Wedding Fayre Today - Was it worth it?

[Shakermaker Promotions]

YES YES YES!

Started at 11am and had 5 confirmed bookings by 12pm. Finished at 4pm and by that time I had 13 confirmed bookings, all booking fees paid with 2 enquiries that are going to get back to me.

I set up the Denon HD2500 with 2 x DB Tech' Active Speakers and 2 x LEDJ Colourbursts. I had the laptop connected to my flat screen TV showing a promotional video I had made and also had brochures, pens, cards and postcards on the table too.

It really worked for me and I am glad I did it (even after only 4 hours kip last night).

That's 13 bookings that the DJ's that could'nt be bothered to turn up didn't get and I did. By the way, only 3 of these are at the hotel and are priced more than the hotel pays so all in all....a great day!

Fancy a beer now but I am struggling to stay awake.:beer1:

[NKR]

Good work. Good investment. Well done.

[Chris1984]

Wow, that's a really good result you have there, well done.
Have many others had similar results?

[JDB Entertainment]

Well done mate! :D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Great going Gary, but that does suggest to me that you need to put your prices up a little.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Darren, thanks for the feedback mate but...Every single booking I got confirmed today was priced at my rates and not the hotels. As I mentioned previously, the hotel pays £250.00 per gig. The bookings I got today privately but are being held at the hotel were priced at £350.00 which I am happy with. Most of the other confirmed bookings are between £350.00 and £500.00 (if they are having Uplighting etc). I'm happy with that too. The good thing was that I managed to get the latter part of the year filled up and now have 19 weddings for next year already. There are 2 weeks at the end of September and beginning of October where I am out on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday both weeks. Overall, well happy.

[Excalibur]

Great going Gary, but that does suggest to me that you need to put your prices up a little.

There's a reply to that, but since I'm not in possession of all the facts, I can't make it.

I'd like to put my prices up, but I don't know exactly how they compare to others in the locality. :confused: I wonder how I could find out? :confused:

Oops, I appear to have started a coughing fit, I've just nudged the monitor, and I've got dust in my eyes, so I'll have to go off and think about that a bit more. ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Well done Gary, so glad it was worth it for you. :)

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I know what Darren means though that so many people are happy to pay that suggests they think they are getting a bargin and Im sure thats the case however the lad derserves a pat on that back nice one Gary.

Did you take a picture of the way you set up by any chance?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I know what Darren means though that so many people are happy to pay that suggests they think they are getting a bargin

Yep, that is what I meant, but I didn't want to take anything away from Gary. Well done mate! :thumbsup:

[Mark Wild]

What a cracking result !




Great going Gary, but that does suggest to me that you need to put your prices up a little.

That's unfair comment as the bookings could have come from all kinds of different factors that he nailed on the day, like presentation, sales pitch, rapport with potential clients, location etc etc. Price may not have been an issue to any of the clients for all you know.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

What a cracking result !





That's unfair comment as the bookings could have come from all kinds of different factors that he nailed on the day, like presentation, sales pitch, rapport with potential clients, location etc etc. Price may not have been an issue to any of the clients for all you know.

It's not an unfair comment at all. I have done a lot of wedding fayres and know the local market - Gary is only about 25 miles from me.

I am saying that I think that he could have priced them up a bit. And yes, I do know what he charges, so no, I don't think it's an unfair comment.

Don't let's turn this into something it's not. If someone is taking that many bookings at a wedding fayre, then yes it is good going, but in my opinion the price could have been too low.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Thanks Bells'...I DO understand what Darren and Decks are saying but I'm agreeing with your reply.
On one occasion only today, someone said "Is that all?" when I quoted them the price of £350.00. It's the price that I wanted and I got it. Considering around 2 years ago I was charging £250.00, doing exactly what I am doing now...well, I'm happy.

...and I know what you mean Darren and Decks...Thanks for the comments.

[Mark Wild]

It's not an unfair comment at all. I have done a lot of wedding fayres and know the local market - Gary is only about 25 miles from me.

I am saying that I think that he could have priced them up a bit. And yes, I do know what he charges, so no, I don't think it's an unfair comment.

Don't let's turn this into something it's not. If someone is taking that many bookings at a wedding fayre, then yes it is good going, but in my opinion the price could have been too low.

Yeah definitely could have been a factor, along with many others.

[Shaun]

Job well done, Gary. :beer1:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Out of interest Gary, did you take details from all of these clients? How on earth did you fit them all in - paperwork etc. I really struggled at the last fayre that I did and there was 3 of us there!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Yeah definitely could have been a factor, along with many others.

I don't think you understand what I am getting at. If you have a very very high conversion rate, then generally your price is too low. I am all for people earning more money in this industry. :thumbsup:

[Excalibur]

Thanks Bells'...I DO understand what Darren and Decks are saying but I'm agreeing with your reply.
On one occasion only today, someone said "Is that all?" when I quoted them the price of £350.00. It's the price that I wanted and I got it. Considering around 2 years ago I was charging £250.00, doing exactly what I am doing now...well, I'm happy.

...and I know what you mean Darren and Decks...Thanks for the comments.
Mine say "How much? :eek: :eek: :eek: " when I say £60. :( :( :( :(


Out of interest Gary, did you take details from all of these clients? How on earth did you fit them all in - paperwork etc. I really struggled at the last fayre that I did and there was 3 of us there!
No Darren, there were 3 of you. And even then, it's not good practice to mix numbers and letters in this way. :Naughty:


I don't think you understand what I am getting at. If you have a very very high conversion rate, then generally your price is too low. I am all for people earning more money in this industry. :thumbsup:

So am I. Sadly, my punters aren't. :cry: :cry:

[yourdj]

How do you confirm bookings at the fair? I have always thought that was a bit pushy. do the people pay the booking fee on the spot or go home and do it?

Doing one next week and have not done any for a couple of years so very interested?

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Well done Gary. :approve:

Wish my last wedding fare was as well populated with possible clients :o

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Darren, to answer your question (sorry, I'm inbetween watching the TV and doing this)... I coped ok. At one point I had a queue believe it or not but people took my literature and went off browsing and then came back when they saw I was free.

I had blank booking forms with me and took down the basic details. They paid by cheque and I told them that they would get confirmation emails from me plus proper booking forms in the next few days.

YourDJ - I was far from being or appearing to be 'pushy'. That's one of my pet hates. I stood behind my stand and not infront of it trying to get people over to me. If people browsed and picked up a leaflet then I would start talking to them. I started off with "Firstly, congratulations...when is the date?" and then I asked if they had thought about the entertainment and whether they were looking for a live band or DJ. If people looked interested then I took it further. I have to say....Every single person I spoke to either confirmed and booked or said they would get back to me. Some people just walked past and looked but that was all.

At the end of the day, I said to myself this morning that if I got just 1 booking I would be happy and it would have been worth it. Personally I don't think £350.00 was too cheap or underselling myself. I am a small operator and a standard Disco for that price and at a venue local to me, is fine.

[Mark Wild]

I am all for people earning more money in this industry. :thumbsup:

I know you do mate and I have alot of respect for you for that and the help you've given me since starting my venture. I just read your comment as "If you did that well at a wedding fayre, you're too cheap" apologies for misreading it, easily done on forums sometimes. :beer1:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I know you do mate and I have alot of respect for you for that and the help you've given me since starting my venture. I just read your comment as "If you did that well at a wedding fayre, you're too cheap" apologies for misreading it, easily done on forums sometimes. :beer1:

And don't I just know it...:o

I was looking at it purely from a business POV.

[rob1963]

YES YES YES!

Started at 11am and had 5 confirmed bookings by 12pm. Finished at 4pm and by that time I had 13 confirmed bookings, all booking fees paid with 2 enquiries that are going to get back to me.

I set up the Denon HD2500 with 2 x DB Tech' Active Speakers and 2 x LEDJ Colourbursts. I had the laptop connected to my flat screen TV showing a promotional video I had made and also had brochures, pens, cards and postcards on the table too.

It really worked for me and I am glad I did it (even after only 4 hours kip last night).

That's 13 bookings that the DJ's that could'nt be bothered to turn up didn't get and I did. By the way, only 3 of these are at the hotel and are priced more than the hotel pays so all in all....a great day!

Fancy a beer now but I am struggling to stay awake.:beer1:

Congratulations Gary...a cracking result!


I'd like to put my prices up, but I don't know exactly how they compare to others in the locality. :confused: I wonder how I could find out?

I also don't know how MY prices compare to others in the locality, but that didn't stop me putting them up a couple of days ago.

As a result, I no longer charge £75 for 2 extra lights...it's now £100!

I've even increased my deposit by 50% & my daytime set up fee by 66%!

Recession? What recession?

:D :D :D

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Congratulations Gary...a cracking result!



I also don't know how MY prices compare to others in the locality, but that didn't stop me putting them up a couple of days ago.

As a result, I no longer charge £75 for 2 extra lights...it's now £100!

I've even increased my deposit by 50% & my daytime set up fee by 66%!

Recession? What recession?

:D :D :D
:shrug::shrug:

[rob1963]

:shrug::shrug:

Why the shrug?

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Why the shrug?

unsolicited i know but you get 50% more :D

[rob1963]

50% more what?

There's nothing on my website about getting 50% more.

[DJMaxG]

Sounds Good - I'll bear that tip in mind for the future ;)

[DJMaxG]

50% more what?

There's nothing on my website about getting 50% more.

He is getting at the extra lighting (50%) in the Deluxe Package :cool:

[Disco Leisure UK]

I'd like to put my prices up, but I don't know exactly how they compare to others in the locality. :confused: I wonder how I could find out?


The rates around here are very poor pete, what we did was phone 4 different disco operators in the west yorkshire area and got quotes from each one, add them all together and divide by 4, works for us...:D

[Excalibur]

The rates around here are very poor pete, what we did was phone 4 different disco operators in the west yorkshire area and got quotes from each one, add them all together and divide by 4, works for us...:D

I did almost exactly the same, except I divided by six. :( :( ( The 4 and 5 buttons don't work on my calculator)

[yourdj]

I have to say....Every single person I spoke to either confirmed and booked or said they would get back to me. Some people just walked past and looked but that was all.

But did they pay the booking fee right there? That was what i was asking :) Im doing a free one as next week and was considering my approach.

[rob1963]

He is getting at the extra lighting (50%) in the Deluxe Package :cool:

No any more.

The 50% extra lighting reference has been removed from my website.

That makes things more flexible, as I can add as much extra lighting as I like!

:D

[rob1963]

Started at 11am and had 5 confirmed bookings by 12pm. Finished at 4pm and by that time I had 13 confirmed bookings, all booking fees paid with 2 enquiries that are going to get back to me.


I'm trying to work out whether wedding fayres have changed in the 10 years since I helped a friend do them, or whether you are doing something different to what we did, Gary.

The reason I say that it because we chatted to people & gave out leaftels, but we would be lucky if one person made a booking on the day itself.

However, the Sunday evening & Monday is when all the calls & bookings would come. To be honest, I think I'd prefer it that way, because it's much easier to take bookings when you're in your office rather than at a wedding fayre when you might have a queue of people waiting to see you.

[Creature]

Shakermaker - well done mate thats gotta be great news for you. I am glad its worked for ya as many things we try just dont seem to translate into bookings.

Unlike some on here I dont look at and think why am i getting so many bookings i must be too cheep - I'd say that you had priced your services competively at the market you have

well done and hope it continues for you

[rob1963]

Unlike some on here I dont look at and think why am i getting so many bookings i must be too cheep - I'd say that you had priced your services competively at the market you have

Good point, Creature.

If someone is getting lots of bookings, although it probably means that they COULD put up their prices if they wanted to, it doesn't mean that they SHOULD.

If I wanted to, I could easily charge a lot more than I do, but some of us prefer to be competitively priced rather than charging the most we think we can get away with.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

YourDJ - Yes, they paid on the day.

I used to do wedding fayres a while back and I hated them to be honest with you. I used to go along with the guy I was working for back then and I remember that at one fayre once, we were over the moon when we came away at the end of the day with 3 bookings.

Yesterday, people asked me if I wanted a deposit to secure my services. I told them that if they wanted to then that was fine and it would guarantee that the date is booked, no'one else could have it and it's one of the tasks off their list that they can cross off and consider sorted. One person wanted to pay for the whole thing upfront and I said there was no need.

A friend of mine was on the patch next to me who is the manager of a Mens Suit company. We were chatting throughout the day whenever we could and he was very interested as to how I was doing so well. He said that he had lots of enquiries but no'one ever pays upfront with him as it's a different thing altogeather. He said to me at the end of the day that I had "The gift of the gab" and that I was "Very good with customer service". That gave me a lot of confident and goes to show that my years of customer service in retail etc have helped me.

Forgive me if I am wrong but I do get the impression from a couple of the replies on this thread that some people may not actually believe I did so well. It is 100% true I can assure you. I could be sitting here this morning having not done the wedding fayre yesterday, none the wiser and waiting for the phone to ring or email to come in and it would take me a few months to get the amount of bookings that I did. I've got up this morning and there is another email sat there in my Inbox from one of the people that said they would get back to me. They want to book too.

I am no salesman and I don't pounce on people. I am not pushy and I put a bit of humour into my chat with people and make them feel at ease. That's all it is.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I believe you did that well Gary, but knowing how long some people like to chat, I don't know how you managed to fit all the bookings in! Did you take full details or just enough to send them a contract etc?

[simonp]

Nice one Gary - great result :D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I believe you did that well Gary, but knowing how long some people like to chat, I don't know how you managed to fit all the bookings in! Did you take full details or just enough to send them a contract etc?

Just to add to that - I have a reason for asking. At the last wedding fayre I did, it took me over an hour to take one booking as the B&G wanted to know everything inside out!

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Darren, I told each couple as much as I could and took down their full details (contact details, number(s), address, date of wedding and chosen venue). I put them all on the blank booking forms and said that they would get a confirmation email today (which I am going to start doing in a mo'). Once I get everything else I need then I can send them proper booking forms.

[Jonny Boy]

Congratulations buddy - you should be very proud of yourself: like something from GlenGarry Glen Ross! - "ABC - Always Be Closing!"

I had a fayre yesterday but didn't close even ONE. Lots of interest however from couples getting married at the venue: hoping to negotiate co-op vocal-shows with the resident DJ team and pass savings on to clients... a bit hard TO close when you don' have a final price, but hopefully the promise of discounts will keep couples hooked until the price is firmed up.

Another show next week - am going to try to close some more, inspired by Shakermaker's success!

[Corabar Entertainment]

Just curious: am I correct in saying that you have taken booking fees without having a signed contract?

(Just worried about the legal position here.)

[DJMaxG]

Just curious: am I correct in saying that you have taken booking fees without having a signed contract?

If he did accept booking fees, would it be ilegal, or does it depend how it was paid (eg cash, cheque, credit card) ?

[Corabar Entertainment]

No - nothing to do with it being illegal.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

They all signed the booking forms so that I had a record and proof that they had paid. I only took cheques and have not banked them yet and will not bank them until the 'proper' forms are returned.