Last Minute Enquiries

[JTRS]

Over the past few weeks I've taken regular calls from customers and venues who have been let down at the last minute by a DJ.

Because I have already been booked for that night I've tried to find them a DJ (usually from members I know from this forum), but now I'm having an alternative thought..........

If I didn't take advanced bookings for say 2 Saturdays in each month and waited for the inevitable 'I've been let down phone call', would there be a business advantage in this, ie in the fees that could be charged. In my opinion a customer who finds a last minute DJ would possibly be prepared to pay a premium to save their event.

Yes, I know it's a gamble between the certainty of an advanced booking and the possibility that the phone doesn't ring, but that doesn't concern me.

I'd be interested in comments from you guys before I consider it more seriously.

JTRS

[STEVE HANLEY]

Would rather be booked in advance everytime. Rather than waiting for the phone call that never comes

[Creature]

gotta agree with Steve - Booking in hand is best

[Danno13]

I don't think this kind of practice is particularly ethical, personally speaking.

[Corabar Entertainment]

Generalising, I know (and there are always exceptions to the rule) but in my experience most of the last minute let downs booked DJs from the cheaper end of the market in the first place, and are usually horrified at standard prices - let alone premium ones.

There will always be someone free on any given night, so if they went for low-budget in the first place, they are more likely to stay low budget for a replacement.

[Vectis]

I used to deliberately take one or two Saturdays off each month simply to spend a bit of time at home.

On occasion I'd get a last minute panic call, and can count on the fingers of one finger the number of times I actually commanded a premium fee.


And that's over a period of about 7/8 years.

Good luck!

[ppentertainments]

Would rather be booked in advance everytime. Rather than waiting for the phone call that never comes

I agree, if you wait for the call, guaranteed it won't come. I know of a few companies who actually offer 'emergency cover', which quite frankly I find totally bizarre :daft:

I have, however noticed an increase in last minute enquiries coming in, and I have to say, not all the cheaper end of the market. Another observation is that a handful of these have came about because the original DJ did not produce PAT or PLI.

[CRAZY K]

Generalising, I know (and there are always exceptions to the rule) but in my experience most of the last minute let downs booked DJs from the cheaper end of the market in the first place, and are usually horrified at standard prices - let alone premium ones.

There will always be someone free on any given night, so if they went for low-budget in the first place, they are more likely to stay low budget for a replacement.

Same in the Barn Dance market--invariably they agree to your quote in desperation--then before you can get any deposit or Contract they get a sixty quid Caller instead and waste your time--I suppose the crunch would be to get the full fee on a card payment IMMEDIATELY.

Some hope eh Angela;)

We now will not take these booking unless at least 7 days in advance.

On the night no chance.

Cant be bothered with all the hassle because of tight wads.

Tough im afraid but 99 per cent of these people cheapskated and got what they deserved.

To answer the OP you would be well advised to keep away in my opinion from this kind of business.

If its genuine illness or accident the DJ concerned usually has contacts to sort it out.

I got stuck in Mexico in April because of the Volcanic eruption, covered my gig with a fellow professional--thats how it works--on reflection I suppose we really ought to use this more as a selling point.

Will the idiots listen---nah!!!!!!!!!!:eek: :eek: :eek:

[BeerFunk]

I don't think this kind of practice is particularly ethical, personally speaking.I don't see why. Other trades will hit you with a big fee for a last minute call-out, it's the expected thing really.


Generalising, I know (and there are always exceptions to the rule) but in my experience most of the last minute let downs booked DJs from the cheaper end of the market in the first place, and are usually horrified at standard prices - let alone premium ones.

There will always be someone free on any given night, so if they went for low-budget in the first place, they are more likely to stay low budget for a replacement.That's pretty much it. There is a guy from Edinburgh who started up a company doing exactly this sort or thing - Jamie from LastminuteDJs.net (I think he's still a member of these forums). Well I actually met him on Saturday night, and after speaking to him, I think he's stopped doing the last minute thing and is sticking to 'regular' bookings now.

The bottom line is that I don't think it is a profitable avenue to go down.

[Danno13]

I don't see why. Other trades will hit you with a big fee for a last minute call-out, it's the expected thing really.


It's not that part I don't agree with (although I don't charge any premium for last minute unless it costs me anymore to provide the service of course) but the idea of keeping dates free deliberatley to get more money out of people who haven't thought to book far enough in advance, or have chanced it with a cheapie!

[soundtracker]

I find that I only get calls when I'm already working, if I'm not working the phone doesn't ring!

[BeerFunk]

It's not that part I don't agree with (although I don't charge any premium for last minute unless it costs me anymore to provide the service of course) but the idea of keeping dates free deliberatley to get more money out of people who haven't thought to book far enough in advance, or have chanced it with a cheapie!Oh, I get your point, and agree in principle. However, it's still up to them whether they decide to pay for your service or not.

It's completely different to, say, a credit/loaning company which preys on people who need a quick cash loan. The difference being the deception and hidden charges involved.

[rob1963]

In my opinion, the practice of keeping certain nights free in the hope that you'll get a call from someone in a panic who's been let down just so you can take on the booking at the last minute & charge a premium is nothing short of exploitation.

If some people charge MORE for last minute bookings (even though no extra work is involved), do they charge LESS for bookings taken way in advance?

[Vectis]

If some people charge MORE for last minute bookings (even though no extra work is involved), do they charge LESS for bookings taken way in advance?

Hey... welcome to
easydisco :)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

If some people charge MORE for last minute bookings (even though no extra work is involved), do they charge LESS for bookings taken way in advance?



Haven't you ever called out a service that you've needed the same day which has charged a premium?

[Charlie Brown]

Hey... welcome to
easydisco :)

:lol:

Brilliant!

I might bang on £25 at the most but nothing more.

[rob1963]

Haven't you ever called out a service that you've needed the same day which has charged a premium?

Not that I can recall.

Angela hit the nail on the head with this post:


There will always be someone free on any given night, so if they went for low-budget in the first place, they are more likely to stay low budget for a replacement.

Anyone who charges a reasonable amount is unlikely to pick up much last minute work at a premium, because people are most likely to be let down by a budget disco, and are therefore most likely to replace them with another budget disco as Angela said.

It's only if they can't find a budget replacement that they might start looking at discos in a higher price bracket.

[CRAZY K]

It's only if they can't find a budget replacement that they might start looking at discos in a higher price bracket.

Which means you get the order to go ahead even nearer the date.:eek:
with the problems that brings.

Unless you can collect by card over the phone on the spot to secure your money and persuade the client to do this its not worth bothering with in my opinion.

[Vectis]

Hey - guess what - just had a last minute enquiry :cool:

Nice country pub a few miles from me that has a big semi-permanent marquee have a wedding on Saturday and the DJ's just bombed.

Oh how I laughed when I typed THAT response.... :D

[CRAZY K]

Hey - guess what - just had a last minute enquiry :cool:

Nice country pub a few miles from me that has a big semi-permanent marquee have a wedding on Saturday and the DJ's just bombed.

Oh how I laughed when I typed THAT response.... :D

What errr its £60 quid and I wont be turning up either
:Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh:

[JTRS]

Haven't you ever called out a service that you've needed the same day which has charged a premium?

That kind of summed up my thoughts.

I don't agree that keeping nights free of bookings is unethical, I am not deceiving anyone and I am not hiding my charges.

The reason I was thinking about doing this was because the enquiries that have come in lately have in the main (70- 80% of them) have been let down by DJ's chariging similiar to what I charge, to be honest I would have expected more of the 60 quid sid customers, but that isn't the case.

I see it as taking a gamble between the certainty of the advance booking against the premium that comes with the last minute booking.

I haven't read anything here to dissuade me from giving this a try, except maybe that it didn't work out for a Company specialising in last minute DJ's, but I'm not planning on doing that in its entirity, it's more of a mix and match with the advanced bookings.

Time will tell, and I'm quite happy to let you kow how it works out, I don't mind admitting that something I tried turned out to be a stupid idea, but at least I'll know for sure one way or the other.

JTRS

[JTRS]

If some people charge MORE for last minute bookings (even though no extra work is involved), do they charge LESS for bookings taken way in advance?

Well if they charge a standard fee for advanced bookings and a premium fee for last minute emergency bookings, then, Yes they have charged 'less' for the advance booking

Just out of interest if you DJ on New Years Eve do you charge the same as every other night of the year, or do you charge more (if so I'd be interested to know what extra work is involved in your New Years Eve party)

JTRS

[rob1963]

Just out of interest if you DJ on New Years Eve do you charge the same as every other night of the year, or do you charge more (if so I'd be interested to know what extra work is involved in your New Years Eve party)

To be honest, I earn less on New Years Eve than I do for the normal weddings which I do throughout the year! This is because my NYE work is always through my friend's agency, and his rates are lower than mine in the first place, and he then takes a commission.

:D

[JTRS]

To be honest, I earn less on New Years Eve than I do for the normal weddings which I do throughout the year! This is because my NYE work is always through my friend's agency, and his rates are lower than mine in the first place, and he then takes a commission.

:D

I think me and you have different business ideas then ;)

JTRS

[rob1963]

I think me and you have different business ideas then ;)

Possibly.

Virtually all my advertising is aimed at the wedding market, so I rarely get enquiries for other events, including NYE.

Therefore, either I work on NYE through an agency for less than my normal rates, or I don't work at all...so it's a bit of a no-brainer, really!

[JTRS]

OK maybe I'm looking at this all wrong then

The way I see it is that most of my bookings come in for either a Friday or a Saturday night, and because there is only one Friday and one Saturday night in each week I want to maximise the money I earn from working them. (The salient point there is that I want to maximise what I earn from working the nights I do work as opposed to maximising what I earn overall, that might sound strange to some, especially those who are full time DJ's, but I have other interests to pursue as well as DJing)

I've tried the increase my standard rate approach and that didn't work, I've tried the upsell on additional features and that worked to some extent and I've tried a few other things that I've seen suggested on this forum.

The bottom line is that I think there is potentially a market for a last minute DJ, who is comfortable at most events (with music to suit) and has PAT and PLI.

There are certain times when a customer is prepared to pay a premium, New Years Eve been a prime example, and I don't see that as exploitation, so neither do I see charging a premium for a last minute, same day service that a customer is prepared to pay for.

If anyone can suggest an alternative way of maximising the returns on time spent behind the decks I'd be very interested.

JTRS

[rob1963]

If anyone can suggest an alternative way of maximising the returns on time spent behind the decks I'd be very interested.

In my opinion you should increase your prices & not keep any Saturdays free for last minute bookings.

I know you said you've tried that & it didn't work, but why didn't it work? Maybe you tried increasing your prices too much? Did the bookings REALLY start to dwindle when you increased them?

The reason I ask is because I increase my prices every year, and it makes no difference whatsoever to the number of bookings I take. In fact, despite the increases, bookings usually increase each year.

[Vectis]

So... scenario.

You set yourself up as this "last minute DJ".

You take a last minute booking.

The phone rings.

What next?

[CRAZY K]

OK maybe I'm looking at this all wrong then

The way I see it is that most of my bookings come in for either a Friday or a Saturday night, and because there is only one Friday and one Saturday night in each week I want to maximise the money I earn from working them. (The salient point there is that I want to maximise what I earn from working the nights I do work as opposed to maximising what I earn overall, that might sound strange to some, especially those who are full time DJ's, but I have other interests to pursue as well as DJing)

I've tried the increase my standard rate approach and that didn't work, I've tried the upsell on additional features and that worked to some extent and I've tried a few other things that I've seen suggested on this forum.

The bottom line is that I think there is potentially a market for a last minute DJ, who is comfortable at most events (with music to suit) and has PAT and PLI.

There are certain times when a customer is prepared to pay a premium, New Years Eve been a prime example, and I don't see that as exploitation, so neither do I see charging a premium for a last minute, same day service that a customer is prepared to pay for.

If anyone can suggest an alternative way of maximising the returns on time spent behind the decks I'd be very interested.

JTRS

Build yourself a stable business based on advanced quality bookings with proper T and Cs with suitable penalties for cancellation and advanced payment of fees.

Thats what a lot of people on here have done very successfully.

Achieving that may well take a while, otherwise I suspect you like the others that have tried it will fail to make it pay if you go down the last minute route.

Do you have any experience of dealing with some of the nightmare wasters that phone up in a blind panic at the last minute?

I have for years.:mad:

They are so desperate they will lie to you to get a cheap replacement.

I even had one who was such a gutless :Censored: they didnt have the:Censored: to admit despite booking "definitely" at the last minute they then found a sixty quid Entertainer and got their Mum to cancel.

Pathetic eh?

Unless you collect the money on the spot by card forget it---and I have a shrewd idea thats not going to happen because they will still be trying to get Sid and will USE you as a temporary back up then DROP YOU.

Unfortunately as Angela has already pointed out in most cases you are dealing with cheapskates who either cant or dont want to afford a proper market price--

If you really fancy working like that you could link with other DJs and Agencies to offer the service.

You then run into problems like deposits or payments taken upfront and of course the oldest line in the Disco book---errr yeah you pick up xxx (which is very considerably less than the client is paying)

[JTRS]

So... scenario.

You set yourself up as this "last minute DJ".

You take a last minute booking.

The phone rings.

What next?

That's something to fine tune, initial thoughts are get full paymnet by card so that customer doesn't then continue ringing around to find a 'Sid', but it's a case of try it and see, keep what works and change what fails. Funnily enough quite a few last minute enquiries were from venues as opposed to the customer.





Build yourself a stable business based on advanced quality bookings with proper T and Cs with suitable penalties for cancellation and advanced payment of fees.

Thats what a lot of people on here have done very successfully.


I have already done that, if you read the OP you would note that the reason I was unable to take the other last minute enquiries was because I was already booked up with quality advance bookings.





Do you have any experience of dealing with some of the nightmare wasters that phone up in a blind panic at the last minute?


A little yes, but probably not as much as you. My plan is to try it and see what (if anything ) works and fine tune it as time goes by.




Unless you collect the money on the spot by card forget it---


That's the plan




Unfortunately as Angela has already pointed out in most cases you are dealing with cheapskates who either cant or dont want to afford a proper market price--


Angela has experienced one side of it, for some reason I have experienced the other, as I said earlier, a lot of the enquiries were not from cheapskates, if they had been then I wouldn't be considering this idea




If you really fancy working like that you could link with other DJs and Agencies to offer the service.


That would be defeating the object wouldn't it.

JTRS

[STEVE HANLEY]

Won't you not be just more than a little bit peeved if say it gets to 5pm Saturday evening and the phone still hasn't rang. When you could have had an advanced booking earlier in the year, but turned it down in the hope of milking a last minute panic job?

Then suddenly you're sitting at home watching the X factor when you could have been working earning

[JTRS]

Won't you not be just more than a little bit peeved if say it gets to 5pm Saturday evening and the phone still hasn't rang. When you could have had an advanced booking earlier in the year, but turned it down in the hope of milking a last minute panic job?

Then suddenly you're sitting at home watching the X factor when you could have been working earning

Depends how you look at it.

I get a last minute booking that pays premium rates, I'm earning more per hour than I would have if it had been an advanced booking, happy days!

I don't get a last minute booking, then I'm out persuing other interests, happy days!

The evenings I don't keep back for the last minute bookings I'm out DJing and earning my standard fee, happy days!

JTRS

[Vectis]

That's something to fine tune, initial thoughts are get full paymnet by card so that customer doesn't then continue ringing around to find a 'Sid', but it's a case of try it and see, keep what works and change what fails. Funnily enough quite a few last minute enquiries were from venues as opposed to the customer.

Actually, my point was (sorry, it was a bit late) that if you put yourself out there as a last minute DJ, accept a last minute booking then what happens if another (really) last minute booking comes along?

Answer: you're forced to refuse it and stuff your reputation as a last-minute DJ!

Obviously depends on how 'last minute' as you might have chance to fulfil through contacts - I'm talking about the crunch jobs.

[STEVE HANLEY]

Depends how you look at it.

I get a last minute booking that pays premium rates, I'm earning more per hour than I would have if it had been an advanced booking, happy days!

I don't get a last minute booking, then I'm out persuing other interests, happy days!

The evenings I don't keep back for the last minute bookings I'm out DJing and earning my standard fee, happy days!

JTRS

Each to their own mate. If it's happy days for you no matter what happens. Then you're on a winner everytime.

I know I couldn't do it. I hate it when a free weekend looms and nothing seems to be coming in for it, but maybe that's just me.

Keep us informed how it goes.

Best of luck with it:beer1:

[soundtracker]

Depends how you look at it.

I get a last minute booking that pays premium rates, I'm earning more per hour than I would have if it had been an advanced booking, happy days!

I don't get a last minute booking, then I'm out persuing other interests, happy days!

The evenings I don't keep back for the last minute bookings I'm out DJing and earning my standard fee, happy days!

JTRS

But then the next week when you don't get one, you're sat at home twiddling your thumbs, and wiping out any premium that you made from the previous do. The model only works if yo can guarantee to fill all of your empty slots with last minute jobs - and I'm not sure that you can!

[JTRS]

But then the next week when you don't get one, you're sat at home twiddling your thumbs, and wiping out any premium that you made from the previous do. The model only works if yo can guarantee to fill all of your empty slots with last minute jobs - and I'm not sure that you can!

No, that's not how the model works, I explained earlier that the plan is to only keep 2 Saturdays per month for the last minute bookings, the others would be advanced bookings, so each month it's a mix and match of the two.

The initial idea is when I have booked up all but two Saturdays in any given month I wont take any more advance bookings and those two are left for the last minute bookings, I'm not looking to try and fill up every single slot with last minute bookings I'm looking to maximise the returns on certain nights or not work them and spend my time persuing other interests, which isn't thumb twiddling or watching X factor.

JTRS

[Vectis]

:confused: How on earth does...


No, that's not how the model works, I explained earlier that the plan is to only keep 2 Saturdays per month for the last minute bookings, the others would be advanced bookings, so each month it's a mix and match of the two.

The initial idea is when I have booked up all but two Saturdays in any given month I wont take any more advance bookings and those two are left for the last minute bookings, I'm not looking to try and fill up every single slot with last minute bookings I'm looking to maximise the returns on certain nights or not work them and spend my time persuing other interests, which isn't thumb twiddling or watching X factor.

JTRS

... negate ...


But then the next week when you don't get one, you're sat at home twiddling your thumbs, and wiping out any premium that you made from the previous do. The model only works if yo can guarantee to fill all of your empty slots with last minute jobs - and I'm not sure that you can!

????

Will you be employing Mystic Meg to predict which Saturdays you're going to get last minute calls?

The only way this would be valid is if you are currently receiving last minute calls WILLING TO PAY A PREMIUM every single week without fail.

[Corabar Entertainment]

The initial idea is when I have booked up all but two Saturdays in any given month I wont take any more advance bookings and those two are left for the last minute bookings,I would almost guarantee that the 'last minute' enquiries would come in for the nights you're already booked!

:lol:

[JTRS]

Actually, my point was (sorry, it was a bit late) that if you put yourself out there as a last minute DJ, accept a last minute booking then what happens if another (really) last minute booking comes along?

Answer: you're forced to refuse it and stuff your reputation as a last-minute DJ!

Obviously depends on how 'last minute' as you might have chance to fulfil through contacts - I'm talking about the crunch jobs.

I'm not looking to establish myself as a DJ with a reputation for last minute jobs, this idea came about because of the sheer number of last minute calls I have had over the past few weeks, so I'm confident that there is a market for this and one that I can capitalise on.

Once I've secured a booking at premium (last minute rates) then that's it, I'm in the same position I would have been in with an advance booking except I'm earning more for working.

JTRS

[rob1963]

But then the next week when you don't get one, you're sat at home twiddling your thumbs, and wiping out any premium that you made from the previous do. The model only works if yo can guarantee to fill all of your empty slots with last minute jobs - and I'm not sure that you can!

:agree:

Also, you'd need a different set of terms & conditions for last minute bookings, and how would it work exactly?

There would be no time to take deposits, and probably no time to get the usual paperwork to the client, have them complete it & get it back.

You'd therefore not have any non-refundable deposits to keep when people cancelled, and you'd not have the chance of charging the full amount but not having to do the disco if they cancelled less than a month before the gig (as my t&c state), as the booking wouldn't usually be taken until the day itself.

There are other service issues. For example, what would happen if you were emailed a list of obscure requests shortly before you had to leave for the gig, many of which you didn't have? Also, what if you arrived at the venue to discover that access was an absolute nightmare?

In my opinion, the disadvantages of removing all your preparation time outweigh the only advantage...which is more money per gig. As I previously mentioned, it makes far more sense to just increase your prices.


Once I've secured a booking at premium (last minute rates) then that's it, I'm in the same position I would have been in with an advance booking except I'm earning more for working.

No you're not, because they're unlikely to cancel, and you don't have a deposit which you can keep if they do.

[JTRS]

Will you be employing Mystic Meg to predict which Saturdays you're going to get last minute calls?

The only way this would be valid is if you are currently receiving last minute calls WILLING TO PAY A PREMIUM every single week without fail.

Have you read the thread

I take advance bookings and fill up all but 2 of the Saturdays in any given month, the other two are then left for last minute bookings, that way I have a guraranteed income and also the chance to earn a premium fee from the last minute bookings. Why do I need Mystic Meg to predict the Saturdays?

Again, if you had read the thread you would have seen that this idea came about from the fact that I had received regular last minute calls and from talking to them I'm fairly certian they (the venues) would pay the premium rate.


I would almost guarantee that the 'last minute' enquiries would come in for the nights you're already booked!

:lol:

Yes and knowing my luck that will probably be the case, but I think it's worth a punt.

JTRS

[STEVE HANLEY]

[I'm earning more for working.]

JTRS

I wouldn't be too sure about that one either

[soundtracker]

Ok let me explain what I mean in figures!

Pre-booking (assuming 4 saturdays) say 4 x £250 = £1000.00

2 weeks pre book + last minute say 2 x £250 + 2 x £350 = £1200

but fail to achieve one last minute booking that reduces to £850.00

Therefore unless you can guarantee 100% take up, or charge a larger premium ( if your market can stand it)you are better off prebooking, and of course if your market can stand it, you are charging too little in the first place

[JTRS]

Also, you'd need a different set of terms & conditions for last minute bookings, and how would it work exactly?

There would be no time to take deposits, and probably no time to get the usual paperwork to the client, have them complete it & get it back.

You'd therefore not have any non-refundable deposits to keep when people cancelled, and you'd not have the chance of charging the full amount but not having to do the disco if they cancelled less than a month before the gig (as my t&c state), as the booking wouldn't usually be taken until the day itself.

There are other service issues. For example, what would happen if you were emailed a list of obscure requests shortly before you had to leave for the gig, many of which you didn't have? Also, what if you arrived at the venue to discover that access was an absolute nightmare?

In my opinion, the disadvantages of removing all your preparation time outweigh the only advantage...which is more money per gig. As I previously mentioned, it makes far more sense to just increase your prices.



No you're not, because they're unlikely to cancel, and you don't have a deposit which you can keep if they do.

Which part of take full payment over the phone by card didn't you understand?

They don't get chance to provide an email of requests, it's a last minute booking, like most DJ's I would imagine that my set pretty much covers 90% of requests, it's a last minute emergency cover job, if a quick chat with the person booking me regarding the event leads me to suspect I can't fulfil their requirements I'd turn it down and explain why.

JTRS

[Vectis]

Have you read the thread


No I just thought I'd post some random comment for the hell of wasting a minute of my life.





I think it's worth a punt.


Go for it. If you don't post back in 6 months extolling the virtues of the decision, then we'll assume you're keeping your good fortune to yourself ;)

[JTRS]

Ok let me explain what I mean in figures!

Pre-booking (assuming 4 saturdays) say 4 x £250 = £1000.00

2 weeks pre book + last minute say 2 x £250 + 2 x £350 = £1200

but fail to achieve one last minute booking that reduces to £850.00

Therefore unless you can guarantee 100% take up, or charge a larger premium ( if your market can stand it)you are better off prebooking, and of course if your market can stand it, you are charging too little in the first place

Those figures are nothing like I had in mind, if it was only an increase of £100 it wouldn't justify the gamble, and secondly you are looking at this from the viewpoint of maximising your overall income, I explained earlier that in my particular case I'm NOT looking to achieve that, I'm looking to increase the income on certain nights or else not work them (and be happy doing something else)

JTRS

[soundtracker]

Those figures are nothing like I had in mind, if it was only an increase of £100 it wouldn't justify the gamble, and secondly you are looking at this from the viewpoint of maximising your overall income, I explained earlier that in my particular case I'm NOT looking to achieve that, I'm looking to increase the income on certain nights or else not work them (and be happy doing something else)

JTRS

Sorry but you are living in cloud cuckoo land. Late bookings in my limited experience (35 years) only happen on a Saturday night, you have no way of specifying when you would like to get that call, it is just a poor idea.

[rob1963]

I'd be interested in comments from you guys before I consider it more seriously.

Well, you've had nearly 50 replies all advising against it, so are you still going to consider it more seriously?

:shrug:

[JTRS]

Sorry but you are living in cloud cuckoo land. Late bookings in my limited experience (35 years) only happen on a Saturday night, you have no way of specifying when you would like to get that call, it is just a poor idea.

Maybe it is a poor idea, but until I try it I won't know that for sure

The last minute booking enquiries I have had recently have all been on Saturday nights hence why I was thinking about not taking advance bookings on two Saturdays per month so I could capitalise on them, if they come up.

Yes I agree I have no way of guaranteeing I would get a call on those nights, it's a gamble, I either earn more that night for DJing or I'm out doing something else, both of which would suit me.

As I said, I'm quite happy to admit failure in 6 months and say yep it was a poor idea, but without a crystal ball neither you, me or anyone else can say that at this point

JTRS

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

As I said, I'm quite happy to admit failure in 6 months and say yep it was a poor idea, but without a crystal ball neither you, me or anyone else can say that at this point

JTRS

I'm pretty sure, based on the experience of some of the people on here, that it won't work and it is a poor idea.

Soundtracker - 35 years
Vectis - 35 years
Me - 26 years

I have been running full time for 20 years and can count on one hand the amount of last minute bookings that people have booked and paid a premium for and this is running more than one DJ.

I think you're wasting your time and if I was being honest, don't understand why you start threads like this when you don't take on board what people say! :confused:

[rob1963]

I think you're wasting your time and if I was being honest, don't understand why you start threads like this when you don't take on board what people say! :confused:

Indeed.

If I had an idea, started a thread, got 50 replies all advising against it, even I would forget it!

:D

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Sorry JTRS but I'm with everyone on this.

[JTRS]

Indeed.

If I had an idea, started a thread, got 50 replies all advising against it, even I would forget it!

:D

Ok fair comment, I'll try and answer it.

The idea came about because of what I have personally experienced in recent weeks, we live in changing times, and venues do now seem to be getting let down more frequently, maybe they are Sids, maybe it's PAT and PLI, it could be any number of reasons, but it is (in my experience) happening.

I'm not in a position to implement this until next Januray anyway, between now and then my diary is full, so I was mulling the idea over, hence why I posted it up on here and asked for opinions.

I respect the fact that most of you have many more years DJing experience than I do, and I have read with interest the comments posted, and where appropriate I have replied with my thoughts. I never posted the thread to be told what to do, I posted it to see what your thoughts about it would be, and possibly hoped that someone would say 'I actually tried that and it didn't work for XYZ reasons'

Again, with respect to everyone, nobody has posted a good reason why it would not work and neither has anyone highlighted any pitfalls or drawbacks that I hadn't orginally thought of.

And in direct response to the quote above from Rob, try Googling Dyson vacuum cleaners, see how many experts in that field told Mr Dyson that they advised against his idea.

The biggest pitfall to this idea is that I don't get calls on the evenings I haven't taken a booking for, if that proves to be the case then I can scrap the idea, it's a gamble that I'm prepared to take, and like I said earlier I'll quite happily let you know how it works out.

JTRS

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

nobody has posted a good reason why it would not work

How about what I posted.

20 years full time and I have taken less than a handful of last minute bookings.

I am contactable and have the resources to supply a last minute DJ.

It doesn't and won't happen on the frequency that you need it to.

[JTRS]

How about what I posted.

20 years full time and I have taken less than a handful of last minute bookings.

I am contactable and have the resources to supply a last minute DJ.

It doesn't and won't happen on the frequency that you need it to.

Darren I did read what you had said, and with the vast experience you have in DJing you are ideally placed to give advice, the only reason I thought of doing this was because in recent weeks I have taken regular calls asking for a last minute DJ.

The frequency I need is one call on the on day I'm not working, which has happened with surprising regularity over recent weeks. It could well be that it was a one man DJ (and these were all his bookings) who has ceased trading/had an accident etc and that was what caused the blimp, or it could be a sign of the times.

If it's a blimp then the calls cease, and I fail for all the reasons you and others have said, if it's not a blimp then I've got a head start.

With respect Darren, you posted why it wouldn't work for you, if I was in your position and not getting the last minute calls then I wouldn't entertain the idea either.

JTRS

[STEVE HANLEY]

Hi Mate

One last point then I'll duck out of this thread. You keep saying this has just happened in recent weeks. Why not see how long it continues for before you make any rash deicisions?

I'll bet come Jan/Feb time you're not innundated with last minute jobs.

Just my opinion

[CRAZY K]

this idea came about because of the sheer number of last minute calls I have had over the past few weeks,
JTRS

Thats not exactly a good sample to base a business plan on.

If you had received them most weeks for 6 months you have a trend--be it only temporary.

What makes you think it will continue?

Last year we had a lot of let down Barn Dance enquiries--this year NONE.:confused:

The only thing certain is there will be a DEMAND for Entertainment in future.

What the format, style, pricing and availability will be no one knows--if they did they would clean up.

Nothing stopping you giving it a go of course.;)

[JTRS]

Hi Mate

One last point then I'll duck out of this thread. You keep saying this has just happened in recent weeks. Why not see how long it continues for before you make any rash deicisions?

I'll bet come Jan/Feb time you're not innundated with last minute jobs.

Just my opinion

That was my thinking too, I can't do anything until January anyway, so I'll see how long the calls keep coming in, maybe by January the opportunity won't be there

JTRS

[JTRS]

Thats not exactly a good sample to base a business plan on.

What the format, style, pricing and availability will be no one knows--if they did they would clean up.

Nothing stopping you giving it a go of course.;)

I agree it's not a good enough sample to base any business plan on, but it's enough enquiries to make me think about it, to make me ask other DJ's, to look for the pitfalls and to put me in a position at some later date to react and capitalise on it, if it continues.

Having spoken to Darren, he's actually thrown in some serious concerns about undertaking this venture, which was the whole point of me asking for comments, so I guess I did end up getting what I was looking for after all

JTRS

[Corabar Entertainment]

If these calls are mainly coming from venues, wouldn't it make more business sense to try and 'target' these venues who are being let down and see if you can get recommended as their preferred supplier?

You say you are getting these calls, but, as you are already busy, you don't know how many would actually turn in to bookings.

My experience differs in that the last minute calls we get are from punters, not venues, but our experience is similar to Darren's in that very few actually go on to book with us.

[JTRS]

If these calls are mainly coming from venues, wouldn't it make more business sense to try and 'target' these venues who are being let down and see if you can get recommended as their preferred supplier?



From a business sense yes it would, and if I was looking to take regular advance bookings from a constant source then even more so, but I'm a one man operator, I don't and won't take on a residency because I don't want all my eggs in one basket, however I do have a couple of venues where I am the preferred supplier.

Because I'm not looking to increase my bookings and I'm happy if I'm not out DJing one or two Saturdays a month I was more thinking along the lines of how to maximise my revenues on the evenings I am working, and the premium fee for a last minute booking (if I was available) seemed to be an idea that might work. However to capitalise on that I need to be available, so having even more advance bookings wouldn't give me the freedom to do this

If I convert the venues to recommending me then there won't be any more need for a last minute DJ from them, which then defeats my object somewhat.

However, if this idea is a non starter, then yes converting a let down venue would be a plan.

JTRS