Is it now or never?

[Reminisce disco]

Hi all,

i know there has been threads on this before as i have searched round and read a few but i need your advice on my personal situation.
Basically i was made redundant last friday from my full time job, i dont take a great package but its about £9000.
I have scoured the net, job agencies and job centre for work but nothing is appealing to me so i'm thinking about following the "full time" mobile disco route.
At present I have done discos as a hobby for just friends and family, I have PLI and all my stuff is PAT tested.
I want to know where to start, i.e, do i buy more kit so my show is top notch or continue with what i have?? At the end of the day I want to be the best in my area and make a go of this. My current kit list is as follows:

SOUND: JBL EON 15 G2 X2, DB TECHNOLOGIES OPERA SUB 15 X1
KAM KCDJ110 X2, KAM SCRATCH PRO MIXER, (BACKUP STANTON C500 CD PLAYERS AND STANTON RM402 MIXER IN KAMKASE) NUMARK DXM01 MIXER, LAPTOP AND EXTERNAL HD.
LIGHTING: ACME ROVERS X2, ACME IMPOSSIBLED X2.
ULTIMAX 4FT DECKSTAND WITH SINGLE OVERHEAD.
ZOOM BLUE LED STARCLOTH.

Can you start by giving me some pointers where to start with my kit?

ADVERTISING/GETTING REGULAR WORK:

I have business cards made up and thats about it, whats my first move in pursuing regular business? and should I bother with the yellow pages/yell.com?. Should i trawl the pubs, clubs and village halls.?

Licences: Apart from produb is there any other must have's??

TAX: A total minefield to me, at the end of the day i want to be as legal as legal can be. Advice needed!!

TRANSPORT: I need a van, how much should i spend and what size? Also any preferred makes?

Im sorry for such a lengthy post but im really scratching my head on this. I really want to take the plunge and like my post title says is it now or never?

Cheers :beer1: :)

[rob1963]

ADVERTISING/GETTING REGULAR WORK:

I have business cards made up and thats about it, whats my first move in pursuing regular business? and should I bother with the yellow pages/yell.com?. Should i trawl the pubs, clubs and village halls.?


Hi Reminisce,

On the subject of advertising, I wouldn't bother with YP/Yell.com other than a free ad.

Most people seem to look online for discos these days, so that's where I do all my advertising.

The following thread shows the 40 sites where I advertise my business. Some are free, and others charge, although in most cases it's only about £10 - £20 a year.

http://www.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=303517&postcount=7

I hope this helps, and wish you luck in becoming full time.

I'm sure plenty of others will have lots of good advice on some of the other points you raised.

:)

[Vectis]

Wow... what a lot of questions. OK here's my starter for 10...


i'm thinking about following the "full time" mobile disco route.

Looking at your location, if you're any good then you should have no problem generating a full-time income.


At present I have done discos as a hobby for just friends and family, I have PLI and all my stuff is PAT tested.

Good man.


do i buy more kit so my show is top notch or continue with what i have??

If it looks good and it sounds good and you have a broad range of music then there's no need to spend out. If you do go down the upgrade route, spend out on the audio side of things rather than lighting/effects to the tune of 3:1 or maybe 4:1.


Can you start by giving me some pointers where to start with my kit?

There'll be plenty of suggestions coming along from others real soon... :o


should I bother with the yellow pages/yell.com?.

Nay, nay and thrice nay. Get a website sorted, even if it's a single page affair to get started with a snazzy picture, logo and contact details. Then get listed on as many online directories as you can.[/QUOTE]


Should i trawl the pubs, clubs and village halls.?

No harm putting together a sales pitch, getting some special offers together and 'doing the rounds'. Vistaprint do excellent quality postcards which you can get for next to nothing (postage costs, basically).


Licences: Apart from produb is there any other must have's??

Generally speaking, no. You'll be working on the venue's PRS or doing private parties.


TAX: A total minefield to me, at the end of the day i want to be as legal as legal can be. Advice needed!!

1. Ring your local tax office and register as self-employed.
2. See 1, above. :p

Visit Business Link website for loads of self-help tips. Invest some time reading, understanding and complying. And keep VERY GOOD RECORDS.


TRANSPORT: I need a van, how much should i spend and what size? Also any preferred makes?

Depends how far out you wish to cover. Buy something your kit will fit into!! £2-3k should get you a reasonable specimen.

[Shaun]

ADVERTISING/GETTING REGULAR WORK:

I have business cards made up and thats about it, whats my first move in pursuing regular business? and should I bother with the yellow pages/yell.com?. Should i trawl the pubs, clubs and village halls.?



It's hard to say what will work best for you. Many people find they get better results advertising on online directories (both free ones and the paid ones), others say that Yellow pages works best for them. For me I prefer to advertise online, on top of that having a good website that's been fully optimised for search engines can work wonders. Going round the pubs and clubs and halls can't do any harm. The more contact you have the more exposure you're giving your business.

The first port of call should be getting a website up and running (if you don't already have one). I know many people on here make their own. Unless you have a good working knowledge of S.E.O and are good with design I'd advise hiring a professional. First impressions count.




Licences: Apart from produb is there any other must have's??



You already have PLI & PAT. Produb should be the only other one you'll need.




TAX: A total minefield to me, at the end of the day i want to be as legal as legal can be. Advice needed!!



There's lots of help available from the Government. Call up your local tax office and ask them about their workshops for the self employed. They're free and I've heard they are very good. They'll be able to tell you all the ins and outs of making sure everything is up to date and legal.



TRANSPORT: I need a van, how much should i spend and what size? Also any preferred makes?




Again, this depends on your needs. Some of us use vans, others prefer to use their cars.


Best of luck in your new "full-time" DJ'ing venture. :beer1:

[ppentertainments]

Firstly sorry to hear about your job.

As far as going full-time goes, I made the move in the back end of last year and never looked back.

You have some good kit so I would strongly advise keeping hold of your money until you find out what you NEED as opposed to what you WANT.

Weekend work is obviously easier to get than midweek. Some good ads will soon generate work, but I think most will agree that the best form of generating work is by doing good shows and reap the benefits of customer reccomendations. For myself, I found some midweek work by going around venues I have played in before and offering my services. A lot of venues are reluctant at present as they don't seem to get much support when providing entertainment.

As advised, inform the tax office and maybe enlist the help of an accountant to guide you to begin with - I found this invaluable. Your local Business Link may be of some help although I did find this very limited.

Vehicle wise, if you already have a suitable vehicle, I again would say wait until you decide on what you need. Luckily my wife has a car so I am able to use a MPV (with seats out so acts as a van), however the fuel costs are higher for the MPV than the car.

Lastly, best of luck, keep us informed.

[Tom]

if it was me I would stick with what you got, get pat and pli and advertise.

Have you thought about using some of this money to put aside to pay for your bills for up to 6 month? Just an idea.

[PropellerHeadCase]

Based on your equipment list I would say hold off on unnecessary expenditure on the upgrade front until a) you know you are going to make a working wage from this, so b) when times are tough you won't have to eat your speakers or throw 'em on the fire.

Spend time, more than money, marketing yourself - face-to-face with venues being the main thing - and maybe put some of the severance package into low-risk investments instead (talk to the accountants about that, too).

With times the way they are I'd say hitting the venues rather than the halls/pubs/clubs might be the way to go as, for the most part, the rich remain rich (unless they're in real estate, development or cars) whilst the average punter is finding things pretty hard going, money-wise (your situation being a case in point).

[Excalibur]

Sorry to hear that mate, chin up.
First, tax. See an accountant. They usually earn their fees in what they save you. He'll do the sums and tell you what you need to earn.
Kit, all I'd get initially is some parcans/panels/controller for wash lighting.
Van, that's dependent on the amount of kit you have. An SWB Transit is too small for me, it could easily be too big for you. Consider car and trailer as an option, again it may be perfect, or useless. The layout and security of your home will influence this choice.
Vectis and Propeller have given you good advice. Plenty of others on here will do the same, don't be afraid to ask.

[nigelwright7557]

Swindon sounds like a good area to have a full time disco business.

Get a good accountant.
Mine saved me loads of money on things I didnt know i could claim for.

[rob1963]

Vectis and Propeller have given you good advice.

It's nice to know you value what I posted so highly!

:shrug:

[nigelwright7557]

It's nice to know you value what I posted so highly!

:shrug:

LMAO !:D

Oh come its not only me who gets a dig !

[Excalibur]

It's nice to know you value what I posted so highly!

:shrug:

How could I have overlooked your excellent and informative post? :confused: :( :( :( A thousand pardons, my exalted friend.

Rob is the undisputed oracle of web based advertising value for money, and his word is law.




( Just don't take his advice on lighting effects, or speaker size. :p :D :D )

[rob1963]

How could I have overlooked your excellent and informative post? :confused: :( :( :( A thousand pardons, my exalted friend.

Rob is the undisputed oracle of web based advertising value for money, and his word is law.


:thumbsup: :D :D :D

[Excalibur]

:thumbsup: :D :D :D

In his rush to show that I valued his judgment, Rob inadvertently cut off this important Caveat. :D :D :D I feel it bears repeating.



( Just don't take his advice on lighting effects, or speaker size. :p :D :D )

[ppentertainments]

It's nice to know you value what I posted so highly!

:shrug:
Quite, I agree :( :( ;)

[Mark Wild]

In his rush to show that I valued his judgment, Rob inadvertently cut off this important Caveat. :D :D :D I feel it bears repeating.

Do you come with subtitles? :p

[PropellerHeadCase]

Hello, subtitles reporting for duty :D

[Reminisce disco]

Hi,

Thanks for all the great advice so far and for being so supportive. I really do believe i can make a go of this in my area.

I think a good accountant will be the first way to go as well as getting out there and being face to face with venues/clients.

My website is in development and will shortly have a link so you can give me some feedback.

Keep it coming,

Andy

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Andy

If you want to pop over for a chat and a drink, give me a bell or drop me an email etc

[Mark Wild]

I really do believe i can make a go of this

My situation was pretty much the same as yours mate, I went for it and haven't looked back. Don't doubt yourself for a minute, go for it and enjoy the adventure. Keep an eye on the advice from "some" of the guys on here, I pretty much use these forums for reference (like a bible). Don't feel stupid to ask questions either, there is no such thing as a stupid question. All the best mate :beer1:

[Reminisce disco]

Daz, thats really kind of you to offer, i might just take you up on it, I know Reading well (born and bred in Tilehurst).

Bellshill, thanks for your really positive comments i really appreciate it :)

Andy

[Excalibur]

Andy

If you want to pop over for a chat and a drink, give me a bell or drop me an email etc

Word to the wise Andy. ;) Leave your wallet at home. ;) ;) :D :D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Word to the wise Andy. ;) Leave your wallet at home. ;) ;) :D :D

:eek:

What ever are you saying? ;)

[Bouncy Dancefloor]

a few tips as im fairly local to you

No matter how much you spend, you will not have the best show/equipment around, Luke Skywalker and friends already have that in Swindon and are known for just that (with 20+ years of good experience too)

Does the Swindon DJ Association still exist? Going back a few years, Luke was leading the swindon dj association, where everyone got together, shared double bookings and provided backup kit for emergencies etc, might be worth giving him a call.

Your sound system looks pretty good, perhaps a couple more lights? Nothing too fancy, just to fill the bar up a bit

[Excalibur]

:eek:

What ever are you saying? ;)

If there's anyone on here who you haven't sold something to, then I'll withdraw that hint. :p

[PropellerHeadCase]

I've not bought anything off Darren, and I've met him twice!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I've not bought anything off Darren, and I've met him twice!

The first time you had a child with you and lots of gear to play with and the second time was a fairly quick meeting...

They'll be other times. ;)

[rob1963]

Rob is the undisputed oracle of web based advertising value for money, and his word is law.

( Just don't take his advice on lighting effects, or speaker size. :p :D :D )

On the subject of lighting effects, I know little about them, so am unlikely to give advice.

On the subject of speaker size, that doesn't matter...it's what you do with it that counts ;)


I've not bought anything off Darren, and I've met him twice!

I've also met him twice & I've bought two things off him.

I must confess, they were great quality & great value.

:D

[PropellerHeadCase]

The first time you had a child with you and lots of gear to play with and the second time was a fairly quick meeting...

They'll be other times. ;)

Is that a threat or a promise? :eek:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Is that a threat or a promise? :eek:

Both. :D

[Cheesey 1975]

If there's anyone on here who you haven't sold something to, then I'll withdraw that hint. :p

Ive not bought anything off darren !!!!;)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Ive not bought anything off darren !!!!;)

There's always time...;)

[Corabar Steve]

:offtopic:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Sorry Steve. I forgot you ran the forum and never went off topic....:sj:

[Corabar Steve]

Ah, but there's off topic & there's off topic & this was drifting so far off topic it was in danger of creeping up on itself.

[501damian501]

There's always time...;)

what happened to the PM about gaffatape ???, still waiting for a reply, its been about 3months

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

what happened to the PM about gaffatape ???, still waiting for a reply, its been about 3months

I can't believe something important like that slipped my mind....

[nigelwright7557]

Keep an eye on the advice from "some" of the guys on here, I pretty much use these forums for reference (like a bible).

It might be a good idea to start a website instead of a forum if some peoples advice is not good.

A website with just a list of facts etc maybe lists of lighting, amps etc that are good quality.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

some peoples advice is not good.



I wonder who? :p

[Excalibur]

I wonder who? :p

" Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. " :sofa: