Reactive or Proactive?

[Ecstatic Events]

Hi All,

Inspired by a recent thread, I'm just curious how the majority of you secure bookings and fill the diary.

When I first started out I was very proactive and have always had the mindset

"Business will not come to you, you need to go out and find it!"

I've been mobile for around 18 months now and I'm doing OK. Initially I started out contacting venues, local operators etc to say "Hello!" and the diary is looking healthy. The current ratio is approx 70% of my own bookings and 30% sub contracted from 5 other operators.

I have always been a firm believer that good DJ's will always have work but I'm interested to find out what steps you guys take to fill the diary???

[Shakermaker Promotions]

When I first started out I had the same mindset mate. Work won't come to you, you have to get it. I started with mailshots because I thought at the time that they would be the easiest thing to do. It wasn't the case though. I thought of two things from the receiver's point of view and that was (a) It was spam and I'd just throw it away. If I had someone already, why would I change them and also, (b) It's easy to just send out literature etc but I'd get the impression that it was a mass thing and if the person sending it couldn't be bothered to actually see me face to face then they weren't that bothered.

I did the mass email thing too and quickly decided that it was the wrong move too. I ended up actually going to see venues. The first one I went to see were interested straight away. It was a case of 'right place at the right time' really as the venue weren't happy with who they were using. I thought it was easy then and started to ring around venues to get meetings arranged but it was harder than it sounded and I got lots of knock backs which dented the confidence.

The next thing was to get a presence on the web so I sorted my website and got some free listings on various sites. I also paid for listings and advertised in the Yellow Pages, Yell and Thompson etc and stuck my cards in shop windows etc...People need to know you are out there.

One of the other things that worked for me was that I was doing regular events that I promoted myself and I would always get people asking if I did private work too. I contacted one DJ business in my area as I hadn't heard of them and they claimed that they were doing very well. I didn't want to contact any of the others as in all honesty, I didn't want to be associated with them as my main aim was to do a better job than them.

As you know Mike (and everyone else), if we could clone ourselves it would be great and we'd be rolling in it. It's hard to get decent, trustworthy DJ's with decent equipment who know what they are doing. I had one but she didn't listen to advice etc and had no passion. When you called me up and introduced yourself, it was great. We knew of eachother and there you go.

I still advertise on various sites and other places but I have cut down a lot. What I tend to do now is speak (nicely) to the person in charge whenever I go to a venue that I haven't been to before and sell myself if possible, usually when I am setting up. I leave them cards etc once I have spoken to them and I never push them. I leave it up to them and it's quite relaxed. They probably throw them in the bin for all I know but it has worked for me.

[Paul The Party Dj]

I'd say reactive businesses in 2011 may not be around in 2012 - and I'm not just talking about DJ'ing. These are tough times in every walk of life, only the strong survive.

I'm working hard on my marketing for the coming year. My new website is up, and I'll be adding more testimonials and stuff to it. I've booked 8 wedding fairs before Christmas. I'm networking more than ever. I'm working hard on improving my skills. The best thing is - I love doing all this stuff!

[CRAZY K]

I'd say reactive businesses in 2011 may not be around in 2012 - and I'm not just talking about DJ'ing. These are tough times in every walk of life, only the strong survive.



These days reactive is simply responding to website enquiries, so as we dont have time here to do all the other things cant see that being a problem.

Reacting to enquiries and securing the business in competition is a very highly skilled job and we will be around for years to come.

However following all the other methods described is very commendable and im sure will result in success.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

These days reactive is simply responding to website enquiries, so as we dont have time here to do all the other things cant see that being a problem.

Reacting to enquiries and securing the business in competition is a very highly skilled job and we will be around for years to come.

However following all the other methods described is very commendable and im sure will result in success.

Ah....but having the website is proactive ;)