Second NYE Not Booked :( [Archive] - Mobile Disco Directory Forum

Booche

28-12-2010, 09:35 PM

Well either im doing something wrong or i've killed a nest of robins as this will be the second year on NYE im not booked :(

Not even had an enquiry since my residency decided that they couldn't compete with the local WMC.

Ahhh well looks like another year sat down in front of the :Censored: telly watching the clock tick by :(

Even considering holding a small party at home just so i feel like carrying on...

Anyone else NOT booked for NYE or is it just me ?

Dynamic Entertainment

28-12-2010, 09:50 PM

Booche

28-12-2010, 09:54 PM

Dave

Have you registered your website with google?

Using www.googlerankings.com, with the keywords as "Derbyshire Mobile Disco" and putting in www.abstract-entertainments.co.uk, i get

Im not saying its not registered...but your ranking is definately not in the top 40 pages....

:eek: Looks like im gonna have to rethink everything as i feel i've done everything i can :(

Dynamic Entertainment

28-12-2010, 09:57 PM

:eek: Looks like im gonna have to rethink everything as i feel i've done everything i can :(

How about business card flyers in places that people will see them?

Booche

28-12-2010, 10:00 PM

Done all that aswell this is what i mean only thing i feel left is to actually visit places but i dont want to do that as i see that the companys will look and say "Desperate" etc :(

Dynamic Entertainment

28-12-2010, 10:03 PM

Done all that aswell this is what i mean only thing i feel left is to actually visit places but i dont want to do that as i see that the companys will look and say "Desperate" etc :(

Why not...send a email directing venue owners to your website (afterally, you do dancefloors, uplighting and starcloth backdrops too ;) ) and follw it up with a phonecall to gague interest.

Its not quite the hard sell, but these things have to be done ;)

Booche

28-12-2010, 10:05 PM

Will do that Steve Thankyou :)

Just readed my sitemap etc to google as for some reason is was missing :eek:

Dynamic Entertainment

28-12-2010, 10:09 PM

Will do that Steve Thankyou :)

Just readed my sitemap etc to google as for some reason is was missing :eek:

Not good then.... but atleast you can sort it.

Im having to do a similar thing with my quiz nights and for expanding next year with hotel work. But im going down the route of sending out postcard flyers...which aint cheap, but if i dont do it, i cant afford to live lol.

BeerFunk

28-12-2010, 10:57 PM

There are always gigs on NYE if you want them, but it's matter of finding one which pays well enough for you. Do you network with other local and regional DJs? If you did, you'd be almost guaranteed to be on something.

ronedjs

28-12-2010, 11:24 PM

Same here no bookings only had 4 in december and 1 got cancelled due to the snow!

Not looking good for 2011 only got 5 bookings so far. Just created a new website and promo videos are in the pipe. Also linking up with some local bands, started offering quiz nights and looking into race night. Fingers crossed.

SC Events

28-12-2010, 11:33 PM

Dave, would you travel to Tamworth? I may have a job for you if so...

paulg

28-12-2010, 11:47 PM

Without wanting to be critical, both websites mentioned are OK but neither really sets the world on fire but then again, websites are not the be all and end all.

Can I ask, how much work do you get offered, say within a 5 mile radius of home? How many regular repeat customers do you have? What's your re-book rate? I think these things might be good indicators of your business health.

As an example, for us, we've not travelled more than about 3 miles from home over the whole Christmas period and we've had a busy time. I've 4 DJ's out on New Year and could have done many more. 2011 looks way better than 2010. (Even been told today by a club that I need to charge them more and they are happy to pay it!!!!).

If there's anything we're doing right, I'm willing to share it with you!

STEVE HANLEY

29-12-2010, 12:45 AM

Hi Dave

Whilst I don't know the full story of your disco (I'm assuming it's just you and the missus. A bit like Mary and me) but we've been going just over 12 months and I can't believe how well it's gone.

I've turned away god knows how many enquiries for NYE.
I'll be gutted if we don't easily beat what we did in 2010 next year. At better prices as well.

You say you had a residency which has now gone :Censored: up. Whilst I'm the first to admit I know little or nothing about residencies yet.

Could that residency not have had a detrimental effect on you in terms of turning other work away because you were tied to that? (eggs in one basket and all that)

I think residencies are for when you have a few dj's working for you in all honesty. I know it's regular work when nowt else is coming in. It also can lead you to taking your eye off the ball in other areas. Cos as your possibly finding out now when a residency does go Pete Tong you've nowt to fall back on.........Just a thought mate........Just a thought.

Charlie Brown

29-12-2010, 02:16 AM

I find it really odd TBH.

This is what I've just popped on my FB

Charlie Brown is there no other marketing you an do? putting it loads on facebook won't help!....why not go to a random pub and say you will do it dirt cheap? (like 100/150) perhaps if it goes well, (need time to advertise) they will have you back in the new year?

This is my fourth NYE (since working) and I've never had it off.

We can't say it's something you're doing wrong....because you're not getting the enquiries in the first place!

Wayno

29-12-2010, 08:04 AM

Dave

Have you registered your website with google?

Using www.googlerankings.com, with the keywords as "Derbyshire Mobile Disco" and putting in www.abstract-entertainments.co.uk, i get

Im not saying its not registered...but your ranking is definately not in the top 40 pages....

The Google Rankings site you point to needs a SOAP API key, the last one of which was issues in December 2006 so in short the error message you received was because the search did not include google.

Dynamic Entertainment

29-12-2010, 09:37 AM

The Google Rankings site you point to needs a SOAP API key, the last one of which was issues in December 2006 so in short the error message you received was because the search did not include google.

Makes sense, but i actually physically ran a search in google, and gave up looking after the 40th odd page...

Solitaire Events Ltd

29-12-2010, 10:13 AM

Can I ask, how much work do you get offered, say within a 5 mile radius of home?

I think these things might be good indicators of your business health.

What makes you say that then? I have a fairly healthy business and didn't have any functions within 10 miles of me. :confused:

soundtracker

29-12-2010, 10:19 AM

What makes you say that then? I have a fairly healthy business and didn't have any functions within 10 miles of me. :confused:

Hardly any within 5 miles of me either, infact hardly any venues within 5 miles of me!

Dynamic Entertainment

29-12-2010, 10:23 AM

Yep...and my target clients are about 20 miles away from where I live too....

Alex

29-12-2010, 10:36 AM

Well I can confirm your site is in google....

http://www.google.co.uk/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=%22www.abstract-entertainments.co.uk%22

However your SEO is not very good :(
The first thing I would do is create decent page titles for each page! Ensure your keywords are in the page title

Secondly... your page descriptions need improvement too... Again it's about keywords in the descriptions.

If you click that link above, you can see what google have on file for you.... and you can see that your descriptions wont bring up your site that much :(

Marc J

29-12-2010, 11:50 AM

Well I can confirm your site is in google....

http://www.google.co.uk/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=%22www.abstract-entertainments.co.uk%22

...

If you click that link above, you can see what google have on file for you.... and you can see that your descriptions wont bring up your site that much :(

A better link would be http://www.google.co.uk/#q=site:www.abstract-entertainments.co.uk, which shows what Google have indexed for your site alone (not other sites mentioning it / linking to it, like this thread for example) ;)

DJWilson

29-12-2010, 12:13 PM

Try not to have the same page titles, keywords, description on each page. Google hates it.

What I do is, just take out 1 word, and put in another, which works just as good.

Charlie Brown

29-12-2010, 12:17 PM

Try not to have the same page titles, keywords, description on each page. Google hates it.

What I do is, just take out 1 word, and put in another, which works just as good.

Yours is very good Mr!

DJWilson

29-12-2010, 02:06 PM

Yours is very good Mr!

What is, Charlie?

Charlie Brown

29-12-2010, 02:23 PM

What is, Charlie?

SEO on your site.

I've often typed in 'mobile disco' in Google and you've been on the second page.

Tom Lovick

29-12-2010, 02:27 PM

Charlie Brown

29-12-2010, 02:36 PM

Your Site comes up on the first page of google for me?

Don't know if you have changed it or something?

http://www.google.co.uk/webhp?hl=en#hl=en&site=webhp&sa=X&ei=BFMbTb6jFYqLhQfIkc23Dg&sqi=2&ved=0CBYQvwUoAQ&q=Abstract+Entertainments&spell=1&fp=1cccc688c869882c

:bang: :bang: :bang:

Search phrases? Mobile disco derby? Wedding dj derby? etc

Alex

29-12-2010, 02:57 PM

A better link would be http://www.google.co.uk/#q=site:www.abstract-entertainments.co.uk, which shows what Google have indexed for your site alone (not other sites mentioning it / linking to it, like this thread for example) ;)

cheers marc ;) ... didn't think to post that search.... I've got Flu, I'm ill... thats my excuse! LOL

DJWilson

29-12-2010, 03:00 PM

SEO on your site.

I've often typed in 'mobile disco' in Google and you've been on the second page.

O right yes, it would be even better if i had 'disco' in my domain, which i soon will :)

Tom Lovick

29-12-2010, 03:02 PM

:bang: :bang: :bang:

Search phrases? Mobile disco derby? Wedding dj derby? etc

Comes up on mine when i search Wedding DJ derby?

But Spirits High is above :p :p

DJWilson

29-12-2010, 03:08 PM

'Abstract Entertainment' (Without the 'S') doesn't even show your site on page 1, didn't check the rest as it should be at least 2nd listed on page 1 IMO.

Also, a LOT of CSS in the html, instead of in a .CSS file.

PS. Meta tags should close '/>'

StarZSoundS

29-12-2010, 03:26 PM

Whilst I'm the first to admit I know little or nothing about residencies yet.

Could that residency not have had a detrimental effect

Yes and No Steve.If you have a residency and you are any good it should generate the lions share of your local work.If you are offered one grab it with both hands!!!;) ;) ;)

All thats happened to Dave is losing his residency has caused him to fall of the Hamster Wheel....and generate businees through creating a good impression.The Websites rankings are some of the problem but definately not the major part of it IMHO.;) ;)

Dave has hit a barren spell and its knocked his confidence.He's clearly a talented DJ as he has been subbed out to much revered company on here.

THERE IS NO BETTER FORM OF ADVERTISING THAN DOING YOUR JOB AND DOING IT WELL SO PEOPLE CAN WITNESS IT.:) :) :) :) :)

Spirits High

29-12-2010, 03:29 PM

:bang: :bang: :bang:

Search phrases? Mobile disco derby? Wedding dj derby? etc

Aren't you in Nottingham?

Get orf my land :D

Comes up on mine when i search Wedding DJ derby?

But Spirits High is above :p :p

And so it should be :p

Tom Lovick

29-12-2010, 03:32 PM

Paul,

Is your website link in your banner in your signature meant to me .co.uk :p

Spirits High

29-12-2010, 03:34 PM

Paul,

Is your website link in your banner in your signature meant to be .co.uk :p

Certainly is ;)

Charlie Brown

29-12-2010, 03:49 PM

Your Site comes up on the first page of google for me?

Don't know if you have changed it or something?

http://www.google.co.uk/webhp?hl=en#hl=en&site=webhp&sa=X&ei=BFMbTb6jFYqLhQfIkc23Dg&sqi=2&ved=0CBYQvwUoAQ&q=Abstract+Entertainments&spell=1&fp=1cccc688c869882c

Aren't you in Nottingham?

Get orf my land :D

:lol:

Tom didn't understand what we were talking about. Dave's site doesn't appear in the phrases for 'mobile disco derby' etc. :)

Tom Lovick

29-12-2010, 04:09 PM

:lol:

Tom didn't understand what we were talking about. Dave's site doesn't appear in the phrases for 'mobile disco derby' etc. :)

but it comes up on my google when i search 'Mobile disco derby', 'wedding DJ derby'.

Marc J

29-12-2010, 04:09 PM

PS. Meta tags should close '/>'

Rubbish. It's not XHTML.

STEVE HANLEY

29-12-2010, 04:26 PM

[He's clearly a talented DJ as he has been subbed out to much revered company on here.

Totally agree Martin. Dave's ability as a dj isn't in question here. Steve and Angela certainly wouldn't have mugs working for them.

My point was has he lost out on being exposed to a wider audience than a residency might give him?;)

BeerFunk

29-12-2010, 04:58 PM

Charlie Brown

29-12-2010, 05:01 PM

Why is all the emphasis on the website, in this thread? :confused:

Very true.

When I passed a booking onto Dave, I received a handful of constructive comments that TBH, I didn't past onto him because I thought I'd lost the email. :o

I'll send it him now...perhaps that might help!?

Dynamic Entertainment

29-12-2010, 05:03 PM

Why is all the emphasis on the website, in this thread? :confused:

I'm not saying it's not important, but there are successful DJs and 'multi-ops' who operate without a website, or with a cheap, basic website.

But considering that those DJs have a well established business with contacts already in place.

Daves website is there...its costing him little, and isnt working, so logically that would be where to concentrate his efforts for the time being.

If you look at google, there is loads of discos in derbyshire, so a sucessful website will work wonders!

deltic

29-12-2010, 05:10 PM

But considering that those DJs have a well established business with contacts already in place.

Daves website is there...its costing him little, and isnt working, so logically that would be where to concentrate his efforts for the time being.

If you look at google, there is loads of discos in derbyshire, so a sucessful website will work wonders!

so would a last minute booking for nye !!

StarZSoundS

29-12-2010, 05:36 PM

Totally agree Martin. Dave's ability as a dj isn't in question here. Steve and Angela certainly wouldn't have mugs working for them.

My point was has he lost out on being exposed to a wider audience than a residency might give him?;)

And I understand what you say Steve.

But on the reverse side.You are in my sleepy little hamlet or a neighbouring village....you want say a 40th birthday.

Seek out Martin at The Midland Club... don't do a bad job....for an Old Fogie:eek: :eek: I reckon he's there every Sunday!!If you're working you come instantly to peolpes minds....At the moment Dave feels like an Ex DJ.

I'm so with Callum on this one...its very little to do with his Website!!:) :)

Charlie Brown

29-12-2010, 05:39 PM

but it comes up on my google when i search 'Mobile disco derby', 'wedding DJ derby'.

No it doesn't. :confused:

Dynamic Entertainment

29-12-2010, 05:46 PM

And I understand what you say Steve.

But on the reverse side.You are in my sleepy little hamlet or a neighbouring village....you want say a 40th birthday.

Seek out Martin at The Midland Club... don't do a bad job....for an Old Fogie:eek: :eek: I reckon he's there every Sunday!!If you're working you come instantly to peolpes minds....At the moment Dave feels like an Ex DJ.

I'm so with Callum on this one...its very little to do with his Website!!:) :)

Im sorry Martin...but I agree with Steve on this one. If your residency was/is a sunday night them people expect you to be free on a Saturday night...which, by the bulk, is when they are having their party.

Ive known saturday nigh residencies be the death doll for a lot of DJs with mobile work, because poeple expect them to be tied down. When i took on one of the residencies I now have, people asked if I had "jacked in" the mobile work....im guessing that those who didnt ask only assumed.

BTW...Dave having little work and his website goes hand in hand. Granted word of mouth and referrals play a big part...but his website may well be the initial hook for new clients and im sticking by the fact that a well ranked website will bring his name to the masses!

StarZSoundS

29-12-2010, 06:02 PM

Im sorry Martin...but I agree with Steve on this one. If your residency was/is a sunday night them people expect you to be free on a Saturday night...which, by the bulk, is when they are having their party.

Ive known saturday nigh residencies be the death doll for a lot of DJs with mobile work, because poeple expect them to be tied down. When i took on one of the residencies I now have, people asked if I had "jacked in" the mobile work....im guessing that those who didnt ask only assumed.

BTW...Dave having little work and his website goes hand in hand. Granted word of mouth and referrals play a big part...but his website may well be the initial hook for new clients and im sticking by the fact that a well ranked website will bring his name to the masses!

The other issue we've overlooked is that I think Dave doesn't drive Steve....this would be an unsurmountable bugbear for me....but for Dave must be a real issue.

His Website is probably going to attract from a 50 mile radius at least.If he had a residency (which he had) and did it well that should generate 50% of his work at least.....and this is the beauty of it....chances are its going to be local.:) :) :)

Thats what I've done :) I have more than enough work....in fact i'm dishing it out.if I have to travel more then 10 miles I get a nosebleed tho!!:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

STEVE HANLEY

29-12-2010, 06:07 PM

StarZSoundS

29-12-2010, 06:11 PM

BUt if it was a Saturday. Then that's a big no no IMO, but only if you're a one man band outfit. Like a lot of us are on here.

However if you get one on a Sunday (Like yourself) or mid-week then Yes yes yes:D :D

Great to both Steves then....not sure if a Saturday residency would suit me either.Friday....probably.And Deffo any other night of the week.

Sorry....misunderstood.:daft: :daft: :daft:

STEVE HANLEY

29-12-2010, 06:21 PM

Great to both Steves then....not sure if a Saturday residency would suit me either.Friday....probably.And Deffo any other night of the week.

Sorry....misunderstood.:daft: :daft: :daft:

Ney botha mate;) :D :D

Anyway Dave where the :Censored: are you? You've generated 50+ posts and counting. As we all want to help you

Booche

29-12-2010, 06:27 PM

Ney botha mate;) :D :D

Anyway Dave where the :Censored: are you? You've generated 50+ posts and counting. As we all want to help you

I'm actually taking notes and taking in all everyone has/is saying :)

The residency i had was the last Saturday of every month which suited me fine as it was quite good money for the times and for what i had to do.

As for the website i've had nothing come by since i altered it but now i have been speaking with a fantastic bloke and he is going to help me sort this issue out :D

Thankyou for all the kind words people have said :)

Cheers Dave :)

P.s. If there is something i've missed i do apolagise now lol

paulg

30-12-2010, 12:37 PM

What makes you say that then? I have a fairly healthy business and didn't have any functions within 10 miles of me. :confused:

Well I gave several indicators but it's fine just to pick on one of them. If you're not nailing the work on your doorstep or at least having the opportunity to turn it down (obviously, if there is any) then something is wrong. Residencies certainly don't help. I abandoned all ours a good few years ago and went completely 'mobile'. That was a big step to take but it paid off. Even a residency for the last Saturday in each month means 11 or 12 days where you are probably performing for the same people and hence reducing opportunity for bookings.

After giving up residencies, I am now the preferred DJ at quite a few large WMC's / Clubs within spitting distance and others further afield. Hence, plenty of good offers for NYE. Like many of you, I'm also the first call for many people wanting to book a disco. If I can't do it, I can get somebody decent who can. I get to cherry pick. I got there without a website (yes, I know, I have one now) so as other have said, there's perhaps too much emphasis in this thread on blaming woes on websites and Google rankings. If I'd been unable to work in different places and get better known due to being stuck in a residency, I might not have any NYE bookings either.

PS - There's a downside to this - too damn busy! If I'd no booking on NYE I'd be absolutely delighted!!

Solitaire Events Ltd

30-12-2010, 12:49 PM

If you're not nailing the work on your doorstep or at least having the opportunity to turn it down (obviously, if there is any) then something is wrong.

:lol:

Obviously I have no clue what I am doing then.

ppentertainments

30-12-2010, 01:46 PM

PS - There's a downside to this - too damn busy! If I'd no booking on NYE I'd be absolutely delighted!!
If you want NYE off then why not take it off if you are so busy normally :confused: :confused: That's what I have done for the past 2 years, nice wedding tonight then tomorrow night off with family.

Solitaire Events Ltd

30-12-2010, 01:51 PM

Residencies certainly don't help. I abandoned all ours a good few years ago and went completely 'mobile'.

So you just abandoned all of the places that pay you money? Why? This is probably the worst business decision I have read on here!

And how could you afford to do that?

I don't understand. :confused:

Charlie Brown

30-12-2010, 01:57 PM

I don't understand. :confused:

Duh!

Of course you don't understand!

You don't know what you're talking about, remember. :eek: :D ;)

Corabar Entertainment

30-12-2010, 04:16 PM

Dave has hit a barren spell and its knocked his confidence.He's clearly a talented DJ as he has been subbed out to much revered company on here.... and I'd just like to add that Dave did a cracking job for us with the few gigs he did for us over Christmas. :)

Excalibur

30-12-2010, 07:18 PM

Booche

30-12-2010, 08:34 PM

... and I'd just like to add that Dave did a cracking job for us with the few gigs he did for us over Christmas. :)

Thankyou Angela

It was also a great time for me :)

paulg

31-12-2010, 05:00 PM

So you just abandoned all of the places that pay you money? Why? This is probably the worst business decision I have read on here!

And how could you afford to do that?

I don't understand. :confused:

Yep, all the places that payed me money - an equivalent of 4 working nights every week - and what a relief it was. I admit to wondering if I'd made the right decision. Anyway, on to your questions:

Affordability? - a temporary dip in income i.e. nothing coming in but I'd enough in hand.

Why? - because I didn't feel like I was my own boss and it got boring and I didn't want to become like a bad smell you can't get rid of as unfortunately, some residents become. I also never felt the need for the security of being resident - you know the sort of thing where a customer has to have a resident because they've put a skytech 'sound system' in the venue rather than because they're any good. I also wanted to do something that no-one else seemed to be doing locally i.e. not a deck stand style disco (nothing wrong with deck stands - perfectly adequate) but a 'big' stage filling disco at a competitive low price.

Residencies are OK in some respects but they are not future proof and are often so very, very dull. I decided that was not where my future lay and that leads on to the "Worst business decision ever". I drove past two of my old residency venues a week ago as I was on my way to a work at one of the biggest, nicest, largest and prosperous clubs in the area. (Unlike many, I now have PA and lighting big enough to fill large clubs and stages - I began building it up from income whilst I was in residencies). All three venues are on the same road. Both old residencies were closed and abandoned and I was going to the remaining club venue where my fee was 2.5 times more than at the closed venues. I'll be back there again I'm quite sure. I sincerely hope I make more bad decisions, in fact, the worse the better.