Turning Down Bookings

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Hi all,

Just thought I'd post something on this. Turning down bookings is not something I like doing and I expect most people feel exactly the same but do you ever do it? Have you ever done it?
I've had 3 enquiries over the past 10 days for parties at a venue I have been to before that have sound limiters installed and they are set at a stupidly low level.
I've spoken to the venue on a number of occasions and as they tell me that nothing has changed since I was last there.
On the one occasion that I had been to the venue (wedding), I explained to the customer before I went that there were limiters installed in the venue and I explained what they did, why they were there and advised at what could possibly happen should the volume be exceeded. On that occasion I found myself with neck ache by the end of the night because I was constantly looking behind me to check that all was ok.

I guess I've blacklisted the venue. It's a shame to turn away work especially when the last enquiry that came in was for a date I was available and I came recommended.

[Shaun]

I occasionally turn away bookings....

I turn away all bookings for venues that I know have sound limiters, for the reasons you've stated above. There's also a couple of venues I don't do because of poor access, and one venue I don't do because the owner is a moron with a bad attitude. And once in a blue moon I'll turn away a booking if I just don't feel I'm the right DJ for them, especially if it's a specialist night and I don't feel I could do the genre justice. Oh, and kids discos, I don't do them either. Lol, it's sounding like I turn away more than I accept.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I occasionally turn away bookings....

I turn away all bookings for venues that I know have sound limiters, for the reasons you've stated above. There's also a couple of venues I don't do because of poor access, and one venue I don't do because the owner is a moron with a bad attitude. And once in a blue moon I'll turn away a booking if I just don't feel I'm the right DJ for them, especially if it's a specialist night and I don't feel I could do the genre justice. Oh, and kids discos, I don't do them either. Lol, it's sounding like I turn away more than I accept.

Ditto. I like going out the comfort zone on occasions but nothing that's way off the beaten track so to speak.

If you end up DJing at an event that you don't enjoy and/or aren't really performing to the clients wishes then nobody gets anything out it. No point in being a "gig pig"

[DazzyD]

I turn away bookings. I don't work Monday to Thursday nights due to having a day job so these enquiries get passed on. I always chat to the prospective client to establish their needs and if I can't meet those needs then I'll say so. I don't "wing it" with bookings as I believe the most important thing is for the client to have a good experience and this can only be achieved by booking the right person for the job. I can do a lot of things but I'm not a Jack of all trades!

[Excalibur]

Ditto. I like going out the comfort zone on occasions but nothing that's way off the beaten treat so to speak.

Is that like a walnut whip?

Re Gig Pigs, there's no problem with that, as long as you provide a satisfactory experience for the customer. If you don't, then woe betide you.

I can do a lot of things but I'm not a Jack of all trades!

Not necessarily true. I bet your regularly played repertoire ranges from The Crazy Frog, through Barbie Girl and Macarena, up to some nice Tamla, a bit of Rock'n'Roll, turn left at the 70's for a slice of Disco, jump up and down for the Punk/New Wave, and head onto the present day via the 80's. Seems quite varied to me.

[Shaun]

Not necessarily true. I bet your regularly played repertoire ranges from The Crazy Frog, through Barbie Girl and Macarena, up to some nice Tamla, a bit of Rock'n'Roll, turn left at the 70's for a slice of Disco, jump up and down for the Punk/New Wave, and head onto the present day via the 80's. Seems quite varied to me.

Whilst it's true that we all play a wide range of music, there are instances where some of us might think we aren't suited to a particular job. I recently took a booking for a 16th birthday party where the youngster was really clued up on current and upfront electro and dance music. She asked lots of questions and tested me on my knowledge of the genre during the initial contacts. As such I got the gig, and rocked her party. I would imagine that a gig of that type might not be in every DJs comfort zone. I've also did a couple of weddings where the clients we're into dance music and wanted beatmixing all night - again, not everyone would feel comfortable with that type of event. On the flipside I've turned away gigs for a specialist Northern Soul nights. & Hard Rock/Heavy Metal evenings. I could play a set of each but I really don't have the skillset and knowledge to confidently pull of a whole evening where the majority of those in attendance will have a good knowledge of the genre. Sure I could probably wing it, but I'd be doing a disservice to the client by taking on such a thing.

Some events are more suited to a specialist DJ. I definitely don't consider myself a 'jack of all trades' when it comes to music.

[Excalibur]

.
Some events are more suited to a specialist DJ.

Agreed.


However,




not all punters can either find or perhaps afford said specialist. That's when "Versatile of Fife ", or "Desperate of Goole" get called upon to step into the breach. We then perform in the most professional way we can, ad do our utmost to provide, if not exactly what the customer asked for, then a very close and acceptable approximation of it.

.
I definitely don't consider myself a 'jack of all trades' when it comes to music.

The lad doth protest too much, methinks. I'm convinced you are, but don't believe it.

Be honest, I'm sure we've all had gigs where we've been asked for styles of music that at first glance, we'd affirm we were shaky on. Isn't it funny how you then find, as you go on, tracks you know and love which fit the bill, especially when you have your memory jogged by requests from the punters? And while you couldn't possibly claim to be an authority on the subject, you know more than enough to get by comfortably.

Now then, Wholly single style functions. While I could easily do 60's 70's Tamla, Rock ( not Metal as such ), Country, or Disco nights, there are indeed ones I wouldn't attempt. Even with the help of the redoubtable Mr Neen's wonderful Northern Soul/Tamla programme ( Thursdays, 8-10. here ) I couldn't do a whole evening of the stuff, and nothing else. Nor could I do a night of nothing but Metal. Thing is, how often do we get asked for an evening of one style only, and when we do, how often do you end up playing Dancing Queen et al after a couple of hours?

We're often called upon to walk a very fine line. Applying ourselves diligently to the task in hand means we keep our balance more often than we fall off.

[Shaun]

there are indeed ones I wouldn't attempt. Even with the help of the redoubtable Mr Neen's wonderful Northern Soul/Tamla programme ( Thursdays, 8-10. here ) I couldn't do a whole evening of the stuff, and nothing else. Nor could I do a night of nothing but Metal. Thing is, how often do we get asked for an evening of one style only, and when we do, how often do you end up playing Dancing Queen et al after a couple of hours?

Glad to see we do actually agree that there are some instances in which we just won't be the right DJ for every eventuality. In the majority of cases we could all bash on and do a good job, but in other instances I'd rather turn away the gig if I felt too far out my comfort zone, or felt that I just don't have the knowledge to do it justice.

[Excalibur]

Glad to see we do actually agree

Don't get too excited about it mate, on present form, the next instance is due in about fifty years.


Shaun, I know we're in agreement about the premise that no DJ is the right DJ for every gig ( Not even me. ) Where we diverge is how versatile many of us are, and how many types of events that versatility qualifies us to undertake.

As an aside, having noted how many functions you shy away from, have you ever considered that your business would improve tremendously were you to go on a course to alleviate your crippling shyness, timidity and lack of self confidence?

[musicologydisco]

I turn down those where the access is silly. There's a couple in Norwich I won't go near. Also under 13's kid's parties unless they just want a disco without games and stuff. I always recommend Local Dj Chris as he's a kiddy specialist. err..That doesn't sound quite right does it?!