Client meeting locations

[rob1963]

I find that when a prospective client wants to meet me, these meetings are usually at their home, sometimes at the venue and occasionally at my home.

On Monday, I have a couple getting married in October that want me to meet them in the coffee shop on East Croydon station!

Do I win the prize for the most out of the ordinary meeting location, or has anyone else had something similar?

[soundtracker]

I find that when a prospective client wants to meet me, these meetings are usually at their home, sometimes at the venue and occasionally at my home.

On Monday, I have a couple getting married in October that want me to meet them in the coffee shop on East Croydon station!

Do I win the prize for the most out of the ordinary meeting location, or has anyone else had something similar?
Very often meet my punters in the pub, and have done Starbucks before now, most unusual one for me was a Motorway Services Car Park!

[Vectis]

I can beat that.

I've met not one, not two but THREE sets of B&Gs on the Isle of Wight Ferry :p Great use of 'downtime' :cool:

[Charlie Brown]

:lol:

I have either been to their home or a local bar...

[Dynamic Entertainment]

KFC....

It was a B&G travelling up from down south and its just off the M6 and was the only place they knew bar the venue.

[rob1963]

Whoaaa...some good ones so far.

Keep them coming!

[Spirits High]

Mine is Starbucks at the East Midlands Designer outlet :D

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Pub and their home is the only places I've held client meetings.

[Kernow]

In a tent, in a field, in the middle of nowhere !! :eek:
The couple lived in London but were spending a few days in Cornwall camping, and took me up on the offer to meet.They invited me to visit their site and gave full directions On the day it was raining and so we spent the entire time cross-legged sitting on inflatable mattresses in a four person tent.
Cracking wedding though, 3 months later, in a hotel near Lands End :)

[rob1963]

In a tent, in a field, in the middle of nowhere

I reckon that one wins the prize!

[Vectis]

I reckon that one wins the prize!

:Censored: - if I'd known there was a prize I would have made something up :D

[Kernow]

:Censored: - if I'd known there was a prize I would have made something up :D

If it's from Rob.... you can have my prize Martin :eek: :)

Nowt stranger than truth ......... however bizarre it sometimes gets ;) :D

Surely there will be better ones to come ?

[rob1963]

:Censored: - if I'd known there was a prize I would have made something up :D

The OP refers to a prize...allbeit not a literal one. :p


Surely there will be better ones to come ?

Time will tell.

At least I won't feel so strange now when I'm strolling down the platform towards the coffee shop on Monday evening!

[rob1963]

Got back from this meeting an hour or two ago. It was my longest ever customer meeting at around 45 minutes, and they have other discos to meet, so they said they'll let me know by the end of the month.

I asked how my response to their initial enquiry compared to other discos, and they said very well. There were a couple of things that put them off quite a few discos they made enquiries to, and I thought I'd share what they said.

The first thing was replies which contained errors or language which they thought wasn't very professional, and they quoted one business that sent a reply which included the phrase "We're not some fly by night outfit, you know!"

The second thing which they didn't like was that some of the discos charged for meetings with potential clients. They told me that each business that did this was immediately crossed of their list of possibles.

Food for thought!

[Excalibur]

Got back from this meeting an hour or two ago. It was my longest ever customer meeting at around 45 minutes, and they have other discos to meet, so they said they'll let me know by the end of the month.

I asked how my response to their initial enquiry compared to other discos, and they said very well. There were a couple of things that put them off quite a few discos they made enquiries to, and I thought I'd share what they said.

The first thing was replies which contained errors or language which they thought wasn't very professional, and they quoted one business that sent a reply which included the phrase "We're not some fly by night outfit, you know!"

The second thing which they didn't like was that some of the discos they contacted charged for meetings with potential. They told me that each business that said this was immediately crossed of their list of possibles.

Food for thought!
What were their views on pinspots? :whistle:

[rob1963]

What were their views on pinspots? :whistle:

To be honest, they did ask about what sort of lighting I use, and I mentioned my pinspots, described them & said what they do...and this seemed to get a positive response!

:D :D :D

[Excalibur]

To be honest, they did ask about what sort of lighting I use, and I mentioned my pinspots, described them & said what they do...and this seemed to get a positive response!

:D :D :D

Flash. :p :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[rob1963]

Flash. :p :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

My description was a little more informative & detailed than that!

[SC Events]

I've only done 2 Client meetings, one was at their home and one was in Starbucks in Birmingham New Street Station.

[Excalibur]

My description was a little more informative & detailed than that!

Ah. I see. Flash slowly, or flash quickly.

[rob1963]

I've only done 2 Client meetings, one was at their home and one was in Starbucks in Birmingham New Street Station.

I only do a few each year, but most are at clients homes, some are at the venue, a couple have been at my home, a couple more at the client's place of work, one was in a pub, and now one in a coffee shop.


Ah. I see. Flash slowly, or flash quickly.

Exactly!

:D

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Just a thought but....

You went to a client meeting when the function wasn't even confirmed?

That's good of you to do that mate but I personally only do client meetings when I have got the gig.

Weird meeting places? Not for me....I either meet them at their home or the venue.

[Vectis]

Just a thought but....

You went to a client meeting when the function wasn't even confirmed?

That's good of you to do that mate but I personally only do client meetings when I have got the gig.

Weird meeting places? Not for me....I either meet them at their home or the venue.


About half of my client meetings are such, and I've yet to fail to convert one. I only offer a meeting if a) I'm free on their event date and b) I feel there's an excellent chance of closing. They're also arranged on the proviso that if something solid comes in for their date in the meantime, they might lose me unless they can commit immediately (ie pay a deposit :p ).

Until announcing my retirement I was meeting up with about 50 clients/sets thereof each year.

I'm in a slightly unusual position that about 60% of my wedding couples are non-island residents and so meetings are more of a natural way of doing things here.

[rob1963]

You went to a client meeting when the function wasn't even confirmed?

Yep...as I often do.


That's good of you to do that mate

It's simply good business sense, Gary, as every single enquirer I've met has then gone on to book me, so it's a no-brainer. Spend a few quid on diesel or a train ticket in return for a 99% chance of securing a booking worth about £400.


I personally only do client meetings when I have got the gig.

I'd say at least two thirds of my meetings are with enquirers who have NOT yet booked me, so out of interest, how would you respond to an enquirer who requested a meeting before deciding whether to book you?


Weird meeting places? Not for me....I either meet them at their home or the venue.

Sorry Gary, but that means you're a poor contender for the most unusual meeting location prize!

[rob1963]

Until announcing my retirement I was meeting up with about 50 clients/sets thereof each year.

:jawdrop:

Even if you take off the nought, that's STILL more meetings than I do in a year!

[Vectis]

:jawdrop:

Even if you take off the nought, that's STILL more meetings than I do in a year!

Probably explains why I've had 3 on the IW ferry! :)

I remember one lovely Sunday afternoon last summer I managed to arrange 4 on the trot at 45 minute intervals all at the same pub within stumbling distance of home :beer1: :beer1: :beer1:

[Alex]

Have to say .... I offer client meetings freely as well........ as every one I've done, I've secured the booking.
I offer meetings as a standard option for weddings, as this is generally good business practise.
I offer meetings as an optional thing for birthdays, but the client can select it when they get a quote or complete the booking form.

I've not been trading too long (well, officially).... but on average, I would say I do 40-50 a year too.

At my meetings, I even offer to purchase the first round of drinks/beverages.... sure this costs me about £10 but to secure a booking worth between £300 and £600.... it's a no brainer!! Totally worth it!

[rob1963]

Have to say .... I offer client meetings freely as well........ as every one I've done, I've secured the booking.
I offer meetings as a standard option for weddings, as this is generally good business practise.
I offer meetings as an optional thing for birthdays, but the client can select it when they get a quote or complete the booking form.

I've not been trading too long (well, officially).... but on average, I would say I do 40-50 a year too.

At my meetings, I even offer to purchase the first round of drinks/beverages.... sure this costs me about £10 but to secure a booking worth between £300 and £600.... it's a no brainer!! Totally worth it!

Spot on, Alex.

I was gobsmacked when the couple I met earlier told me that a fair few of the discos they contacted told them there was a charge for meetings!

I wasn't surprised that they swiftly removed those particular discos from their list of possibilities!

[Disco Leisure UK]

Only ever met our clients in their own homes. Met a lovely couple last week and the groom answered the door, I introduced myself and shook hands, he then handed me a bonio dog biscuit and said when you come through to the lounge give this to the dog! surely I thought he was not referring to his future wife, it turned out that he had one large vicious alsation who had just had pups and wasnt happy with strangers near her pups, the groom said I had to feed the biscuit to her to keep her calm, 20 minutes felt like hours....

[rob1963]

Only ever met our clients in their own homes.

Is that you own personal choice, or just the way it's always panned out?

[Disco Leisure UK]

Is that you own personal choice, or just the way it's always panned out?

Its just the way it has panned out, Ive always offered clients a choice of whether to visit us at our premises or a home visit or an alternative meeting place suitable for the client and they have all opted for home visits, maybe this keeps them at ease knowing that all the details for planning their event is within the comforts of their own home, i dont know.

[Daryll]

sitting outside the bus stop at Chichester cathedral:eek:

Daryll

[DJMaxG]

That's good of you to do that mate but I personally only do client meetings when I have got the gig.

Once they have made the effort to show up, do you think they would go elsewhere?


I have either been to their home or a local bar

You get through quite a few Client meetings then, Charlie :p

[rob1963]

sitting outside the bus stop at Chichester cathedral:eek:

Daryll

Care to elaborate, Daryll?

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I don't quite understand this.
Rob, you said that the customers you met mentioned that some companies were saying that they charged for meetings and so were struck off the list of potential Discos.

I would say that the comment is a fair one and if I were a customer, I would be thinking along the same lines because in my opinion, if the Disco company want the work then they will make the effort so once again I am probably contradicting myself as I asked if you went to meet customers without having the function secured.

Saying that though, you asked me if I had ever met customers without having the function booked...or would I? Well, the answer is yes. I have done it a number of times and the conversion rate was quite high but I haven't had any requests from customers to meet me before they book for a while now.

From a customers point of view. If you were the customer, how would you view this extract from my reply to enquiries? I wonder if I should change it because customers may see it as they are being charged and I didn't think about it or maybe some customers may think "Well, do we get a cheaper price if we don't meet you?"

Here's an extract from my usual reply to an enquiry:

"To supply Disco Entertainment from 7.30pm - Midnight would be £***. This includes a full sound and lighting system, tailored to suit your requirements and a pre-function meeting around 3 weeks before your wedding to go through your expectations for the evening including any specific music requests"

[rob1963]

I don't quite understand this.
Rob, you said that the customers you met mentioned that some companies were saying that they charged for meetings and so were struck off the list of potential Discos.

I would say that the comment is a fair one and if I were a customer, I would be thinking along the same lines because in my opinion, if the Disco company want the work then they will make the effort so once again I am probably contradicting myself as I asked if you went to meet customers without having the function secured.

Saying that though, you asked me if I had ever met customers without having the function booked...or would I? Well, the answer is yes. I have done it a number of times and the conversion rate was quite high but I haven't had any requests from customers to meet me before they book for a while now.


Thanks for the clarification, Gary.


From a customers point of view. If you were the customer, how would you view this extract from my reply to enquiries? I wonder if I should change it because customers may see it as they are being charged and I didn't think about it or maybe some customers may think "Well, do we get a cheaper price if we don't meet you?"

Here's an extract from my usual reply to an enquiry:

"To supply Disco Entertainment from 7.30pm - Midnight would be £***. This includes a full sound and lighting system, tailored to suit your requirements and a pre-function meeting around 3 weeks before your wedding to go through your expectations for the evening including any specific music requests"

That extract from your enquiry looks alright to me, Gary, although if I was you, I'd add "if required" to the bit about the meeting.

[CRAZY K]

I don't quite understand this.
Rob, you said that the customers you met mentioned that some companies were saying that they charged for meetings and so were struck off the list of potential Discos.

I would say that the comment is a fair one and if I were a customer, I would be thinking along the same lines because in my opinion, if the Disco company want the work then they will make the effort so once again I am probably contradicting myself as I asked if you went to meet customers without having the function secured.

Saying that though, you asked me if I had ever met customers without having the function booked...or would I? Well, the answer is yes. I have done it a number of times and the conversion rate was quite high but I haven't had any requests from customers to meet me before they book for a while now.

From a customers point of view. If you were the customer, how would you view this extract from my reply to enquiries? I wonder if I should change it because customers may see it as they are being charged and I didn't think about it or maybe some customers may think "Well, do we get a cheaper price if we don't meet you?"

Here's an extract from my usual reply to an enquiry:

"To supply Disco Entertainment from 7.30pm - Midnight would be £***. This includes a full sound and lighting system, tailored to suit your requirements and a pre-function meeting around 3 weeks before your wedding to go through your expectations for the evening including any specific music requests"

Having covered x hundred Weddings ( lost count now ) I find they are more or less similar as regards the music requirements--other than of course the clients like different types of music naturally.

i.e. We want this that and the other, we dont want this--the First Dance is--

All of which is easily dealt with by email these days.

Meeting people is nice--but in my case impossible because of distance problems, however I have not found any problems recognising the Bride on arrival--shes the one in white:D

They recognise me--im the guy in the check shirt that no one else is wearing:D

I dont know about your point Gary on cost--i.e. do people think its cheaper NOT to have a client meeting--you may need to do some market research on that.

I may have this wrong--but I thought the idea of client meetings generally was--

You have quoted terms. explained what you offer and the client is perfectly happy that you offer what they want at the price they can either afford or want to pay.

This is NOT a beauty parade where they might or might not book you is it?

If so I think anyone attending a meeting on that basis is naive, it can all be done by phone or email--

The objective of the meeting is simply to sign a contract and pay a NRBF
after a short discussion on choice of music and timings or any other logistics on the day like theres also a 10 piece Band playing:eek:

Possibly a good bit of PR to get you the business as there is clearly lot of people competing for Wedding Discos.

All my client meetings---not many have been necessary---possibly because im a good communicator--have been on this basis.:D

Pretty simple I would think :confused:

Just my personal view;)

[robbiedj]

Meeting people is nice--but in my case impossible because of distance problems, however I have not found any problems recognising the Bride on arrival--shes the one in white:D



Not always. I did a goth bride who wore pink & black satin gown! :D

[Excalibur]

Not always. I did a goth bride who wore pink & black satin gown! :D

Yeah, and I had a Red one last week, and a Green one last year. :D :D

[Spirits High]

:ontopic:

I shall return this thread to client meetings. Just back from one now which was at Hardwick hall just around the corner from me.

Usually we'd have our meetings in one of the estate offices but these weren't open this morning so we had it here :eek: Used the mounting block as my office desk :D :D

[DJMaxG]

Pub and their home is the only places I've held client meetings.

Out of interest, do you/would you drink alcohol in front of them, or would that be considered unprofessional as it is a business meeting?


Usually we'd have our meetings in one of the estate offices but these weren't open this morning so we had it here :eek: Used the mounting block as my office desk :D :D

:lol: