Clients asking for photos of the setup

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Have noticed more and more brides asking about the lighting what it does etc.. and also what the disco set up looks like.

I never had this asked to me in the previous 3 years of trading however I'm not sure if this is down to a vast increase in enquires and clients being full time or if it is indeed a new trend for clients to ask.

I'm now going to start taking photos at all my gigs in different venues because if I can provide a picture of being set up at their venue it'll help secure the booking.

[Danno13]

I get the odd one or two, but then I have photos in my gallery anyway so I guess it could be more if I didn't have them there.

[yourdj]

Had the first one for ages today ask that.

Groom in charge of the entertainment.

Sent him loads of good pics.

[ianforest]

I've had a lot of that recently, I generally humour the ones who ask the technical questions and for the others I point them to my website. The ones who want to get technical are no different to the "hi mate i'm a DJ too" characters you get at the gigs. Armed with a little knowledge they want to impress.

[TONYTIGER]

I've had a lot of that recently, I generally humour the ones who ask the technical questions and for the others I point them to my website. The ones who want to get technical are no different to the "hi mate i'm a DJ too" characters you get at the gigs. Armed with a little knowledge they want to impress.

Ian your post really made me smile :) have you seen some of the posts in the forums technical section by so called pro djs not every operator IMHO has good knowledge of there tools of the trade.It is one of the few industries were there are no formal qualifications.

[Mark Wild]

I 9 times out of 10 attach a couple of nice high res pictures of my rig and one of myself to my email responses.

[milo]

For the wedding market I think pictures and even a short video to show the rig, DJ presentation and lighting would give you the edge and clinch the deal.... Organising my wedding at the moment for March 2012 and we've got a house full of glass sweet jars, potion bottles(for love potion?), bird cages????, candles and all sorts or other stuff... Apparently it's all about attention to detail and getting everything perfect. I've been to soooo many wedding where the DJs rig has looked naff with wires trailing, crap lighting and advertising boards. There is a forum called you and your wedding (my OH calls it the bible) it makes for interesting reading in the entertainment forum - Take a look at what they have to say about booking DJs. :D

[Larry B Entertainment]

I 9 times out of 10 attach a couple of nice high res pictures of my rig and one of myself to my email responses.

:eek:
And they still book you ? :D

[Mark Wild]

:eek:
And they still book you ? :D

No LOL ! :p

[chrisj]

I was asked yesterday for pictures of what I would provide at a wedding by the future bride. I just said look at the gallery page on my website at the bottom of my email. I also mentioned the equipment may not be the same as it also depends on space available.
The venue had not been confirmed nor the date of the wedding.
I have had some people mention the equipment as they have previously booked discos that have turned up to borrow a table and with a tripod and a couple of lights. Some people like to know what the disco they hire will look like and it is happening even more now that there are so many people buying small systems and trying to get in the disco market.
IMO pictures on your website say a lot to the customers.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

have you seen some of the posts in the forums technical section by so called pro djs not every operator IMHO has good knowledge of there tools of the trade

So you are saying that every DJ must know how to repair an amp or recone a speaker?

Every DJ must know how to DMX? ;)

[CRAZY K]

Have noticed more and more brides asking about the lighting what it does etc.. and also what the disco set up looks like.

I never had this asked to me in the previous 3 years of trading however I'm not sure if this is down to a vast increase in enquires and clients being full time or if it is indeed a new trend for clients to ask.

I'm now going to start taking photos at all my gigs in different venues because if I can provide a picture of being set up at their venue it'll help secure the booking.

Perhaps get some vid clips of events with a link on your site---people like music, dancing and movement--

I suppose the problem is copyright as usual:eek:

[soundtracker]

So you are saying that every DJ must know how to repair an amp or recone a speaker?

Every DJ must know how to DMX? ;)

I haven't got a clue about any of the technical stuff, above and beyond knowing what plugs in where, and what to do if something stops, and tbh can get out of most problems with the use of a bit of back up kit. If something major goes wrong, I know a man that'll fix it! Managed like this for 35 years, its no biggie!
A lot of DJs seem very hung up on the kit, for me its always been about the music.

[axeman]

this thread has inspired me !!

I never thought of attaching a picture to my e-mail responses, gonna do it now though.

[yourdj]

I had a guy ask if my speakers were enough for 170 people yesterday. Its a bit annoying as you can see I know what I am doing by my site but I explained that modern speakers are smaller than they used to be but just as (if not more) efficient.

I might put an equipment section on my site as it is an important question that some clients need an answer too. A god picture of what it will look like.

I did this a few years ago which worked well.
Might do another one as this is not very good, but explains the equipment and me. :D

YouTube - YOUR DJ MOBILE DISCO

[TONYTIGER]

So you are saying that every DJ must know how to repair an amp or recone a speaker?

Every DJ must know how to DMX? ;)

No i am not saying that ,but having basic knowledge of the equipment you are going to use to earn a living certainly helps,the examples you mention are extreme .If you own a car do you read the handbook were to put petrol in or check the oil of course you do.
Every week i have djs coming in with there gear saying it wont work,"Have you read the manual No i suggest you change the fuse what fuse" is a typical conversation.
Had a classic last weeka fella came in with a pair of Peavey speakers saying the horns were blown,response from me you have come to the wrong place you need a garage what he says how come well i replied you need two 12v tail light lamps what a :muppet: so what im saying is get to know the basics of your gear how to use it & read the manual.
In the old days when i used to be on the road for weeks away from home and in another country when it went wrong you had to get on with it no nice forum in those days to help out ;) .
Even at my age i still go to college to learn or obtain knowledge on subjects that are relevant to our industry and i think the clients are much more clued up on gear and what they want nowadays.

[musicologydisco]

There's a lot more disco websites now who try to put off people going for a cheaper disco by suggesting their set up would be rubbish so that may be making people think about it whereas before it probably didn't occur to them.

[Mark Wild]

.If you own a car do you read the handbook were to put petrol in or check the oil of course you do.


I've never had to read a Haynes manual to work out where the petrol goes in with any of my cars, I must be a genius ! lol

[TONYTIGER]

I've never had to read a Haynes manual to work out where the petrol goes in with any of my cars, I must be a genius ! lol

Yes of course you are pretty good dj as well ,you would be amazed how many people put petrol in a diesel car i have :o

[Excalibur]

I 9 times out of 10 attach a couple of nice high res pictures of my rig and one of myself to my email responses.


:eek:
And they still book you ? :D
I thought something very similar. :D :D :D

I was asked yesterday for pictures of what I would provide at a wedding by the future bride. I just said look at the gallery page on my website at the bottom of my email. I also mentioned the equipment may not be the same as it also depends on space available.
The venue had not been confirmed nor the date of the wedding.
I have had some people mention the equipment as they have previously booked discos that have turned up to borrow a table and with a tripod and a couple of lights. Some people like to know what the disco they hire will look like and it is happening even more now that there are so many people buying small systems and trying to get in the disco market.
IMO pictures on your website say a lot to the customers.
If that message is getting through to punters, then at least it's progress.


So you are saying that every DJ must know how to repair an amp or recone a speaker?

Every DJ must know how to DMX? ;)
There was a time when I knew what I needed to know. Now I'm having to learn new tricks.


I had a guy ask if my speakers were enough for 170 people yesterday. Its a bit annoying as you can see I know what I am doing by my site but I explained that modern speakers are smaller than they used to be but just as (if not more) efficient.

You've not seen mine then, have you Toby? :whistle: :D :D
And if new kit is so much more efficient, why am I taking 1.5Kw of sound into the same venue I used to do years ago with 120w :confused: :confused: :confused:


I've never had to read a Haynes manual to work out where the petrol goes in with any of my cars, I must be a genius ! lol
Not the word I'd have used. :p :D :D :D

[DeckstarDeluxe]

See I use to be very guilty of selling the equipment and not the DJ before the forum advice finally got through to me.

When the site was re-done last year all the photos of the set up and specs was taken off. If this trend continues I might have to speak with Martin about doing so.

[Pe7e]

Some people like to know what the disco they hire will look like and it is happening even more now that there are so many people buying small systems and trying to get in the disco market.
IMO pictures on your website say a lot to the customers.


I quite agree, but there is little to stop the unscrupulous DJs in our ranks from stealing the pictures of others, and misrepresenting the true nature of the 'Maplinesque' rig they actually own, and will turn up with on the big day.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I must admit, I have never had anyone ask about the equipment that I use or what the set up looks like. I have had 1 Bride ask me if I had "One of those Twinkly Star things...." (Starcloth) but that's about it. I think if someone is enquiring without looking at the website first, they may ask (as I said, it doesn't happen with me), but there are photos on the website of different set ups so they know what kind of thing to expect.

I'm sure we all use the term 'tailor' when we try to sell ourselves? I always say that I will tailor the set up to meet their requirements. For example: I did a 21st Birthday party last year where the majority of people attending were epileptics. I used mainly Uplighting and colour changers and the parents were very happy with that.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

No i am not saying that ,but having basic knowledge of the equipment you are going to use to earn a living certainly helps,the examples you mention are extreme .If you own a car do you read the handbook were to put petrol in or check the oil of course you do.
Every week i have djs coming in with there gear saying it wont work,"Have you read the manual No i suggest you change the fuse what fuse" is a typical conversation.
Had a classic last weeka fella came in with a pair of Peavey speakers saying the horns were blown,response from me you have come to the wrong place you need a garage what he says how come well i replied you need two 12v tail light lamps what a :muppet: so what im saying is get to know the basics of your gear how to use it & read the manual.
In the old days when i used to be on the road for weeks away from home and in another country when it went wrong you had to get on with it no nice forum in those days to help out ;) .
Even at my age i still go to college to learn or obtain knowledge on subjects that are relevant to our industry and i think the clients are much more clued up on gear and what they want nowadays.

Ah, basic stuff, fair enough.

You worded the other post that all DJs should know how all of their kit works.

[Danno13]

Another one today, though not asking for photos, it's along the same lines.

I quoted for this about two weeks ago, posh looking venue so fancied by chances and chased up last week. Received a reply on Monday along the lines of still waiting for a quote from someone else, but will be in touch.

Yesterday, they came back saying they still hadn't heard from the other guy so wanted to go ahead, emailed contract today first thing this morning as I was out of the office most of yesterday.

Now he's replied with a list of equipment that the other DJ (who took two weeks to reply) has sent them along with a quote for this package (just over half my price), asking me what they get for my price.

What makes it more annoying is his list is completley meaningless with terms like "Powerful smoke or bubble machine" , "UHF Radio Mic", "1 x Mood Effect Light" :confused:

I'll keep you posted!

[paulg]

Have noticed more and more brides asking about the lighting what it does etc.. and also what the disco set up looks like.

I never had this asked to me in the previous 3 years of trading however I'm not sure if this is down to a vast increase in enquires and clients being full time or if it is indeed a new trend for clients to ask.

I'm now going to start taking photos at all my gigs in different venues because if I can provide a picture of being set up at their venue it'll help secure the booking.

Excellent news - it happens quite a lot for me too.

For many a year I've suggested to people that they get over the hang ups of moaning about DJ's with copied media or being outdone by Maplinesque DJ's and get on with putting on a show that people want. You can't download quality from the Piratebay and increasingy that will sort out the wheat from the chaff. Some of you do it with subtle minimalism whilst others (like me) tend to have a slightly more brash approach. Either way, it's good to see that people who make an effort are being appreciated more.

Talking about brash, I did an all pink lighting show for a twin 13th birthday last week - whilst it looked a bit OTT to me, the girls loved it and mum and dad booked me above cheaper quoutes because I can do that sort of thing with my lighting.

[chrisj]

I took a booking yesterday for nearly £500 from 5 until 7, background for 2 hours + speeches to start. Less than 1 mile up the road from me. Contract emailed and deposit paid within 30 minutes by bank transfer.
I was booked as the couple had seen my website pictures and details. They said 'not so many lights as in pictures please as we have candles on tables and don't want the effect spoilt'.
Website sold me again as they live other side of the country. When I spoke to them on the phone they did say they had looked at several websites in Norfolk.

[Larry B Entertainment]

I did this a few years ago which worked well.
Might do another one as this is not very good, but explains the equipment and me. :D



I like your video idea. Works quite well. It explains who you are, what they get for the money and what it does in quite basic terms :)

[DJDC]

I like your video idea. Works quite well. It explains who you are, what they get for the money and what it does in quite basic terms :)

Toby I liked the idea behind a video, I'd script it a little more and go the whole hog on presentation, I could see how that could work very well.

[yourdj]

I like your video idea. Works quite well. It explains who you are, what they get for the money and what it does in quite basic terms :)

Thanks did the job a few years ago as I did not have many other videos :)


Toby I liked the idea behind a video, I'd script it a little more and go the whole hog on presentation, I could see how that could work very well.

Yep. I do not use it anymore and am doing a new one soon for a new project I am doing. Will make it a bit more professionally. :)

[CRAZY K]

this thread has inspired me !!

I never thought of attaching a picture to my e-mail responses, gonna do it now though.

Attach vid clips--even more effective;)

[yourdj]

Attach vid clips--even more effective;)

Or links to youtube.

would a video clip be quite allot of memory or not get through spam filters? :)

[axeman]

Brilliant ideas, cheers boys

[CRAZY K]

Or links to youtube.

would a video clip be quite allot of memory or not get through spam filters? :)

Correct Toby we have You Tube Links --up to 30.

Sending emails with large attachments is NOT a good idea especially for Corporates as often they have strong filters as you mention--

The only problem now is copyright blocking by You Tube--we uploaded ours some time ago before they started to tighten up.

Mind you I dont suppose You tube recognise the Virginia Reel ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y-E3SO4wtI

[DJ Jules]

Correct Toby we have You Tube Links --up to 30.

Sending emails with large attachments is NOT a good idea especially for Corporates as often they have strong filters as you mention--


The other problem you'll find is with Corporates routinely blocking YouTube!!

You can get custom software fairly cheaply (free for this one (http://flowplayer.org/)) which provides the same kind of functionality as Youtube for your website and this also then gets round the copyright protection issues.

Julian

[Vectis]

You can get custom software fairly cheaply which provides the same kind of functionality as Youtube for your website and this also then gets round the copyright protection issues.


How? By allowing you to post copyright-protected content on your website?

Can't believe I'm actually reading a thread demonstrating such bad practice on MDD!

[CRAZY K]

How? By allowing you to post copyright-protected content on your website?

Can't believe I'm actually reading a thread demonstrating such bad practice on MDD!

Quite right, nothing gets round copyright--other than getting a licence granted
( if thats possible I dont know :confused: )

[Tom Lovick]

You could post it...... But put 'all music on these videos are solly copyright of the origional artists.'

Or you could just embed the youtube files into the site therefore allowing you to view them.

[Jason]

You CAN purchase a license that will allow you to add music to video clips on your website.
http://www.prsformusic.com/Pages/default.aspx
This is the legal way to achieve this. As their licences can be confusing, its best to give them a ring.


Jason

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

You CAN purchase a license that will allow you to add music to video clips on your website.
http://www.prsformusic.com/Pages/default.aspx
This is the legal way to achieve this. As their licences can be confusing, its best to give them a ring.

And they still won't know...;)

[Kernow]

You could post it...... But put 'all music on these videos are solly copyright of the origional artistes.'
.

Not if you want to impress the customer :( ;) :D