hard sell round these parts, let me tell you. But I will give it a go....
doh kids.......................:Censored:

Vectis
16-08-2010, 10:54 PM
that is a hard sell round these parts, let me tell you. But I will give it a go....
doh kids.......................:Censored:

OK - find out how much a bouncy castle costs for a couple of hours, and sell on price parity.
:beer1:

mike8863
16-08-2010, 10:57 PM
top advice, thankyou young sir...................:beer1: :beer1:

simon1969
16-08-2010, 11:01 PM
OK - find out how much a bouncy castle costs for a couple of hours, and sell on price parity.
:beer1:

Or even a :clown: costume learn some juggling your away!!!

Shaun
16-08-2010, 11:10 PM
Gotta agree with Martin. I've secured a few gigs by entertaining the kids at weddings. I've not charged extra for this service. Maybe I should? :ph34r:

At the pre-event meeting I always ask if there will be many kids in attendance, if there are, I ask the client if they would like a dedicated half hour at the beginning to make the children feel part of the evening. I explain some of the benefits of this, and also some of the pitfalls of children at weddings, and how these pitfalls can be avoided with a little planning. The vast majority think it's a great idea. If there isn't going to be a lot of children I won't make the suggestion. Kids generally tend to get bored at weddings, and ultimately play up. How many times have we all performed at weddings and kids are running around and across the dancefloor during the first dance? This can be avoided by devoting a little bit of time and making the kids feel involved. It also allows the parents to have a bit of a breather knowing where their kids are and knowing that their keeping out of trouble.

The kids really do respond to this and relieves some of the boredom they have. When they're on the floor I explain that this part of the evening is all about them, and that we're going to have plenty of fun over the next half hour. I also explain that after their 'mini party' it's really important that they sit down with their mum and dads for a while as we'll be playing a special song for the Bride & Groom. This I'll explain again at the end of the 30 minute stint. You'd be surprised by the difference this makes, especially after you've devoted some time to them. Many times the mums and dads will join the kids on the floor for a bit so it end up being a nice uplifting and upbeat start to the night. Each time I've done this parents have come up and thanked me saying that it was a nice touch and it was good to see the kids having fun.



It's also important to point out that I'm not a children's entertainer. I no longer even provide children's parties as it's the one part of my repertoire that I feel least out of my comfort zone doing. The average punter wouldn't notice but I really find it very hard work. I have a lot of respect for the DJs that specialise in this. Children's entertaining is definitely not for me, and thankfully I only do the above a few times a year. But it's handy knowing for a short time I can pull it out of the bag when needed.

Dynamic Entertainment
16-08-2010, 11:13 PM
If im asked to entertain the kids, i charge alot extra and get a magician friend/business aquaintance onboard.

It can then be upsold further by having him do more adult table walkaround later on!

Excalibur
16-08-2010, 11:13 PM
It's also important to point out that I'm not a children's entertainer. I no longer even provide children's parties as it's the one part of my repertoire that I feel least out of my comfort zone doing. The average punter wouldn;t notice but I really find it very hard work. I have a lot of respect for the DJs that specialise in this. Children's entertaining is definitely not for me, and thankfully I only do the above a few times a year. But it's handy knowing for a short time I can pull it out of the bag when needed.

Agreed 101% with the above, except I will do them if I have to.

Vectis
16-08-2010, 11:15 PM
I've not charged extra for this service. Maybe I should? :ph34r:

Not like a Scot to miss a trick like that - deary me :)

That's exactly what I do Shaun - ask about the kids, and if there's more than a few ask their age range, then if I think it's a good group size I go in for the kill and offer to do the 'kids half hour' or 'kids hour' thing (depends if it's an all-day early setup job or a quick dash inbetween meal and disco). Throw in a few glowsticks as prizes and depending on the gig/venue/affluence factor you can usually get a minimum £50-100 every time.

I once provided a projector and rear-project screen for (their own) Wii for the older kids to play and did a mini-set for the younger ones and charged £200 for the privilege. On the night the older kids were more interested in the disco anyway and hardly even used the console :p

Shaun
16-08-2010, 11:20 PM
Food for thought. Time for me to re-think my strategy. Usually when I discuss it with brides we've already discussed pricing so I just provide this extra service in with the price already discussed. You've got me thinking though, it's definitely a USP and something that could be added on as an upsell.

StarZSoundS
17-08-2010, 06:47 AM
Surely our main objective is always to make the Couples day special!!

It shows they are the caring kind that they want the children involved as well.Is it really too much trouble to do something for them...or do you feel you are selling out by doing it!!:eek: :eek:


This has been the backbone to my success at many weddings.If the Kids are happy....you can bet your Goddam :Censored: the adults will be.

No extra charge.....

Shakermaker Promotions
17-08-2010, 09:32 AM
I don't see how you can try to charge extra when you are there already?
In my opinion, if there are kids present, I would rather play to them and get them up dancing rather than sliding allover the place as it's better than just playing background music.

As Shaun said, I always ask if there will be kids present and say that I will play to them for the early part of the evening and in general the bride and groom like the idea.

It's funny because I no longer do kids parties but at a wedding earlier this year I was asked if I would do one simply because I entertained a few at the beginning of the evening. A little girl asked if we could play musical statues so I announced it over the mic and everyone had a great laugh watching them. I went out on to the dancefloor with the radio mic and interracted with them and the audience and it really worked.

I would find it really strange if I had quoted for a function and then upped the price because there were kids present.

rob1963
17-08-2010, 09:42 AM
I'm a DJ, but certainly NOT a kids entertainer.

If that's what the client wants, I'd suggest they book one to perform before I start the disco.

I don't want to be a Jack of all trades.

Vectis
17-08-2010, 09:44 AM
I don't see how you can try to charge extra when you are there already?

Easy. Just make it sound like you're doing something over and above.



It's funny because I no longer do kids parties but at a wedding earlier this year I was asked if I would do one simply because I entertained a few at the beginning of the evening.

That's a good point and one I missed earlier. I've had a handful of bookings for kids (and teens) parties come from previous wedding guests.



I would find it really strange if I had quoted for a function and then upped the price because there were kids present.

Are you running a business or what? :p

Don't you maintain a subset of music specifically for kids events? Radio edits, HSM, party dances?

Try it. It works ;)

yourdj
17-08-2010, 10:14 AM
I'm a DJ, but certainly NOT a kids entertainer.

If that's what the client wants, I'd suggest they book one to perform before I start the disco.

I don't want to be a Jack of all trades.

Yep :)

It's probably because i have not had any but most kids simply annoy me when i am setting up or starting. They annoy me in general actually :p

The last thing i want to be doing is playing glee and having them crowding round the decks when I am trying to coordinate first dance.

Shakermaker Promotions
17-08-2010, 10:42 AM
Vectis, yes I am running a business and it's never crossed my mind to charge extra if there are kids present. Maybe I am missing a trick there?
I suppose I could ask as usual and if they want me to entertain the kids then I could knock up some of the certificates I used to use for games and best dancer etc and maybe try to sell that?

Rob, Jack of all trades....well, isn't it an idea to be flexible and to be able to adapt to different situations?
I was talking to someone about this very thing the other day. I was thinking of getting into do Race Nights again for example but that's not what I am getting at to be fair. If you looked at some of the bookings I had in say June for example: On one saturday I did a Joint 13th Birthday Party, the following saturday it was a Joint 18th Birthday Party. I also did a Rock/Alternative Night and then a 50th Wedding Anniversary followed by a Wedding that was for a couple who liked their Dance stuff etc... That to me, is being adaptable to all kinds of functions and (not meaning to be an ego maniac) but that's where I think I shine because I take on functions like that to learn. I have been doing this a long time now and there are still things I can learn.

rob1963
17-08-2010, 11:14 AM
Rob, Jack of all trades....well, isn't it an idea to be flexible and to be able to adapt to different situations?

It certainly is, Gary, and I consider myself to be very adaptable. However, everyone will have their limits, depending on what they feel comfortable with.

A few years ago, one of my best friends was desperate for me to cover a kids disco in a Primary school. I reluctantly agreed after he told me it was only an hour and 15 minutes & after he said he'd give me 2 CDs containing all the music, enabling me to just alternate between the two. I can assure you that was probably the longest hour and fifteen minutes of my entire life. Never again.

If a client wants me to play a few songs for the kids early on, then fine, but that's where it ends. If they want anything more, I can't help, so they need to get a professional.

StarZSoundS
17-08-2010, 05:55 PM
Rob, Jack of all trades....well, isn't it an idea to be flexible and to be able to adapt to different situations?

That to me, is being adaptable to all kinds of functions and (not meaning to be an ego maniac) but that's where I think I shine because I take on functions like that to learn. I have been doing this a long time now and there are still things I can learn.



Thats why we'll both be around for a while yet!!!

Kids are lovely.....I went to School with them.


I think as the Market shrinks....(which we've covered at length on here)those who are able to be more adaptable will last longer.




"Bah Humbug" Toby and Rob.....best of luck with your restricted market!!

rob1963
17-08-2010, 06:19 PM
"Bah Humbug" Toby and Rob.....best of luck with your restricted market!!

Luck?

I don't need luck, as I'm doing okay in my "restricted" market of Weddings & Birthday parties!

:D :D :D

BeerFunk
17-08-2010, 07:06 PM
There has to be a differentiation between playing music for kids, and directly 'entertaining' them.

I'm happy to play requests for them earlier on, and do a few shout-outs for them (which they love, but can't do too many as it may annoy the seated adults). I've even done Soccer AM style dance-off 'competitions' with the boys vs the girls (which I always declare as a draw, with no prize!).

No extra charge for any of that, and as mentioned, it also stops my becoming bored too.

DB Entertainments
17-08-2010, 08:36 PM
If im asked to entertain the kids, i charge alot extra and get a magician friend/business aquaintance onboard.

It can then be upsold further by having him do more adult table walkaround later on!


I like it a lot!

Paul The Party Dj
17-08-2010, 09:53 PM
Some weddings there are no kids, some weddings there are kids - FACT.

When I meet with clients and discover there are going to be a lot of kids I suggest we consider what we are going to do with them - if that means blowing up a few balloons for them to play with, giving the bubble machine a blast or two before the first dance, and using a £1 tube of glow in the dark bracelets to make them happy - AND it gets me the booking I'm more than happy to do so.

So I'm with Vectis and the others who want to cash in on the opportunity and using it as a selling point. For £10 you can get a big bag of balloons and glow bracelets - sorted.

Cheers, Paul

mike8863
17-08-2010, 10:33 PM
The last wedding i did, that started this thread, there were 5 kids, aged between 2 and 6, and the parents said, "play this, play that, they like them", so i did, the parents were gone like a shot, so i now had 5 kids hanging on my every word. If i want to baby sit, i'll charge the going rate:bang: .
At the clients pre event meeting, yes there were 5 kids, but i didn't need to worry about them!.
Was i CRB checked.....??, was i trustworthy....??:confused: .
The venue asked for my PLI and Pat certificates prior to letting me set up, and they're electrics were awful:confused: .
Makes you think, doesn't it............????

I don't want to charge extra bucks, but in this world of "PC" mania, where do YOU stand...........

PS I am CRB checked, EMT Trained, and hold an SIA Licence, hardly a selling point if i'm baby sitting for free is it............:D :D

JDB Entertainment
18-08-2010, 03:46 AM
As with others who have already posted on this thread.

I use kids entertainment at the start of a Wedding as an upsell opportunity and has in the past clinched me the deal. :)

simon1969
18-08-2010, 10:36 AM
The last wedding i did, that started this thread, there were 5 kids, aged between 2 and 6, and the parents said, "play this, play that, they like them", so i did, the parents were gone like a shot, so i now had 5 kids hanging on my every word. If i want to baby sit, i'll charge the going rate:bang: .
At the clients pre event meeting, yes there were 5 kids, but i didn't need to worry about them!.
Was i CRB checked.....??, was i trustworthy....??:confused: .
The venue asked for my PLI and Pat certificates prior to letting me set up, and they're electrics were awful:confused: .
Makes you think, doesn't it............????

I don't want to charge extra bucks, but in this world of "PC" mania, where do YOU stand...........

PS I am CRB checked, EMT Trained, and hold an SIA Licence, hardly a selling point if i'm baby sitting for free is it............:D :D

Maybe we all need to revise our terms and conditions for this eventuality saying if you require any children at your event to be entertained a fee will incur.
That is if you think you should charge as some people who have posted are quite happy not to charge.

DazzyD
18-08-2010, 02:11 PM
I don't see how you can try to charge extra when you are there already?
In my opinion, if there are kids present, I would rather play to them and get them up dancing rather than sliding allover the place as it's better than just playing background music.

As Shaun said, I always ask if there will be kids present and say that I will play to them for the early part of the evening and in general the bride and groom like the idea.

It's funny because I no longer do kids parties but at a wedding earlier this year I was asked if I would do one simply because I entertained a few at the beginning of the evening. A little girl asked if we could play musical statues so I announced it over the mic and everyone had a great laugh watching them. I went out on to the dancefloor with the radio mic and interracted with them and the audience and it really worked.

I would find it really strange if I had quoted for a function and then upped the price because there were kids present.

I don't think it's a case of the kids just being present. Some clients want you to actively entertain the kids at the start prior to the "main" function if you like. This gives them the chance to have a chat amongst themselves, meet and greet guests, etc. I will happily entertain with songs, games, etc for the first hour or so. But, like most on here, I haven't thought about charging extra for it (well, I do if things like costumes, prizes, etc are needed).

Maybe it's time I re-evaluated my services! Oh, wait! That's what I have been doing for the past month!!! :D