Rattle your brains folks....

[Charlie Brown]

All of a sudden enquires for me have gone very quiet. I have worked most Friday and Saturdays in November....but January and the rest of the year is looking very glim.

I have recently stopped my Google Adwords as it was costing me best part of a £120 a month!

What can I do to reign some more gigs in? I think I need another residency....is it worth sending a few letters to some hotels? Looking out for new places opening? Have any of you ever offered your services to a venue for free...so they can have a trial run of your services?

I need something to grab their attention and make me stand out of the crowd.

Even though I moan sometimes about working and not having much of a social life...I do love the job...and the thought of not working is actually quite depressing. On the other hand, I don't want to do it for nothing....so I think working a pub won't solve anything.

Cheers in advance.

[charlie]

im kind of the same boat mate! Im busy busy with clubs at the moment but mobiles are slowly dying down.
Im planning a big re vamp next year website redesign, possible new name.

The best advice i could give is to talk to some of the bigger events companies in your area. That will help build up your contacts.
From my experience its all about talking to everyone, making contacts and you never know when something will come from it.

good luck!

[Booche]

Im also "dead" for next year :( the issue i have were i live is there isnt alot going for it ie:clubs,pubs etc so i have to push that little bit extra but im sure as luck runs im due some good soon lol ( well lets hope so or im ringing Paul for some roadie work ;) ) btw he doesnt know this yet lol :P

Cheers Dave :)

[Charlie Brown]

There are a lot more "cowboy" DJ's out there now....

....then the other larger companies can offer "up lighting" etc, which I can't.

[Booche]

There are a lot more "cowboy" DJ's out there now....

....then the other larger companies can offer "up lighting" etc, which I can't.

I feel as though i fall into that catergory as i dont offer/cant offer these either even though i would love to cost is just out of my reach for the time being and now im kinda dead for work im kinda fluffed so just hoping my local pub work i do picks up and price increases :)

[Charlie Brown]

.....I might get a loan out from the bank and sort out uplighting. Trouble is..it's very time consuming.

Would anyone say it's my website that's causing the trouble?

http://charliebrownsdisco.co.uk/

[Booche]

me personnally would lose the vistaprint template as mentioned in another thread theres is loads of them about :( which maybe you could make the layout better etc, but like i say this is just my personnal view mate

Edit: ive just redone mine which i feel is looking alot better but then again ive not really posted it to see what people think.

[Excalibur]

With uplighting and other upsells, it's often possible to pass that part of the job on to other folk on here, or hire the kit and do it yourself. The networking on here can be invaluable.

[StarZSoundS]

.....I might get a loan out from the bank and sort out uplighting. Trouble is..it's very time consuming.

Would anyone say it's my website that's causing the trouble?

http://charliebrownsdisco.co.uk/


Your websites vey good Charlie.You are hanging the fall in your business to not having uplighting:bang: :bang: I have never had it and never been asked for it....i'm not even sure they even know what it is round here.

You are facing the same challenges as all of us.There is a lack of customers going through licensed premises doors for all of the reasons that are well chronicled here.

Perhaps lower your sights....Kids Discos Quizzes and Karaoke are good sources of income and GET YOU NOTICED more than any adwords on the Internet.I get loads of adult work from people watching the effort I put into Kids Discos etc...;)

[DJ Jules]

I'd like to point out that I too have a Busy Nov/Dec and nothing at all booked in for next year yet, but I was in exactly the same position at this point last year. Last year I had very little in early Jan, but the phone then started ringing for mid/late Jan and Feb quite quickly. From experience in this and other industries, people tend to think up to the next Major event and not beyond and I've traditionally seen the same in the summer around the Summer break (because people only think up to their summer holiday).

In other words, I wouldn't start panicking yet! However, adwords is a good source of business so you might find a drop in bookings if you've stopped this now. It might be worth considering just reducing your daily budget on there instead of stopping it outright as you'll find you still get a reasonable amount of business. It's also worth adjusting your keywords to find words where there is less competition for them but just as many hits - reducing the cost per click.

Julian

[Vectis]

Charlie... this is by no means a full critique, but a few of the more obvious issues I have with your website

1. The fact that it's a free (or v. cheap) Vistaprint template that's been used literally hundreds of times before and has Vistaprint splattered all over it.

2. The pages are far too wordy and there are too many pictures leading to lots of scrolling. Most folks won't get past "the fold" so your important messages need to be plonked in front of their eyes.

3. There are typos. Quick example on the About Us page, '... Music means everything a lot to him ...'.

4. Home page - header fonts too big; red on black isn't a good idea; repetition

5. About us - OK apart from typo

6. Weddings - are the stats really necessary? Couldn't this be boiled down to 1 or 2 sentences with just the most important stats shown? What is your source for the stats? Timings example does the opposite of what you're trying to sell - it looks like you're imposing a standard plan on the customer rather than working with them to devise a unique schedule. Overall far too wordy and I'd also lose the first dances list, or move it to another page. I suspect you've C+P'd it from an American site as there are songs on there I've never heard of!

7. Mobile Discos - a few too many pics. What about putting up thumbnails and using something like Highslide to make them 'pop out' when clicked? Or a gallery script of some kind...

8. Quiz Nights - way too wordy

9. Clients list - is this really necessary? I can understand it from the PoV of trying to catch hits from folks searching the venue names but to me it looks a little 'desperate' if you know what I mean?

10. Most requested songs - again, is this really necessary? If so, sort out the font FGS!

11. Gallery - great! Shame there's no animation but nevertheless it's good. Perhaps there are too many videos, or maybe these should go on their own page? Maybe junk one of the two previous pages and split these out. Also, there is a way using a parameter on the URL to force YouTube to run your videos in HD by default... google it. &fmt= springs to mind but I can't remember the exact setting.

12. Contact Us - enquiry form isn't spaced correctly. It looks awful on Safari - not in a position to check on IE at the moment.


Hope these pointers help. Ask here or PM if you have any specific Q's.

[Charlie Brown]

Thank you so much vectis...

I have sorted a few of the things you have suggested. I'm sticking with the vista print site....I have paid for their "logo" to be removed. I pay £11 a month....and I'm happy with what they offer.

Agreed the Quiz page is too wordy - I need to sort it.

Can anybody else see any more spelling mistakes or typos?

I have sorted out the font on the song list.

The form seems fine on my laptop? Anybody else experiencing problems?

[DJWilson]

Thank you so much vectis...

I have sorted a few of the things you have suggested. I'm sticking with the vista print site....I have paid for their "logo" to be removed. I pay £11 a month....and I'm happy with what they offer.

Agreed the Quiz page is too wordy - I need to sort it.

Can anybody else see any more spelling mistakes or typos?

I have sorted out the font on the song list.

The form seems fine on my laptop? Anybody else experiencing problems?

The form is VERY narrow in latest IE.


PS About us - " he finds very rewarding" > " he finds it very rewarding"

[Charlie Brown]

How strange...this is it on my laptop...

[rob1963]

The form is VERY narrow in latest IE.


How weird.

It looks fine in IE7.

[DJWilson]

Im on IE8, its fine in compbatibilty view (IE7).

[rob1963]

Did my screen shot in post #15 work?

On my screen, the screen shot does not appear...only a white box with a red cross in.

:confused:

[DJWilson]

Did my screen shot in post #15 work?

On my screen, the screen shot does not appear...only a white box with a red cross in.

:confused:


I cant see it either

[rob1963]

I cant see it either

Weird. When I click it on my desktop it opens fine, but when I attach it to a post it doesn't show up.

:shrug:

[Charlie Brown]

Very strange. Must be a ghost on the forum.

[wensleydale]

Hi Charlie
Please dont take this the wrong way, but I think you could gain a lot from looking at the way you operate your business.
There have been a few occasions where I have read a thread and shivered at the way you do something- the amount you have been spending on advertising is a good example- £120 a month on one form of advertising is a massive amount to be spending- especially if you are not getting enough work from it.
If you got any work from the Google ads have you looked at what the client searched for so that you can refine your advertising key words?

Your comment about a bank loan to buy some uplighters also concerns me- I'd be wary about borrowing to spend on more gear unless you are certain that there is demand- have people asked for uplighting? why not offer it and rent the lights when required- sure someone on here may be able to help. This means that you dont rush into something and then end up with a load of lights that dont get used.

Have a think about which direction you want to go in, whether you want to focus on anything in particular and then go from there- your website is fine but you could tweak it depending on who you are targeting- if you go down the wedding route I would suggest you remove some of the stats on the wedding page and give them reasons to choose you before quoting numbers at them.

I've always found that the best source of work is existing work, so think about how you grow existing business- I always drop a note to clients after weddings thanking them for their business, asking if everything was all right on the night, and asking if they will consider passing on my details to any of their friends getting married in the near future- this is by far the main source of our work.

I know it sounds easier than it is, but often its about working smarter not harder....

[servoskull]

We've just got a contract from a local school after we did a firework and lighting display for them, they've now booked us for their prom and for a few year group christmas discos. Im also looking at getting a few bookings through a couple of agencies, who've said they've got a few jobs lined up.

The school is our best bet, they said we'll more than likely be used for most of their events (they do a lot of community events, reunions, hire out etc) and they'll also be recommending us to all their feeder primary schools and the other local secondary schools.

We're a relatively new start up, but tbh, its not going that bad. We're just finding our feet with legalities, equipment, advertising etc.

I have noticed people wanting stuff like uplighting though, as Charlie said, but as martin said, i think this place is great for networking- i please my client by giving them what they want, some one on here is happy cause they get a client too. Win for every one!

[StarZSoundS]

We've just got a contract from a local school after we did a firework and lighting display for them, they've now booked us for their prom and for a few year group christmas discos. Im also looking at getting a few bookings through a couple of agencies, who've said they've got a few jobs lined up.

The school is our best bet, they said we'll more than likely be used for most of their events (they do a lot of community events, reunions, hire out etc) and they'll also be recommending us to all their feeder primary schools and the other local secondary schools.

We're a relatively new start up, but tbh, its not going that bad. We're just finding our feet with legalities, equipment, advertising etc.

I have noticed people wanting stuff like uplighting though, as Charlie said, but as martin said, i think this place is great for networking- i please my client by giving them what they want, some one on here is happy cause they get a client too. Win for every one!

Agree with the last two posts totally....However mine was about twelve posts ago:eek: He's more interested in getting the fonts grammar and spelling right on his website;) :bang:

[Charlie Brown]

No, no I'm not...

I need help in all aspects and I do listen and take heed of advice you lot give it to me - even if I don't show it. :)

[discomobiledj]

Charlie, £11.00 per month for website hosting is really expensive plus there are so many templates out there that you can get for free, you could have another website up and running in a matter of hours.

As for the loan, your first problem is your age! Your second problem is, paying it back when you are not getting discos.

[Charlie Brown]

Yeah yeah, agreed...forget the loan.

I have changed the website round so many times....I'm used to editing it on vista print etc.

I would have to change my domain name etc....seems to much hassle.

[DJWilson]

Yeah yeah, agreed...forget the loan.

I have changed the website round so many times....I'm used to editing it on vista print etc.

I would have to change my domain name etc....seems to much hassle.


You wouldnt, you could buy a different hosting service with someone else and set your domain name to it without any downtime.

one.com only £11 a year, unlimited traffic etc

[discomobiledj]

Surely you own the domain name, just transfer it to 123-reg or someone similar.

However, looking at the who.is it seems Vistaprint own the domain which is a bit naughty.

You could use Wordpress, it's so simple even a 5 year old could design a site on it.

[StarZSoundS]

No, no I'm not...

I need help in all aspects and I do listen and take heed of advice you lot give it to me - even if I don't show it. :)

I haven't even got a website and seem to be really busy.If I was going to get married again(serial husband) then I would go and look at DJ's at work and decide...Not on a website.

Forget that last statement.....I'd probably do it myself as its much cheaper(that won't surprise Angie Corabar)...and i'd be guaranteed to really really like the DJ;)

[Vectis]

I would go and look at DJ's at work

Not this DJ you wouldn't. Private functions are exactly that.


Well over 80% of my work comes via my website (or folks are referred and check the website on the way through) and I'm as busy as I want to be.

[rob1963]

Not this DJ you wouldn't. Private functions are exactly that.

Well over 80% of my work comes via my website

Agreed, although in my case it's 90% of my work that comes from my website, which is why I've made hundreds of improvements to it in the 5 years or so since it's been live...and am always looking for more I can do.

[StarZSoundS]

Not this DJ you wouldn't. Private functions are exactly that.


Well over 80% of my work comes via my website (or folks are referred and check the website on the way through) and I'm as busy as I want to be.

What if I'd have wangled an invite to one of your weddings...is it in your t&c ...no other DJ's at the wedding.

I was talking metaphorically.I must know about twenty other DJ's round here(none of which are on this site) and would choose from those(if I wasn't going to do it myself.)

[Danno13]

Charlie, £11.00 per month for website hosting is really expensive plus there are so many templates out there that you can get for free, you could have another website up and running in a matter of hours.

I just thought I would mention that NADJ members are entitled to free hosting on our server, so at £11 a month your £50 membership will save you £82 straight away :)

Oh, and changing your domains nameservers takes all of 2 mins, and I can talk you through that.

[StarZSoundS]

I just thought I would mention that NADJ members are entitled to free hosting on our server, so at £11 a month your £50 membership will save you £82 straight away :)

Oh, and changing your domains nameservers takes all of 2 mins, and I can talk you through that.


I havent got a clue what Danno just said Charlie:bang: ....but it sounded like good advice;)

[Corabar Steve]

I must know about twenty other DJ's round here(none of which are on this site)
Have you told them about it or invited them along?

[Charlie Brown]

I just thought I would mention that NADJ members are entitled to free hosting on our server, so at £11 a month your £50 membership will save you £82 straight away :)

Oh, and changing your domains nameservers takes all of 2 mins, and I can talk you through that.

Yeah yeah this sounds great. I joined the NADJ ages ago...but as a junior member. I wanted to use their PLI but there was confusion with my age and whether dad is present at all gigs etc...

What would happen to everything I have wrote? It's taken me ages to write and develop the start! Starting from scratch seems very daunting! If you can help me out (explain) then I would happy to do the swap. I like my gallery page and videos etc.

[StarZSoundS]

Have you told them about it or invited them along?




Mr.Corabar you are alright...


however you have forgotten that you quoted StarZSounds on this occasion...the object of much ridicule,lambasting and general rough treatment.....I only stay cos i'm addicted;) :D

These other DJ's are friends(and hold some of the same opinions) and NO....I haven't recommended it as yet:D

Draw your own conclusions:bang:

[Corabar Steve]

So in other words you like it & enjoy it here. It would be pretty foolish to stay somewhere you didn't like through choice :D (< used to keep the devil quota down to 3 per post)

Anyway were dragging this thread off topic.

:ontopic:

[Excalibur]

So in other words you like it & enjoy it here. It would be pretty foolish to stay somewhere you didn't like through choice :D (< used to keep the devil quota down to 3 per post)

Anyway were dragging this thread off topic.

:ontopic:

And also saving on apostrophes. (Well we are having a spellcheck purge) .

[Corabar Steve]

And also saving on apostrophes.
I'm saving them up to build a new shrug smilie out of

[Corabar Steve]

:ontopic:

For the second time

:sorry:

[NKR]

Hi chaps.

Thought I would join in.

I have no web site yet, so can't comment on levels of enquiries from that. January to March 2010 is pants. I have quoted a few jobs, but not got any of them - cost thing I would suggest, so did I want them - probably not, but then I don't want to be sat on my bottom either.

We have 9 bookings in for the rest of the year, but all from word of mouth.
I will let you know how I get on with a live web site - if it ever arrives!!!

[Excalibur]

Hi chaps.

Thought I would join in.

I have no web site yet, so can't comment on levels of enquiries from that. January to March 2010 is pants. I have quoted a few jobs, but not got any of them - cost thing I would suggest, so did I want them - probably not, but then I don't want to be sat on my bottom either.

We have 9 bookings in for the rest of the year, but all from word of mouth.
I will let you know how I get on with a live web site - if it ever arrives!!!

There are some splendid folk on here regarding websites. Marc J does something which means I can have one. For not a lot of money per month.

[StarZSoundS]

So in other words you like it & enjoy it here. It would be pretty foolish to stay somewhere you didn't like through choice :D (< used to keep the devil quota down to 3 per post)

Anyway were dragging this thread off topic.

:ontopic:


Steve .....one last word as I don't want to start a new topic...

"Would Martin recommend his mates to the MDD site."

The site is a priceless font of information and a welcome relaxation for me.I enjoy some of the comments and the general attitude towards joshing on the site.

However I do not agree with the customary sprogging that most new members get when they post before getting the hang of whats happening on the site.With that in mind I would not recommend the site for fear of my mates being offended .... I just don't feel its neccesary...surely we are all better off with as many members as possible.;)

Please take in right spirit....back on topic;)

[NKR]

There are some splendid folk on here regarding websites. Marc J does something which means I can have one. For not a lot of money per month.

The marketing agency I use are pulling it together for me, it just keeps getting put behind actually day job stuff I keep throwing at them.

If it doesn't come soon I may need to look at an alternative solution.

[Excalibur]

Steve .....one last word as I don't want to start a new topic...

"Would Martin recommend his mates to the MDD site."

The site is a priceless font of information and a welcome relaxation for me.I enjoy some of the comments and the general attitude towards joshing on the site.

However I do not agree with the customary sprogging that most new members get when they post before getting the hang of whats happening on the site.With that in mind I would not recommend the site for fear of my mates being offended .... I just don't feel its neccesary...surely we are all better off with as many members as possible.;)

Please take in right spirit....back on topic;)
Err, much as I hate to line up against a fellow Yorkie, I'm not sure that's right. It sort of all depends how you arrive, if you see what I mean. Reap what you sow, and all that.

[StarZSoundS]

Err, much as I hate to line up against a fellow Yorkie, I'm not sure that's right. It sort of all depends how you arrive, if you see what I mean. Reap what you sow, and all that.

Peter....your alright.But I was born in Huntingdon ...for my sins.Am only an adopted Yorkie!!They are intrigued by my accent round here:eek:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

However I do not agree with the customary sprogging that most new members get when they post before getting the hang of whats happening on the site.

I won't take this in the right spirit as in most cases it is complete nonsense and I am slowly getting annoyed with you mentioning at at every possible opportunity.

Some people just don't fit and make the site more difficult to run and administrate with their comments and general attitude. These people don't last long on here.

Please leave the running of the forum to those who do.


Err, much as I hate to line up against a fellow Yorkie, I'm not sure that's right. It sort of all depends how you arrive, if you see what I mean. Reap what you sow, and all that.

Thank you.

Wise words from a (mostly :D ) wise man.

And for the last time, let's get back on topic.

[Charlie Brown]

And for the last time, let's get back on topic.

Cheers D*D ;)

[Excalibur]

Cheers D*D ;)

After the last comment about me, I'm inclined to suggest that you're five asterisks short on that. :sofa:

[Charlie Brown]

After the last comment about me, I'm inclined to suggest that you're five asterisks short on that. :sofa:

Nope...I think Darren will get it :D

[Excalibur]

Nope...I think Darren will get it :D

I don't think you got mine however. :( If I'm banned by tomorrow, you'll know Darren got mine. )

[Charlie Brown]

Hahaha yeah yeah I get yours now. :lol:

[wensleydale]

I think this thread has started to go away from the main issue- lack of gigs.

Charlie- I would suggest you go back to the beginning- how do you get most of your current gigs.

Look at what works for you and try to do more of it.
If you are doing a good job at the events you work at look at how you can get more bookings from them.
If these options dont work then look at other ways of drumming up new business, but before you go down that route you need to have a clear idea of what you want to do.

Uplighting might be the answer but I suggest you might need more of a strategy and also may need to think about what you want to achieve out of the business overall- do you want to do it to earn a few quid once a month or do you genuinely want to turn it into a full time business.

I, do this because I enjoy it and therefore are happy with 1/2 gigs a month unlike a lot of people on the forum who rely on this as a main source of income- you need to decide where you want to go and then plan how to get there.

[NKR]

After the last comment about me, I'm inclined to suggest that you're five asterisks short on that. :sofa:

LMAO - the Pennines fail us once more.

Ahh thats funny! :)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I don't think you got mine however. :( If I'm banned by tomorrow, you'll know Darren got mine. )

:mad: :mad: :mad:

:D :D :D

[Charlie Brown]

Yeah, I enjoy it too and I certainly don't need the income. I don't have a family to support or bills to pay etc, but that doesn't stop one wanting to better themselves....I feel like I'm degrading due to the lack of enquires.

I have a few dates in December now too....

It's all a learning curve I guess. I'm approaching my second year of doing it "properly"...and actually first year I have taken it seriously.

The annoying this is I had several enquires for December (that would of filled the dates) but I reckon I over charged...I asked for £325+ for 4 hours.

[Vectis]

The annoying this is I had several enquires for December (that would of filled the dates) but I reckon I over charged...I asked for £325+ for 4 hours.

December is one of those months where the last-minute job offers tend to come thick and fast... hold on in there and you might land a couple :)

[Charlie Brown]

Thank you Vectis....I appreciate everyone's help and support.

I will have to wait and see what happens.

Cheers. :approve: