Thank you Martin - for the third time!

[Charlie Brown]

Although I didn't put Posh on the forum for people to comment/judge (because I know what it would lead too!)

I thought I would share www.charlesbrownweddingdj.co.uk - with you. :beer1:

Thanks again Martin for fantastic service, brilliant design and all your help. :beer1:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Nice site. Very well laid out, easy to read etc etc

A couple of points.

How are you a wedding specialist? Be truthful - how many have you done? Under 50 I would have though. Does that make you a specialist?

The other thing that doesn't sit right for me is this. You are trying for the classier clientelle by calling your self Charles Brown and having classy looking images and a black tie picture, but then you are talking about 'bundles', book more save more.

The two don't go together for me.

Oh and " I don't work strict office hours - being a wedding DJ means that I'm frequently out and about meeting clients"

Isn't that stretching the truth a little?

Nice site though.

[funkymook]

Oh, Charles is it now? :D

It's really good, not too much bumph to get through, just enough to create a good impression without overselling.

[BeerFunk]

Looks very good!! I like it :)

A few link issues though - the NADJ address is wrong (should be org.uk), and doesn't open in a new window. The VV Web, Youtube and Facebook links should also open in a new window really. Also, the Youtube link seems to go to your own login page, rather than a list of your videos, which I presume it's meant to?

[Gareth]

The two don't go together for me.



I agree

I like the site though. One thing I noticed (I didn't go through them all though) is the testimonials that I randomly scrolled over appeared to be for young birthday parties.

Cheers :beer1:

[Mark Wild]

Nicely done VV, I love the style of your sites, 2 thumbs up from me.

[StarZSoundS]

Charlie ....I would just like to say that when you are on song you are Mega.You leave other 17 year-olds standing.:eek: :eek: :eek:

You are still capable of being a :Censored: sometimes,however.

All of your Websites have appeal ...this one in particular.


When you are focussing on your business instead of squabbling with folk over nothing you ring all the bells!!Keep it up!!i have a hunch if you don't get bored you're going to the top!!What you have built up for your tender age is immense.:beer1: :beer1: :beer1: :beer1: :beer1:

[Charlie Brown]

How are you a wedding specialist? Be truthful - how many have you done? Under 50 I would have though. Does that make you a specialist?

You're right. I haven't had loads of experience but I've done a fair few now (nearly 40) and I have always received sound feedback.

My kit is neat and tidy...I take pride in what I do...I offer pre-event meetings...My music knowledge (isn't anything like yours or other members on here) but it's not bad...I enjoy what I do and I think this is shown when I 'perform'

I have 30 weddings booked so far for this year. I'm pretty confident I can pull it off...(although I don't demonstrate it on here much)

People can see I'm not 40 years old from that picture. If they would prefer someone older then I doubt they will enquire.

If you specialise in something - does it mean your great at the job or something you 'focus' on?




The other thing that doesn't sit right for me is this. You are trying for the classier clientelle by calling your self Charles Brown and having classy looking images and a black tie picture, but then you are talking about 'bundles', book more save more.

The two don't go together for me.

Oh and " I don't work strict office hours - being a wedding DJ means that I'm frequently out and about meeting clients"

Isn't that stretching the truth a little?

Nice site though.

True - Although the packages aren't cheap! They aren't really saving much...it's more 'packages'. Something to look at though. ;)

Stretching the truth - Yes, it is...What else would you say? Do they really need to know what I'm doing in the day? As long as I have enough time/energy to pull of their day, surely it's irrelevant? Saying that, I always take calls (directed from my Vonage landline to my mobile) when I'm at work.

Thanks Darren. Constructive points to address and look at. :beer1: :beer1:


Oh, Charles is it now? :D

It's really good, not too much bumph to get through, just enough to create a good impression without overselling.

Cheers. :beer1:


Looks very good!! I like it :)

A few link issues though - the NADJ address is wrong (should be org.uk), and doesn't open in a new window. The VV Web, Youtube and Facebook links should also open in a new window really. Also, the Youtube link seems to go to your own login page, rather than a list of your videos, which I presume it's meant to?

Thank you for pointing that out. I'm sure Martin is putting it on his 'to do' list right now. :sj:


I agree

I like the site though. One thing I noticed (I didn't go through them all though) is the testimonials that I randomly scrolled over appeared to be for young birthday parties.

Cheers :beer1:

I noticed that. It's a valid point. I think I'll ask Martin to remove them...It shows I'm versatile though. There lots of links taking people to Posh etc so they can see what else I do. BUT - I agree...doesn't seem right. ;)


Nicely done VV, I love the style of your sites, 2 thumbs up from me.

:agree:



Charlie ....I would just like to say that when you are on song you are Mega.You leave other 17 year-olds standing.:eek: :eek: :eek:

You are still capable of being a :Censored: sometimes,however.

All of your Websites have appeal ...this one in particular.


When you are focussing on your business instead of squabbling with folk over nothing you ring all the bells!!Keep it up!!i have a hunch if you don't get bored you're going to the top!!What you have built up for your tender age is immense.:beer1: :beer1: :beer1: :beer1: :beer1:

Thanks for your kind words. I'm still a kid at heart...emotional and erratic. I'm bound to have a few disagreements with some of the OAP's on here. :eek: :eek: :eek:

....Joke. ;)

[Mark Wild]

Is VV also helping you respond to some comments on the forum now? ;)

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I really like the look of the site.
I would tend to agree with Darren on the experience side of weddings but saying that Charlie, if you have done 40 weddings then I'd say you have enough experience with different situations because as I'm sure you know and will agree, they are all different and no wedding is the same.

I'm not sure about the 'bundles' description either. If you are aiming for that classy feel, 'bundles' is the wrong word to use.
To me it's a bit like wearing a dinner suit, dickie bow etc and a pair of trainers on.

Other than that, great and good luck to you.

Martin, would it be possible for you to email me at [email protected] with some information on your pricing etc.

Cheers
G

[Mark Wild]

I'm not quite sure what the problem is with the word "Bundles"

[Gareth]

I noticed that. It's a valid point. I think I'll ask Martin to remove them...It shows I'm versatile though. There lots of links taking people to Posh etc so they can see what else I do. BUT - I agree...doesn't seem righ

I agree with that but your site is aimed at weddings though :)

[Booche]

I like the new look mate and style mate so nice work VV/Martin :)

Charlie i dont mean to come across mean etc or dont want to start anything BUT i do agree with what Daren has said, yes ok you do have 30+ weddings under your belt but does that class you as a expert ?

You do have a nice selection of sites which differ for clients ie: Partys, Posh and now Weddings which im sure you are going to see reflection of work wise but i have to ask what are you going to do with your day job ? as now you offer most of what people want for any type of event apart from a few ares which im sure people will mention like Karaoke, pub quizs etc or do you consider these non money worthy etc ?

As for 'Bundles' as soon as i see that word i start to think of Butlins,Pontins or something that a shop has to offer to get you to buy cheap things altogether lol

Hope this works out for you mate though :)

Good work Martin/VV :D

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I think you charge too much Charlie and I do wonder how you manage to run these sites and an so called events company while also holding down a full time job?

Site itself is nice I will say.

[Danno13]

If I had 30 weddings booked in for this year already (as a sole operator) I'd be worried I was too cheap :D

[ppentertainments]

If I had 30 weddings booked in for this year already (as a sole operator) I'd be worried I was too cheap :D
That was my initial thought. Charlie - how many bookings are you aiming for this year, or is it 'as many as possible' :D

Excellent site, probably go so far as to say it's the best DJ site I have seen, so simple yet informative.

Packages - if they work go for it imo, makes things a lot simpler, however make sure it does not restrict you, or that you actually loose add-ons because of it ;)

Edit : Don't like having 'Charles Brown' then links to 'Charlie Brown', make it seem a bit false.

[STEVE HANLEY]

Sheer class. Love it

Well done Martin & Charlie. Top marks

[yourdj]

If I had 30 weddings booked in for this year already (as a sole operator) I'd be worried I was too cheap :D

You have a point I am beginning to think I am too. I have about 23 odd personally and a few more for the other DJ's.

Down to over advertising I would say which may be charlies reasons too as he is priced the same as me. :)

[Marc J]

The VV Web, Youtube and Facebook links should also open in a new window really.

To be valid XHTML you can't have links open in a new window, as there is no "target" attribute for <a> elements. The site actually fails validation on this one issue (although the WC3 checker says it passes), because of the target="_parent" in the iframe for the scroller (why is this an iframe, anyway, it would be much better as a div?).

Of course, you can have links open in a new windows and still validate, by using Javascript to do it. This is a workaround but really flies in the face of the fundemental issue why it was removed in the first place - you're forcing a behaviour on the visitor which isn't expected. If they want to open in a new window / tab they can right click / middle click / hold CRTL etc. It used to be standard practice to open all external links in a new window, but not so much now.

To say these links should open in a new window is wrong.

[BeerFunk]

To be valid XHTML you can't have links open in a new window, as there is no "target" attribute for <a> elements. The site actually fails validation on this one issue (although the WC3 checker says it passes), because of the target="_parent" in the iframe for the scroller (why is this an iframe, anyway, it would be much better as a div?).

Of course, you can have links open in a new windows and still validate, by using Javascript to do it. This is a workaround but really flies in the face of the fundemental issue why it was removed in the first place - you're forcing a behaviour on the visitor which isn't expected. If they want to open in a new window / tab they can right click / middle click / hold CRTL etc. It used to be standard practice to open all external links in a new window, but not so much now.

To say these links should open in a new window is wrong.The technicalities aside, it's fairly obvious that you don't want someone clicking a link which takes them away from the site, and their attention becoming drawn to something else.

You're probably right to say that external links don't open in a new window as much these days though, probably due to people becoming more experienced browsing the Web (ie. they know how to go back to the site if they wish).

Having said that, on this site, I'm not sure why some of the external links open in new windows and some don't :confused:

Anyway, these are minor issues which are detracting from what I said in the first instance - the site looks and performs very well indeed :cool:

[Marc J]

The technicalities aside, it's fairly obvious that you don't want someone clicking a link which takes them away from the site, and their attention becoming drawn to something else.

But that's what they wanted to do and where they wanted to go, when they clicked the link on your site. Whether they want that to open in a new tab or window is their decision to make, not yours.


You're probably right to say that external links don't open in a new window as much these days though, probably due to people becoming more experienced browsing the Web (ie. they know how to go back to the site if they wish).

The main reason you see it less is because the target attribute for <a> elements is depricated and not valid XHTML, so anyone wanting their site to validate this way can't and won't use it (without the javascript workaround).


Having said that, on this site, I'm not sure why some of the external links open in new windows and some don't :confused:

True, pick a convention and stick with it!


Anyway, these are minor issues which are detracting from what I said in the first instance - the site looks and performs very well indeed :cool:

The site is fine. I tend not to comment on design issues when replying to these threads - just the technical issues. I raised this issue because the site is so close to validating, failing only on this one point in the iframe. If a site has 200 validation errors they obviously don't care about validation and so I wouldn't mention it. This is a well coded site let down by that one issue, which you picked up on and incorrectly advised there should be more of.

That's all ;)

[Sapphire Disco]

Sheer class. Love it

Well done Martin & Charlie. Top marks

Absolutely :)

[DiscosMobile]

Charlie

LEd tables.. Do you own them or are they your cloths and the venues tables???

Rick

[discomobiledj]

People can see I'm not 40 years old from that picture. If they would prefer someone older then I doubt they will enquire.

You look like a school kid going to a prom!



If you specialise in something - does it mean your great at the job or something you 'focus' on?

Oh dear.


Stretching the truth - Yes, it is...What else would you say? Do they really need to know what I'm doing in the day? As long as I have enough time/energy to pull of their day, surely it's irrelevant? Saying that, I always take calls (directed from my Vonage landline to my mobile) when I'm at work.

And how long is the employer going to be happy with you doing that?



Charlie

LEd tables.. Do you own them or are they your cloths and the venues tables???

Rick

I assume that he hire's them in from Ben (Leicester Ben) who is on this forum

[Ecstatic Events]

I get what Gary is saying about using the term "bundles"

If it were me personally, Id use the obvious "packages"

Other than that - Really impressive site!

Martin - You da MAN!

[Mark Wild]

I get what Gary is saying about using the term "bundles"
If it were me personally, Id use the obvious "packages"
Other than that - Really impressive site!

Martin - You da MAN!

Package? Like cheap nasty 'holiday package' to Magaluf? pffft

I prefer 'Bundle' it reeks of class and elegance.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I don't like package or bundle.

Horrible.

[funkymook]

I think 'Option 1, Option 2 etc.' sounds better.

And using words like 'Enhance, Enhancement' keeps the upmarket feel going.

Use an on-line Thesaurus and pop any dubious 'downmarket' words through it for 'posher' alternatives.

[soundtracker]

Or perhaps The Windsor option, the Balmoral option, etc?

[funkymook]

Or perhaps The Windsor option, the Balmoral option, etc?

Or

Pauper
Peasant
Prince

[Gareth]

TBH bundle or package makes me think of the Safestyle UK Advert with there crappy BOGOF offers!

[Charlie Brown]

You look like a school kid going to a prom!


Cheers. :)



And how long is the employer going to be happy with you doing that?


If the phone was ringing constantly then obviously they would get knarked but it isn't, so I'm cool. ;)

It's very laid back - I wouldn't have lasted so long otherwise.



I assume that he hire's them in from Ben (Leicester Ben) who is on this forum

Indeed!

It's tables with LEDs built in.

[Mark Wild]

You're going to be a busy boy young Charles !

[DazzyD]

First of all, I like the site as it's nice and simple. Personally, I wouldn't have put the "about me" on the home page but I suppose the site is about you so it's not a major issue. I might have included another page with more indepth info about you and just left a brief paragraph on the home page. Again, that's just me.


I get what Gary is saying about using the term "bundles"

If it were me personally, Id use the obvious "packages"

Other than that - Really impressive site!

Martin - You da MAN!


I don't like package or bundle.

Horrible.


Package? Like cheap nasty 'holiday package' to Magaluf? pffft

I prefer 'Bundle' it reeks of class and elegance.

I don't get the problem here. Admittedly, I associate the word "bundle" to a collection on sticks or mobile phone texts and call minutes. So, from a personal point of view, I wouldn't use the term "bundle". However, I can't see a problem with the work "package". Lots of venues (even the poshest of venues) offer a "wedding package" where you get a number of services for your wedding day. So, why can't the DJ offer a package of services?

For marketing purposes, PACKAGE = a collection of services bought/ordered together = MONEY SAVED. In today's economic climate, everyone is position whereby they could do with being a bit thrifty. People will be interested in paying less money for the same quality of service. And this is key - you have to make it clear that the package contains exactly the same quality of service the client could expect if he/she was booking the services individually. If a client is allowed to believe that the service is not the same quality because it is part of a "package" then they may not buy.

Client perception is everything. And this is influenced by your marketing. Fact!

[StarZSoundS]

Multi Websites....;) ;)


Signed up to so many other sites (ukbride etc):eek: :eek:



I can fill my diary near enough with repeat business:confused: :confused:


Was going to start another thread!!

[Excalibur]

Multi Websites....;) ;)


Signed up to so many other sites (ukbride etc):eek: :eek:



I can fill my diary near enough with repeat business:confused: :confused:


Was going to start another thread!!
Mayhap. However, unless Charlie knows a couple of serial adulterers, how much repeat business will he get with his weddings? ( And yes, I know you're going to say Christenings, 18th's etc. :D :D )

[StarZSoundS]

Mayhap. However, unless Charlie knows a couple of serial adulterers, how much repeat business will he get with his weddings? ( And yes, I know you're going to say Christenings, 18th's etc. :D :D )


Peter...

Repeat business should also include folk who come and enjoy and want you for their own function IMHO.:confused: :confused: :confused:

[soundtracker]

Peter...

Repeat business should also include folk who come and enjoy and want you for their own function IMHO.:confused: :confused: :confused:

Yes I agree Martin:)

[Excalibur]

Yes I agree Martin:)

:eek: :eek: :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[soundtracker]

:eek: :eek: :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

I know....it really hurt!:D

[Excalibur]

I know....it really hurt!:D

Perhaps. But now you've done it once, it will be so much easier the next times. :sofa:

To be serious, and pedantic though, is what you are referring to "repeat" business? I'd have said it was "referral" or "word of mouth", in that it isn't the same customer rebooking. .:confused:

[Corabar Steve]

To be serious, and pedantic though, is what you are referring to "repeat" business? I'd have said it was "referral" or "word of mouth", in that it isn't the same customer rebooking. .:confused:
Me too, although I decided against saying anything, because I'd never want to come across as pedantic :sarc: :sj:

[Charlie Brown]

Although I get many 'referrals' (recommendations) with children's & teen parties (they seem to have loads)...I still need to wean myself in with oldies.

Technically, I have only been working 'properly' for the past 10 months.

[Excalibur]

Technically, I have only been working 'properly' for the past 10 months.

And at my age mate, bits of me haven't worked properly for the last 10 months. :( :( :o :o :o

[DJWilson]

The only downside I have is the feedback 'letters'. You can tell they was made in a image software. Surely the real letters would come across better, to stop potentional clients suspecting anything?


Also, almost £2K for Budle four?!

[Booche]

Also on your feedback i'd actually get rid of the Mobile number thats on top of one of the feedback shots etc