My first booking!

[womble]

Technically not my first booking, as I've taken orders for a Birthday, Christening Party and Wedding for different friends, but it's the first contact and booking I've taken from someone I don't already know.

Hurrah!

But - what I find most interesting it that, following feedback on my website and various polls on here, I updated my contact page to say I can be called on the landline or the mobile or contacted via emails and text messages. The booking actually came from a text message!

[rob1963]

Technically not my first booking, as I've taken orders for a Birthday, Christening Party and Wedding for different friends, but it's the first contact and booking I've taken from someone I don't already know.

Hurrah!

But - what I find most interesting it that, following feedback on my website and various polls on here, I updated my contact page to say I can be called on the landline or the mobile or contacted via emails and text messages. The booking actually came from a text message!

Well done, Womble!

You're one up on me...as I don't think I've taken a booking by text message in 25 years!

:D

[Excalibur]

Well done, Womble!

You're one up on me...as I don't think I've taken a booking by text message in 25 years!

:D

Get with it Grandad, even I have. :p :D :D

[rob1963]

Get with it Grandad, even I have. :p :D :D

Seriously?

Now I DO feel left out!

:cry:

[DJMaxG]

How Funny!

Did you send out an Invoice to confirm it, or just take their word for it?

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Id never take a booking by text! Sorry but I would ask for all the details including price, times etc.. on an email you can print off so theres no confusion.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Surely in this day and age you could get all the details via text and still send a confirmation and contract out though?

[visualdjmax]

Surely in this day and age you could get all the details via text and still send a confirmation and contract out though?

You would think so. In some ways it is actually nicer not having to deal with the client!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[womble]

It was only the initial contact that came via text. I will still send out a contract and ask for a deposit to secure the booking.


Id never take a booking by text! Sorry but I would ask for all the details including price, times etc.. on an email you can print off so theres no confusion.

So do you only take bookings via email? What about phone calls?

[Disco Leisure UK]

I got a text 4 weeks ago making enquiries for a wedding, took their details, went to visit the couple at there home with no obligation to book, showed them our portfolio, brochures, testimonials etc, signed all the forms, obtained deposit....booking confirmed for 16th May, if only all enquiries and bookings could be like this with the added personal approach!....:D

[rob1963]

Id never take a booking by text! Sorry but I would ask for all the details including price, times etc.. on an email you can print off so theres no confusion.

I don't see a problem with taking a booking by text, and I don't see how there could be any confusion.

I'd just ask them to text me the basic details & their name & address, then send out my letter, t&c and booking form just like I would to anyone else.

:shrug:

[DeckstarDeluxe]

It was only the initial contact that came via text. I will still send out a contract and ask for a deposit to secure the booking.



So do you only take bookings via email? What about phone calls?

All my clients need to email me details as its in writing from their email address there can be no confusion. I dont use contracts at the moment however which is something Im planning to use very shortly.

Ive had customers who have said "thats not the price we argeed" or "I thought you were paid to play til 1". If you have a written contract or email then you can refer them to that.

Your OP didnt mention that this is backed up by a contract. I was under the impression that was all you had.

[womble]

All my clients need to email me details as its in writing from their email address there can be no confusion. I dont use contracts at the moment however which is something Im planning to use very shortly.

Ive had customers who have said "thats not the price we argeed" or "I thought you were paid to play til 1". If you have a written contract or email then you can refer them to that.

As for it being nice not having to deal with the customer I find that really odd. I enjoy discussing the disco with potential customers as it gives you an idea what is going to work with regardings to lighting or music. This is a job for entertaining people so if you dont like interacting with people why do you do this? (Dont mean that to come across in the wrong way) Just interested.

I enjoy interacting too, but there's a lot of clients out there who don't, hence why emails are so popular, especially amongst the younger generations. For some picking up a phone and talking to someone strikes fear into their hearts.

I don't see how offering a client multiple options of communications is a problem? This client could easily have emailed me, but perhaps she only checks her emails every few days and saw the 'text me' option on the website and went for it. Maybe she emailed other DJ's, but as she got a response from me within a few minutes I got the gig! Who knows?!

As long as everything is backed up in writing then there should be no confusion, regardless of the initial contact.

[womble]

Your OP didnt mention that this is backed up by a contract. I was under the impression that was all you had.

True.

Didn't mean to sound arsey... :)

[DeckstarDeluxe]

True.

Didn't mean to sound arsey... :)

No worries. If it works its something I may look into.

[rob1963]

I enjoy interacting too, but there's a lot of clients out there who don't, hence why emails are so popular, especially amongst the younger generations. For some picking up a phone and talking to someone strikes fear into their hearts.

I don't see how offering a client multiple options of communications is a problem? This client could easily have emailed me, but perhaps she only checks her emails every few days and saw the 'text me' option on the website and went for it. Maybe she emailed other DJ's, but as she got a response from me within a few minutes I got the gig! Who knows?!

As long as everything is backed up in writing then there should be no confusion, regardless of the initial contact.

:agree:

Although my website doesn't have a specific "text me" option, my mobile phone number is displayed, so potential clients can still text me if they like.

[Bouncy Dancefloor]

at xmas, i was doing background music at a party, when i received a text saying roughly "hi, ive just sent you an email requesting a quote for a party, if you can reply to it ASAP please". So i left the roadie there and called her back as a courtesy to let her know i wont be able to reply until the next day, but if its urgent i can quote on the phone. I got no answer. Then i receive another text saying "i cant answer as its a surprise party and my boyfriend is next to me"

i get home, read the email, it was something along the lines of "hi, im thinking of having a party, somewhere in Cheltenham, probably around July time (sent in december), im looking for approximate prices, thanks"

so basically, my only text experience so far is pretty negative!! I can imagine people texting as they havnt got much credit on their phone, so how are they going to afford to hire me??

[Babybob]

so basically, my only text experience so far is pretty negative!! I can imagine people texting as they havnt got much credit on their phone, so how are they going to afford to hire me??

Or the person texting you has a monthly contract of £35+ and uses a Blackberry.
There are so many different means of communication these days which is a good thing (as well as bad) and you can be contacted pretty much anywhere.

The potential client wanted you to contact her ASAP, you did but it was not convenient for her at the time and she gave you the reason which seemed quite fair in my book but you go on to label her as a poor relation because she texted you.

[Bouncy Dancefloor]

Or the person texting you has a monthly contract of £35+ and uses a Blackberry.
There are so many different means of communication these days which is a good thing (as well as bad) and you can be contacted pretty much anywhere.

The potential client wanted you to contact her ASAP, you did but it was not convenient for her at the time and she gave you the reason which seemed quite fair in my book but you go on to label her as a poor relation because she texted you.

not a blackberry, as the email usually states it was sent via blackberry

my point was, it was not a serious enquiry, yet they wanted me to invest time and effort into replying and quoting ASAP. Clearly this person didnt have the balls to ring me and answer any further questions and perhaps build a rappor, just another time wasting, vague enquiry

[Babybob]

I meant the text could have been sent via a Blackberry.

Surely if they emailed you and then text you it could be a serious enquiry if they have taken the time to do this.

I have organised many nights of entertainment in the past and sometimes it is difficult to get venues and disco's/bands etc to match up with the dates so maybe that's why they are a bit vague at the moment.

I had a phone call a few weeks back asking for a price for an evening wedding disco, I quoted £180 as it is about a mile from my house and I can leave my gear there, the enquirer said that I was recommended by a friend. I was told that she would think about it and get back to me.....guess what...nothing.
Some people want things for nothing these days.

[Bouncy Dancefloor]

why would you want to leave your gear there?

[Babybob]

Because it will be safe and I can pick it up the day after at my leisure.

I also know some of the guests and the landlord so will be able to have a drink if I want after the gig.