Gig's you can't or don't want to do

[ppentertainments]

What do you do if you ever get an enquiry for a gig you know 'just won't work'. I had an enquiry today for a 3 yr old birthday party that was to last 5 hours. Basically they wanted the kids dropped off, entertained whilst the parents chatted :rolleyes: and picked up 5 hours later.:bang:

I did explain that a 2 hour party is the maximum I would reccomend or would be happy doing.

What do you do when you get 'an impossible request'? I know a lot of people put in a ridiculous high price, but I prefer to be honest. If I put a high price in the potential client would tell all their friends, by saying I think it is too long, I am honest and hopefully after the event the enquirer would reflect on this.

Any comments ??

[axeman]

i think you are right, and i would only accept this gig if their was going to be a suitable number of adults attending, then they can keep tabs on the kids and you could aim part of the afternoon/night to entertaining them.

3 yr olds are more like toddlers and would need a lot of occupying, so if you do accept the gig make sure you take lots of props (hats wigs toys) and ideas for games etc.

[Daryl]

I get a few impossible requests, I have turned down 4 weddings due to my stupid fear of the mic, and the fact that I dont want to ruin a big day for someone. I just tell them that I don't do weddings, and recommend another guy I know.

Any tips on the mic fear, anyone? :(

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I get a few impossible requests, I have turned down 4 weddings due to my stupid fear of the mic, and the fact that I dont want to ruin a big day for someone. I just tell them that I don't do weddings, and recommend another guy I know.

Any tips on the mic fear, anyone? :(

Practise and confidence. :)

(Start another thread on it and we'll get some tips and help for you)

[scottydj2]

Practise and confidence. :)

(Start another thread on it and we'll get some tips and help for you)

Wot he said :approve:

Generally I find, it's fear of the unknown....... once you do a few and are familiar with the experience, it'll be just like any other function :)

The ones I won't touch are children's parties, so I understand 'the fear' of the function as it were - I just don't like them :confused:

Scott

[Vectis]

Under 6's - point blank refuse.

Any gigs at certain venues - deliberately price very high due to near impossible access or near impossible management :rolleyes:


As for the mic problem, write it down. Even now I'll open up wordpad on the lappy and type up my introduction speech. If nothing else it makes sure you get the B+G names right!! :)

[rob1963]

As for the mic problem, write it down. Even now I'll open up wordpad on the lappy and type up my introduction speech. If nothing else it makes sure you get the B+G names right!! :)

Or you could do what I do...just refer to them as the bride & groom.

That way, you have nothing to forget!

:D

[Danno13]

As for the mic problem, write it down. Even now I'll open up wordpad on the lappy and type up my introduction speech. If nothing else it makes sure you get the B+G names right!!

I permenantly have a word document open on my laptop, mainly for requests, but when its a wedding I always write the B&Gs names in a stupidly big font so it's there to glance at, as a reminder.

[Mayhem 1]

[QUOTE=ppentertainments;218039]What do you do if you ever get an enquiry for a gig you know 'just won't work'. I had an enquiry today for a 3 yr old birthday party that was to last 5 hours. Basically they wanted the kids dropped off, entertained whilst the parents chatted :rolleyes: and picked up 5 hours later.:bang:

I did explain that a 2 hour party is the maximum I would reccomend or would be happy doing.


Morning Folks, 5 hours for a 3 year old!!!!!! that is deffo out of order, what are they thinking???

My maximum would be 2 hours (Most of my 3 & 4 year old parties are only 1 x Hour slots)

It makes me laugh when people phone up for a party like this it is not viable.

And I have also lost count how many times I have said that I do not run a baby sitting service.

[UltraBeat Entertainment]

I agree with Garry. I wouldn't accept a children's party over 2 hours (or if i did it would have to be at a high price and even then i would only entertain for 2hrs and play music for the remainder of the time.)
There's just no way you could keep a bunch of 3yr olds entertained for any longer. sometimes even 2hrs can get a challenge.

I had a request for a wedding last month for something like a 9hr gig. they wanted me to start at 3pm and finish at 12pm while doing karaoke write the way through:eek: . when i quoted a price they didn't understand why it was so high and even then the price was unbelievably low:bang: .

The funniest thing is when i asked how many people they were expecting they said 15. That would have been a total disaster entertaining just 15 people for 9 hours:eek: :eek: :eek:

[Richard Veal]

I've done several 12hour events for teenagers at youth club. 7pm-7am.

Its really funny at about 2am most are out for the count.

[CRAZY K]

Or you could do what I do...just refer to them as the bride & groom.

That way, you have nothing to forget!

:D

Or the lucky couple:D

We have a policy of refusing to work in certain towns ( no names ) which have a "reputation"--- parts of London, Pubs unless vetted or known to us and certain types of functions like 18ths or 21sts unless the parents are booking and paying--im doing one of those Saturday--YEE HA!

:D :D :D

Also tend to avoid events directly arranged by "students" as im concerned we wont get paid.

Apart from that anything really--we havent had any problems with money or violence by adopting this policy--

CRAZY K

[Excalibur]

Or the lucky couple:D

We have a policy of refusing to work in certain towns ( no names ) which have a "reputation"---

CRAZY K

And apparently you haven't got your Visa for Yorkshire either. :p :p

[CRAZY K]

And apparently you haven't got your Visa for Yorkshire either. :p :p

Well Peter, as you know some cheeky person from Yorkshire was telling us today how much we should be charging them:(

They got told to go away---putting it nicely--and then accused us of being rude after trying to tell us how to organise pricing in our business.

Apparently they will be telling everyone in Yorkshire not to use us--thank god for that--our lucky day;)

We dont deal with people like that :D :D :D

Incidentally, whilst trying to find your website I came across a Yorkshire based site that used these classic words which I may use---

OUR DJS ARE REASSURINGLY EXPENSIVE:D :D :D

Love it---:D :D :D

CRAZY K

[Excalibur]

Well Peter, as you know some cheeky person from Yorkshire was telling us today how much we should be charging them:(

They got told to go away---putting it nicely--and then accused us of being rude after trying to tell us how to organise pricing in our business.

Apparently they will be telling everyone in Yorkshire not to use us--thank god for that--our lucky day;)

We dont deal with people like that :D :D :D

Incidentally, whilst trying to find your website I came across a Yorkshire based site that used these classic words which I may use---

OUR DJS ARE REASSURINGLY EXPENSIVE:D :D :D

Love it---:D :D :D

CRAZY K

If you find my website, please let me know, cos Justin hasn't built it yet!;) :D

Have I ever referred to the North/South price divide? If not, I really should do. :confused: :D :D :p :p

Reassuringly expensive????? Well I'm just cheap.:D :D :D :D

[PropellerHeadCase]

Reassuringly expensive????? Well I'm just cheap.:D :D :D :D

"Reassuringly expensive" :D LOVE that!

You maybe cheap, Pete, but at least you're not nasty, well, maybe when you're wearing that pink slip ;)




As for the mic problem, write it down. Even now I'll open up wordpad on the lappy and type up my introduction speech. If nothing else it makes sure you get the B+G names right!! :)


Or you could do what I do...just refer to them as the bride & groom.


I permenantly have a word document open on my laptop, mainly for requests, but when its a wedding I always write the B&Gs names in a stupidly big font so it's there to glance at, as a reminder.

I too, have all of the main details of a wedding printed onto a sheet of paper at some stupidly large point setting so as to not forget married name and such. I only ever refer to the couple as 'bride and groom' when I'm having a moment or at the end of the first dance when she's not taking his name.


I point blank refuse to do functions where they want to give me more than 5% of the music I am to play, especially when it is foreign/ethnic music - I advise them to get a specialist in that area.

The only other functions I'll refuse are those where I have a reasonable concern for my equipments safety - be it notoriety of venue/area ir just lack of proper planning for cover, power and proximity to swimming pools.

[rob1963]

I point blank refuse to do functions where they want to give me more than 5% of the music I am to play

Al, just to clarify, do you mean you refuse gigs where they physically give you CDs etc for more than 5% of the night's music? or by "give me" do you just mean "request"?

:confused:

[JAMdisco]

If you find my website, please let me know, cos Justin hasn't built it yet!;) :D

I'll have a dig around for hosting prices and domain names sometime soon and will let you know.

[Excalibur]

I'll have a dig around for hosting prices and domain names sometime soon and will let you know.

And apologies for going off topic, and appearing to rush Justin, but Justin, contract approved, expect to rename your dwelling Colditz in the next couple of months. ;) ;) :D :D

[CRAZY K]

Al said---I point blank refuse to do functions where they want to give me more than 5% of the music I am to play, especially when it is foreign/ethnic music - I advise them to get a specialist in that area.

Actually im the opposite--I insist its "YOUR CHOICE"

All I can say Al is you may have to adjust when you get here.

Especially at Weddings.

I am aware a lot of Wedding sites warn prospective Brides to be wary of DJs who dont offer the facility--not saying thats necessarily great advice--but be aware.

OK if its specialist like Indian or Brazilian only then different story.

Just my take on this,

CRAZY K

[Excalibur]

Al said---I point blank refuse to do functions where they want to give me more than 5% of the music I am to play, especially when it is foreign/ethnic music - I advise them to get a specialist in that area.

Actually im the opposite--I insist its "YOUR CHOICE"

All I can say Al is you may have to adjust when you get here.

Especially at Weddings.

I am aware a lot of Wedding sites warn prospective Brides to be wary of DJs who dont offer the facility--not saying thats necessarily great advice--but be aware.

OK if its specialist like Indian or Brazilian only then different story.

Just my take on this,

CRAZY K

I'm sitting on the fence here chaps. Alan, I've done gigs for ethnic groups when I've had no idea what the hades I was playing, but the customers guided me, so that seemed to work. I can however see that it is not an ideal scenario, which is the valid point our antipodean contributor is making, that he is happier playing what he knows, and just slipping in a few unknowns. Sorry folks, no firm views either way. :confused:

[CRAZY K]

I'm sitting on the fence here chaps. Alan, I've done gigs for ethnic groups when I've had no idea what the hades I was playing, but the customers guided me, so that seemed to work. I can however see that it is not an ideal scenario, which is the valid point our antipodean contributor is making, that he is happier playing what he knows, and just slipping in a few unknowns. Sorry folks, no firm views either way. :confused:

But if the customer wants a load of head bangin music which I have downloaded for the Wedding on Saturday--I just go with the flow and im going to play it for them--they are the customers so they are getting what they want.

Definitely not my kinda music and im listening to it to work out where and when to slot in:eek:

Id say its all part of the job we have as Entertainers in the Wedding and Party market.

CRAZY K

[Excalibur]

But if the customer wants a load of head bangin music which I have downloaded for the Wedding on Saturday--I just go with the flow and im going to play it for them--they are the customers so they are getting what they want.

Definitely not my kinda music and im listening to it to work out where and when to slot in:eek:

Id say its all part of the job we have as Entertainers in the Wedding and Party market.

CRAZY K

Devil's advocate here (partly cos I tend to agree with you, Crazy ) , but would you consider passing it onto someone who specialises in such a genre, rather than possibly making a Horlicks of it due to your limiataions in this area? :confused: :confused: