Marketing, where do I go?

[RealSounds]

Hi guys & gals,
I currently have no real marketing plan in place, I do on average around 2-3 gigs a month locally which I receive through word of mouth, recommendations from previous gigs and the like. I want to implement a more full proof plan and boost my bookings significantly as i've recently invested in some new equipment and I'm beginning to take it more seriously. What types of marketing and specifically advertising would you recommend, I'm currently designing my new website which is a huge area i'll look to exploit, I also have a business listings on google maps and a couple of other websites, but what else should I look at?

Yellow pages listings?
Flyers/Leaflets?
Facebook?

any suggestions or ideas?

Thanks :)

[James]

You could join the masses on facebook begging people to book you & be your friend.

Yellow pages, you'll get callers ringing all the discos in your area saying "how much" so unless you're prepared to compete for the job by offering the lowest price, then i wouldn't recommend YP.

Flyers leaflets have a return rate of about 1%, ie: every hundred flyers you hand out, on average, you'll get 1 enquiry.

If i was you i'd work on the website. and word of mouth, and do a few wedding fayres, which is what a few of the chaps seem to do on here.

[womble]

Flyers leaflets have a return rate of about 1%, ie: every hundred flyers you hand out, on average, you'll get 1 enquiry.

Probably less than that to be honest. 1% is a rule-of-thumb average figure that is banded about quite a lot, but I think it's an average return which includes targeted marketing campaigns.

In order to improve your return rates on any kind of marketing then targeting that marketing is key - for example an amazing website is useless without decent S.E.O.

If you can figure out a way to be smarter about who you contact, then you get more returns for less legwork. So rather than pushing flyers through every door in the town, why not visit every venue in the town and talk about getting on their preferred list, create a brochure that they can hand out in their wedding packs, get leaftlets in bridal shops, party shops, etc. These are places where people who are planning a party will visit?

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Taken from Rob James, everytime someone says where to list ;)

www.1venue.co.uk
www.bigeventnetwork.co.uk
www.discoagency.co.uk
www.disco-directory.co.uk
www.djformywedding.co.uk
www.easyweddingsearch.com
www.freeindex.co.uk
www.friendly-wedding-directory.co.uk
www.guidesforbrides.co.uk
www.hitched.co.uk
www.link2weddings.com
www.makemywedding.co.uk
www.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk
www.net-weddings.co.uk
www.promobile.org.uk/links.php
www.the1.co.uk
www.thewedding-guide.net
www.uk-disco.co.uk
www.ukweddingbelles.com
www.ultimatebridal.co.uk
www.weddingdaze.co.uk
www.wedding-directory.net
www.weddingdja.co.uk
www.weddingplanner.co.uk
www.weddings-direct.co.uk
www.weddingserviceproviders.co.uk
www.weddingservices4u.co.uk
www.wedseek.co.uk
www.yourwedding.uk.com

PS, i done a copy ans paste job, so not sure how current they all are :)

[CRAZY K]

Hi guys & gals,
I currently have no real marketing plan in place, I do on average around 2-3 gigs a month locally which I receive through word of mouth, recommendations from previous gigs and the like. I want to implement a more full proof plan and boost my bookings significantly as i've recently invested in some new equipment and I'm beginning to take it more seriously. What types of marketing and specifically advertising would you recommend, I'm currently designing my new website which is a huge area i'll look to exploit, I also have a business listings on google maps and a couple of other websites, but what else should I look at?

Yellow pages listings?
Flyers/Leaflets?
Facebook?

any suggestions or ideas?

Thanks :)

I would try Business Link--as a new business you would be entitled to a certain amount of free advice--i tried it and found it very useful for some new ideas.

They have Marketing experts who may be able to point you in the right direction.

Yellow Pages--remember--EVERYONE asks how much whether its Internet or YP--its just that Yellow Pages users appear to have LESS to spend.:eek:

I also noted the size of type they are using in our local YP is much smaller than in previous years--reducing the effect of box ads.:eek: which used to really leap out and catch the eye.:confused:

[rob1963]

Hi RealSounds,

About 9 out of 10 people here will probably tell you that Yellow Pages is a waste of time, so I'd forget that option.

My advice would be to invest in a professional looking website & do all your advertising online. After all, there must be a reason why online has recently taken over as the top place where businesses advertise.

There are plenty of listings sites, many of which are free and others which charge. It's worth noting that different sites have varying success rates depending on where in the country you're located, so it's crucial to closely monitor your webstats to see which sites are bringing the most traffic to your own site.

Someone has already listed a number of the sites where I advertise, but there are plenty of others, and a quick forum search should bring up the relevant threads.

Good luck!

[yourdj]

EVERYONE asks how much

Not if the prices are on your website :) i never get any cheap skates wasting my time.

Put all your effort in to a decent site and optimize it then look at links and paid ads. cards and flyers can work in my experience.

i only really use them at gigs though.

[Charlie Brown]

website + website + website + on-line directory's + website + Google Adwords + website + on-line directory's + making sure you perform well and leave cards/liaise with new venues + website + word of mouth + do a good job = lot's of bookings. :D

[rob1963]

EVERYONE asks how much


Not if the prices are on your website :) i never get any cheap skates wasting my time.

Spot on, Toby!

:youdaman:

[CRAZY K]

Not if the prices are on your website :) i never get any cheap skates wasting my time.



Well my friend you would be wrong there;)

Despite showing very clearly the prices I charge on two of my websites I still get asked HOW MUCH:bang: :bang: :bang:

Resisting the temptation to say are you stupid or visually impaired
I calmly repeat the figures.

Yes I know its ridiculous but its what happens--maybe we need a Muppet
smilie--I could certainly do with one.

[Charlie Brown]

I've never had that problem Alan!

[SC Events]

maybe we need a Muppet
smilie--I could certainly do with one.

Will this do? 8224 :D :D :D

[Shaun]

Will this do? :muppet:

Added to the forum smilie list. :muppet:

[CRAZY K]

Added to the forum smilie list. :muppet:

Thank you guys---excellent.;)

[[email protected]]

I would try Business Link--as a new business you would be entitled to a certain amount of free advice--i tried it and found it very useful for some new ideas.

They have Marketing experts who may be able to point you in the right direction.



:agree:

Business Link are currently doing a load of free business workshops from setting up a company, to marketing on a budget, register with them and have a look at the events available, some very worthwhile excellent free training and workshops

Here's the link to our region (the east of england) www.bookevents.org however if you google 'business link book events' it gives you a list of the regional events sites where you can book events that are local to you. :)

[DJ Tony McQue]

I have finally got my business listed properly on Google maps. As a thank you for being so wonderful, Google sent me a £50 voucher for Ad Words. I have no idea how useful it will be as I have only just redeemed the voucher but it is free and anything by Google is good in my book. The good thing about listing on Google maps is that your customers can leave reviews. Worth a shot I would say.

[Marc J]

The good thing about listing on Google maps is that your customers can leave reviews. Worth a shot I would say.

And so can your competitors....and try getting a false one removed :bang:

[DJ Tony McQue]

And so can your competitors....and try getting a false one removed :bang:

You can flag inappropriate or false reviews to Google; they have a forum for that. Quite a friendly and helpful bunch on there just like here. :D

The more reviews you get, the higher your ranking will go so I am led to believe. I have had a look at various businesses in my area and there are a small minority who have blatantly written review about themselves, it stands out a mile! There are also ones from customers who write some pretty harsh words about one of my competitors. I have to say generally, the standard is quite high up here so there is healthy competition to get the good gigs.

If you are doing a good job you will be rewarded with good reviews. In the unlikely event of someone writing a genuine bad one about you, take it on the chin and improve.