Customers wanting less ......

[ppentertainments]

Strange title I know but do customers ever want LESS from you. The reason I am asking is a lot of clients I deal with just want to book a disco, disco turns up and play, they pay at the end of the night.

These are not just your cheapo gigs but a lot of expensive hotel gigs also.

I am often finding people are not interested when I phone for the 'pre gig consultation', no-one care the fact I run my business legally (no illegal downloads, all certificates etc), and have even had comments about how I should not go to as much bother. Even when I say I will send out booking form, confirmation etc, it's like something alien.

I have done gigs where I feel uncomfortable for not drinking, dressing smart, etc etc.

As I say this is at quite a few comments. I agree with the thread ran lately about 'everything matters' in that attention to detail is important to me but not all clients want that.

[Danno13]

I'd say a fair amount of my clients don't take advantage of the full service I can offer, but then that makes up for the ones that I go and visit and spend more time talking to on the phone, emailing etc.

I think there's definiatley a trend for people to book at a high price as it inspires confidence, not just because they want more or are expecting a better service.

I always send contracts and never wait till the end to get paid though! 14 days before usually, occasionally cash at the start of the night.

[Vectis]

Strange title I know but do customers ever want LESS from you

Yep - hence VectisVibe Junior - advertised as a "no-frills" service - just a disco. Turn up with a sound system and a handful of lights, play, go home.

Not too many punters book it, but when they do it's a refreshingly easy night!

[Excalibur]

Strange title I know but do customers ever want LESS from you. The reason I am asking is a lot of clients I deal with just want to book a disco, disco turns up and play, they pay at the end of the night.


As I say this is at quite a few comments. I agree with the thread ran lately about 'everything matters' in that attention to detail is important to me but not all clients want that.

It's not unheard of. ;) Sometimes comments are made about the amount of kit ( not speakers :p ) arriving, " What a lot for such a minor gig " :eek:


Yep - hence VectisVibe Junior - advertised as a "no-frills" service - just a disco. Turn up with a sound system and a handful of lights, play, go home.

Not too many punters book it, but when they do it's a refreshingly easy night!

Strewth! That's my gold package! :D :D

[Ryu]

At the risk of pointing out the obvious, is it not just a case of asking people when they enquire what type of service they require? asking if they require a pre-gig consultation for example...

[Vectis]

At the risk of pointing out the obvious, is it not just a case of asking people when they enquire what type of service they require? asking if they require a pre-gig consultation for example...

Ah... now THAT is something I feel we need to take a lead on. Of course the customer, if they think they can get it cheaper, will often say no - but in my humble experience this can result in a lot more stress on the night and ultimately a less-than-desirable service offering.

I've come to learn which types of gigs you can just "turn-up-and-play" at and which need more planning and background information from the hirer, and I decide whether meetings (or in fact more in-depth project management) are required and ensure this is built in to the quote as a mandatory feature.

Eg1. Someone's 40th birthday in a social club you've played dozens of times before. What do you need to know? Hirer's favourite music, any special requirements, speeches/cakes/buffet etc. ... that's pretty much it. You can make the rest up as you go along!

Eg2. Bespoke wedding in a large posh venue with a marquee on the lawn for the meal, needing standalone PA and AV, with a disco indoors in the same room used earlier in the day for the actual ceremony, where the bride's side of the family are flying in from America's deep south and inbetween sessions will be having a string quartet and a jazz band. They have some custom video for showing during the first dances and want a short set at the start of the evening to entertain the kids. Now THAT needs some careful planning! (basically my gig for this coming weekend :eek: )

[rob1963]

Strange title I know but do customers ever want LESS from you. The reason I am asking is a lot of clients I deal with just want to book a disco, disco turns up and play, they pay at the end of the night.


I'd say a fair amount of my clients don't take advantage of the full service I can offer

Same here, in fact MOST of my clients don't take advantage of the full service I offer. I'm mainly thinking of the visit, where I go to meet them to chat through their requirements. I'd LIKE to visit most of my clients, so I've tried to encourage this this by adding it to the information on my home page, but I still only have around 10-20% of my clients wanting this part of the service. I just find this strange, because if I was having a disco for MY wedding, I'd DEFINATELY want to meet the DJ beforehand & chat things through.

Apart from not meeting, I don't even SPEAK to most of my clients before their big day, and the majority of them send their enquiries, booking requests & any queries by email...and request a reply by email.

On the plus side, having clients who mostly DON'T want me to visit them must save me a small fortune in travelling expenses, not to mention my time.....even though I WOULD feel happier turning up at their wedding and not meeting two complete strangers.

[Vectis]

I WOULD feel happier turning up at their wedding and not meeting two complete strangers.

Then do as I do and make at least one meeting mandatory for all weddings.

[rob1963]

I WOULD feel happier turning up at their wedding and not meeting two complete strangers.


Then do as I do and make at least one meeting mandatory for all weddings.

I wouldn't feel happy doing that, as it would be dictating to the customers what they were going to get (as in "You will have this" and "you will have that".....whether you want it or not!).

I couldn't work like that.

The bottom line is that the customers get what they want, not what I TELL them to have.

[Vectis]

That I wouldn't feel happy doing that, as it would be dictating to the customers what they were going to get (as in "You will have this" and "you will have that".....whether you want it or not!).

I couldn't work like that.

The bottom line is that the customers get what they want, not what I TELL them to have.

Each to his own. It works for me :o :beer1:

[CRAZY K]

Same here, in fact MOST of my clients don't take advantage of the full service I offer. I'm mainly thinking of the visit, where I go to meet them to chat through their requirements. I'd LIKE to visit most of my clients, so I've tried to encourage this this by adding it to the information on my home page, but I still only have around 10-20% of my clients wanting this part of the service. I just find this strange, because if I was having a disco for MY wedding, I'd DEFINATELY want to meet the DJ beforehand & chat things through.

Apart from not meeting, I don't even SPEAK to most of my clients before their big day, and the majority of them send their enquiries, booking requests & any queries by email...and request a reply by email.

On the plus side, having clients who mostly DON'T want me to visit them must save me a small fortune in travelling expenses, not to mention my time.....even though I WOULD feel happier turning up at their wedding and not meeting two complete strangers.

Good point here--but due to my location I rarely have a site meeting.

I would say however its all to do with how you project your overall ability
and experience to perform at the function providing a high level of Entertainment value. In a word--confidence.

I tend to find that once people realise you have performed at their type of function many many times before it becomes a lot more relaxing and the main issues become music and timings which are dealt with by email--generally most other issues as regards setting up, positioining of equipment etc are easily dealt with on arrival, providing you allow plenty of time of course.

Re your remark on meeting strangers--in more recent times for Weddings and Parties I have found that due to email and phone conversations prior to the event there is a relationship built between myself and the client--they know what I look like from my Website:eek: :eek: :eek:

On arrival an enthusiastic handshake seems to work wonders.

As usual many will disagree witrh my views--however it works for me
and my clients--I DONT HAVE THE BENEFIT OF WORKING LOCALLY,

CRAZY K

[Dillmiester]

My last wedding was a shock as there was so little planning needed.
My agent took the booking (so no worries about payment).
I had played the venue before.
The bride did not want a consultation but i insisted on at least a good phone conversation to discover;
No first dance!
No playlist
No speaches

Just set up after the band at 9.00pm and play till midnight.
And no 60's music!

If only more could be like that!

[Dillmiester]

Ah... now THAT is something I feel we need to take a lead on. Of course the customer, if they think they can get it cheaper, will often say no - but in my humble experience this can result in a lot more stress on the night and ultimately a less-than-desirable service offering.

I've come to learn which types of gigs you can just "turn-up-and-play" at and which need more planning and background information from the hirer, and I decide whether meetings (or in fact more in-depth project management) are required and ensure this is built in to the quote as a mandatory feature.

Eg1. Someone's 40th birthday in a social club you've played dozens of times before. What do you need to know? Hirer's favourite music, any special requirements, speeches/cakes/buffet etc. ... that's pretty much it. You can make the rest up as you go along!

Eg2. Bespoke wedding in a large posh venue with a marquee on the lawn for the meal, needing standalone PA and AV, with a disco indoors in the same room used earlier in the day for the actual ceremony, where the bride's side of the family are flying in from America's deep south and inbetween sessions will be having a string quartet and a jazz band. They have some custom video for showing during the first dances and want a short set at the start of the evening to entertain the kids. Now THAT needs some careful planning! (basically my gig for this coming weekend :eek: )

I hope they dont need to travel through Newport then or they will be late.
And if you see a rather merry looking chap staggering accross Fairlee Rd from the festival, please dont run me over!

[Vectis]

I hope they dont need to travel through Newport then or they will be late.
And if you see a rather merry looking chap staggering accross Fairlee Rd from the festival, please dont run me over!

Funny thing was they booked the wedding last summer to avoid the festival, which is ALWAYS on the first weekend in June.... except this year :bang: :bang: :bang:

They've had to stump up for folks staying an extra couple of nights as they're now arriving Wednesday instead of Friday for obvious logistical reasons!!! :p :p

Anyway, I'll be out gigging but enjoy our festival - I've been to loads and with the exception of the one on the banks of Loch Lomond (can't remember the name of it) this has to be the best!!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

As I say this is at quite a few comments. I agree with the thread ran lately about 'everything matters' in that attention to detail is important to me but not all clients want that.

I don't think it's case of that. I think it's a case of they want it all in place but don't need to know the details.