I want to start a soul night

[Squelch]

here in Milton Keynes


I've never done any promoting so I haven't a clue were to start really
I will be the DJ and I can get a nice small/medium size hall for £60 a night
what would be involved ie flyers,insurance,would I need doormen ect
Has any of you done this sort of thing before?

thanks
Gary

[yourdj]

Talk to paul party DJ!!

http://goldhomeofthegoodgroove.wordpress.com/

[abracadabradisco]

Hiya Gary, there is so much to do organising a function for the public these days that I would not do it but I wish you all the best.
I used to work in the City Soul Club in Norwich in 1969 until the drug squad closed us down and I really enjoyed playing nothing but Soul.
I must admit that when I play some of the old soul tracks these days I get good floors. Soul Banana is a fantastic floor filler when I play it.
All the best mate and don't forget your doorman/bouncers. Chris.
www.abracadabradisco.co.uk

[funkymook]

My advice would be to find a pub with a functions room and hold it there - that way you don't have to worry about security, hiring (and paying) bar and door staff, ticket sales, drinks licence, PPL etc.

[yourdj]

If you need any graphic design/printing services for promotion give me a shout from here please: :)

http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?t=29107

(I think I am allowed to post this - delete it if not) :)

[Squelch]

My advice would be to find a pub with a functions room and hold it there - that way you don't have to worry about security, hiring (and paying) bar and door staff, ticket sales, drinks licence, PPL etc.

a pub function room is what I have in mind then charging a few quid for entry to make it worth my while.
But the main driving force behind it is playing the music...

[Squelch]

If you need any graphic design/printing services for promotion give me a shout from here please: :)

http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?t=29107

(I think I am allowed to post this - delete it if not) :)

thanks Toby

lots of food for thought:)

[Sapphire Disco]

a pub function room is what I have in mind then charging a few quid for entry to make it worth my while.
But the main driving force behind it is playing the music...

Don't forget if you are the one charging an admission fee you need to buy a license for that.

[Squelch]

Don't forget if you are the one charging an admission fee you need to buy a license for that.

bugger!!

[yourdj]

Don't forget if you are the one charging an admission fee you need to buy a license for that.

Would the venue not have licencing for that?

I have never done or heard of that in the past and I have done hundreds of nights. :confused:

There is always a way around these things though :)

[Sapphire Disco]

Would the venue not have licencing for that?

I have never done or heard of that in the past and I have done hundreds of nights. :confused:

There is always a way around these things though :)

I am fairly sure that if you are the one taking the money you have to have your own licence, I could be wrong anyone know for sure ?

[Charlie Brown]

thanks Toby

lots of food for thought:)

Yup - I can vouch for Toby's expertise. :beer1:

I'm having the Bogfrog experience as we speak. :p

[Shaun]

If you need any graphic design/printing services for promotion give me a shout from here please: :)

http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?t=29107

(I think I am allowed to post this - delete it if not) :)

You may post a link to your section in direct response to someone enquiring about design or printing services, not willy nilly. :p If in doubt drop me a PM first.

I'll let that one go though. :P :)

[Shaun]

I'm having the Bogfrog experience as we speak. :p

You're on a roll with your purchases aint ya? New cards/Flyers from Toby, new logo from me....and I'm sure I read your about to buy a DSBP too? You got a new paper round? :P

[DazzyD]

My first thought doesn't resolve around promoting the night. My first thought is that if you're promoting a specialist genre night is your knowledge of the genre and music library up to the job? If you get a lot of requests that don't have and have never heard of then your night is destined to fail. A specialist night needs a specialist DJ. If you tick that box then the great.

The next step is arranging the use of facilities with the venue. Paying £60 for a room could well leave you out of pocket if the night bombs. I would negotiate a deal whereby you give the night a trial - say for three events - and the venue benefits from the increase in footfall/beer sales. At the end of the day, if the room was unused the week/s before then an increase in sales can only be a good thing for the venue. If the event is successful then the venue might take say 20% of door takings as well then everyone gets a fair payday from the event.

The trick is making it a success. You could have arranged the best deal ever for the venue and be the best DJ around in your area in your chosen genre but if people don't know about the night then they won't come. The What's On section in the local press is usually free to advertise your event and is a good place to start. Flyers and posters placed in strategy places (libraries, gyms, sports hall, club halls, pub & club notice boards, cafe's are all good places). Make your advertising eye-catching and not dull. It has to stand out and attract people's attention. Make the colours vibrant and the text big and bold but, above all, make it relevant to your event.

The most effective method of marketing for such events is word of mouth. Don't expect it be a huge hit at week one. But, make sure those that do attend your first few events have a really good experience. Then they'll come back. And they'll tell their friends and their friends will come. It's amazing how quickly the success of a good night can snowball. Get it right and you'll be turning people away. And, when this happens, you look in to bigger venues.

Anyway, good luck! (but get it right from start to finish and luck doesn't come in to it! ;) )


Don't forget if you are the one charging an admission fee you need to buy a license for that.

I used to promote unsigned bands/promo nights at venues and took a cover charge at the door to cover costs. The venue got increased footfall and beer sales. No-one ever mentioned a license being needed - the venues always had their own licenses. :confused:

[yourdj]

I'll let that one go though. :P :)

Thanks I'm out otherwise as it would be my third trip to the sinbin :Kiss 3:

I have actually got it now. :)

[Sapphire Disco]

I used to promote unsigned bands/promo nights at venues and took a cover charge at the door to cover costs. The venue got increased footfall and beer sales. No-one ever mentioned a license being needed - the venues always had their own licenses. :confused:

You had bands playing not recorded music, as I said I may be wrong but I always thought that if you were playing recorded music and charging people to come in it was you that needed a licence.

[Squelch]

Thanks Dazzy D it must of taken you ages to type out....lots of good advice there
Its still only a idea I have in my mind at the mo though

[DazzyD]

Thanks Dazzy D it must of taken you ages to type out....lots of good advice there
Its still only a idea I have in my mind at the mo though

It didn't take that long - I've been typing from a young age! In fact, I must take a rest - my eyes and fingers are getting tired now! (I'll get my coat... :coat: )

Just remember that all good ideas start out at the "thought" stage. It's how you build on them and execute your ideas that counts.

[yourdj]

You're on a roll with your purchases aint ya? New cards/Flyers from Toby, new logo from me....and I'm sure I read your about to buy a DSBP too? You got a new paper round? :P

Nope 30 day credit. if its not paid they will send the Sheriff. If that does not work Robin will some butt. :p

[TONYTIGER]

You had bands playing not recorded music, as I said I may be wrong but I always thought that if you were playing recorded music and charging people to come in it was you that needed a licence.

Yes you are correct you need a licence for recorded music.Mobiles normally play for private parties so no requirement.

[DazzyD]

Yes you are correct you need a licence for recorded music.Mobiles normally play for private parties so no requirement.

What if it's a joint venture between the venue (a pub was mentioned in this case) and the DJ? The pub will already have the appropriate performance licenses so why would the DJ need extra? :confused:

[mark@pegasus]

Hi Gary
This guy used to be a member on here and now runs nights in the Cambridge area have a look and he might be worth contacting http://www.jamesmurphyenterprises.co.uk/puregrooves/index.htm

[TONYTIGER]

What if it's a joint venture between the venue (a pub was mentioned in this case) and the DJ? The pub will already have the appropriate performance licenses so why would the DJ need extra? :confused:

Lots of info on the PRS site ,A pub will have some sort of licence from Performing Rights Society but they come in all sorts of levels ie back ground music or say events were the public are charged. You even have to have one for a radio in your place of work.:eek: