Age thing really getting me down..

[Cowlinn]

OK, just a quick post as not much time, but really wanted to hear your thoughts.
Every time we go to meet a client, some comment is made that I KNOW wouldn't be made had a 40 year old man turned up.
The look on the womans face we met to day said it all, the whole 15 minutes we were there she was passing comments assuming we don't know what we're doing.

"Oh so you've done discos before then?"
"Boys, have you got all the lights and things?"
"So you know what songs to play"

No i thought i'd :Censored: provide you a disco with no lights! :bang:
I don't know if anyone else my age is in the same position? But it really annoys me.
Why they feel the need to patronise and belittle us is beyond me...

As i said to Charlie last night...this is partly the reason why we don't do weddings any more, yes i know that sounds silly, but it works for us.

It's not the first time this has happened, i'm sure it wont be the last.
What do you lot think on this, am i over reacting? 'Cause it really stresses me out...

:( :(

[Excalibur]

Some of us face the reverse problem. ;) Incredulous looks as if this doddery old fool can possibly be a DJ! :eek: I'm contemplating to the question
"Are you the DJ/DJ's Dad? "
with the reply
"No, I'm his son" :D :D :D

[andyw]

i understand your feelings, it is upto you to convince the client that their fears are unfounded. even if it's not a wedding it is still a special occasion for them and they need reassuring thats all,tell them about previous shows you've done and talk to them about your equipment(not too much detail needed) and the backup equipment you carry,then go into detail about their event and the music you will play,

[DJWilson]

Dont have client meetings, works for me :)

They cant be to fussed about age becuase they've confirmed the booking?

[spin mobile disco]

Some of us face the reverse problem. ;) Incredulous looks as if this doddery old fool can possibly be a DJ! :eek: I'm contemplating to the question
"Are you the DJ/DJ's Dad? "
with the reply
"No, I'm his son" :D :D :D

Lmao i will remember that one for next year when it starts happening to me. Dont let the age thing get any of you down its just preconceptions isnt it. My dad was DJing into his 60's with no complaints and I started very young as his roadie.
I think it can be character building, you feel you have to prove yourself more and that means you will try harder and learn things in the process. Don't be discouraged just do your best and at the end of the night if the client is happy and you got payed that is the only thing that matters. And from such nights self esteem and confidence come.

[discomobiledj]

OK, just a quick post as not much time, but really wanted to hear your thoughts.
Every time we go to meet a client, some comment is made that I KNOW wouldn't be made had a 40 year old man turned up.
The look on the womans face we met to day said it all, the whole 15 minutes we were there she was passing comments assuming we don't know what we're doing.

"Oh so you've done discos before then?"
"Boys, have you got all the lights and things?"
"So you know what songs to play"

No i thought i'd :Censored: provide you a disco with no lights! :bang:
I don't know if anyone else my age is in the same position? But it really annoys me.
Why they feel the need to patronise and belittle us is beyond me...

As i said to Charlie last night...this is partly the reason why we don't do weddings any more, yes i know that sounds silly, but it works for us.

It's not the first time this has happened, i'm sure it wont be the last.
What do you lot think on this, am i over reacting? 'Cause it really stresses me out...

:( :(

How old are you? What was the function?

[Charlie Brown]

I think I get away with it....if I ever have to meet clients beforehand, I will probably be in a suit - (go in my lunch break from school) which makes me look a lot older.

You have to sell yourself and convince them Matt. It's like my post about the Masons if you read it?

[Cowlinn]

How old are you? What was the function?

I'm 16, this particular function is a Mecca Bigno christmas work party..


Dont have client meetings, works for me :)

They cant be to fussed about age becuase they've confirmed the booking?

I always meet before hand, i don't think i've ever not?...

[servoskull]

We have no problems, even when we were doing this once in a while at the age of 18/19. Mainly because people knew us or, in the case of the school we're now contracted to, because we're ex-pupils. :p

That said, we were trusted because we weren't cowboys, and thats all you can do really, prove your not a cowboy, and ten times better than any older djs in your area. We had the equipment, we had a professional image and all correspondence (be it face to face, email or phone) with clients were professional, and we had the backing and insurance etc. If they still don't trust you and put faith in you, there going to be an awkward client.

Obviously weddings are slightly different because it's about the big day, but a professional demeanor and prior experience is worth more than just age in my opinion!

I'm young, so i'm bias! :D

[DJWilson]

I always meet before hand, i don't think i've ever not?...


I dont feel the need for client meetings, worked for all previous gigs ive done, no problems here. And at the end of the night had the client(s) of the function happy with a 16 year old doing there gig in the end.

[DJ Jules]

I only meet beforehand for Weddings (or if explicitly requested). The meeting fee is built into my price for weddings - I charge to meet for other functions, unless it's very complicated and then I'd charge accordingly anyway.

I'm lucky at present, being in my early 30's, the older generations see me as being mature enough to deal, and the younger don't see me as being too old.

Julian

[Megamix]

it's best if you are 50 but only look 35 - what can I say? - some of us are blessed :D

[Cowlinn]

it's best if you are 50 but only look 35 - what can I say? - some of us are blessed :D

:lol::D

[Penfold42]

Some of us face the reverse problem. ;) Incredulous looks as if this doddery old fool can possibly be a DJ! :eek: I'm contemplating to the question
"Are you the DJ/DJ's Dad? "
with the reply
"No, I'm his son" :D :D :D

Know this one all to well....:o
Found this little nugget -

At Saturday's gig -

The lady who organised the party went for a cigarette with cheers damian
and asked cheers damian .....

"Is that your dad?" :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
You can't win them all.......the upside of it. Wait till they hear you DJ.
Then say to her "Not bad for a younster then eh?"
;)

[BeerFunk]

To be fair, it's not really unjustified prejudice, is it? How many 16 year olds are likely to have gained enough experience (not only DJing, but all the background work involved with mobile discos) to be able to do everything by themselves? I started out when I was 16, but I was assisting another DJ (well, KJ to be precise) - and it was at least a year until I did my own gig. Even then, I still wouldn't have classed myself as a 'good' DJ.

The point I'm trying to make is that you should imagine yourself in their shoes - it might help you in terms of what to say or do, to convince them of your ability :)

[Cowlinn]

To be fair, it's not really unjustified prejudice, is it? How many 16 year olds are likely to have gained enough experience (not only DJing, but all the background work involved with mobile discos) to be able to do everything by themselves? I started out when I was 16, but I was assisting another DJ (well, KJ to be precise) - and it was at least a year until I did my own gig. Even then, I still wouldn't have classed myself as a 'good' DJ.

The point I'm trying to make is that you should imagine yourself in their shoes - it might help you in terms of what to say or do, to convince them of your ability :)

Agreed. As i was saying to Charlie, when i get married, if i book a DJ at £300 and a 16 year old turns up...i can imagine me going a bit mental?
A lot of members might shout me down for that, but is partly the reason i don't do them. So i guess the only way is after the gig a cheeky 'told you so ;)'

[Excalibur]

Agreed. As i was saying to Charlie, when i get married, if i book a DJ at £300 and a 16 year old turns up...i can imagine me going a bit mental?
A lot of members might shout me down for that, but is partly the reason i don't do them. So i guess the only way is after the gig a cheeky 'told you so ;)'

Oh no. :Naughty:

" Glad you enjoyed it, I hope you'll recommend me to your friends. " ;)

[visualdjmax]

I get it all the time. One client actually said to me once where is your Dad? When we bought our house 3 years ago the estate agent actually asked me if I was 18 and could I afford it? So the moral of the story is laugh and convince them.

[Penfold42]

I get it all the time. One client actually said to me once where is your Dad? When we bought our house 3 years ago the estate agent actually asked me if I was 18 and could I afford it? So the moral of the story is laugh and convince them.

I belive this after meeting you this year......smarmie git....:D :D :D :D :D

[visualdjmax]

I belive this after meeting you this year......smarmie git....:D :D :D :D :D

It's all about the products!

[Penfold42]

:lol:

[Excalibur]

I belive this after meeting you this year......smarmie git....:D :D :D :D :D

Hey, it's not just him mate. ;) I bought a Stanley knife in B&Q, and the checkout girl asked if I was 18. ;)

[StarZSoundS]

So i guess the only way is after the gig a cheeky 'told you so ;)'


Excaliburs right.....you gave your age away with that statement....



Over the years I have become expert at receiving praise...practise makes perfect I suppose;)


I am humble and very appreciative of the praise...that way it leaves a very positive impression.And we all love a bit of praise....don't we....human nature;)

[Cowlinn]

Excaliburs right.....you gave your age away with that statement....



Over the years I have become expert at receiving praise...practise makes perfect I suppose;)


I am humble and very appreciative of the praise...that way it leaves a very positive impression.And we all love a bit of praise....don't we....human nature;)

Can i just get this straight, do you REALLY think i'd approach a client and say "I told you so" ??? :bang: :bang:

[StarZSoundS]

Can i just get this straight, do you REALLY think i'd approach a client and say "I told you so" ??? :bang: :bang:



You managed to convince Excalibur and I that this may be your intention:confused:

[Cowlinn]

Oh no. :Naughty:

" Glad you enjoyed it, I hope you'll recommend me to your friends. " ;)

I got the impression Peter understood i wouldn't say this, it was obviously a little joke!

[rob1963]

To be fair, it's not really unjustified prejudice, is it? How many 16 year olds are likely to have gained enough experience (not only DJing, but all the background work involved with mobile discos) to be able to do everything by themselves? I started out when I was 16, but I was assisting another DJ (well, KJ to be precise) - and it was at least a year until I did my own gig. Even then, I still wouldn't have classed myself as a 'good' DJ.

The point I'm trying to make is that you should imagine yourself in their shoes - it might help you in terms of what to say or do, to convince them of your ability :)

:agree:

[Jiggles]

No ones cared about how young I am. 15 years old and running the entertainment for two days at a local festival. No one cared lol.

[rob1963]

No ones cared about how young I am. 15 years old and running the entertainment for two days at a local festival. No one cared lol.

They'll probably soon start worrying once they've seen a few explosions!

:eek: :D :D

[Excalibur]

You managed to convince Excalibur and I that this may be your intention:confused:


I got the impression Peter understood i wouldn't say this, it was obviously a little joke!

Sorry mate, I thought you were serious. My mistake, obviously.