Mad week for enquiries

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Hi all,

Last week was a busy one for enquiries. I converted 4 into bookings and the others were either asking for dates that I was already fully booked for or very short notice. I guess it's because the holidays are over now but has anyone else had loads of enquiries over the past week?

I've been up an hour and had 3 calls already this morning. One of them was the classic "Can you beat £150.00?"...I said "My apologies but no and I don't price match either".

G

[theoloyla]

My reply would be "Yes. I usually get almost double that!":)

And yes the enquiries have been good this week (but nothing this morning).

[CRAZY K]

My reply would be "Yes. I usually get almost double that!":)

Nice one Theo, unfortunately your razor sharp wit would be lost on someone who wanted to pay £150.

DOH!

CRAZY K

[rob1963]

Hi all,

Last week was a busy one for enquiries. I converted 4 into bookings and the others were either asking for dates that I was already fully booked for or very short notice. I guess it's because the holidays are over now but has anyone else had loads of enquiries over the past week?

I've been up an hour and had 3 calls already this morning. One of them was the classic "Can you beat £150.00?"...I said "My apologies but no and I don't price match either".

G

Nice one, Gary.

I've also been going very well recently, not on enquiries but actual bookings.

In fact I've taken more bookings in the last 2 weeks than the average number I take in 2 MONTHS!

:eek:

[DazzyD]

I've had a few enquiries over the past week but only one I've managed to convert (a 70yr old birthday karaoke disco about 4 mins drive away!).

I think this is because they were all for next year and I've quoted next years prices (basic show for £195) but I've been getting the customary "HOW MUCH???". I think it's because there's still operators in the area going out for sub-£100 prices and punters think this is the norm. If this continues, I'm going to put out a dead basic 400w rig with 100w lighting effects for a shoe-string fee just to make ends meet.

I've had a pretty good year so far, and I've got a few good bookings for 2009, but I need a lot more to make it worthwhile. I've just had the PAT done in August so I'm not looking to quit just yet but it seems to be getting harder to get the prices I need to keep going.

[Andy Westcott]

Likewise here - 4 bookings awaiting the forms to be returned, and NYE nicely filled at last year's venue - just what I was hoping for.

Presumably due to the end of the holiday season.

[ppentertainments]

I've had a few enquiries over the past week but only one I've managed to convert (a 70yr old birthday karaoke disco about 4 mins drive away!).

I think this is because they were all for next year and I've quoted next years prices (basic show for £195) but I've been getting the customary "HOW MUCH???". I think it's because there's still operators in the area going out for sub-£100 prices and punters think this is the norm. If this continues, I'm going to put out a dead basic 400w rig with 100w lighting effects for a shoe-string fee just to make ends meet.

I've had a pretty good year so far, and I've got a few good bookings for 2009, but I need a lot more to make it worthwhile. I've just had the PAT done in August so I'm not looking to quit just yet but it seems to be getting harder to get the prices I need to keep going.

Have had the opposite this week where enquiries are concerned - 1 booking and that is my only enquiry.

Agree with you about prices. To be honest with you though I have toned down my rig a bit to make it easier and our second rig is very basic and covers some of the 'lower end' market. I am finding though that I can get as much if not more doing a social club gig than a nice hotel gig :confused: :confused:

[Dragonfly]

indeed last week was busy here too i think i did about 12 referrals or so??

[CRAZY K]

indeed last week was busy here too i think i did about 12 referrals or so??

So you know some decent DJs around then Dave:D :D :D

CRAZY K

[Dragonfly]

So you know some decent DJs around then Dave:D :D :D

CRAZY K

no !!!!! but Pauls got a bit of paper that says he's qualified and everything now :D :D :D :D :D :D :D


and Tony .....well bless ....... he's just Tony :D :D :D :D :D :beer1: :beer1: :beer1: :beer1: :beer1:

[soundmaster mobile disco]

Yes enquiries have been more freequent this past while,unfortunatly for me most of them were for dates that i am already booked out on.

[nigelwright7557]

Hi all,

One of them was the classic "Can you beat £150.00?"...I said "My apologies but no and I don't price match either".

G

Should have said yes, £300-00

[DazzyD]

Hi all,

Last week was a busy one for enquiries. I converted 4 into bookings and the others were either asking for dates that I was already fully booked for or very short notice. I guess it's because the holidays are over now but has anyone else had loads of enquiries over the past week?

I've been up an hour and had 3 calls already this morning. One of them was the classic "Can you beat £150.00?"...I said "My apologies but no and I don't price match either".

G


My reply would be "Yes. I usually get almost double that!":)

And yes the enquiries have been good this week (but nothing this morning).


Should have said yes, £300-00

C'mon, Nigel. Read through the thread. Theo got that one in ages ago! :D :D :D

[Shakermaker Promotions]

D'oh!

[theoloyla]

C'mon, Nigel. Read through the thread. Theo got that one in ages ago! :D :D :D
Thanks Daz and sorry to hear you are finding it hard to increase your fees for next year. I think lots of people are very cost conscious at the moment with the credit crunch/fuel bills etc. It will pass.

[JAMdisco]

Thanks Daz and sorry to hear you are finding it hard to increase your fees for next year. I think lots of people are very cost conscious at the moment with the credit crunch/fuel bills etc. It will pass.

I hope so, I've had a bit of bother trying to increase my prices too, some have accepted but the majority have declined saying they can get one for £100-or-so. As much as I try and justify why I am more expensive they just seem to want the lowest price possible.

Still aren't doing too bad though, have got NYE filled now (was getting a little worried about that one). Only playing for 2 1/2 hours (as there's a band on) and still getting 3 times what I normally go out for.

[CRAZY K]

Strangely most enquiries we have had over the last week or so have been for
charity type functions where they are all pleading poverty.

As im impoverished myself I cant help them:D :D :D

CRAZY K

[djsteve10]

Had a fair few this week but most of them Yellow Pages enquiries and most of them were the " I will get back to you once I have phoned around a few more local Discos".

[Andy Westcott]

I've noticed that website hits are climbing too.
Interesting to look at the peaks & troughs as this is the first full year I've used the 'web to advertise.

[theoloyla]

I hope so, I've had a bit of bother trying to increase my prices too, some have accepted but the majority have declined saying they can get one for £100-or-so. As much as I try and justify why I am more expensive they just seem to want the lowest price possible.

Still aren't doing too bad though, have got NYE filled now (was getting a little worried about that one). Only playing for 2 1/2 hours (as there's a band on) and still getting 3 times what I normally go out for.
Worryingly I am still available for NYE.

[Vectis]

Worryingly I am still available for NYE.

Strangely, so am I :)

But this year I'll be sans-roadie so it'll be a small show only.

Last year could've filled NYE about 15 times over, so not concerned at this point :D

[rob1963]

Worryingly I am still available for NYE.

I'm not...I'm taking it off for the first time since 1983 so I can have some drinks & spend it with my family.

The only thing which will change that is someone offering me a four figure sum to work, which is unlikely!

[Vectis]

I'm not...I'm taking it off for the first time since 1983 so I can have some drinks & spend it with my family.

The only thing which will change that is someone offering me a four figure sum to work, which is unlikely!

Wow Rob, more than £10.00? You MUST be going up in the world :D

[rob1963]

Wow Rob, more than £10.00? You MUST be going up in the world :D

It might just happen, Vectis.

I've already been offered £9.50, but I managed to bite my lip & say no!

:D :D :D

[theoloyla]

£99.99 - still 4 figures! :D

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Only tuesday and the enquiries are still coming in strong. One yesterday which confirmed over the phone and 3 today, 2 of which are weddings for next year and have confirmed and 1 that is calling me back tonight which is a 40th birthday.

As for Xmas Eve etc... I am doing Xmas Eve, Boxing Day and NYE all at the same venue as I always do, for good money and I get to socialise too.

[rob1963]

Only tuesday and the enquiries are still coming in strong. One yesterday which confirmed over the phone and 3 today, 2 of which are weddings for next year and have confirmed and 1 that is calling me back tonight which is a 40th birthday.

As for Xmas Eve etc... I am doing Xmas Eve, Boxing Day and NYE all at the same venue as I always do, for good money and I get to socialise too.

It's gone completely loopy here.

In the last 2 weeks, bookings are up on an average fortnight by 500% so far!

:eek:

[theoloyla]

Strangely, so am I :)

But this year I'll be sans-roadie so it'll be a small show only.

Last year could've filled NYE about 15 times over, so not concerned at this point :D
Watch out you'll get one of them mods telling you off for being posh and speaking froggy.:)

[CRAZY K]

Strangely most enquiries we have had over the last week or so have been for
charity type functions where they are all pleading poverty.

As im impoverished myself I cant help them:D :D :D

CRAZY K

Had 2 more " Charity" quotes today and im getting really hacked off with these people:mad:

I think punters are using this as an excuse to try and get the price down--
yesterday same old cobblers--we just said take it or leave it thats the price--- they took it:D :D :D

Anyone suffering like this--as I said no deal--im impoverished :eek:

CRAZY K

[JAMdisco]

Had 2 more " Charity" quotes today and im getting really hacked off with these people:mad:

I think punters are using this as an excuse to try and get the price down--
yesterday same old cobblers--we just said take it or leave it thats the price--- they took it:D :D :D

Anyone suffering like this--as I said no deal--im impoverished :eek:

CRAZY K

I quite agree - I will occasionally do a couple of charity gigs a year but they're for my Mum as she is manageress of St Leonards Hospice in York.

They say charity starts at home and unfortunately charities don't pay enough to run a business. :(

I wonder if Hell needs any mobile DJ's :D

[Tony Scott]

I'm not...I'm taking it off for the first time since 1983 so I can have some drinks & spend it with my family.




Me too Rob, in Weymouth the whole town goes out in fancy dress (great buisiness for The Party Shop: http://www.partyshopfancydress.piczo.com/?cr=4)

Last year had my first NYE off since 1983 and had such a great time I doubt I'll ever work it again! :)

[rob1963]

Me too Rob, in Weymouth the whole town goes out in fancy dress (great buisiness for The Party Shop: http://www.partyshopfancydress.piczo.com/?cr=4)

Last year had my first NYE off since 1983 and had such a great time I doubt I'll ever work it again! :)

Nice one, Tony.

I'll think of you on NYE when I'm knocking back a few vodkas!

:D :D :D

[DazzyD]

Had a few enquiries over the last few days which could be more promising. Still, some of them let out the "HOW MUCH???" cry. Can't see them ones ringing back to confirm!

I'm still free for NYE but that's no big loss to me. I haven't worked the last 2 as I like to have a couple of beers at home and set off a good box fireworks! Besides, we've just found out that wor lass is pregnant again (there'll be four kids in the house this time next year!) so it'll be nice to see New Year in with her and the kids before the new arrival. Looking forward to it! :)

[Tony Scott]

I'm still free for NYE but that's no big loss to me. I haven't worked the last 2 as I like to have a couple of beers at home and set off a good box fireworks!


..........what indoors, that's gotta be a bit dangerous init?! :D

[DazzyD]

..........what indoors, that's gotta be a bit dangerous init?! :D

Although I do have an indoor pyro kit (stage effects - controller & firers) these ones definately need to be set off outside. I get them from a local garden centre and they give a great show!

Mind you, at £50+ for a single firework they should give a good show! ;)