Marketing

[yourdj]

i currently am doing no marketing (other than my website & networking)

More to the point I'm currently not paying for any marketing and i have every weekend booked this year (fri & sat). :)
im considering doing some paid marketing and am not sure which way to go?

I thought i would ask on here as every sales man would say theres is the best even though it will not help you in the slightest :o
I have this as my first port of call which seems quite cost effective:

1) www.discoagency.co.uk (£25 yearly)
2) www.hitched.co.uk (£172 yearly)
3) www.wedding-directories.com (£52 yearly)
4) www.easyweddingsearch.com (£5 once only)
5) www.surreyweddings.co.uk (£15 yearly - but probably not much use to YOU!)
6) www.ultimatebridal.co.uk (£32 yearly)
7) www.disco-directory.com (£25 yearly)
8) www.bridesofsurrey.co.uk (£49 yearly - again not much use to you!)
9) www.weddingplanner.co.uk (£47 yearly)
10) www.weddingservices4u.co.uk (£35 yearly)
11) wedding services UK - http://www.weddingservicesuk.com/ £100

1) www.djchannel.co.uk
2) www.herecomesthebride.co.uk
3) www.mobiledjdirectory.co.uk
4) www.weddingsclassified.co.uk

However, I've since found these 4 extra sites to replace those above:

1) www.brownbook.net
2) www.ukweddinglist.com
3) www.wedding-yourbigday.co.uk
4) www.weddingshowcase.co.uk

Ok, for anyone else who is interested, here is an updated list with the 4 sites that no longer exist removed and the 4 new ones added:

1) WWW.1VENUE.CO.UK
2) WWW.4UKCOUNTYWEDDINGS.CO.UK
3) WWW.ALLTHINGSWEDDING.CO.UK
4) WWW.BIGEVENTNETWORK.CO.UK
5) WWW.BROWNBOOK.NET
6) WWW.DISCOAGENCY.CO.UK
7) WWW.DISCO-DIRECTORY.COM
8) WWW.DJFORMYWEDDING.CO.UK
9) WWW.EASYWEDDINGSEARCH.COM
10) WWW.FREEINDEX.CO.UK
11) WWW.FRIENDLY-WEDDING-DIRECTORY.CO.UK
12) WWW.GET-WED.CO.UK
13) WWW.GUIDESFORBRIDES.CO.UK
14) WWW.HITCHED.CO.UK
15) WWW.LINK2WEDDINGS.COM
16) WWW.MAKEMYWEDDING.CO.UK
17) WWW.MOBILEDISCODIRECTORY.CO.UK
18) WWW.NET-WEDDINGS.CO.UK
19) WWW.PROMOBILE.ORG.UK/LINKS.PHP
20) WWW.THE1.CO.UK
21) WWW.THEWEDDING-GUIDE.NET
22) WWW.UK-DISCO.CO.UK
23) WWW.UKWEDDINGBELLES.COM
24) WWW.UK-WEDDING-DIRECTORY.CO.UK
25) WWW.UKWEDDINGDIRECTORY.INFO
26) WWW.UKWEDDINGLIST.COM
27) WWW.UK-WEDDING-PAGES.CO.UK
28) WWW.UKWEDDINGSTORE.CO.UK
29) WWW.ULTIMATEBRIDAL.CO.UK
30) WWW.WEDDINGDAZE.CO.UK
31) WWW.WEDDING-DIRECTORIES.COM
32) WWW.WEDDING-DIRECTORY.NET
33) WWW.WEDDING-YOURBIGDAY.CO.UK
34) WWW.WEDDINGPLANNER.CO.UK
35) WWW.WEDDINGS-DIRECT.CO.UK
36) WWW.WEDDINGSERVICEPROVIDERS.CO.UK
37) WWW.WEDDINGSERVICES4U.CO.UK
38) WWW.WEDDINGSHOWCASE.CO.UK
39) WWW.WEDSEEK.CO.UK
40) WWW.YOURWEDDING.UK.COM


WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?

I want three options and they all have to be the best!

magazines
yell :(
etc.


:confused:

[Mark Wild]

I'd say you have a very good formula already being booked every Friday & Saturday for the rest of the year ;)

[Charlie Brown]

i currently am doing no marketing (other than my website & networking)

More to the point I'm currently not paying for any marketing and i have every weekend booked this year (fri & sat). :)
im considering doing some paid marketing and am not sure which way to go?


That's super...why do you need to do marketing then? :confused:

Me and Paul have been having a lengthy discussion about Hitched.

Rob gets over 50% of his work from them....whereas Paul hasn't heard a dicky :eek: bird

[yourdj]

I'd say you have a very good formula already being booked every Friday & Saturday for the rest of the year ;)


That's super...why do you need to do marketing then? :confused:

Me and Paul have been having a lengthy discussion about Hitched.

Rob gets over 50% of his work from them....whereas Paul hasn't heard a dicky :eek: bird

I feel like i need to do something as im not getting allot of enquiries now which is probably the time of year but i would feel happier having a few paid advertisements in the right places if that makes sense.

I feel i can always do more marketing no matter how busy i am. Look at Tesco and the likes they carry on regardless.

There is a booking round the corner that i have not got because the client has not found me :p

[rob1963]

I think I'm missing something here.

If I did no marketing (other than having my website), and was STILL booked every weekend, increasing my costs by paying for unnecessary marketing is the LAST thing I'd be thinking of.

It would be a complete waste of money.

:confused:

[Charlie Brown]

It would be a complete waste of money.

:confused:

:agree:

Unless Toby is thinking of expanding?

[Steve the DJ]

More to the point I'm currently not paying for any marketing and i have every weekend booked this year (fri & sat). :)

That's excellent work.



im considering doing some paid marketing and am not sure which way to go?


Do you have the capacity to service more work then?

If your current strategy is working in terms of filling the diary why not focus on ways to increase the average spend per client?

Which is the better way of working, paying for some advertising that may or may not bring in additional work because your already booking out your key dates, or looking at ways to earn more from the work you have already booked in?

I know what I would rather do if I had all the key dates filled. Less work, more money, which I know is a strange concept to some people but works well for me... :D

[rob1963]

Unless Toby is thinking of expanding?

Either that or he already has other DJs who can cover duplicate bookings on the same dates.

:confused:

[Charlie Brown]

Either that or he already has other DJs who can cover duplicate bookings on the same dates.

:confused:

Which I don't think is the case....

Looking at Toby's website...the main point he ISN'T an agency or multi-op is his main selling point....

"Your DJ" ;)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Which I don't think is the case....

Looking at Toby's website...the main point he ISN'T an agency or multi-op is his main selling point....

"Your DJ" ;)

I'm pretty sure he was though....

[Mark Wild]

He says at the end of this video (4.26) he has guys working "under" him lol
YouTube- AMPFIELD 1.m4v

[OllieJames]

He says at the end of this video (4.26) he has guys working "under" him lol

With similar equipment apparently! :D :p

[Corabar Entertainment]

Ermmm... maybe we could just wait and see what Toby has to say rather than all this speculation?

This is going way :offtopic:

[rob1963]

He says at the end of this video (4.26) he has guys working "under" him

Ahhhh....that explains it.

Now I understand!

:D

[Mark Wild]

Ermmm... maybe we could just wait and see what Toby has to say rather than all this speculation?

This is going way :offtopic:

No speculation, Toby says it himself he's multi-op. :)

[Charlie Brown]

I agree with Mark.

I'd pop another £50 or £100 on your prices.

You'll probably get less work....but in the long run it'll pay off. You won't be working your socks off then.

People obviously like you, so I reckon they'd pay for you...

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

No speculation, Toby says it himself he's multi-op. :)

He was but I am pretty sure he said it was too much hassle and that could be an old video perhaps?

[Charlie Brown]

He was but I am pretty sure he said it was too much hassle and that could be an old video perhaps?

The video was made on the 17th March 2010.

I checked on Youtube. ;)

[Mark Wild]

With regards to the OP I think Steve is bang on saying "increase the average spend per client" as you are clearly not struggling for bookings. Your turn over now going on your previous post saying you charge £400 a gig on average, means you turnover roughly £40,000 plus a year (going on you being booked every weekend all year). Adding to customer spend by diversifying would surely make more sense than spending on any kind of marketing?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

The video was made on the 17th March 2010.

I checked on Youtube. ;)

Made or uploaded?

[rob1963]

Your turn over now going on your previous post saying you charge £400 a gig on average, means you turnover roughly £80,000 plus a year (going on you being booked every weekend all year).

Assuming he's working every Friday AND Saturday, I make it just over £40,000 a year.

(52 x £400 for Fridays & another 52 x £400 for Saturdays = £41,600 in total).

[Mark Wild]

Assuming he's working every Friday AND Saturday, I make it just over £40,000 a year.

(52 x £400 for Fridays & another 52 x £400 for Saturdays = £41,600 in total).

Yeah sorry :D , maths was never my strong point, but maths aside I still feel marketing would be wasted money. ;)

[yourdj]

Either that or he already has other DJs who can cover duplicate bookings on the same dates.

:confused:

Yes i currently have three other DJ's but i do not advertise that unless im already booked :)

http://www.yourdj.co.uk/sunny.html
http://www.yourdj.co.uk/james.html

It's kinda a posh agency as i go along to the pre wedding meets etc. and offer all the services i do too.


I'm pretty sure he was though....

Your right :D Keep it on the low though :wub:


He says at the end of this video (4.26) he has guys working "under" him lol
YouTube- AMPFIELD 1.m4v (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKskFQCZL40&fe)

Yes slip of the tongue and a bit demeening for the DJ's I tried to correct it but it was too late :)


I agree with Mark.

I'd pop another £50 or £100 on your prices.

You'll probably get less work....but in the long run it'll pay off. You won't be working your socks off then.

People obviously like you, so I reckon they'd pay for you...

I think £400 is more than enough for my services :confused: I would not feel happy ripping people off.
I dont have an amazing rig that takes ages to set up so my time is not a problem.
people also do not seem too interested in my optional extras (toby-tv, projector) so no extra revenue from that.


Assuming he's working every Friday AND Saturday, I make it just over £40,000 a year.

(52 x £400 for Fridays & another 52 x £400 for Saturdays = £41,600 in total).

Not sure on the maths but i have quiet times at the start of the year so not every fri and sat :confused: Should find out in four days :beer1: Cant wait.

Right thanks for your help and you are right. im actually in the process of working with live entertainment and offering everything from acoustic background music to a live band and the option of music in two rooms possibly?

All day music basically and the duo i have in mind will improvise anything the client wants which is fantastic :D especially for first dance and the ceremony.

That way i can comand more money from the client & sleep well at night as a result. £800-£2000 or so.
Im replacing the corporate event section with that instead as i have not had one company ring me :o

Cheers for the advice. i think i will advertise in a local wedding magazine next year?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

It's kinda a posh agency as i go along to the pre wedding meets etc. and offer all the services i do too.

Posh agency? What is that? :confused:

Either you are an agent or not.


Your right :D

No, you're right.





I think £400 is more than enough for my services :confused: I would not feel happy ripping people off.

Why on earth would you feel like you're ripping them off? :confused:

[yourdj]

No, you're right.

Why on earth would you feel like you're ripping them off? :confused:

I just think £400 is what im worth thats all :p it only takes me about 20 mins to set up from arriving at the venue without stairs and in that time i can get a pint in too :beer1:

[visualdjmax]

I'm confused.com

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I just think £400 is what im worth thats all :p it only takes me about 20 mins to set up from arriving at the venue without stairs and in that time i can get a pint in too :beer1:

And this thread is about marketing...:bang:

What has the amount of time you take to set up to do with what you think you're worth?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I'm confused.com

You're not the only one.

[Charlie Brown]

I think £400 is more than enough for my services :confused: I would not feel happy ripping people off.


Not sure on the maths but i have quiet times at the start of the year so not every fri and sat :confused: Should find out in four days :beer1: Cant wait.



Well if people are happy paying it...what's stopping you popping more on?

You did state "I'm booked every Friday and Saturday" which is why Rob questioned that.

[visualdjmax]

I really don't understand? If you are working every Friday and Saturday night for the rest of the year, surely job done? If you want to make more money than the £400 then you need to upsell. I not quite sure about the duo idea though! It's a little bit Phoenix Nights

[Vectis]

I wanted to slow down the amount of work coming through so recently indiscriminately bunged £100 on a wedding, £50 on a party and £25 on a kids 2-hour special. I was already top dollar for my area.

Did the ploy work? Nope. Still getting the same number of enquiries even at the new rates, so I've started being choosy by saying "no" to tricky venues and even dropped the 16-25 age groups (previously I'd only refuse 18ths & 21sts).

Might have to slap a bit more on top... :)



Rather than look for more bookings, why not try to determine what the market will stand rather than charging what you think is fair? If you can push your £400 up to even just £500 thats a 25% increase on the top line, probably even more on the bottom :) If this results in a 20% drop in bookings, you're still on a winner.

[yourdj]

I really don't understand? If you are working every Friday and Saturday night for the rest of the year, surely job done? If you want to make more money than the £400 then you need to upsell. I not quite sure about the duo idea though! It's a little bit Phoenix Nights

They are pretty good and they can go acoustic or band playing pretty much anything i would DJ. The venues i do are usually big hotels in the new forest and i think there is defintiely room for an all in one service as clients are often not sure whether to go band or DJ?

they are pretty good and they have the same RCF arts as me so they must know what they are doing :p

[yourdj]

Might have to slap a bit more on top... :)
r?

I just increased it from £365 to £395. what the hell i will increase it to £800 hows that :)

I can take Fridays off now and have another day extra in bed

[Mark Wild]

they are pretty good and they have the same RCF arts as me so they must know what they are doing :p

You're deluded lol

[visualdjmax]

Based on the fact that they have the same PA as you then I would book them straight away!:D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I really think that people should think before they start posting on these threads.

I've never read so much rubbish in my life.

[visualdjmax]

Im sure you have?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I really think that people should think before they start posting on these threads.

I've never read so much rubbish in my life.


Im sure you have?

Alright, in the last 10 minutes...;)

[visualdjmax]

I still don't understand?

[yourdj]

I really think that people should think before they start posting on these threads.

I've never read so much rubbish in my life.

Are you talking about me :confused:

just after some advice and i have the answer now thanks to you lot.

[rob1963]

it only takes me about 20 mins to set up from arriving at the venue without stairs and in that time i can get a pint in too :beer1:

Whoaaa...what's your secret?

I don't have much gear, but it takes me nearly 15 minutes just to carry it in (a dozen trips)...and another 40 minutes to set it up.

I must be doing something very wrong.

:confused:

[Corabar Steve]

Is it true that people with low self esteem don't capitalise their "I"s when referring to themselves





Or is it just a sign of a lack of education? :sj:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Are you talking about me :confused:



Partly.

You are not an agency as it was too much hassle but now you aren't. Well apart from DJs you don't advertise....:confused:

You are working every Friday and Saturday for the rest of the year....really? And yet you want advice on marketing????

You are earning £400 a gig, but actually this was £365 and just gone up to £395.

You think that you're only worth £400 and anything more would be ripping people off?

Perhaps it's the way you've posted Toby, but these things just don't add up to me.

[yourdj]

Whoaaa...what's your secret?

I don't have much gear, but it takes me nearly 15 minutes just to carry it in (a dozen trips)...and another 40 minutes to set it up.

I must be doing something very wrong.

:confused:

Have a look at that video on this thread somewhere.

The lighting is pre-assembled on a tbar in the big case which had speaker stands, par cans, leads etc. in too. everything goes on top and it rolls in in one trip. I use a vestax VCI so just a usb lead and one amp with four channels pre plugged in to an extension lead. all the equipment gets used as a stand too with some Black out chucked over it.

Done it in 10 mins once but that was very rushed as i was late.

[yourdj]

Partly.

Perhaps it's the way you've posted Toby, but these things just don't add up to me.

Probably :) I wanted to do some marketing and was wondering what the best methods were as i have been ripped off before (Yell etc.). Thats all.

You guys have taken the topic a little off course not me.

I have gone back to taking on DJ's as i started turning away so much work. i have a hotel residency that they cover as well as other private events. its not a hassle now as its only two/three guys and the clientele are much better. i also make more out of it.

I upped the amount to £395 last month as i redid the site. Im happy with my charge at present and will explore this live music avenue.


:)

[Alex]

Toby,

Give me a call tomorrow as I'm starting exploring the live music area too... I might actually have a contact or three that can advise and assist us both hopefully :)

[yourdj]

Toby,

Give me a call tomorrow as I'm starting exploring the live music area too... I might actually have a contact or three that can advise and assist us both hopefully :)

Are you going to go to other bands and tell them how to dothings better :D

spent all night doing this:

http://www.yourdj.co.uk/liveentertainment.html

what do you recon. I would like to add some standalone music players but i need to program that.

the pricing is probably a bit out there but i have not heard back from the band on their prices. I will take a slightly larger cut anyway as its my idea, my website getting the booking etc.

[rob1963]

spent all night doing this:

http://www.yourdj.co.uk/liveentertainment.html


Looks pretty good, Toby.

However, I'm not sure if there will be any call for the "Evening DJ & Band (2 rooms - same venue)" option.

I'm just wondering how many wedding clients who book a DJ & band for the evening will want them in two different rooms?

It's not something I've ever come across before.

Just a thought.

[ppentertainments]

Looks pretty good, Toby.

However, I'm not sure if there will be any call for the "Evening DJ & Band (2 rooms - same venue)" option.

I'm just wondering how many wedding clients who book a DJ & band for the evening will want them in two different rooms?

It's not something I've ever come across before.

Just a thought.

I would agree with you Rob, although if the service is available you might as well advertise it.

I have done Xmas and New Year gigs with a Disco in one room and Karaoke in another so not too disimilar.

[rob1963]

I would agree with you Rob, although if the service is available you might as well advertise it.

I have done Xmas and New Year gigs with a Disco in one room and Karaoke in another so not too disimilar.

Fair enough...it was just a thought.

:)

[Steve the DJ]

I'm not sure I understand where this thread is going now but...


Yes i currently have three other DJ's but i do not advertise that unless im already booked :)

Everything about your website is focused on you.

All of your marketing, sales material and videos are focused on you.

Every client gets to meet and bond with you, whether you are their DJ or not.

Personally, if I contacted you because the marketing had drawn me in I would want you, because really that's what you are selling.

No matter how good the other guys are I would feel I was settling for second best!

Now there is nothing wrong with shaping your business to use others but I think you really need to think about your marketing if you go down that route because focusing on you and then offering someone else can be detrimental and I know that from personal experience.

Think about it.


I think £400 is more than enough for my services :confused: I would not feel happy ripping people off.

Spoken like a true DJ and not a businessman. "Ripping people off" doesn't even come into it.


Cheers for the advice. i think i will advertise in a local wedding magazine next year?

I must have missed the bit where someone recommended this as a good idea? :confused:

Is this one of those pointless threads where you ask for advice but are going to do what you wanted regardless?

[rob1963]

Everything about your website is focused on you.

All of your marketing, sales material and videos are focused on you.

Every client gets to meet and bond with you, whether you are their DJ or not.

Personally, if I contacted you because the marketing had drawn me in I would want you, because really that's what you are selling.

No matter how good the other guys are I would feel I was settling for second best!

Now there is nothing wrong with shaping your business to use others but I think you really need to think about your marketing if you go down that route because focusing on you and then offering someone else can be detrimental and I know that from personal experience.

Think about it.


:agree:

[Charlie Brown]

:agree:

:agree: Too!

[yourdj]

I'm just wondering how many wedding clients who book a DJ & band for the evening will want them in two different rooms?

It's not something I've ever come across before.

Just a thought.

I was more thinking of having an acoustic chill set in one room and a disco in the other? I think both in the same room will be the preferable option though.


I'm not sure I understand where this thread is going now but...

Personally, if I contacted you because the marketing had drawn me in I would want you, because really that's what you are selling.

I must have missed the bit where someone recommended this as a good idea? :confused:

Is this one of those pointless threads where you ask for advice but are going to do what you wanted regardless?

all good points thanks :)

Everyone has basically said don't bother with advertising and increase your prices OR offer more, which i have now decided to do so i am listening and taking in constructive criticism.

There is a local brides magazine that looks promising thats all so an editorial or something for the wedding season next year would be a good thing. I also own this site so it can be used for that http://www.newforestwedding.co.uk/

See how this band thing goes as that will effectively double my income if i get one all dayer a week! Im adding video and stane alone mp3 players to this section soon which will help. Even possibly free pre booking meetings which normally turn into a sale (see business terminology) anyway

The other DJ thing (£50 0ff my price) is going down a treat. It also means that i can make more money each week too.

Im going to give up on this thread now as its gone way off topic, but has helped me in the way i organise things. :)

[Steve the DJ]

The other DJ thing (£50 0ff my price) is going down a treat. It also means that i can make more money each week too.

So I can book a DJ from your company who offers the same level of service as you (your video, your words), for £50 less than it would cost me to book you personally?

Interesting business strategy... :ph34r:

Are you making this up as you go along? :confused:

[yourdj]

So I can book a DJ from your company who offers the same level of service as you (your video, your words), for £50 less than it would cost me to book you personally?

Interesting business strategy... :ph34r:

Are you making this up as you go along? :confused:

Right! Its only dates im already booked and i charge 20-30% effectively making me a total of about £200 a night for both DJ's.

clients do not know about it until i suggest booking either james or sunny. 90% have taken up the idea so far.
Thats not bad money for administration time really. They get good quality gigs off my back and not a bad rate of pay so both parties are happy.


Im getting very bored with people questioning my company.
I only posted for advice on what online busineses to advertise with :mad:

what expirience do YOU have with marketing online and offline. Maybe this can be turned around :confused:

If not TaTa!

[Corabar Steve]

Yes, can we try & keep to the topic of the OP.

Thanks.

[Steve the DJ]

If not TaTa!

I see dealing with constructive feedback isn't your strong point, which is a shame, but you will learn that it is a necessary evil if you want to improve rather than believe your own hype.

You asked a marketing question that made no sense and then got the hump when people question what they perceive are anomalies. If you had just asked:


i currently am doing no marketing (other than my website & networking)

im considering doing some paid marketing and am not sure which way to go?

I want three options and they all have to be the best!

magazines
yell
etc.


Then the thread would have been a whole different ball game!

If you ask for help then you need to accept that you are not always going to like what you hear and if you don't want answers going off in every direction then you need to think about the question you are asking and make sure it is clear and easy to understand before you post.

Everyone that has made a comment about your business has done so to help you, not to trip you up or pick on you.

So stop being such a girl, suck it up and get on with it. ;)

[soundtracker]

I see dealing with constructive feedback isn't your strong point, which is a shame, but you will learn that it is a necessary evil if you want to improve rather than believe your own hype.

You asked a marketing question that made no sense and then got the hump when people question what they perceive are anomalies. If you had just asked:



Then the thread would have been a whole different ball game!

If you ask for help then you need to accept that you are not always going to like what you hear and if you don't want answers going off in every direction then you need to think about the question you are asking and make sure it is clear and easy to understand before you post.

Everyone that has made a comment about your business has done so to help you, not to trip you up or pick on you.

So stop being such a girl, suck it up and get on with it. ;)

I think Steve's right, if you asked for this advice from a business consultant, which is the right way to do it, rather than asking a bunch of DJs, they would need to know exactly how your business runs at the moment, and what your forward plan was, before they could even consider giving advice. Without the facts, people are always going to need to ask questions, however, you can never be sure if you are receiving advice from someone who is actually successful, or indeed from some wet behind the ear no mark who has been at it for five minutes.

[Vectis]

some wet behind the ear no mark who has been at it for five minutes.

... and was that guarded comment directed at anyone in particular? :p :p :p :D :D :D :sofa:

[soundtracker]

... and was that guarded comment directed at anyone in particular? :p :p :p :D :D :D :sofa:

No! But if the cap fits etc!

[yourdj]

I think Steve's right, if you asked for this advice from a business consultant, which is the right way to do it, rather than asking a bunch of DJs, they would need to know exactly how your business runs at the moment, and what your forward plan was, before they could even consider giving advice. Without the facts, people are always going to need to ask questions, however, you can never be sure if you are receiving advice from someone who is actually successful, or indeed from some wet behind the ear no mark who has been at it for five minutes.

:thanks:

:agree:

:D

i should have left it as a simple question but obviously added too much information. I have taken lots of feedback from this post and used it constructively. :) The big problem is people who do not read the whole post and replies. Im the worst to blame for that.