How much contact do you have with your clients?

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

I just phoned up a venue I've never done next week to find out when I have access, whether there's any stairs or bridge trolls etc... to deal with.

Once I had that cleared up I phoned the client for a quick chat about the final details of her event. I do this with all clients a week or 2 in advance and usually more often with weddings.

The first thing she said was: "Oh no, you're not cancelling on me are you?"

It got me thinking that this happens quite often when I do a follow up from a booking or last check up call with a client.

Maybe people just expect that once they've booked a DJ they don't need or want to hear from them until the night?

What do you guys think?

I know if it was me I'd want to know the DJ was making sure everything was in place for my night and was polite enough to let me know otherwise I'd be para that they weren't going to show up.

[MikeW]

Hi Jim. For me it varies from client to client. I was talking to a client last night whos wedding is in August! And yet the Wedding I have next weekend, the client has just got in touch with me after being booked for nearly a year.
If I have not heard from the client I will contact them a week before.

[djdave01]

for most clients, i speak to them at the time of booking, then again a few days before the event. For weddings there's usually an extra chat or two about first dances etc, but thats about it.

Since using online booking systems & email, i sometimes never actually speak to a client before meeting them at the event. Never had a problem.

[chrisj]

No Matter who my client is and wedding or party I always contact a couple of days before the function if possible. Admittedly I contact wedding couples 2 or 3, maybe more times, to ensure I have their music and there are no changes to their arrangements for the special day.
I also try to contact the venue, hotels are easy but village halls sometimes awkward.

Yes Jim, I have contacted the bride to be and received the same "Oh no, you're not cancelling on me are you?"

I actually called today's groom yesterday as I could not reach him earlier in the week and he was very grateful for my call but said he didn't expect it. I had met the couple only 3 weeks ago at the venue though.

[Excalibur]

How much contact with the client? Often zero. Venue books me as part of the package, I turn up, I play, venue pays me. Simples.

Now as some of you who haven't sprayed your coffee all over the monitor in disbelief already, at times it really is that simple. If I'm lucky, they'll tell me what the function is, but by no means always. It all adds a frissance to life, a bit of excitement. :D


I welcome contact, I encourage it, yet other than the initial phone call, many punters never speak to me again before the gig. ( And having met me, some vow never to speak to me again, after it! :D:D ) As long as I know the venue, I'm happy with however much or little contact I have. If I'm unfamiliar with the venue, that's different, but doesn't necessarily influence how much contact I have with the client, as I may contact the venue myself, and cut out the middleman.

[funkymook]

I meet 99% of my clients (usually after they've already booked me, so it's not to get the gig).

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

for most clients, i speak to them at the time of booking, then again a few days before the event. For weddings there's usually an extra chat or two about first dances etc, but thats about it.

Since using online booking systems & email, i sometimes never actually speak to a client before meeting them at the event. Never had a problem.

Pretty much sounds like what I do and it has been the non wedding gigs where people seem surprised that I've bothered to get in touch.

Mike I aim to send out an e-mail to weddings 6 months in advance pretty much to touch base with them and get them thinking about their tunes and also since I've got that 6 month "rule" it keeps me on top of things and makes sure I get in touch with every couple in plenty of time. After that I get in touch a month before hand just to remind them that final payment is due 2 weeks before their date and any first dances etc... need to be finalised by that date too.

It does change slightly depending on the gig. One of the partners in a civil partnership I'm doing in August was really excited about the lights and lasers I'd be bringing when we met before booking so if I pick up any new toys I send him a quick e-mail with a youtube link just to wet his whistle and they seem to like that. :)


Makes me shudder thinking back to when I did agency work where you had no contact with anyone except the agent and you could be told you were doing an 80th for 20 people and you'd turn up to an 18th for 150.

[Excalibur]

Makes me shudder thinking back to when I did agency work where you had no contact with anyone except the agent and you could be told you were doing an 80th for 20 people and you'd turn up to an 18th for 150.
Jim, you have no sense of adventure. Doesn't half break the monotony. :D:D:D

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Jim, you have no sense of adventure. Doesn't half break the monotony. :D:D:D

I suppose some of the best / funniest gigs I did include the ones I had no clue what i was walking into.

At one I had a bunch of drunk spoilt 16 year olds have a full on Grange Hill style sit in protest at some s:Censored::Censored::Censored::Censored::Censored : golf club because after a night of chaos at their end, the bar manager finally decided he was shutting the night down.

If only the DJ didn't have some sort of attachments to his lower body that would allow him to move around and leave the venue while they all sat on the dancefloor looking smug with themselves. :D

EDIT: lol at the censoring. Didn't see that one coming.

[katman]

Makes me shudder thinking back to when I did agency work where you had no contact with anyone except the agent and you could be told you were doing an 80th for 20 people and you'd turn up to an 18th for 150.

I had a gig for the "Over 50's Club" about 25 years ago, worked through in my head as to the music they grew up with and was looking forward to a great Rock and Roll Night. Got there to find that although it was indeed the "Over 50's" club most of the people had been members for at least 20-25 years. So had a good night of Strict Tempo and Big Band :)

.... then there was the "Wedding" I turned up to, only to find it was actually a "Ruby Wedding Anniversary". Joe Loss, Victor Sylvester and Glenn Miller to the rescue again :lol:

[yourdj]

I meet all clients at the venue before booking and once or twice after depending on the level of planning required for the event. :)
I find the weddings when you don't know the client before are always different as you have not gained that level or personal trust/respect.

Each to their own but I never use phones as I don't like them as they can lack the personal touch. I just don't like not seeing the other person.
Skype in the instance when a client lives abroad or something. Give me a coffee and a nice chat anytime.

[Daryll]

I always try to meet the client before any event , that goes for a venue visit as well , for weddings , meet approx 2 months before the event , and again a few days before , just to check any last minute details etc, I make the client aware that I am on hand when ever they need me.

Daryll

[DazzyD]

I must admit to having quite a lot of contact with the client from the enquiry stage right through to the event. Confirmed clients get my personal mobile number and they can contact me anytime they like (within reasonable hours!) if they have any questions, queries or ideas about their booking. It's their event, after all, and I'm all for giving the client exactly what they want.

If it's left to me, I contact the client at the enquiry stage, then after payment, then for the music requests then a final check-up call a week before the event. So I guess I'm pretty much in touch right through. But good customer service, including building client relationships, it pretty much a big part of what I do.



How much contact with the client? Often zero. Venue books me as part of the package, I turn up, I play, venue pays me. Simples.

Now as some of you who haven't sprayed your coffee all over the monitor in disbelief already, at times it really is that simple. If I'm lucky, they'll tell me what the function is, but by no means always. It all adds a frissance to life, a bit of excitement. :D


I welcome contact, I encourage it, yet other than the initial phone call, many punters never speak to me again before the gig. ( And having met me, some vow never to speak to me again, after it! :D:D ) As long as I know the venue, I'm happy with however much or little contact I have. If I'm unfamiliar with the venue, that's different, but doesn't necessarily influence how much contact I have with the client, as I may contact the venue myself, and cut out the middleman.

I've got an agent like that!!


...
Makes me shudder thinking back to when I did agency work where you had no contact with anyone except the agent and you could be told you were doing an 80th for 20 people and you'd turn up to an 18th for 150.

I recall one gig being told it was for a 50th wedding anniversary so I went out and bought loads of old music on CD (it was a good few years ago). When I got to the gig, I found it was a 50th birthday and the birthday boy was a total raver and I had all his requests already!! Money down the drain! Don't you just love agents who can't be bothered to get the proper details??? :zip:

[ukpartydj]

It depends for me, I do everything online and encourage email conversations as I can easily go through all the details again without calling the client.
I offer to meet some of my wedding clients if they want my full service, if they are looking to cut a few corners and save a few quid I stick to emails and phone calls.

Normally I take the booking, give them an email a couple of weeks before the event to ask for any requests / an idea of the age range and music required.
I ask the client if it's ok for me to setup a couple of hours before if they agree I generally give the venue a once over on google for parking and opening hours and don't bother contacting the venue.
Then a couple of days before just give them an estimated time of arrival just for an excuse to contact them so they don't worry as much hopefully about me not turning up.

Sometimes the client has led me up the wrong path... couple of days ago (Friday) I was doing a 21st birthday party in Oceana Southampton, I was asked for modern nightclub music - the venue is a huge nightclub and it's a 21st... (he also mentioned it being guests ages 20-30's) was getting ready to whack out all my remixes and new music when the guests arrive ... 75% of them are 40+ with at least 20 people in their 60's, the night was an absolute disaster the older people were constantly asking for 60's and 70's and my client has asked for club music, I never saw it coming! I have never played Elvis in a nightclub EVER and don't think it's likely to happen again. No idea what he was thinking not telling me this, ruined my night as I hadn't a clue what music to play... not to mention the fact I love club remixes and was looking forward to this night! Ended up going home very irritated.

[DazzyD]

It depends for me, I do everything online and encourage email conversations as I can easily go through all the details again without calling the client.
I offer to meet some of my wedding clients if they want my full service, if they are looking to cut a few corners and save a few quid I stick to emails and phone calls.

Normally I take the booking, give them an email a couple of weeks before the event to ask for any requests / an idea of the age range and music required.
I ask the client if it's ok for me to setup a couple of hours before if they agree I generally give the venue a once over on google for parking and opening hours and don't bother contacting the venue.
Then a couple of days before just give them an estimated time of arrival just for an excuse to contact them so they don't worry as much hopefully about me not turning up.

Sometimes the client has led me up the wrong path... couple of days ago (Friday) I was doing a 21st birthday party in Oceana Southampton, I was asked for modern nightclub music - the venue is a huge nightclub and it's a 21st... (he also mentioned it being guests ages 20-30's) was getting ready to whack out all my remixes and new music when the guests arrive ... 75% of them are 40+ with at least 20 people in their 60's, the night was an absolute disaster the older people were constantly asking for 60's and 70's and my client has asked for club music, I never saw it coming! I have never played Elvis in a nightclub EVER and don't think it's likely to happen again. No idea what he was thinking not telling me this, ruined my night as I hadn't a clue what music to play... not to mention the fact I love club remixes and was looking forward to this night! Ended up going home very irritated.

Really? Maybe the JXL vs Elvis A Little Less Conversation or Paul Oakenfold's remix of Rubberneckin' from 2003 were before your DJing time. Or what about the Almighty Club Mix of Suspicious Minds? In fact, there's been loads of Elvis "Club" remixes over the years. He was one of the biggest names in music - ever! - and appeals to a wide range of audiences including clubbers. The JXL track did very well - in fact, it was number one in the UK charts in 2002 and, apparently, topped the charts in over 20 other countries, too.

So, if you've not played Elvis in a Club environment, maybe you're missing a trick here? ;)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I think a lot of this meeting the client beforehand is sometimes unnecessary. If you are doing a specialist night or an all day function or event and it is involved then fair enough, but come on, for a 4 or 5 hour evening function? What would you honestly gain that could be done over the phone? I can get a very good idea by just chatting with clients what their musical tastes and the kind of DJ they require.

You guys that go and meet clients, what do you discuss?

I have had many meetings over the years, but can still get the right amount of information over the phone.

[Kernow]

Sometimes the client has led me up the wrong path... couple of days ago (Friday) I was doing a 21st birthday party in Oceana Southampton, I was asked for modern nightclub music - the venue is a huge nightclub and it's a 21st... (he also mentioned it being guests ages 20-30's) was getting ready to whack out all my remixes and new music when the guests arrive ... 75% of them are 40+ with at least 20 people in their 60's, the night was an absolute disaster the older people were constantly asking for 60's and 70's and my client has asked for club music, I never saw it coming! I have never played Elvis in a nightclub EVER and don't think it's likely to happen again. No idea what he was thinking not telling me this, ruined my night as I hadn't a clue what music to play... not to mention the fact I love club remixes and was looking forward to this night! Ended up going home very irritated.

So would you have turned down the booking, had you known ?:confused:

Also why does quality music require 'remixing' when the originals were pretty darned good, even definitive, anyway ?

Part of our skillset is not to presume, but to adapt and play to the crowd, whoever and whatever they happen to be.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

I think a lot of this meeting the client beforehand is sometimes unnecessary. If you are doing a specialist night or an all day function or event and it is involved then fair enough, but come on, for a 4 or 5 hour evening function? What would you honestly gain that could be done over the phone? I can get a very good idea by just chatting with clients what their musical tastes and the kind of DJ they require.

You guys that go and meet clients, what do you discuss?

I have had many meetings over the years, but can still get the right amount of information over the phone.

For weddings it gives you an opportunity to meet the couple, get a rapport with them, find out timings etc... and build up that trust since you're handling a massive part of their big day. If it's at the venue it gives you a good idea of what load ins, set up spaces etc... is going to be like too. They wouldn't order flowers without meeting with the florist so there's no reason why they shouldn't meet the DJ either.

For a normal party gig it can be done over the phone easilly enough.

[Excalibur]

I think a lot of this meeting the client beforehand is sometimes unnecessary.
Who are you, and what have you done with our beloved Darren?



Part of our skillset is not to presume, but to adapt and play to the crowd, whoever and whatever they happen to be.

There you go, applying logic again. :p:D:D



Right: Darren, you're absolutely right, take each case on its merits, some of them need very little contact or exchange of information, and for others the face to face meeting(s) is (are) really beneficial. It often puts customers at ease to find that their chosen DJ is over eighteen, and knows more than the last years bangin' choons. Mind you, when they find he's an ancient white haired crotchety old git............................................... ............................:D:D:D


Kernow, you are absolutely, totally and utterly correct. However, when you basically have two camps, and when every single timeyou play for a song for one, members of the other exhort you to " Take this crap off, and play something we can dance to " when the floor is adequately populated already can try the patience of a saint, and leave you exasperated and generally cheesed off.

[ukpartydj]

Really? Maybe the JXL vs Elvis A Little Less Conversation or Paul Oakenfold's remix of Rubberneckin' from 2003 were before your DJing time. Or what about the Almighty Club Mix of Suspicious Minds? In fact, there's been loads of Elvis "Club" remixes over the years. He was one of the biggest names in music - ever! - and appeals to a wide range of audiences including clubbers. The JXL track did very well - in fact, it was number one in the UK charts in 2002 and, apparently, topped the charts in over 20 other countries, too.

So, if you've not played Elvis in a Club environment, maybe you're missing a trick here? ;)

I've got the JXL remix which I did play, I personally have never felt the need to play anything before the 90's in a nightclub. All clubs vary but the vast majority I know play modern music only, there are a few cheesy clubs which the Elvis would fit into but I've never played at those ones.


So would you have turned down the booking, had you known ?:confused:
Also why does quality music require 'remixing' when the originals were pretty darned good, even definitive, anyway ?
Part of our skillset is not to presume, but to adapt and play to the crowd, whoever and whatever they happen to be.

No, I wouldn't have turned down the booking.
It wasn't about adapting, I was told to play chart music all night then I get 75% of my crowd not wanting that and my client wants the chart music. Had I have been told the truth about the age of the crowd I would have suggested playing some older tracks, bit hard when you're client is 21 and is very drunk though! Besides wouldn't you be a bit annoyed if you were told you were going to play to your age group and music that you love then it turns out to be a bunch of people who like music you probably wouldn't ever listen to if it wasn't for being a DJ?

In nightclubs people want to hear tracks like say Diamonds by Rihanna but it's very to slow and depressing for a nightclub and would probably ruin the atmosphere (unless it's the last track) so it gets remixed and now it can be played in a club! Also many songs start with no beat or very little to be able to mix the tracks together effectively that's again where the remix comes in.
Also are a lot of people much like myself who like dance/house music and a good remix of an RnB or Pop track is now in our style of music therefore attracting the attention of those who may have not previously liked the track.

I take it you are not a fan of remixes! Probably even less of a fan of Mashups which is one of my favorite hobbies :)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

For weddings it gives you an opportunity to meet the couple, get a rapport with them, find out timings etc... and build up that trust since you're handling a massive part of their big day. If it's at the venue it gives you a good idea of what load ins, set up spaces etc... is going to be like too. They wouldn't order flowers without meeting with the florist so there's no reason why they shouldn't meet the DJ either.

For a normal party gig it can be done over the phone easilly enough.

For a wedding it can too IMO.

I can go through timings and music requests on the phone. A lot of my work comes from referrals, so trust is already there otherwise they wouldn't have contacted me and if it's a venue we haven't worked before, I either visit or more often email/ring them as way of an introduction.

As far as I'm concerned meetings aren't always necessary and take more time and therefore less profit.

I have met with people over the last couple of years, but generally when they are booking more than one thing with us.

I think people overcomplicate things sometimes.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

For a wedding it can too IMO.

I can go through timings and music requests on the phone. A lot of my work comes from referrals, so trust is already there otherwise they wouldn't have contacted me and if it's a venue we haven't worked before, I either visit or more often email/ring them as way of an introduction.

As far as I'm concerned meetings aren't always necessary and take more time and therefore less profit.

I have met with people over the last couple of years, but generally when they are booking more than one thing with us.

I think people overcomplicate things sometimes.

No doubt it can be done over the phone, it just makes me more comfortable and I'm sure the couple prefer it too.

One of my best mates booked a DJ through a big agency and had no contact with them before the event. The guy did a cracking job and was a total pro but they were having kittens before it. They could have done without the stress in the run up to it if they'd met him and knew that he wasn't some daft wee boy.

On the flipside, my sister got a DJ who had a big reputation and profile. They never met and he couldn't have cared less about who he was playing for. I was actually appalled at how little he cared about the couple or the event. For any gig never mind a wedding I think that's a shocking attitude to have and when I get to meet a couple, even if it's only for 15 minutes to get a deposit and see the venue, I get to bond with them and get a good understanding of what they're like and how I can make their day that bit more special.

Alternatively if they're going to be a nightmare, you get plenty of warning in advance :D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I hear what you are saying Jim, but people trust what they are getting from my company.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

I don't doubt that for a minute but with all the Gumtree cowboys out there, it puts people's minds at ease knowing they're not getting a complete tool.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I don't doubt that for a minute but with all the Gumtree cowboys out there, it puts people's minds at ease knowing they're not getting a complete tool.

There aren't in the same market as me, so that wouldn't make any difference. Not everyone is your customer.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

There aren't in the same market as me, so that wouldn't make any difference. Not everyone is your customer.

I don't do the whole "any party for £100" nonsense either but with budgets being stretched, the more I can do to keep customers from compromising on quality and going cheap then the better.

If getting the cheapest possible DJ was always their intention then I'll never have been on their radar anyway. My intention is keeping the people who are thinking: I really want a great DJ but I'm not 100% sure they're worth £X. A face to face meeting can be the difference between landing the gig or having someone else get it for buttons.

[Kernow]

I've got the JXL remix which I did play, I personally have never felt the need to play anything before the 90's in a nightclub. All clubs vary but the vast majority I know play modern music only, there are a few cheesy clubs which the Elvis would fit into but I've never played at those ones.



No, I wouldn't have turned down the booking.
It wasn't about adapting, I was told to play chart music all night then I get 75% of my crowd not wanting that and my client wants the chart music. Had I have been told the truth about the age of the crowd I would have suggested playing some older tracks, bit hard when you're client is 21 and is very drunk though! Besides wouldn't you be a bit annoyed if you were told you were going to play to your age group and music that you love then it turns out to be a bunch of people who like music you probably wouldn't ever listen to if it wasn't for being a DJ?

In nightclubs people want to hear tracks like say Diamonds by Rihanna but it's very to slow and depressing for a nightclub and would probably ruin the atmosphere (unless it's the last track) so it gets remixed and now it can be played in a club! Also many songs start with no beat or very little to be able to mix the tracks together effectively that's again where the remix comes in.
Also are a lot of people much like myself who like dance/house music and a good remix of an RnB or Pop track is now in our style of music therefore attracting the attention of those who may have not previously liked the track.

I take it you are not a fan of remixes! Probably even less of a fan of Mashups which is one of my favorite hobbies :)
Merely my observations.;)
It seems that you were fixated on playing to the venue, not the crowd, and became disillusioned when you discovered that the latter did not meet the criteria you expected. On that logic, an open air rave in the woodland should consist entirely of folk music and pan-pipes ?, I think not :D

It is easily possible to please different groups over the length of a gig. However It would always be sensible to bias toward the majority (75% you quoted ?).

You are correct I'm not a particular fan of remixes & mashups, to my mind most are just an electronic adulteration of the considerable talent of the original songwriters & musicians. Very few demonstrate an improvement and generally are born of a type of pseudo-rebelliousness resulting in an unpleasant cacophony.
That said, there are exceptions, notably Miss Minogues recent 'orchestration' of her works from the 'Hit Factory' era, which I personally find most pleasing to the ear :D

To return to topic, a more in depth contact with the client may well have revealed that this was a family party which just happened to be in a nightclub as a convenient venue. Your expectations might then have been a little more realistic and you would have been prepared for it ?.

As a footnote, I guess what rattled my cage is your assertion that those between 40 & 60 (within which I am proud to be included, just ;)) have no musical appreciation. In my experience they have impeccable taste, which is unlikely to be satisfied by a whirling collection of booms, screeches, rasps and repetition. They want 'proper' music ! :D

[Excalibur]

As a footnote, I guess what rattled my cage is your assertion that those between 40 & 60 (within which I am proud to be included, just ;)) have no musical appreciation. In my experience they have impeccable taste, which is unlikely to be satisfied by a whirling collection of booms, screeches, rasps and repetition. They want 'proper' music ! :D

Hmmmmmm. Should I maintain a dignified silence, or see how many under thirties I can offend at one go? :whistle: Oh stuff it, Kernow you're absolutely right. Don't worry mate, if the flak gets too heavy for a :sofa:, I'll just delete it. ;):D:D

[Shakermaker Promotions]

From the initial enquiry I will offer a meeting in my quotation.
I agree that sometimes it isn't necessary but sometimes it is.
The customer knows that they can contact me via phone or email anytime. Some customers hardly ever contact me and as Darren said about something else, they trust me.
Others are on the phone or emailing me what seems like every other day. I don't mind either way. One of the comments that I have had quite regularly is that customers have found me easy to contact and very approachable.

One thing I don't usually do is meet with people that haven't booked me as yet.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

I don't do it as standard but if it's a wedding, they're local-ish and the deal is hinging on it then I don't mind.

I picked up a wedding a while back from a couple of guys who had contacted over a dozen DJs, met guys at wedding fairs, got lots of different quotes and were just a bit flummoxed by the whole thing.

After a bunch of e-mails to-ing and fro-ing when I was confident I could close the deal face to face I met them at their venue (Glasgow City Centre so it's not a huge trek) had a look around and a chat about their event and they booked me and paid the deposit there and then.

They might have booked me without the meeting anyway but it showed that I was prepared to do that bit extra for them than the other people they'd contacted.

[surround sounds]

Although i do offer meeting 95% of them to me are a waste of time. When i leave them at there house or venue i feel it could all of been said via email or phone.
They talk about timing in the daytime or evening and as most of us understand it never works to the correct times. There 1st dance details could of been talked about over the phone. I also only meet customers once they have paid a deposit to save timewasters etc

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Although i do offer meeting 95% of them to me are a waste of time. When i leave them at there house or venue i feel it could all of been said via email or phone.
They talk about timing in the daytime or evening and as most of us understand it never works to the correct times. There 1st dance details could of been talked about over the phone. I also only meet customers once they have paid a deposit to save timewasters etc

It's rare that I do it and even then, it's after plenty of e-mail or phone contact where I'm pretty sure I can close the deal there and then. I wouldn't entertain the thought of doing it for any old enquiry.

[dj foureyes]

! Besides wouldn't you be a bit annoyed if you were told you were going to play to your age group and music that you love then it turns out to be a bunch of people who like music you probably wouldn't ever listen to if it wasn't for being a DJ?



Me, personally, NO. I am there to entertain the paying masses. I don't predominantly DJ to hear the music I like, I DJ to bring enjoyment to as many people as I can, while getting paid for it too. Every Christmas I play to a group of retired B.A. workers and most of the music I play was around when God was a boy.
Is it my type of music? Nah.
Do I get annoyed playing ANY type of music? Certainly not.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

! Besides wouldn't you be a bit annoyed if you were told you were going to play to your age group and music that you love then it turns out to be a bunch of people who like music you probably wouldn't ever listen to if it wasn't for being a DJ?



Me, personally, NO. I am there to entertain the paying masses. I don't predominantly DJ to hear the music I like, I DJ to bring enjoyment to as many people as I can, while getting paid for it too. Every Christmas I play to a group of retired B.A. workers and most of the music I play was around when God was a boy.
Is it my type of music? Nah.
Do I get annoyed playing ANY type of music? Certainly not.

You're spot on, I hadn't even seen that from UK's post.

I dunno if you ever go to live gigs but there's nothing more soul crushing than getting G'd up to see a band you really like and then they come out and say "we're going to play some folk interpretations of our 4th albums B-sides" an exaggeration but you get my drift.

Getting to play stuff you love is an added bonus if you get the opportunity but a DJ who performs publicly has one simple job above all others and that is to entertain the masses. As much as I'd love to spin some Sigur Ros or Floyd album cuts, that's not what I'm there for and I can do that on my own time.

Most of the time that means that I'm playing stuff I wouldn't necesarilly listen to but with the exception of a small number of tracks I'm sick to death of because I have to play them at every gig (because they're popular) then I can't say it ever bothers me playing those songs. Unless there's a bunch of folk here who are heavilly into their Dolly Parton and Village People then we're all in the same boat.

[Kernow]

Unless there's a bunch of folk here who are heavilly into their Dolly Parton and Village People then we're all in the same boat.

Indeed we are........... working 9 to 5 in the navy ?
:D:D:D

[Shaun]

Regarding contact with client prior to the event. It all depends on the client and how much input they want into the evening with regards to requests and planning etc. If they've chose to let me do my own thing with regards to music selection, then sometimes the contact is no more than a couple of emails, a call one month before the event, and one more call around a week prior to the event, just to make sure there is no last minute changes.
On the flipside I've had gigs where I've met with them 3 times, exchanged a LOT of emails, and spoke with them on the phone a half dozen times. The amount of contact I have with them really depends on the clients expectations and their own desired level of input for their event.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Indeed we are........... working 9 to 5 in the navy ?
:D:D:D

In the Navy is a guilty pleasure of mine. 9 to 5 on the other hand, there's a special table reserved in hell for Dolly.

[yourdj]

Although i do offer meeting 95% of them to me are a waste of time. When i leave them at there house or venue i feel it could all of been said via email or phone.
They talk about timing in the daytime or evening and as most of us understand it never works to the correct times. There 1st dance details could of been talked about over the phone. I also only meet customers once they have paid a deposit to save timewasters etc

Is it just me or am i the only one who does not see a meeting as a logistics discussion opportunity. :p
That can be done on email or a form on the website.

The main reason I meet my client in person or on Skype is really to get to know them and more importantly for them to get to know me better so on the day its as good as it can possibly be. I only spend an hour or two max with them over two meetings, but thats more than enough to have a good chat and find out more about them and what they like/do not like.

For example: The bride is late as she just got back from a Hockey match - on the basis of that you find out that they have a girls night every month and sing raining men in Karaoke without fail. Now this is something they may mention on the track list or not but if you do not ask then you will not know. Thats a simple example but you can get all sorts of things that can make the wedding (i.e. an off the cuff comment "Oh yes grandad loves to sing" - you dig deeper and find out he is an amateur Elvis impersonator, or "my brother is in Afganistan and can't make it" - why not contact the groom after the meeting and get a video link of him wishing the bride success during the speeches? Bet there will not be a dry eye in the house after that ;)).

All common sense if you ask me and you can charge for your time too. :)
This is not for everyone as the job can be done very efficiently without it but thats the way I like to do things anyway :)