2012 not good

[deltaforce]

OK so had three yes three bookings for the rest of this year. Three weddings
one was booked a year ago he phoned other day they have split.
Another one the other day emailed said they had to cancel.
And now another one today. said she had found cheaper, I was only charging £160 for 5 hours as i know em, they said there mate will do it for £100 pound.
So that leaves me without bookings for the rest of the year:confused: :(

[musicologydisco]

Time to look at your marketing then. Are you listed on all the online directories and is your website up to scratch?
I'm across the other side of the county from you and there seems to be plenty about my way.

[Andy Collins]

Darryn, I've just taken a peek at your web site and to be honest it doesnt jump out and make me want to book you. Un-inspiring grey with ads down the side, stretched and dull pictures.

I'm not knocking your efforts so please don't take my comments to heart - but we are in an industry where pictures sell.

A nice well thought out web site with nice clear pictures will work for you. A web site should be your "shop window" take an objective look around the net at a few DJ web sites in your area as well as yours and imagine yourself as a bride. Based on appearance what site would you spend more time at?

You don't need to spend lots of money on a new camera either - when I started out, I asked a few photographers if they could take a few pctures of my kit and a couple of action shots in exchange for a link on my site or a few pounds. Most of the time they said yes and is a great way of getting nice pictures.

Web sites are invaluble. 84% of my bookings are made from clients who have seen my site. Spending a couple of hundred pounds on a web designer to build you a nice appealing site will be the best investment you'll ever make on your business without a doubt.

In my opinion you should 1. obtain better pictures - even stock pictures for now would be better. 2. build or commission a web designer for a nice appealing site, and write better content for it.

I believe if you did this, bookings would start to come your way.

[JAMdisco]

Sorry to hear of you bad news. Did you take deposits (or NRBF's). I know it's not much comfort in having a few quid rather than the full amount but I even take deposits for friends (complete with contract) and they are less likely to book someone else (even if it's cheaper) once they've parted with some money - especially if you specify it's non-refundable.

Maybe time to re-think your business strategy?

And yes, a decent website will surely help things along....

Good luck for the future :)

[simonp]

And when you cannot spell 'professional' correctly on the home page it wouldn't inspire any potential customer that you might actually be so!

[yourdj]

Darryn, I've just taken a peek at your web site and to be honest it doesnt jump out and make me want to book you. Un-inspiring grey with ads down the side, stretched and dull pictures.

I'm not knocking your efforts so please don't take my comments to heart - but we are in an industry where pictures sell.

A nice well thought out web site with nice clear pictures will work for you. A web site should be your "shop window" take an objective look around the net at a few DJ web sites in your area as well as yours and imagine yourself as a bride. Based on appearance what site would you spend more time at?

You don't need to spend lots of money on a new camera either - when I started out, I asked a few photographers if they could take a few pctures of my kit and a couple of action shots in exchange for a link on my site or a few pounds. Most of the time they said yes and is a great way of getting nice pictures.

Web sites are invaluble. 84% of my bookings are made from clients who have seen my site. Spending a couple of hundred pounds on a web designer to build you a nice appealing site will be the best investment you'll ever make on your business without a doubt.

In my opinion you should 1. obtain better pictures - even stock pictures for now would be better. 2. build or commission a web designer for a nice appealing site, and write better content for it.

I believe if you did this, bookings would start to come your way.

This is good advice from a man with an excellent site designed from the mind set of the client.
Just a shame he has moved a few miles from me :D

I agree this year is busier than ever for me, i have 3 wedding a week this week and 3 last week at £500 each (one all day at £995) so there is definitely good work out there. Its like that till Jan now. For a DJ that never answers his phone or goes to any fairs thats good going and I am very lucky.

Get a good designer on board to help and look at an effective marketing strategy.
First thing make sure you are tip top at your job, train, improve and increase your pricing to match that.

Believe and it will come. ;)