Strangely quiet time and slow responses

[Pazz]

Hi all, I haven't posted on here for a while as I been pretty busy will allsorts but thought I would tonight as I am a bit concerned about my current bookings. I am currently relying on the mobile discos as my main income and you could say that I am now full time but this isn't intentional.

Some of you may be aware that I was made redundant from my main employment last year and the mobile discos have always been a part-time job. Even though my current situation makes this my main employment I still want to consider it as a part-time job but I would also like to be getting more bookings too. The enquiries are still coming in but not as many bookings are being made.:confused:

So far this month I have had one year 11 prom and that is it. I got two weddings booked in for the last two Saturdays this month but I have had to just email both of them as they have been slow to send the booking fee and form back. I have had one reply which is for my biggest booking to date at the end of the month and she said that she did returned the booking form and cheque but also has just checked and she is aware the cheque hasn't been cashed yet so she apologised and said it probably has gone missing in the post. I said I would re-send everything again tomorrow and she will get this back to me by the end of the week. So far I haven’t had a reply from the client booked for the 24th and will leave it a couple more days before telephoning them.

The both clients were very keen with their initial enquiries and have been very clear at what they would like for their ‘big day’s’ by giving me plenty of information and so I thought they would be quick and prompt in sending the booking fees :confused: . I really need these bookings to happen this month as I cannot see many last minute bookings coming in - am I worrying over nothing? It's a bit annoying as I would like to have had the booking fees in by now just as peace of mind but also don't want to come across as desperate or overly keen.:eek:

Anyway just thought I would share this with you,

Cheers

[StarZSoundS]

I'd like to say don't worry Pazz....but I wouldn't be being honest.Unless you are very very good I wouldn't consider this as a Full-Time Occupation anymore.There are many on here that make it pay Full-Time....and I genuinely take my hat off to them...I know I could never do it!!:eek: :eek: :eek:

[Pazz]

I have never wanted to do mobile discos full-time to be honest as I personally don't think I would get the enjoyment from it that I do now with having to work most friday, saturday and sunday's - that's just not for me. My main aim is to get back into full-time work early next year (after my finace gives birth to our first baby soemtime in the next 11 weeks) in another type of employment more than likely working in an office or something like I did before and continue with the mobile discos on a part-time basis.

I was quite happy working Mon-Fri 9-5 in the office and then leaving the nights free for bookings. I am very happy to continue with my mobile discos being a part-time job, but would still like a few more bookings coming in - especially until I get another full time job. Never thought I would be relying on them as much as I am right now.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

In answer to your slow responses bit Pazz, yes, this has possibly been the worst ever year for chasing people up, chasing paperwork up and people making excuses and generally messing me around, so you aren't alone.

[rob1963]

In answer to your slow responses bit Pazz, yes, this has possibly been the worst ever year for chasing people up, chasing paperwork up and people making excuses and generally messing me around, so you aren't alone.

Same here.

[Pazz]

In answer to your slow responses bit Pazz, yes, this has possibly been the worst ever year for chasing people up, chasing paperwork up and people making excuses and generally messing me around, so you aren't alone.


Same here.

Hi both. Glad I'm not the only one - it frustrates the hell out of me. Why people don't want to get you all booked up with booking fee's returned promptly is beyond me. Surely it's one less thing for them to think about especially when organising a wedding. You would also think that other's would contact you if they have sent a cheque to you 2 weeks ago and it had not been cashed yet, surely they would show some concern as it is their event. Some things never fail to amaze me!

[Vectis]

It's funny how there's always a "cheque lost in the post" yet whenever I have to pay the taxman or any other bill by cheque for that matter, they always seem to arrive just fine and dandy :mad:

I suspect there's a lot of folks out there trying to save shelling out until the very last possible second for whatever reason. Maybe they're actually paying for the event on the never never. Maybe they're living payday-to-payday and paying suppliers in the perceived order of importance, hoping they can pay them all before the big day arrives.

One thing's for sure, I've noticed over the last few years that nowadays I hardly ever get a cheque or a payment from the parents - it seems like it's virtually always the bride or groom - and yet just a few years back quite a big proportion of payments came from a parent.

No-one seems to save any more - they live up to or sometimes beyond their means.

[rob1963]

Glad I'm not the only one

Believe me, you're not.

As I recently mentioned in a different thread, this year I've had more people fail to return the booking form & deposit than in the previous 5 years combined!

As you say, very frustrating indeed.

:bang: :bang: :bang:


No-one seems to save any more - they live up to or sometimes beyond their means.

That's been the case for a long time.

When you hear about the average household debt figures (excluding mortgages) it seems that the MAJORITY of people live beyond their means.

More fool them.

[Excalibur]

In answer to your slow responses bit Pazz, yes, this has possibly been the worst ever year for chasing people up, chasing paperwork up and people making excuses and generally messing me around, so you aren't alone.


Same here.

What they said. :( :(

[CRAZY K]

In answer to your slow responses bit Pazz, yes, this has possibly been the worst ever year for chasing people up, chasing paperwork up and people making excuses and generally messing me around, so you aren't alone.

Wise words--seconded.

All parts of the business are saying this==DJs, Bands, Barn/Line Dance people all have a similar story.

Im afraid you need to get your Salesmans hat on in the present climate;)

[nisfo]

Work had started to thin out for me after time off my feet. Many would call for quotes but would never call back??

However I was drinking in one of my local town pubs one night and a drunk landlady brought myself and my good lady a drink. We all got chatting and dancing to the tunes being played on the jukebox. She asked what I did for a living, told her I had been ill but was a part time DJ.

Anyway cutting a long one short, she called last Tuesday to ask if I'm free for every Friday and Saturday in the future :eek:
I did a trial 80's night Saturday just gone, it couldn't have gone better, full house from 8pm till 2.30am with constant dancing ;)
Turns out she owns 2 town pubs, and after Saturday I am now resident at both >> Awesome

And to be honest I have done a few weddings this year were the bride and groom were not the best of clients, so I'll be happy to not do as many now ;)

[Pazz]

Work had started to thin out for me after time off my feet. Many would call for quotes but would never call back??

However I was drinking in one of my local town pubs one night and a drunk landlady brought myself and my good lady a drink. We all got chatting and dancing to the tunes being played on the jukebox. She asked what I did for a living, told her I had been ill but was a part time DJ.

Anyway cutting a long one short, she called last Tuesday to ask if I'm free for every Friday and Saturday in the future :eek:
I did a trial 80's night Saturday just gone, it couldn't have gone better, full house from 8pm till 2.30am with constant dancing ;)
Turns out she owns 2 town pubs, and after Saturday I am now resident at both >> Awesome

And to be honest I have done a few weddings this year were the bride and groom were not the best of clients, so I'll be happy to not do as many now ;)

Happy to hear of your good news that's what I could definitely do with at the moment is a residency or 2 - this would at least gurantee myself some income whilst the going is tough.

As for my 2 wedding bookings this month I have now heard back from both of them and apparently one booking form and fee was only returned on the weekend as apparently they had been working hard on a long list of songs for the event! The other is being re-sent today and the client has said she will get this back to me by the end of the week (early next week). So fingers crossed!

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Happy to hear of your good news that's what I could definitely do with at the moment is a residency or 2 - this would at least gurantee myself some income whilst the going is tough.

As for my 2 wedding bookings this month I have now heard back from both of them and apparently one booking form and fee was only returned on the weekend as apparently they had been working hard on a long list of songs for the event! The other is being re-sent today and the client has said she will get this back to me by the end of the week (early next week). So fingers crossed!

As someone whos gone full time abit unexpectedly like yourself what I'd say to you is to get out and network with various people as this is priceless. In this day of the Internet etc... theres still some old business practices that work rather well. Are you a member of NADJ? I know theres alot of the welsh boys that come to our COTSWOLD CURRY CLUB where you meet loads of different operators. I couldnt go full time on my lonesome however its possible if you open as many avenues of interest.

I think I remember you saying you didnt want to stay full time but even to cover bills for the short term its worth doing me thinks.

[Pazz]

As someone whos gone full time abit unexpectedly like yourself what I'd say to you is to get out and network with various people as this is priceless. In this day of the Internet etc... theres still some old business practices that work rather well. Are you a member of NADJ? I know theres alot of the welsh boys that come to our COTSWOLD CURRY CLUB where you meet loads of different operators. I couldnt go full time on my lonesome however its possible if you open as many avenues of interest.

I think I remember you saying you didnt want to stay full time but even to cover bills for the short term its worth doing me thinks.

I completely agree that networking is a very good way forward for me and I was supposed to be going to the South Wales branch for their local NADJ meet up last month but my fiance has been unwell being in the last part of her pregnancy and I had to pull out last minute. I can see me definitely joining up with NADJ this year though as I would like to have the PLI cover and the other benefits and the networking as you said would be priceless. I got a trip to Poland as best man for my mates wedding next month so my finances are being kept for this but after that I will be looking into NADJ and tidying up my rig (as stated in my other thread). Thanks for your suggestions and help :)

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I completely agree that networking is a very good way forward for me and I was supposed to be going to the South Wales branch for their local NADJ meet up last month but my fiance has been unwell being in the last part of her pregnancy and I had to pull out last minute. I can see me definitely joining up with NADJ this year though as I would like to have the PLI cover and the other benefits and the networking as you said would be priceless. I got a trip to Poland as best man for my mates wedding next month so my finances are being kept for this but after that I will be looking into NADJ and tidying up my rig (as stated in my other thread). Thanks for your suggestions and help :)


No problem, if you go onto the site and ask them about it I'm sure they'll put you on the mailing list for the next meet as its not just for NADJ members however they have an rule about more than 2 visits as a "guest".

[DeckstarDeluxe]

http://www.nadj.org.uk/events/details/36-wales-branch-meeting-a-bbq.html

might be of interest to you?

[Pazz]

http://www.nadj.org.uk/events/details/36-wales-branch-meeting-a-bbq.html

might be of interest to you?

Cheers Deckstardeluxe. I had heard about the BBQ :). I will check my situation at the time due to my pending visit to Poland 3 days after this event but I'm definitely eager to join up with NADJ by the end of the year - it's high up on my must do list! :)