Preferred Disco

[ppentertainments]

Like many on here I do have a few venues which use me as their preferred disco. However I know of many DJ's who have loads of venues reccomending them. I was speaking to one who told me he asks all venues he plays in if they would use him as a preferred disco.

I have never done this and always had the venue contact me. Does anyone else ask the venue this and if so, how do you phrase the question ??

TBH I don't think it is an avenue I will go down but just wondering if I am the odd one out here ?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

It's not a case of just asking outright. I go into sales mode when in a new venue. I talk to them about who they currently use and recommend and see if they are happy. I can normally tell within the first minute of the conversation if they are. I then move on from there.

If you ask someone the direct question to their face, they might say that they will recommend you just to get rid of you. A cleverly worked sales pitch with a follow up email or letter is much more effective.

[ppentertainments]

Interesting Darren, a PM may be on its way to you tomorrow when I have a bit more time ;)

[Excalibur]

Interesting Darren, a PM may be on its way to you tomorrow when I have a bit more time ;)

How to win gigs and influence people by D Thomas is avaliable at all good bookshops, £5.95 paperback, £16.95 Hardback. ;) :D

[Shaun]

It's not a case of just asking outright. I go into sales mode when in a new venue. I talk to them about who they currently use and recommend and see if they are happy.

That's a good idea, and something I've never even considered. :o

I have a few venues that I'm the preffered DJ for. Each of those venues approached me though, I'd never even considered that I could be approaching them.

Daz, I'll give you a call sometime next week for my first 'sales 101 lesson' from you. :d

Just goes to show that I'm never to old to learn a thing or two. :)

[rob1963]

I think being the preferred disco for a number of venues is more appropriate for an agency or multi-op, as you're more likely to be able to service all requests than a one man band.

Having said that, I wouldn't want to be the resident, recommended or preferred disco for ANY venue, because as I've said before, it's not good to have all your eggs in one (or two) basket(s)...especially in the current climate.

I also find it more enjoyable working in more different venues than I would doing lots of gigs in the same few all the time.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Im preferred dj for a couple of venues, but they know that they cant phone me and i go jumping.

I have set nights which are rolling bookings, year after year (i.e. NYE) but thats it, and its rare that the venue books me direct for the likes of weddings. Its usually along the lines of "Heres a list of numbers, the top one is our most popular and we would recommend, but feel free to ring round."

[andyw]

i had the perfect chance to try this out tonight,we got a booking a few months back,new venue for us, so i met the couple at the venue taking along the pli and pat certs, talking to them, they told me they really wanted the venue but had heard bad things about the in house dj(don't know what or why). anyway turn up tonight set up and the inhouse gear is all cased up in the corner. we have a good night, even the girls behind the bar say that was a good night, then in comes the duty manager,thanks gents that was a good night she said,so i ask her about the gear in the corner and who is there preferred dj do i know him( wait for it you will love this). he is brilliant she replies when they book the in house disco one of the bar staff does it:bang:
anyway daz ithink it's time for a weekly thread
daz's top bussiness tips

[soundmaster mobile disco]

Like me how many other djs go into a "new Venue" or one you have not played in before and then get told."your better than the last dj that we had".

It makes me wonder just what are the other djs doing\not doing.

I do know that a few round here dont take it serious enough and still have outdated equipment with small sound and light shows,turn up to gigs ten mins before starting,wearing jeans and tshirt allnight.

[yourdj]

Well put together paper work with some nice pictures

A meeting with the functions manager

Them seeing or test running you. make the first one free then they cant refuse!

Dress well, act cool and show them that you will be reliable and professional. communication is always the let down with most residents etc.

[Excalibur]

Like me how many other djs go into a "new Venue" or one you have not played in before and then get told."your better than the last dj that we had".

It makes me wonder just what are the other djs doingnot doing.

I do know that a few round here dont take it serious enough and still have outdated equipment with small sound and light shows,turn up to gigs ten mins before starting,wearing jeans and tshirt allnight.

Oh yuss, but sometimes it's amazing how limpet-like is their grip on the booking. Nepotism, commission, who knows? :confused:

[ppentertainments]

I think being the preferred disco for a number of venues is more appropriate for an agency or multi-op, as you're more likely to be able to service all requests than a one man band.

Having said that, I wouldn't want to be the resident, recommended or preferred disco for ANY venue, because as I've said before, it's not good to have all your eggs in one (or two) basket(s)...especially in the current climate.

I also find it more enjoyable working in more different venues than I would doing lots of gigs in the same few all the time.

Rob, I think you are getting mixed up with resident and preferred disco. With a residency, yes you are often tied into the venue. As a preferred disco they simply reccomend you to clients. If you are booked already then you simply inform them. Any enquiries I take from preferred venues are treat like any other enquiry.

If you have to work hard to gain bookings this is a must.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I think being the preferred disco for a number of venues is more appropriate for an agency or multi-op, as you're more likely to be able to service all requests than a one man band.

Having said that, I wouldn't want to be the resident, recommended or preferred disco for ANY venue, because as I've said before, it's not good to have all your eggs in one (or two) basket(s)...especially in the current climate.


I'm not sure you are looking at this in the right way Rob. If you are a multi-op, then you can service more than one venue, as I do. If you are a single operator, the venue normally has a preferred list of more than one company, so if one DJ can't do it, then another can.

Edit - didn't see Chris's post until I posted this.

[djsteve10]

I am on the reccomended suppliers list for 2 venues and the venue will just reccomend me to the client and they will then get in touch with me direct and if I am booked then they are left with no other option but to go elsewhere.

A friend of mine has a few hotel contracts and I do regular work for him and he told me the secret of getting a contract is to offer the 1st gig for free and make sure you put the effort in by taking a nice show and dressing accordingly I.e. Black tie.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

he told me the secret of getting a contract is to offer the 1st gig for free

Completely disagree.

You could do a freebie and then never hear from them again.

Any venue worth their salt would not expect a decent professional company to be doing anything for free.

Start as you mean to go on. Charge a decent price and what you are worth and you can move on from there.

[djsteve10]

Completely disagree.

You could do a freebie and then never hear from them again.

Any venue worth their salt would not expect a decent professional company to be doing anything for free.

Start as you mean to go on. Charge a decent price and what you are worth and you can move on from there.

Good point there, I wa just going off what he told me. Everybody is different and operate their business in different ways.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Good point there, I wa just going off what he told me. Everybody is different and operate their business in different ways.

Indeed, but as I said


Any venue worth their salt would not expect a decent professional company to be doing anything for free.

;)

[rob1963]

Rob, I think you are getting mixed up with resident and preferred disco. With a residency, yes you are often tied into the venue. As a preferred disco they simply reccomend you to clients. If you are booked already then you simply inform them. Any enquiries I take from preferred venues are treat like any other enquiry.

If you have to work hard to gain bookings this is a must.


I'm not sure you are looking at this in the right way Rob. If you are a multi-op, then you can service more than one venue, as I do. If you are a single operator, the venue normally has a preferred list of more than one company, so if one DJ can't do it, then another can.

Edit - didn't see Chris's post until I posted this.

My main point here is that when you're a one man band, there's probably not much point in being on a venues preferred discos list, due to the fact that most of the dates they want you for you'll already be booked up anyway...unless of course you're struggling for work & have lots of free dates.

For example, I work virtually every Saturday in the wedding season (April to October), so if I became the preferred disco for a venue, whenever they phoned me with a date, 95% of the time I'd already be booked & would therefore be unable to help them.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

they just give your number to the client rob. If you don't book they go to the next on the list. Its free advertisement so its a no brainer

[Vectis]

My main point here is that when you're a one man band, there's probably not much point in being on a venues preferred discos list, due to the fact that most of the dates they want you for you'll already be booked up anyway...unless of course you're struggling for work & have lots of free dates.

For example, I work virtually every Saturday in the wedding season (April to October), so if I became the preferred disco for a venue, whenever they phoned me with a date, 95% of the time I'd already be booked & would therefore be unable to help them.

How so?

I have a couple of preferred venues and have to say no maybe no more than 30-40% of the time, yet I'm as busy as you are summer weekends :)

I guess it all comes down to timing. Bs & Gs will most likely decide on the venue first, and book this before anything else. If they're going with the venue's recommendation, then chances are you're going to get the call much earlier in the cycle than you normally might.

Well that's my theory :)

[Dynamic Entertainment]

How do you know that your not being pushed at some venues Rob. I would never have known that i was prefered dj at one, bar the fact that a briode phoned and said 2youve been recommended by...". You just never know Rob ;)

[ppentertainments]

My main point here is that when you're a one man band, there's probably not much point in being on a venues preferred discos list, due to the fact that most of the dates they want you for you'll already be booked up anyway...unless of course you're struggling for work & have lots of free dates.

For example, I work virtually every Saturday in the wedding season (April to October), so if I became the preferred disco for a venue, whenever they phoned me with a date, 95% of the time I'd already be booked & would therefore be unable to help them.

As I say Rob you are obviously lucky / fortunate / have worked hard (delete as appropriate :p ) to not have to do much ground work to gain bookings - or at least that is the impression you give me. You have to remember, in the real world a lot of us have to strive really hard and cannot afford to cut off any avenue that may result in potential bookings.


Earlier comments about free gigs. I have come to the conclusion that :

Free gigs attract enquiries for more free gigs
Cheap gigs attract enquiries for more cheap gigs

Been there done that - unfortunately - and still get the calls :bang: :bang:

[rob1963]

How do you know that your not being pushed at some venues Rob. I would never have known that i was prefered dj at one, bar the fact that a briode phoned and said 2youve been recommended by...". You just never know Rob ;)

Good point!


As I say Rob you are obviously lucky / fortunate / have worked hard (delete as appropriate :p ) to not have to do much ground work to gain bookings - or at least that is the impression you give me.

That's fair comment.


You have to remember, in the real world a lot of us have to strive really hard and cannot afford to cut off any avenue that may result in potential bookings.

I can fully appreciate that.

I guess I'm in a different situation to many, partly because I have very low living expenses & partly because I'm already working 4 or 5 nights a week doing quizzes before I even THINK about discos.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Whenever I go to a new venue I always make a point of chatting to whoever it is that deals with the entertainment. I always take cards and brochures with me and leave them with that person too.
Usually, my first line is "Do you have a dedicated supplier or do you recommend?"... I have noticed lately that a number of the new venues I have been into, I have been told that they don't actually have resident DJ's or suppliers but do recommend.

A couple of times I have been told "Yes, we can recommend you" even before I have started. I always see that as a kind of 'Shut you up' comment or an answer just to keep you happy. I always make a joke about it if that's the case and say "Well, wait until you have seen me first as I might be rubbish!".

Last year I went into a venue and did all of the above. The owner of the venue said to me whilst setting up "If you're any good then I'll recommend you"...I replied "That's great, thank you". To be honest, I had a really good 'up for it' crowd that night and within 90 minutes he was asking for cards etc... (that's just reminded me of something else which is a new thread to be honest)...Anyway, people may say that they'll recommend you but I generally take it with a pinch of salt... This particular guy kept to his word though as I had a booking there earlier this year and I have 3 more coming up in August and September, all stemming from this guy.

Lastly, the venue I was in on Friday night....I got on with the main man really well. I went in Thursday morning as pre-arranged with him to put in the Uplighting. When I got there he said "Bang on time...great start!"....Even in the daylight the units looked good and he kept commenting on them. I said to him that even though people may not want to book me to do the Disco, I could still supply the Uplighting. When I turned up on friday, he was very complimentary and said "You are going to be my number 1 recommendation now"...I said "But you haven't heard me play yet" and he said "Sometimes you just get a feeling and you know when it's going to be good".

So, I would say that it's ALWAYS worth having a word with whoever deals with the entertainment and getting in there. One of the problems though is that some venues may think "If it's not broken, don't fix it" and you don't have a chance in hell of getting anywhere with them no matter how good your sales pitch or show is.