Everything pays off

[Tom]

I have just got back from meeting up with a client from a prom this friday. This has been booked for a while but I have been unable to meet up with the client.

Anyway, I have found out that the reason why she booked me is my price. But also because I had PLI, PAT and most of all NADJ. The venue will only hire NADJ members. So having all these extra things under your belt do really help you get the gigs.


Just wanted to share this with you lot. :)

[Penfold42]

Nice one!

I've had two booking due to being a NADJ member.....customers like it.

Well done Tom.

[mark@pegasus]

I've never had a venue say they will only book NADJ members but I agree it does look good on the brochure or website and has helped get bookings. At the end of the day when you hire a plumber you always look for the corgi sign or any trade you always look for some kind of membership to a recognised body and I feel it should be no different for us DJ's

[DJ Frankie]

Nice one.

What I would like to know is why does this venue only use NADJ members what sort of guarantee do they get with this, where as Corgi members have to go on an extensive course to gain the qualification. What stops a cowboy jock from signing up to NADJ?

[Penfold42]

Nice one.

What I would like to know is why does this venue only use NADJ members what sort of guarantee do they get with this, where as Corgi members have to go on an extensive course to gain the qualification. What stops a cowboy jock from signing up to NADJ?

You need to prove you have PAT / PLI with the NADJ or take it with them before you can be a member....(I think)...:)

[Danno13]

Yep PLI, PAT and agreeing to the NADJ Code of Conduct. Also by being a member, you become accountable, and a client could report you to the association should you not show up etc.

[DJ Frankie]

You need to prove you have PAT / PLI with the NADJ or take it with them before you can be a member....(I think)...:)

Fair enough really.

[rob1963]

What I would like to know is why does this venue only use NADJ members what sort of guarantee do they get with this, where as Corgi members have to go on an extensive course to gain the qualification. What stops a cowboy jock from signing up to NADJ?

I was wondering exactly the same thing.

[Danno13]

There's enough pro DJs that don't see the value in joining an association, so what makes you think a cowboy would be inclinded to do so?

[Penfold42]

There's enough pro DJs don't see the value in joining an association, so what makes you think a cowboy would be inclinded to do so?

You beat me to it....:)

[DJ Frankie]

But lets just say that a cowboy DJ signs up to NADJ do they go and vet them beforehand?

[Vectis]

But lets just say that a cowboy DJ signs up to NADJ do they go and vet them beforehand?

Let's just say there is at least one website that does checks on PLI, PAT, Contracts, customer testimonials, health & safety policy, company registration (if applicable) and now ProDub compliance as part of the sign-up and awards process. From 2009 a vetting process will be offered for "top tier" members.

:o

[nigelwright7557]

I have just got back from meeting up with a client from a prom this friday. This has been booked for a while but I have been unable to meet up with the client.

Anyway, I have found out that the reason why she booked me is my price. But also because I had PLI, PAT and most of all NADJ. The venue will only hire NADJ members. So having all these extra things under your belt do really help you get the gigs.


Just wanted to share this with you lot. :)

If they are that fussy I hope you charge plenty !

[Danno13]

But lets just say that a cowboy DJ signs up to NADJ do they go and vet them beforehand?

How would you propse to do that? DJ-ing is subjective, what happens if you went to see the DJ on a night with a non dancing crowd? And who sets the criteria for being a cowboy, or otherwise?

Lets face it, the cowboys aren't going to bother with PLI and PAT, so they're not going to be allowed to join anyway!

[Tom]

If they are that fussy I hope you charge plenty !


The client was not fussy but the venue was. The venue is this LINK (http://www.priestfield.com/). Its quite a posh place. Anybody who know kent will know thew gillingham football club. Well this is owned by them. Its only 8 miles I would say from my house to there so its local.

The gig is in the largegest room so my 1.6k will be kind of max all night but we will see. lol ;) :D

As for money I dont see why I should be charging more??? Im happy they chose me and I got the gig. I just see the NADJ as a form of advertising in a way.

[CRAZY K]

Nice one!

I've had two booking due to being a NADJ member.....customers like it.

Well done Tom.

I havent--but today have been asked to provide PLI and PAT for a function in a School during September. Good news.

Its a shame all entertainers dont get asked:D

Well done Tom,

CRAZY K

[Penfold42]

I havent--but today have been asked to provide PLI and PAT for a function in a School during September.

You off out to buy some now then..............:boxer2:.....:D :D :D :D

:beer1:

[theoloyla]

There are quite a few conditions to becoming a SEDA member over and above having PAT and PLI. Membership of any professional body is not a guarantee that everything will be alright - doctors, lawyers and accountants are struck off because they have done something wrong - but it is a step along the way.

[Twinspin]

The thing with that is. Having NADJ doesnt make you a better DJ. If someone turned round to me and said. I wont book you unless you are a NADJ member. I would not be interested in the booking.

If it was the fact that i didnt have PLI or P.A.T testing then that would be a completely different matter and understandable.


There are quite a few conditions to becoming a SEDA member over and above having PAT and PLI. Membership of any professional body is not a guarantee that everything will be alright - doctors, lawyers and accountants are struck off because they have done something wrong - but it is a step along the way.

I saw a dj that worked for a professional agency called Mcleod & Holden in our area. People were complaining that the DJ was rubbish from their agency and they are very strict about who they use.



If someone did something wrong they would only be dismissed from the association. Not from trading altogether?

But what it doesnt necessarily mean whether people agree to the rules it doesnt mean some djs are going to abide by them. does carrying health and safety certification mean that an employee or member is going to abide by them. Because by the time the offence has been commited it could have already ruined someones function.

Even i act professionally at all gigs I know the score with health and safety, Licensing and that. I do everything by the book. but im not a NADJ member

some djs are dedicated to their job Like I am. If people join up they think they are going to get quality assurance that the dj is going to do a good job. 95% of the djs who join the association may be very good and experienced. But there could always be another 5% who just join for the sake of it and tell the association they can do this and that when really they dont know what they are doing. despite them having backup equipment and insurance + pat

how can the association identify if one of their members is a excellent dj or a bad dj is there some policing behind this to stop someones function been completely ruined beforehand?

Whether a dj is a member or not. I just dont know what real benefit it will have or what it will prove against a dj that isnt registered with NADJ

If the benefits can be explained or it will give the clients assurance then i will happily pay for the membership.

but until i dont really know what can be proved.

[Danno13]

John, the benefits of NADJ have been discussed on this forum before, and theres even a whole section about the association. You can also find out more information on the NADJ website - http://www.nadj.org.uk

I appreciate that anyone could just join NADJ regardless of ability, but the fact that you're a member of a professional trade association is still a good selling point to clients.

As I've already mentioned in this thread, a DJ vetting procedure is unworkable and even if some kind of system was to be introduced then the cost of membership would have to rise significantly to cover the additional costs of such a scheme.

[nigelwright7557]

Until my clients started asking if I was a member of the NADJ I wouldnt bother joining. There has to be some incentive for me to join.

The usual vital ingredient clients want to know is "Am I cheap"
If being a member of NADJ adds a few pounds to each quote then this goes against the grain.

[theoloyla]

SEDA trys to educate its membership and give help where needed. There are quite a few conditions of membership and members are required to be nominated by two existing members or serve a six month probationary period. All new members are expected to present their show to the general membership at a SEDA shownight (much like people post pictures of their rigs on here) In the end though as you say nothing is foolproof except that if complaints are received against a member which are upheld by the committee then that member may be cautioned, suspended or expelled; so if someone has been a member of a professional body like SEDA for a period of time then the public can have some assurance that they are alright. So far as I know NADJ do similar. I really do think any serious professional dj in the south east should join SEDA and in other parts of the country should join NADJ.

[nigelwright7557]

SEDA trys to educate its membership and give help where needed. There are quite a few conditions of membership and members are required to be nominated by two existing members or serve a six month probationary period. All new members are expected to present their show to the general membership at a SEDA shownight (much like people post pictures of their rigs on here) In the end though as you say nothing is foolproof except that if complaints are received against a member which are upheld by the committee then that member may be cautioned, suspended or expelled; so if someone has been a member of a professional body like SEDA for a period of time then the public can have some assurance that they are alright. So far as I know NADJ do similar. I really do think any serious professional dj in the south east should join SEDA and in other parts of the country should join NADJ.

Surely the only good judge of a good disco is the client ?

Having associations is like saying the customer doesnt know what a good disco is and the association is deciding for them !

For me the interface with client is absolutely vital.
Asking what sort of music the client wants playing.
Asking for requests on the night.

I cover my back by asking for requests from the client and the audience.
If at the end of the night they say "you were rubbish" then I can say "well I asked you for requests and you ignored me, all i did was try to guess what you wanted"

This also covers for the client who decides they no longer want to pay or a client who wants a discount coz no one danced !

ADMIN NOTE:

Please refer to the forum rules regarding text talk.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

For me the interface with client is absolutely vital.
Asking what sort of music the client wants playing.
Asking for requests on the night.




And that has what to do with joining an association exactly? :confused:

[theoloyla]

Surely the only good judge of a good disco is the client ?

Having associations is like saying the customer doesnt know what a good disco is and the association is deciding for them !

For me the interface with client is absolutely vital.
Asking what sort of music the client wants playing.
Asking for requests on the night.

I cover my back by asking for requests from the client and the audience.
If at the end of the night they say "you were rubbish" then I can say "well I asked you for requests and you ignored me, all i did was try to guess what you wanted"

This also covers for the client who decides they no longer want to pay or a client who wants a discount coz no one danced !
Its nothing to do with good, bad or excellent or taste and style. SEDA members cover all shapes, styles, ages and sizes. Of course the customer will decide if the disco is to their satisfaction or not. Associations only give an assurance that the operator is a reputable one.

[nigelwright7557]

Associations only give an assurance that the operator is a reputable one.



That is absolute nonsense !

Some of the biggest con men in history were members of associations !
I see it every week on "Rogue Traders" on TV.

These people join associations to look professional.

Sadly by the time an association has found out these people are con men it is too late customers have been duped.

[Tom]

Asking for requests on the night.

I cover my back by asking for requests from the client and the audience.
If at the end of the night they say "you were rubbish" then I can say "well I asked you for requests and you ignored me, all i did was try to guess what you wanted"



For me it's not all about requests. If you can't read the floor and play the music to suit then people will say your rubbish (not aimed at you).

Somtimes requests work for me but most of the time its a guest wanting to hear a song that only they will like.

[nigelwright7557]

For me it's not all about requests. If you can't read the floor and play the music to suit then people will say your rubbish (not aimed at you).

Somtimes requests work for me but most of the time its a guest wanting to hear a song that only they will like.

I couldnt agreee more, after 32 years as a DJ I know what usually goes down well. If I find it is not working then I try different genres of music until I get a response. I still think its prudent to cover your back by asking for and keeping asking for requests. Some people will jump at the chance of a discount if they feel it went badly.

[theoloyla]

I couldnt agreee more, after 32 years as a DJ I know what usually goes down well. If I find it is not working then I try different genres of music until I get a response. I still think its prudent to cover your back by asking for and keeping asking for requests. Some people will jump at the chance of a discount if they feel it went badly.
Intersting that you are so insecure about your capabilities and people asking for refunds that you have to "cover your back".
As for rogue traders and associations like I said notheing is ever 100% as people like architects and solicitors get thrown out of their professional bodies for mis conduct.

[nigelwright7557]

Intersting that you are so insecure about your capabilities and people asking for refunds that you have to "cover your back".
As for rogue traders and associations like I said notheing is ever 100% as people like architects and solicitors get thrown out of their professional bodies for mis conduct.

I am a bit insecure about business transactions not my capabilities.
I have just learned from 30+ years in numerous businesses not to leave myself open to a backlash from a customer.

Its not a bad thing to be a bit paranoid in business.
I was in electronics for 25 years and the company I worked for had numerous clients refuse to pay, wanted a discount or wanted the job redesigning for nothing. I saw quite a few court cases over this. Obviously this was a bit different to a disco as we were working in tens of thousands of pounds per job not a couple of hundred but i think the same principles apply.

[theoloyla]

I am a bit insecure about business transactions not my capabilities.
I have just learned from 30+ years in numerous businesses not to leave myself open to a backlash from a customer.

Its not a bad thing to be a bit paranoid in business.
I was in electronics for 25 years and the company I worked for had numerous clients refuse to pay, wanted a discount or wanted the job redesigning for nothing. I saw quite a few court cases over this. Obviously this was a bit different to a disco as we were working in tens of thousands of pounds per job not a couple of hundred but i think the same principles apply.
Agreed it is best to be prepared and to learn from experience but I dont think being "paranoid" about anything is healthy.

[nigelwright7557]

Agreed it is best to be prepared and to learn from experience but I dont think being "paranoid" about anything is healthy.

Paranoid was maybe too strong a word, maybe wary would be a better one.

[theoloyla]

Well stop being too wary. Join NADJ and feel the benefit. Try it for a year. If you dont find it worthwhile dont renew. I'm sure the NADJ boys will make you very welcome. They need experienced dj's like you.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Well stop being too wary. Join NADJ and feel the benefit. Try it for a year. If you dont find it worthwhile dont renew. I'm sure the NADJ boys will make you very welcome. They need experienced dj's like you.

Or move South and join SEDA. I'm sure they could do with you more...:p

[theoloyla]

Or move South and join SEDA. I'm sure they could do with you more...:p
Very funny Daz!:p :rolleyes:

[Excalibur]

Well stop being too wary. Join NADJ and feel the benefit. Try it for a year. If you dont find it worthwhile dont renew. I'm sure the NADJ boys will make you very welcome. They need experienced dj's like you.

As someone who grew up with the tunes of "Rambling Sid Rumpo" I couldn't join NADJ, as I couldn't face being a Nadjer!! :sofa:

[PropellerHeadCase]

As someone who grew up with the tunes of "Rambling Sid Rumpo" I couldn't join NADJ, as I couldn't face being a Nadjer!! :sofa:

:Laugh:

[theoloyla]

As someone who grew up with the tunes of "Rambling Sid Rumpo" I couldn't join NADJ, as I couldn't face being a Nadjer!! :sofa:
I always thought you were a cordwangler.:) :D

[Vectis]

I always thought you were a cordwangler.:) :D


That's not quite the description I heard! :D