It's started already!

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Happy New Year everyone.
Before I start, I'd just like to say that I haven't made a New Years Resolution, I never do....however, I will try my hardest to stop writing epic posts because I know a few people on here really don't like them.

So, 2 days into a new year and the enquiries are flooding in already. I really didn't expect this at all? I had a few yesterday on New Years Day and a few more today. Now, I am not moaning at all....it just seems people can't wait?

Anyone getting the same?

[Corabar Entertainment]

Not a flood, but a couple... Even had someone phone up for a quote at 10:10pm last night!

(Wasn't best pleased with that, so they didn't get one :p)

[STEVE HANLEY]

I've had 2 so far, both price shoppers though. I'll show my :moon: in Fenwicks window if either of those 2 get back to me.

As far as your epic posts are concerned..............Keep writing them mate

[Charlie Brown]

As far as your epic posts are concerned..............Keep writing them mate

What he said!

Nope, I'm wondering if something's wrong with my website. I haven't had ONE single enquiry for a month and a half!

...Martin, I want my money back. :D :D :D

[ppentertainments]

2 bookings yesterday, 4 enquiries this morning by email. Last year I got very few enquiries on January which is unusual - let's hope this year makes up for it.

[NKR]

What he said!

Nope, I'm wondering if something's wrong with my website. I haven't had ONE single enquiry for a month and a half!

...Martin, I want my money back. :D :D :D

Charlie same here. My site has sort of vanished onto page 15 or 16 of google. SEO appears to be a problem for me. I had asked Martin how his other sites were doing and what the key search criteria was from their hits.

I would appear your in the same boat as me though.

[Charlie Brown]

Charlie same here. My site has sort of vanished onto page 15 or 16 of google. SEO appears to be a problem for me. I had asked Martin how his other sites were doing and what the key search criteria was from their hits.


:eek: :eek:

Not sure what's going on. Let's wait to hear from Marin himself. Bookings for next year were quadruple what they are this year.

My business has gone down hill ever since I left the day job. Not good at all.

[Excalibur]

(Wasn't best pleased with that, so they didn't get one :p)
Tut tut. :no: We are after all, a service industry. ;)


As far as your epic posts are concerned..............Keep writing them mate
Agreed totally. In this case, less is in no way more. ;)

[STEVE HANLEY]

I've also disappeared from the Google maps for Newcastle and none of my websites are on the first 2 pages for Newcastle. I was always first or second on the Newcastle page???????:( :(

[Corabar Entertainment]

Tut tut. :no: We are after all, a service industry. ;)Not for telephone enquiries at 10:10pm on New Year's Night we're not!

Anyone who would phone at that time is immediately showing that they are going to be more trouble than they're worth, IMO.

[ppentertainments]

I've also disappeared from the Google maps for Newcastle and none of my websites are on the first 2 pages for Newcastle. I was always first or second on the Newcastle page???????:( :(

I am finding Google very unreliable at the moment have noticed not just my sites but others also seem to be up and down like a yo-yo.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Not for telephone enquiries at 10:10pm on New Year's Night we're not!

Anyone who would phone at that time is immediately showing that they are going to be more trouble than they're worth, IMO.

I agree.

And even people phoning on bank holidays are the same....:sofa: :sj:

[Kernow]

Happy New Year everyone.
Before I start, I'd just like to say that I haven't made a New Years Resolution, I never do....however, I will try my hardest to stop writing epic posts because I know a few people on here really don't like them.


As far as your epic posts are concerned..............Keep writing them mate



Agreed totally. In this case, less is in no way more. ;)

After all, there will always someone else who might take up the mantle ;)

http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?t=36404

:D :D

[Shaun]

Gary,

I can't recall ever seeing anybody say they don't like your longer posts? I can however recall you apologising nearly every time you make one? Lol. I fear it may be all in your head. :d


ok...back on topic.

2 email enquiries, for dates already booked. :(

[Corabar Entertainment]

I agree.

And even people phoning on bank holidays are the same....:sofa: :sj::D ;)

[soundtracker]

Started??? Its never stopped!

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Gary,

I can't recall ever seeing anybody say they don't like your longer posts?

I've just edited my reply. All I'll say is that there have been a few incidents in the past mate but onwards and upwards. The past is the past.

[sonicdj]

2 enquiries yesterday and one today ( so far) just after Christmas is generally a busy time...... possibly guys proposing when drunk new years eve :) although it has started early.

[Daryll]

Well I must be doing some think wrong....:( , I have two bookings for the whole of this year , and TBH , both of those were referals.

Daryll

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Depending on google for all your business leads is putting all your eggs in one basket isn't it?

I've had a steady stream of enquires so in talks with several couples, busy part of the season is looking healthy.

[Vectis]

Google works in mysterious ways.

Web clients with suspected ranking issues are welcome to contact me directly to discuss strategy.

---

From a needadisco perspective enquiries are slightly up on last year but I have noticed a big increase in "nicer" venues in the last few days.

---

[yourdj]

Not for telephone enquiries at 10:10pm on New Year's Night we're not!

Get an 08 number and you can edit the times of business. Or get an answer phone?
I personally hate answering sales calls and get annoyed when someone has landed on my site and
gone straight to the contact page. They then ring you up and ask all the questions that are clearly answered on the site.

I do not mind calling people back armed with some information, but I think email or whatever supersedes it is the future.
I have personally taken my number off all advertising and sites and just rely on email now.


I am finding Google very unreliable at the moment have noticed not just my sites but others also seem to be up and down like a yo-yo.

I am in love with goggle - no matter what I type for the local area I am on first page. For not spending a penny on it it quite frankly brilliant.




I can't recall ever seeing anybody say they don't like your longer posts?

+1 for me I hate big blocks of text but I am a lazy forum member.

[Corabar Entertainment]

Get an 08 number and you can edit the times of business. Or get an answer phone?

We've had an 0800 number for the last 15 years, Toby, plus answerphones / voicemail.

To explain a bit of background as to why I even answered it: When away from home (as I am at the moment) I divert the business line to a mobile. Unfortunately, my old mobile went belly up a few months ago and I haven't got all of the old numbers in the new phone yet, so over the last few days, I've been getting a lot of calls from family/friends not yet in my phone, so when it rang last night, I thought it was a personal call from someone not yet in my phone (and answered accordingly). I didn't dream that it would be a customer!

[yourdj]

I didn't dream that it would be a customer!

cool.

Can you not put a prefix in the calling number to know that it came from the 0800?
I used to have 999(client number) before which really helped as I would know how to answer the call.
Gets a bit more complicated when you have two different businesses :)

[Charlie Brown]

WHAT!?

How odd.

Ta Martin.

[surround sounds]

Same as Toby really whatever I type in to google eg mobile disco in xxxxx I am on page 1 so goggle is kind to me.
Had around a dozen enquires over the last few days

[theoloyla]

I've booked all of next December and NYE! :)

[CRAZY K]

Get an 08 number and you can edit the times of business. Or get an answer phone?
I personally hate answering sales calls and get annoyed when someone has landed on my site and
gone straight to the contact page. They then ring you up and ask all the questions that are clearly answered on the site.

I do not mind calling people back armed with some information, but I think email or whatever supersedes it is the future.
I have personally taken my number off all advertising and sites and just rely on email now.





If you are relying on punters reading your website carefully forget it--

Several posters on here ( including me ) who clearly show prices on the website( in my case in large bold RED WRITING and a message more or less saying dont bother to contact me if your budget is not big enough) still contnue to waste our time and probably always will. :mad:

Not talking to people on the phone-cant see that being a good long term strategy unless you sell baked beans on e bay or have a simple product based on cost alone.

Theres a lot you can do over the phone to secure business--including telling them you are sending an email quote;)

Anyway good luck with it.

I dont think email has yet replaced the phone completely.

Yes the enquiries kept coming over the Holiday--

[CRAZY K]

cool.

Can you not put a prefix in the calling number to know that it came from the 0800?
I used to have 999(client number) before which really helped as I would know how to answer the call.
Gets a bit more complicated when you have two different businesses :)

Try three--:D :D :D

CALLERS/DJs

COUNTRY AND WESTERN SHOW

RODEO BULLS

[yourdj]

Not talking to people on the phone-cant see that being a good long term strategy unless you sell baked beans on e bay or have a simple product based on cost alone.

I have not advertised my phone for more than a year now and have booked out the main Sats next year already so its working :)
I have found it cuts out a massive number of people but attracts a good clientele as I have lots of videos and info.

I have personally found that quite a few people spend 10-30 mins on the site and then have a strong commitment to booking after that. I also seem to attract the same kind of clients. ie - nice people in my key venues who know that the entertainment is important. :)

This thread worried me a bit as I have not had anything yet - but got two straight after posting on this thread :p

[Mark Wild]

.

I have personally found that quite a few people spend 10-30 mins on the site and then have a strong commitment to booking after that. I also seem to attract the same kind of clients. ie - nice people in my key venues who know that the entertainment is important. :)


Are you sure about that? What's the average time spent on your site? 10 - 30 mins seems a hell of a lot.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

2 minutes to watch the videos, 28 minutes to laugh about it :D

[Ecstatic Events]

Ive had a few genuine enquiries. But not enough to get excited about which seems to be the general consensus reading the replies.

1 enquiry has cheered me up within the last week. It was a pricing exercise, I cottoned on immediately and had some fun with my replies. Totally professional, but quite sarcastic.

This enquiry has made me think about the way I'm going to deal with future enquiries. I'm steering towards a consultative phone call request to the client (for any electronic enquiries) This way I will get a feel If I'm the RIGHT DJ for the function. I will definitely pick and choose my gigs this year based on requirements. Happy DJ = Happy Client.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I just wanted to make the point on this thread that it is totally different for me to get the amount of enquiries that I have had at this time of the year.
Usually I am looking at the diary for Jan, Feb and March and worrying. Remember this time last year Mike when you asked me what it was like?

I'm not saying that they will all convert to bookings but it's refreshing to see them coming in already and that was my point.

[Leicester Ben]

Just had a look at our emails and we have got 16 enquiries to do when we get back, and thats since Thursday (when I replied to all enquiries up till then). I know what we will be doing tomorrow morning, emails and picking up all of the voicemails.

Hopefully we will convert some :)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Just had a count - 13 since Friday which is about average I suppose.

[ppentertainments]

Just had a count - 13 since Friday which is about average I suppose.

Enquiries or bookings ???

[hammy]

I just had a run through of emails to reply to, It took me 1.2 seconds.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Enquiries or bookings ???

:lol: enquiries.

I wish it was bookings! :rolleyes:

[NKR]

Having moaned about SEO earlier. Phone rang 15 minutes ago and they booked a wedding DJ for Sept, which was increased to a singer DJ after a couple of minutes of conversation.

[Shaun]

Just had a count - 13 since Friday which is about average I suppose.

I need marketing advice from you then. :o

[Twinspin]

Havent had any. But after a bad 2011. I need to start rebuilding the business.

[yourdj]

Are you sure about that? What's the average time spent on your site? 10 - 30 mins seems a hell of a lot.

More like ten mins but quite a few people spend more than that.


2 minutes to watch the videos, 28 minutes to laugh about it :D

the videos do help. and they are probably laughing about it.
"Hey look at this idiot" :p

I have had three more today - one of which is a venue about 1 min from my house that i never get booked for :banana:

[Craig - Dragon Discos]

I've had half a dozen enquiries since the new year, which is cheering me up slightly as I only had 4 enquiries in the whole of december!
So far I've had 1 confirmed booking and one very promising lead which will hopefuly be confirmed tomorrow (fingers crossed) apart from those I only have 9 confirmed bookings for the year so far

[NKR]

I've had half a dozen enquiries since the new year, which is cheering me up slightly as I only had 4 enquiries in the whole of december!
So far I've had 1 confirmed booking and one very promising lead which will hopefuly be confirmed tomorrow (fingers crossed) apart from those I only have 9 confirmed bookings for the year so far

Thats what I can't understand. We get very few enquiries through. However, we have 35 confirmed bookings for the year and 6 we know will come in off one of our corporate clients, just waiting for the dates. Plus 3 other jobs I am slotting in around everying else as they want us and will work to our dates.

Yet we get only limited enquiries. 6 enquiries in 3 days would be a record for us. 6 in a month is pleasing and 10 a month would make me a happy bunny. I would need nothing more.

[Craig - Dragon Discos]

Dont get me wrong, its not all about the number of enquiries. But I only started to try and get out there last year so I'm effectively new to trying to get jobs (instead of a pub residency) if I get 4 enquiries a month and they all book, GREAT. Sadly this doesnt happen (yet) so I am playing the numbers game. Hopefully the more enquiries I get, the more chance of converting them nto bookings.

[JAMdisco]

Havent had any. But after a bad 2011. I need to start rebuilding the business.

Sorry to hear that John, what was so bad? Just lack of bookings?

I've had a few enquiries (5 emails and 2 telephone calls) haven't secured any of them yet and suspect the emails could be false price hunters... 1 of the telephone calls was a date I couldn't do. I have 4 weddings secured, 1 in May, 2 in August and 1 in September. December will be as busy as last year and NYE is already booked.

Hopefully, the email responses will come in and hopefully a lot more... :D

[Twinspin]

Lack of bookings in 2011. I still had some but a lot less than the year before. Yesterday i was sorting my books out to send to the accountant and i had a good insight to what bookings i did the previous year.

In 2010 i did 50% more bookings than 2011 which is shocking. I still did a few last year. But 2012 has started off ok.

Did a wedding on Sat Night at Cave Castle... out fri/sat this weekend then nothing till june after that. But im working on that now. I havent got anything for December this year at the min.

But im working on making some changes sooner rather than later.

[JAMdisco]

Lack of bookings in 2011. I still had some but a lot less than the year before. Yesterday i was sorting my books out to send to the accountant and i had a good insight to what bookings i did the previous year.

In 2010 i did 50% more bookings than 2011 which is shocking. I still did a few last year. But 2012 has started off ok.

Did a wedding on Sat Night at Cave Castle... out fri/sat this weekend then nothing till june after that. But im working on that now. I havent got anything for December this year at the min.

But im working on making some changes sooner rather than later.

Sorry to hear it, not wanting to hi-jack this thread but how are you advertising John?

[SC Events]

I've sent 8 quotes out between yesterday afternoon and today...2 have booked so far.

I have also quoted for discos that have been posted on Needadisco, GoodParty and AMPdj...so we shall see what happens with these.

My keywords on my website are doing the trick, however every so often, I bung a tenner on to AdWords and have noticed that makes a noticeable difference when I look at Analytics.