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Thread: Customer wants to come to one of my gigs!!

  1. #21
    yourdj's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rth_discos View Post
    I give the reason that just as I wouldn't invite potential clients to their wedding, that's why I can't allow them to view me at someone else's wedding.
    Exactly, "would you want random strangers at your wedding watching your first dance", My guess is that 95% of clients would say no. I have never had this questions as i have so much information and real videos on the website. Client meeting also as they realise that I wont be a total blithering idiot talking crap all night. Also I think most clients will realise that every wedding is different even at the same venue, especially if you promote that in the way of track lists and set ups etc.
    Your DJ - Mobile DJ The New Forest, Southampton & Hampshire. Toby
    https://yourdj.co.uk/

  2. #22
    Dinosaur Excalibur's Avatar
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    There really are times when I wonder about this place!

    How in heaven's name can telling prospective clients the truth be seen as defensive? Why should that give a client cause for concern?
    No two gigs are the same, fact. The way you behave at one ( for example ) wedding may bear no resemblance at all to another seemingly identical one. I've got a couple this year where I'm forbidden to wear a suit, and others where it's mandatory. My manner and behaviour will doubtless be as different as my attire, simply because the client's wishes, hopes and aims will be different.

    At one, I'll be the relaxed, friendly, jovial , larger than life party DJ. The other, I'll be the formal person who manages the event, and ensures all required elements take place at the appointed times. I'll play a bit of music as well. Someone seeing me at one might be horrified I'd do the same at their function.

    We take pride in telling clients that we'll give them a bespoke event, so immediately that means what happens at one won't suit another client. We all have different wallpaper, and carpets, drive different cars, eat different food. Our parties are different too.

    Now for Martin, who's being a tad mischievous. Despite all that some of us do to stress the point about flexible music policy, I believe that it's usually clients booking " Alternative " ( in the widest possible terms ) DJs who start with the music and work from there. It's more often that we're consulted somewhere after the chair covers, and despite being booked for months, we are only told the desired music style with a week or so to go.

    Just to lighten the mood of this morose diatribe, I'll pop in one of Darren's favourite sayings: People notice.
    Did a nothing gig last night, for a netball club. I was the obligatory disco and radio mic provider. Not a stellar gig, but again, I did my job diligently, and was happy enough in what I'd done. I was mush happier when the Bar Manager approached me, and asked for my number. Reason why?

    I played music at a level which didn't have their ears ringing afterwards, I didn't leave the gear on autopilot while I nipped outside for a smoke, and generally I behaved in a professional manner. As Jim says, just doing the basics can often put you on a higher level than some. Not rocket science at all, Jim, I agree.

    PS-Edit: One for the calendar, Toby's absolutely correct.
    Last edited by Excalibur; 21-07-2018 at 11:44 AM.
    Excalibur. Older than the average DJ.

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  3. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by Excalibur View Post
    PS-Edit: One for the calendar, Toby's absolutely correct.
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    Your DJ - Mobile DJ The New Forest, Southampton & Hampshire. Toby
    https://yourdj.co.uk/

  4. #24

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    Ironically I have just lost out on a NYE booking at one of my recommended venues because of just this.

    Bride wants to see me in action, I say no, another DJ says yes (and will also provide videos of whole nights Discos, which I find a little creepy if honest) so bride books other DJ.

    To be honest I think I dodged a bullet there.
    Semi-Retired Multi Award Winning DJ

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  5. #25
    Dinosaur Excalibur's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ppentertainments View Post
    Ironically I have just lost out on a NYE booking at one of my recommended venues because of just this.

    Bride wants to see me in action, I say no, another DJ says yes (and will also provide videos of whole nights Discos, which I find a little creepy if honest) so bride books other DJ.

    To be honest I think I dodged a bullet there.
    I believe I've lost gigs for a similar reason, and though I hate losing work, I'm losing no sleep over any of those.
    Excalibur. Older than the average DJ.

    www.excaliburmobiledisco.co.uk

  6. #26

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    Quote Originally Posted by Nakatomi View Post
    There are a lot of great mobile DJs in the world but an awful lot more mediocre ones who don't give a stuff about anything but where their next beer is coming from (usually the pack they brought in with them). We have them to thank for our customers being so wary. But then, that's not entirely a bad thing. They make the rest of us look SO much better
    I worked with a singer a few weeks ago and we got chatting. He's one of the few guys around making a good full time living out of singing and has his head properly screwed on with regard to running a business. He basically said that if he turned up on time without forgetting anything he's probably already better than 50% of his local competition. He then said that if he turned up sober he's beaten another 20%, if he wasn't falling down drunk by the end he was up on another 20% and that it was really just the last 5-10% that he considered his "real" competition

    I managed to shoehorn in a kids prom on Friday night (between finishing the day job and starting an adult gig in the evening!) where the venues "regular DJ" had let them down on Tuesday. The venue did mention that they usually paid him £50 and beer so they couldn't really hold this against him. They also mentioned that his kit kept tripping the electrics and if mine did the same I should use multiple sockets.

    Maybe the singer I met has a point....

    Julian
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  7. #27
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    Quote Originally Posted by ppentertainments View Post
    Ironically I have just lost out on a NYE booking at one of my recommended venues because of just this.

    Bride wants to see me in action, I say no, another DJ says yes (and will also provide videos of whole nights Discos, which I find a little creepy if honest) so bride books other DJ.

    To be honest I think I dodged a bullet there.
    My main DJ martin filmed the whole night from start to finish 10 years back and has had most of my work from it now (including a 9 year Christmas residency), bloody handy seeing it in the flesh, but as a client, nope. I would immediately think they are a control freak and will be a pain in the bum. Just like the client who wants total control of the playlist and dictates when certain tracks will be played. Brightside, during the buffet, err noooo.

    Quote Originally Posted by DJ Jules View Post
    I worked with a singer a few weeks ago and we got chatting. He's one of the few guys around making a good full time living out of singing and has his head properly screwed on with regard to running a business. He basically said that if he turned up on time without forgetting anything he's probably already better than 50% of his local competition. He then said that if he turned up sober he's beaten another 20%, if he wasn't falling down drunk by the end he was up on another 20% and that it was really just the last 5-10% that he considered his "real" competition
    What does that make the mobile DJ market, when you take into account all the pub DJ's doing it for £50 and some beers? Its scary how many of the DJ's locally I would count as contemporarys, Literally probably only about 40 if that? Thats ignoring the good ones that don't ever advertise obviously as I never see or hear about them. Doing this job (and also a lot of other wedding supplier professions) properly is great as there is a very limited competition really.
    Last edited by yourdj; 23-07-2018 at 12:38 AM.
    Your DJ - Mobile DJ The New Forest, Southampton & Hampshire. Toby
    https://yourdj.co.uk/

  8. #28
    Jim - Scotland's Party DJ's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DJ Jules View Post
    I worked with a singer a few weeks ago and we got chatting. He's one of the few guys around making a good full time living out of singing and has his head properly screwed on with regard to running a business. He basically said that if he turned up on time without forgetting anything he's probably already better than 50% of his local competition. He then said that if he turned up sober he's beaten another 20%, if he wasn't falling down drunk by the end he was up on another 20% and that it was really just the last 5-10% that he considered his "real" competition

    I managed to shoehorn in a kids prom on Friday night (between finishing the day job and starting an adult gig in the evening!) where the venues "regular DJ" had let them down on Tuesday. The venue did mention that they usually paid him £50 and beer so they couldn't really hold this against him. They also mentioned that his kit kept tripping the electrics and if mine did the same I should use multiple sockets.

    Maybe the singer I met has a point....

    Julian


    Very true, christ taking a nice change of clothes probably knocks off 50% of the competition!

    Funny you mention the prom. A local private school gets me in to do stuff now and again, it's the kids who "organise" it with a bit of help from a teacher or two.

    Last time I was there I start loading my stuff in. After a few trips I stop and realise that the guy sitting in a tracky with a beer on his laptop at the other end of the hall has a few maplin disco lights on the table.

    At first I thought it had been a teacher but no, it turns out he's been "booked" by a friend's mum from the shop who's on the PTA or something like that.

    A lot of umming and aahing from the actual teachers ensues.

    Apparently I'm "3 times dearer" than this guy so the school kind of want to keep him.

    The kids turn up and, fair play to them, give it - WE booked DJ Jim because he's brilliant. Plus we've booked him for the past couple of years. Plus that guys equipment looks rubbish. Plus Mr Whoever signed a contract with him.

    Head teacher to other guy - "did you sign a contract?... no, well that seems to have settled things."

    I kind of felt bad for the guy but still, if he'd have even ran a half decent operation they'd probably not have been so quick to boot him out when he was already there and set-up.

  9. #29

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    I put on a 40th Birthday for my wife, disco and band, the band brought along a potential client, she stayed all night from beginning to end and joined in with everything.

    It was a bit weird as everyone knew everyone else, aside from mrs random.

    She had a great time, but it was awkward, and I would not want any of my clients having to feel the same, expecially at a wedding.
    www.retrodisco.co.uk Mobile Disco and 80s Night Specialists, Devon

  10. #30
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jim - Scotland's Party DJ View Post
    I kind of felt bad for the guy but still, if he'd have even ran a half decent operation they'd probably not have been so quick to boot him out when he was already there and set-up.
    I think this time of year I would be happy with a night off if I had not travelled far or hired extra sound etc.

    A to of the conference type 'elite' slate DJ double decks but I have always said, if we get every DJ to up their game then the market will be saturated by them, surely that goes against business common sense. As people know I am more than willing to give, but my wife said one day "why do you give all your secrets away in Promobile" and I thought yes your right, I am only really doing it as i love writing, and for industry exposure, but also the ego side of things can't be ignored.

    Bring on the crap DJ I say, it makes me look good.
    Your DJ - Mobile DJ The New Forest, Southampton & Hampshire. Toby
    https://yourdj.co.uk/

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