How do they find us?

[musicology]

Apart from the customers who have had a recommendation, I always try to find out how they found me. Search terms used etc. and whether it was about price, how the website looked etc. I had one last week who admitted that he is very lazy and, when searching, saw that my telephone number was the only one displayed in the search results so rang me and booked. Simple as. He didn't want to trawl websites or get quotes, he just needed to book a disco without effort so rang the only number he could see direct from the search results. A first for me that one!

[yourdj]

Not sure i would want a client like that myself. 'Oi Kev have you booked that DJ yet, its the only job I have asked you to do'. I am sure this is not the case in this instance though, so well done for securing a booking based on your availability. I have a client like that at the moment. he is a bit older and just does not respond to emails. I got his voice mail and (one of two people i have phoned this year) called him. Booked him in for a 50th in his back garden at £1,500, so phones do work. I will do a ring back serve when i get an office and have more space (2 bed house atm with 2 babies), but refuse to take called incoming calls from price haggling, hapless people, whom have no passion or interest in my service.

I would rather someone spends hours on the site and pitch me against a few other decent DJ's and come to the conclusion I was their safest bet as the entertainment is important to them and they cant wait to start working on the playlist. I have a girl this morning that wants a gaming music theme thoughout the day and into the evening - she is so passionate about it which is lovely. Her husband to be is in an orchestra and likes all sorts, so they will be great fun planning with.

I do get a few couples each year that could clearly not give a damn about the DJ in my residency (in a package). I even heard a bride who had booked a band say something like 'oh the DJ is over there, but we dont care about that'. I thought that was very rude, but did my best to make the night as good as possible. The tackless bride was heard at the end of the night agreeing with a guest at how good the DJ was LOL. She was a couple of speakers short of a disco though.

To answer the question in order:

1: venue recommendations
2: web results a good website
3: supplier/friend recommendation
4: wedding fairs/open days.

[musicology]

Should have said, perhaps, that I have already done this job and discovered how he booked me on the night. It was for is Wife's surprise 40th at a nice city centre venue. Cracking party, really nice people and a joy to do with a £25 tip into the bargain!

[ppentertainments]

Booked him in for a 50th in his back garden at £1,500, so phones do work.

Wow, that is good - not wanting to go off topic, but genuinely interested in how you converted a birthday disco at 3x your 'from' price ?

I agree with the order of importance, however it is difficult to know what search terms actually work.

I have one local venue and if you search 'wedding DJ (this venue)' I have came top on google rankings for the past 7 years, even above the venue.

Total enquiries for this venue = zero. And yes, it is a suitable venue.

[yourdj]

Wow, that is good - not wanting to go off topic

Good question - Wish this was my normal weekly fee, but have to say it was a very good booking (we usually charge about £6-700 on average). during the call I diverted him to a video - He had not seen it so it was an instant booking https://vimeo.com/176385140 -

Its start time of 7pm with Background and mics etc. I am also doing some event drinks shots as part of the photobooth, but i love taking photos so its free as its downtime anyway and a nice booking & he is a great bloke also. We have another business with phat events and want to specialise in these sorts of house party events. They are usually dead easy and bags of fun and we live in an area with old money & colossal houses so load of kids/parents with birthdays etc. and want someone trustworthy who can do the job properly, especially with late finishes and funny neighbours (hence the silent disco option).

Evening DJ set (5 hours £620 + 3 X £70): £820
Silent disco: £250
Photo Booth: £445

£1,515

Take off the cost for the silent disco (hired) and 2 staff for the night (£300)

Back on topic. Perhaps the video might put someone off (not seen it so cant comment) although I dont tend to get much off youtube etc. directly but use the video as a tool for the website or point people towards them when they make an enquiry. Bit like the one above.

[ukpartydj]

Search terms are a bit elusive nowadays. My websites rank well in Google searches which gets most if my work (topped up with adwords).

#1 = Website
#2 = recommended
#3 = NAD
#4 = wedding fayre/other paid online advertising.

It does sicken me a little the amount of money I spend on advertising recently, about £2500 a year, but then I'm busier than ever so I cannot complain really.

[Imagine]

Search terms are a bit elusive nowadays. My websites rank well in Google searches which gets most if my work (topped up with adwords).

#1 = Website
#2 = recommended
#3 = NAD
#4 = wedding fayre/other paid online advertising.

It does sicken me a little the amount of money I spend on advertising recently, about £2500 a year, but then I'm busier than ever so I cannot complain really.

Pretty much the same except for NaD (I can't win a NaD lead for love nor money).

I'll probably be banned for this one but I'm beyond caring now....

<rant mode well and truly on>
Sorry Martin/Vectis....this really IS my last year with you. I can't be doing with quoting against at least 30-40 other Sids on the same lead (it's becoming boring now). There are now too many low quality DJs in my area to be bothered to compete with (yes, every single lead I've quoted on has gone to someone who's willing to quote well under budget just to win the gig....I can't work like that).

Please, either sort the system so that we that spend money on PC/FD slots and have Diamond awards/play the game get some sort of priority on leads, or prepare to lose a lot of quality DJs.....we're fed up now

</rant mode off>

[ppentertainments]

Back on topic. Perhaps the video might put someone off (not seen it so cant comment) although I dont tend to get much off youtube etc. directly but use the video as a tool for the website or point people towards them when they make an enquiry. Bit like the one above.

Totally agree - video is definitely a great tool if used correctly - a quick 5/10- second clip will do nothing, however a number of clips from the same night, to show that your whole night is enjoyable works really well.

I get many bookings from the videos I pop on my website, Like Toby, YouTube itself brings nothing, but popping the YouTubes on my website is fantastic.

The only struggle is if you work alone it can be very difficult to get clips from the whole night. I have noticed quite a few DJs starting to fit webcams etc to video the whole night. Whilst in principle I think the idea is good, I just feel it is a little creepy personally, especially if you have a lotto young ladies dancing and the camera is very discreet.

[TONYTIGER]

Nearly all my work comes from my website cost £ 60.00 per year never been so busy.

[ppentertainments]

Nearly all my work comes from my website cost £ 60.00 per year never been so busy.

Care to share any secrets ?