Full timers...

[Charlie Brown]

...What do you do in the day?!

I think it would be beneficial to all of us/especially me - to know and understand what you actually do in the day. How do you spend time on your business? Do you get bored or lonely? Would you like to part time/full time? What's stopping you? Too much to manage? Would you be where you are today if you had a day job?

I don't expect many replies but any would be helpful and interesting. :beer1:

[leelive]

Sold one of the cars in January so now cycle to nursery with a 2 year old and a 4 year old attached to the back of my bike each day (except Fridays)

I spend far too much time reading chat forums.

Been reading the Edinburgh Edition of the Waverley Novels by Sir Walter Scott to my kids this year... almost finished Redgauntlet this week. They love it. I aim for an hour per day. They also get regular stories too.

I am working on a few projects for the Walter Scott Club.. they take up a chunk of my time each week. Been doing that for 15years.

The rest of the day is taken up in buying stuff off the internet. Shopping, Cooking, Cleaning.. may be watch a film with the kids or play in the garden. Oh, and waiting for deliveries.... endless supplies of CDs to copy in wav format. Like collecting worklights..... the HID Xenon 35W flashlights are my latest toys.... Just taken delivery of 3 snow shovels.... one for the car. I expect to be digging snow for at least 2 hours per day in the near future.

A friend come around for lunch once per week and I go out to a mates house for a drink once a week during too.

Saving a fortune in Childcare not working full-time. Crazy prices. Got pals spending upto £2k per month on part-time childcare.

Lee

... I forgot to mention that I listen to upto 9 hours of music each day too. Trying to get through my entire collection.. might take a few years.
Lee

[funkymook]

In no particular order (and not every single day) - Giving Linda a lift to work (and picking her up). Walking and feeding the dogs. Housework. Shopping. Exercise and karate training. Helping at our junior karate club. Watching Doctors. Reading. Listening to music. Playing guitar. Cooking.
And a maximum of 2 hours DJ related admin, emails, follow-ups and gig preparation (usually a lot less).

Charlie you need a hobby, a dog and a girlfriend - that'll fill your day!


Lee - I'm sure you know this one, but one of my favourite anagrams is:
Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott = A novel by a Scottish writer.

[supersound]

Make a list or plan each evening for the following day(things to do).Everyday is different.I am quite handy with my hands so I make alot of stuff to save money,flightcases,consoles ect.I am just in the middle of making a 2 ft deckstand with frontage as I am an x welder.
Theres always something to do Charlie from cleaning out fluff from lights to making up leads.


Paul

[Vectis]

The only bit of advice I'd give is to work out what aspects of running the business bore the hell out of you or you otherwise dislike, and make sure you give over a little bit of time every day to do some of it.

Otherwise you put it off and put it off and eventually it becomes a mountain to climb.

[yourdj]

I spend too much time sitting in bed. I need to get up and about a bit more.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

For me, being full time at this job is great.
I did most of the hard work when I first started out as a business and now I have got into a routine where everything is progressing how I want it to.
Mondays is generally the busiest day of the week for enquiries so I make sure that I am at home all day on a monday. My wife takes Mondays as a day off so we're at home together. Tuesdays I sort out the shopping etc and whatever needs doing around the house. The laptop is always on and I work on that. I do a regular podcast show for a couple of forums so I spend time doing that too and I also play Darts on a tuesday night so I don't take on any meetings etc although I have the mobile with me so I can get back to emails etc on the move.

Wednesdays and Thursdays are generally Music days. I rip, tag and update anything that I need to. I do all of my online reactions to promos that I receive and also update the system with the latest releases that I may not have. I also go through the song request sheets to make sure that I have everything that the bookings require for the upcoming weekends gigs. I also generally arrange meetings for either Wednesdays or Thursdays. If I have a midweek booking, I will obviously do that and sort the stuff out for that the week before.

These days are also good for arranging access and set up times with venues etc in advance, Going to see venues if I haven't been there before etc..

Fridays and Saturdays are usually full on. I don't get much sleep as I can't switch off. I know I have stuff to do, where I need to be etc and so I get on with it. I know some people don't like doing early set ups but wherever possible, I do. I then have the rest of the day to myself.

It may be a full time job but it's as hard or as easy as you want to make it. I think I have made it easy for myself. My wife works Tuesday to Saturday running her own business designing couture wedding dresses and sometimes does long hours, going out early and getting in late so with me being here, I can make sure that the Dogs are sorted and dinner is taken care of etc etc..

Do I get bored? No.
Would I change it? No.
Since I went self employed and full time I said to myself that I NEVER want to do a 'proper' full time job and work for someone else again EVER and that's what keeps me on the ball with this because if the time ever came where I had to, I think I would go rapidly downhill.

[Gary (GDK)]

I spend too much time on forums and Facebook.

[chrisj]

I am a full time dj and children's entertainer. Usually up around 7-30 to 8 and first thing check emails incase of enquiries overnight. Have a pint of water as I check local papers on internet and ....yes ...forums too.
After about 2 hrs+ looking at the screen I may go shopping but usually go into my garage/workshop to make leads, flightcase or paint gantry/podiums for moving heads as they do get scratched a lot. THe podiums I mean.
Spend time each day in my glasshouse with tomatoes and cuecumbers though these will soon be finished. I also growing Bonsai Oak trees and others that I do not know the name of. It is relaxing spending time watching these grow. Ha Ha. Ususally do some gardening everyday and Tuesdays I do the gardens for a couple of pensioners and help with DIY in their properties.
Whenever I am around a trading estate or anywhere that may have some I pick up unwanted palletts or wood for the woodburner I fitted a few weeks ago. Cheap heating. Once a week I use a sawbench to cut the wood and then stack it.
Every day is different but I usually spend at least 4 hrs on the 'net and phone as I check for enquiries at least 10 times a day. Evenings may be spent in front of the pc again or sorting my accounts (usually once a fortnight) or contacting enquiries from earlier.
I must make more power cables for led uplighters and boxes to fit them in that I will paint black.
I spend around 1 - 2 hrs per day practising magic tricks as I am a member of Anglian Magic Society/children's magician. When I can get to my workbench, which is so cluttered at the moment, I make 'Wobble Wands' which take me 3 - 4 hrs each. I also keep in touch with other magicians and often discuss new magic tricks.

There is always something to do and I never get bored. Taken 2 enquiries during the time it has taken to write this on here. I am already booked for the first enquiry date and the other a YC disco for which I must now raise a contract and post later when I take dog for a walk.

Taking it easy, hopefully, rest of day as it is my son's 18th today.

[DAVESOUNDS SERVICES]

Hiya Charlie,
Im a Full time Dj but am pretty busy in the daytime too.
up at 08.00 then take Master Sounds to school,have a quick natter
with the young mums then home for 09.15
Wash up have a cuppa do the housework
10.00 get logged on and have a quick look on Flea-bay
or This forum.11.00 out to the shops for domestic stuff if need be
or out PAT testing or any out calls i have .
If ive no jobs maybe pop over to my Local Disco-shop
as sometimes cover any out calls of pub breakdowns for him
home around 14.00 get tea ready for cooking then off to school
for 15.20 back home tea made for Mrs Sounds arrival at 18.00
in bath for 19.00 then car packed and out to venue ( if working)
for 20.00 hours.
I tend to fit my paperwork in when i get chance in daytime but
only if ive no out calls.
You probably gathered ....
I rather enjoy this lifestyle!

ps Sound advice Mr Vectis!!!

Dave

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Networking events, business ideas, looking at current processes and how I can improve them, gym (active mind active body), social media and of course some "me" time every now and then. Plenty to do Charlie so if your at home bored then something is wrong IMO.

[Stu]

Interesting to see that so many of the full timers spend most of their days doing "personal" things and not actively doing "business" things. Refreshing to see some people not making this job harder than it needs to be!

[DAVESOUNDS SERVICES]

Interesting to see that so many of the full timers spend most of their days doing "personal" things and not actively doing "business" things. Refreshing to see some people not making this job harder than it needs to be!

BEST THING IVE READ ALL MONTH!!!
thanks for the post!

Dave

[Corabar Steve]

Interesting to see that so many of the full timers spend most of their days doing "personal" things and not actively doing "business" things. Refreshing to see some people not making this job harder than it needs to be!
:laughup: :rofl: :Laugh:

[funkymook]

Interesting to see that so many of the full timers spend most of their days doing "personal" things and not actively doing "business" things. Refreshing to see some people not making this job harder than it needs to be!

Actually I'd class myself as a part-timer with no other job, (which is how I want it).

There are lots of opportunities to make it into a full-time career (multi-op, hire etc) with all the extra admin that entails.

Will be interesting to hear from those who do substantially more than prepare for a couple of gigs a week.

[djdave01]

i spend most of my daytime doing the housework, shopping, dog walking etc.

often go for a 2-3 hour cycle or a swim if its raining. Pauline only works part time so we regulaly get full days together when we'll go out for the day.

Although im a full-time DJ, 2-3 gigs a week doesnt really take up that much time and as long as ive got my phone with me, i can deal with any enquires wherever i am.

[Davy]

Spend too much time on the forums , Started college to keep me busy so that's a grand total of 9 hours a week.

I volunteer at a community radio station
Go to the gym

If I have a quiet week or weekend Ill take a shift or 2 driving an artic to bump up the income if need be.


Spend loads of time looking at the website and what I can change and thinking about new idea's to increase what I do.

[BeerFunk]

Although I never quite 'made it' to be full time, I'd like to think that it wouldn't involve making up 38 hours a week.

Personally, I feel that every hour worked at the weekend is worth two midweek hours, so on that basis you could potentially be working '25' hours at the weekend. So yes, I would expect to have plenty of time through the week to do as I please, and I would feel that I'd earned it.

[Leicester Ben]

When I was full time and just doing discos I used to have loads of spare time in the week, I used to go to the gym, play golf, go to the pub etc. Just doing full time discos was pretty easy really as long as you have the work coming in!

I had a couple of years doing just discos and it was really good but I'm glad that I pulled my finger out and started looking at other areas to expand into it!

I imagine that you will hate working every friday and saturday night Charlie, I did!!!

[NKR]

Although I never quite 'made it' to be full time, I'd like to think that it wouldn't involve making up 38 hours a week.

Personally, I feel that every hour worked at the weekend is worth two midweek hours, so on that basis you could potentially be working '25' hours at the weekend. So yes, I would expect to have plenty of time through the week to do as I please, and I would feel that I'd earned it.

So how does that work then? Just interested as I work full time during the week and DJ'ing is :Censored: easy compared to the day job!

[BeerFunk]

So how does that work then? Just interested as I work full time during the week and DJ'ing is :Censored: easy compared to the day job!Nothing to do with the difficulty of the job, it's just generally accepted that you should be paid more for working evenings, nights and weekends.

Obviously a DJ will work weekends by default, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't be paid extra for it like any other profession would be (after taking all other factors out of the equation).

[Charlie Brown]

Networking events, business ideas, looking at current processes and how I can improve them, gym (active mind active body), social media and of course some "me" time every now and then. Plenty to do Charlie so if your at home bored then something is wrong IMO.

Networking events, business ideas and looking at process? What is all of that and how much time does this really take up?

Neil, to most part timers looking to go full time (and myself) you're someone to aspire to. Several people made the same comment at BPM. You had the balls to leave your day job and pursue your dream...to run a successful business. I know you're probably not raking it in and living the dream (YET) but how have you become so successful in such a short space of time?

I don't expect you to give away all of your trade secrets but a couple of pointers on how you have achieved what you have, would be interesting and beneficial to a lot of us!

Martin hammers home to me about the importance of Facebook and blogging. I've been keeping my FB page pretty active with status updates and new photos but my enquiry rate hasn't changed and clients haven't mentioned the page.

I will have a look into blogging, but again, I find it hard to believe anything will change - Hopefully, it will boost my SEO a little.

...

The other comments were interesting. You guys have a home and family to run but at 18, I don't have those responsibilities. I don't have to get up in the morning to drive mum to work or cook dinner or visit Sainsbury's for that matter! I need to be proactive and positive but at the moment, I'm finding being stuck in the house very demolishing (don't think I spelt that one right, PETER? :D). I work fast and like being busy yet I feel like my life has come to a halt. I think people can get used to staying at home and doing nothing. It's a vicious circle - not referring to anyone on here, you know what I mean.

[yourdj]

Why do you have to be stuck in the house?? Go to a local golfclub or something like that and work there?
Surround yourself with people you aspire to be and you will become that person (not a golfer, but lots of golf clubs have successful businessmen).

Do not spend time with idiots-choose your acquaintances carefully.

All you have do then is sit on google all day and optimise your site as much as possible.
After that its just a matter of admin, meetings and preparing/going to gigs. :)
These will take up allot of evenings as thats when people are free.

I do not do anything else really to get work.

Apart from the network group but thats because I get bored, but its a good place to exchange ideas.

[Gary (GDK)]

I forgot to add that I do a lot of work in Schools, sometimes unpaid. I think it of sort 'PA' exercise, this week I'm building lanterns at Southwick School, and then going on the lantern walk on Thursday.

[axeman]

I get up around 10am, watch Judge judy, and laze around i enjoy war films and walking the dog. my wife is only working part time, so we do stuff together.


i worked for over 25yrs in the motor trade before being made redundant 4years ago, now im having an easy life....these are the happy days ive worked/waited for all my life.

I work a little bit on "Beatroute disco" every day answering enquiries etc, but i Generally put my coming weeks work in order on a monday.

[Excalibur]

The other comments were interesting. You guys have a home and family to run but at 18, I don't have those responsibilities. I don't have to get up in the morning to drive mum to work or cook dinner or visit Sainsbury's for that matter! I need to be proactive and positive but at the moment, I'm finding being stuck in the house very demolishing (don't think I spelt that one right, PETER? :D). I work fast and like being busy yet I feel like my life has come to a halt. I think people can get used to staying at home and doing nothing. It's a vicious circle - not referring to anyone on here, you know what I mean.

Demoralising.. This public service language lesson has been brought to you courtesy of Excalibur. Thank you.

[funkymook]

I'm finding being stuck in the house very demolishing .


Demoralising.. This public service language lesson has been brought to you courtesy of Excalibur. Thank you.

Unless he's stuck in the house with a sledgehammer!

[Excalibur]

Unless he's stuck in the house with a sledgehammer!

Kango. Work smarter, not harder. :Naughty:

[WWDJ]

Charlie, if I were sitting in your shoes now, my number one priority would be passing my driving test and getting a small runabout van.

You can spend lots of time proactively getting work and it will pay off, but mobility is likely to be your biggest barrier to accepting and delivering it.

Once mobile you will have new avenues of equipment dry/wet hire, kids parties during the day, quiz night plus the bigger earners at the weekend.

I've seen your videos and you clearly are a good DJ and entertainer, but you get bored and sidetracked easily. Try and overcome this by building some variety into what you do.

Oh, and it will get harder before it gets easier. That's the way. :D

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Networking events, business ideas and looking at process? What is all of that and how much time does this really take up?

Neil, to most part timers looking to go full time (and myself) you're someone to aspire to. Several people made the same comment at BPM. You had the balls to leave your day job and pursue your dream...to run a successful business. I know you're probably not raking it in and living the dream (YET) but how have you become so successful in such a short space of time?

I don't expect you to give away all of your trade secrets but a couple of pointers on how you have achieved what you have, would be interesting and beneficial to a lot of us!

Martin hammers home to me about the importance of Facebook and blogging. I've been keeping my FB page pretty active with status updates and new photos but my enquiry rate hasn't changed and clients haven't mentioned the page.

I will have a look into blogging, but again, I find it hard to believe anything will change - Hopefully, it will boost my SEO a little.

...

The other comments were interesting. You guys have a home and family to run but at 18, I don't have those responsibilities. I don't have to get up in the morning to drive mum to work or cook dinner or visit Sainsbury's for that matter! I need to be proactive and positive but at the moment, I'm finding being stuck in the house very demolishing (don't think I spelt that one right, PETER? :D). I work fast and like being busy yet I feel like my life has come to a halt. I think people can get used to staying at home and doing nothing. It's a vicious circle - not referring to anyone on here, you know what I mean.

Well thanks for the kind words Charlie, I said to Darren at BPM and will say again I couldn't of gone full time without the help of the forum.

I am somewhat surprised by the comment from some of the "full timers" (Some admit they consider themselves part time). First thing I did when going full time was cut back on "needless spending" and put together a "to do list" which the site was number one. Your sites are fine and of course Martin is a fantastic resource to have onboard. I would suggest looking at expanding the ways and means of people finding out about your site (this is when the networking comes in). Get yourself on twitter however I will go against what Martin says here and say facebook isn't that great IMO. Its good to link to from twitter to show off photos but for me twitter far outperforms facebook. Make sure you get on linkedin too.

If I was you this would be my to do list.

1. Look at your transport issue, if passing the test is the cheapest means of getting to events then get on that. Set a pass date, if your up and running by Christmas your laughing.

2. Social media! Read up on it and get involved, twitter, linkedin are the top two however there are others. Whatever you do don't just put spam on there but think from a clients point of view, make whatever you say interesting to them.

3. Wedding fayres, check out the local ones and pick the ones you fancy. Don't just use these events to gain work from clients but also get to know the venue and other suppliers. I picked up two Weddings from clients at my last fayre but also got NYE sorted from one of the other suppliers who's husband has just taken over one of the local hotels.

4. Get into your head when making business purchases "is this going to earn me more money". For example I would love to get some wizards but lets face it 99% of clients aren't going to notice the difference and are unlikely to want to pay extra for this. That said I brought myself an Ipad because its fantastic to use at Fayres and client meetings to help up sell extra products.

That lot should keep you busy for weeks, if done correctly. If you got any questions Charlie (in fact anyone) then give me a call.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

In all fairness, Charlie has already said that he wants to go out and get something else because he is bored already.
I personally think that he has a very good opportunity to go all out and make his Disco business as good as it possibly can be because he now has the time to concentrate on it IF IT'S WANT HE WANTS TO DO and is serious about it.

We can only advise and if someone doesn't want to take on board the advice etc and is adamant about doing something else, well that's up to them isn't it.
All of the advice given so far is spot on in my opinion. The first thing I would if I were in the same position would be to get my drivers license sorted (and I mentioned this ages ago). Get some independence so you don't have to rely on anyone else. It's been said loads of times too but Charlie is very fortunate to be still living at home. Now is the time to take advantage of that and spend the time getting yourself sorted.

Charlie may well have a lot to keep him busy for the next few months getting it all sorted but it should be enjoyable if it's something that you really want to do. He obviously has a good little reputation, a decent website etc so he has the foundations there already. I personally wouldn't be looking to get another full time job as I would concentrate on the business but that's just me.

[Charlie Brown]

Okay,

Two hour driving lesson booked in for Thursday. I'm determined to master it.

Sorted out my accounts. I just need to print off my receipts and my accountant will do the rest.

Secured two venues to recommend me. One of them seemed more delighted than me! She remembered me from June and said 'how can I forget someone with a name like you!'

I've got a good deal with a lady who does chair covers. Something else to promote on Posh.

Same as above but with a mobile bar company and outdoor BBQ experience.

Replied to B&G's who've been trying to get in touch.

Replied to a couple of enquiries and managed to secure a Children's Party in the process.

Yes, I didn't get up till 12.00pm but I feel really jolly. I'm not sure how long the productiveness will last, but I'm not complaining!

Thanks all for your help & advice. I'll let this thread lie for a few months and let you know how I'm getting on then..........I might be able to afford my £10 hotel in Birmingham next year after all! :lol:

Edit - With one of the venue's who I'm pretty sure will promote me, should I get some flyers professionally designed? 'Your wedding disco at ....' and the usual spiel? Or is that going OTT?

[Creature]

its very hard to keep focused and positive, what I came up with in the end works for me and it seems to get a fair bit done each day.

i use a large A4 diary and split it into 1 hour sections. normal day is something like this, altho somedays i do there things, sometimes will swap stuff around.

7am - 8am - print out and package up items for sale.
8am - 9am - Take wife to work and do any shopping.
9am - 9.15am have breakfast.
9.15 - 9.30am - Washup.
9.30 - 10.30am - Go into disco room ( tidy up, check cables, make cables, sort items for sale etc).
10.30am - 11.30am - work on my various websites.
11.30 - 12.30pm - potter about in garden.
12.30 -- 1pm Lunch time.
1pm - 2pm - go down bike shed.
2pm - 5pm - any traveling - ( collection of items i brought or visiting friends/prospective customers)
5pm - 6pm - practice guitar

As I have said not set in stone but try to keep the hour thing going - i fill in the diary each day as it progresses.

Often find that somethings take a bit longer or takes less time, so use that as chill out.

Sometime sit seems to take ages to do certain jobs like this but they ten dto be the most boring ones so any more than an hour is a waiste of time.

But as you fill up your diary - at least you can look back and see taht your days are busy and structored were possible.

[Charlie Brown]

Edit - With one of the venue's who I'm pretty sure will promote me, should I get some flyers professionally designed? 'Your wedding disco at ....' and the usual spiel? Or is that going OTT?

Anyone?

Do you folk just put together a PDF about a particular venue or have you gone all out and had stuff professionally made?

[DeckstarDeluxe]

If it is a strong lead you feel then why not get some venue specific ones. It is a strong selling point to clients if you have worked a number of times at their venue.

[Charlie Brown]

I have only been there once but the owner (to my knowledge) doesn't recomend anyone else. She's really lovely and (I think) took a shine to my dad and I.

She didn't mention that she wanted anything in return but I'd be happy to give her £x amount per booking she gets/recommends.

I know DJs don't like the venue to sell the DJ for x amount but do any of you give the venue a resellers fee? £50 for every client they pass your way who secures a booking? Keeping them sweet?

I will give it a whirl and drop Toby a line.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Get recommendations because you provide a decent service, not because you are bunging them £50...

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Get recommendations because you provide a decent service, not because you are bunging them £50...

My thoughts exactly... :)

[Excalibur]

Get recommendations because you provide a decent service, not because you are bunging them £50...

Agreed. If I gave a £50 "Finders Fee", I'd only be left with a tenner. :(