Anyone going to the Pro Mobile Seminar?

[DJIanScott]

Having been a fairly recent subscriber to Pro Mobile mag, I was wondering if anyone is gonna attend their seminar in March (I think).
After reading some very condescending articles from their keynote speakers, I won't be attending. Does anyone else feel the same way?

[Leicester Ben]

Just had a quick look at the website, there is nobody speaking there that would inspire me I don't think, so in a Dragons Den way, I'm out.

Surely there should really be a section on growing your business and that shoud be led by someone who has done that from being just a dj to running a larger operation like what me, Dan and James have done (I'm sure others have too but us 3 spring to mind).

I'd much rather here from people like that!

Ps, no offence to the people actually speaking, to be fair I don't know you but the write on the website didn't make me want to find out more. If it had said something like 'blah blah blah, made his business full time with a turnover of xxxx and also done xxx and xxxx" then it could have been more appealing.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Just had a quick look at the website, there is nobody speaking there that would inspire me I don't think, so in a Dragons Den way, I'm out.

Surely there should really be a section on growing your business and that shoud be led by someone who has done that from being just a dj to running a larger operation like what me, Dan and James have done (I'm sure others have too but us 3 spring to mind).

I'd much rather here from people like that!

Ps, no offence to the people actually speaking, to be fair I don't know you but the write on the website didn't make me want to find out more. If it had said something like 'blah blah blah, made his business full time with a turnover of xxxx and also done xxx and xxxx" then it could have been more appealing.

I understand where you are coming from Ben, but I get the impression it's not just about who can make the biggest turnover. There's a lot more to it and it is about DJs and not event companies.

[DJ Davy]

If I stayed closer I would be there without a doubt. I have been in this business for years, but still do not profess to know it all. Having been to several seminars, the most recent being the wedding specialist dj withDerek Pengelly.

I take a few nuggets from each one that I use to improve the service I provide... And be confident about raising the prices!

[DJIanScott]

It's not really about the business growth aspects or even teaching new tricks, for me it's the vein of hatred and fear for the little guy that stops me from attending.
I'm not a beginner by any stretch of the imagination, but I was once and I remember the patronising :Censored::Censored::Censored::Censored::Censored: :Censored::Censored:s I had to deal with back then......looking down their noses at me and 'willy waving' all their latest kit. They profess to be helping up n coming DJs but in reality they prefer to keep them down at heel because they're scared of change.
When they drop their obsession with slagging off the cheaper and less experienced jocks, maybe I'll listen to their stories.

[funkymook]

It's not really about the business growth aspects or even teaching new tricks, for me it's the vein of hatred and fear for the little guy that stops me from attending.
I'm not a beginner by any stretch of the imagination, but I was once and I remember the patronising :Censored::Censored::Censored::Censored::Censored: :Censored::Censored:s I had to deal with back then......looking down their noses at me and 'willy waving' all their latest kit. They profess to be helping up n coming DJs but in reality they prefer to keep them down at heel because they're scared of change.
When they drop their obsession with slagging off the cheaper and less experienced jocks, maybe I'll listen to their stories.

So why do you mention your gear on your site in relation to how much better it is than cheaper DJ's etc. Surely with negative marketing (there's a few other examples as well) you're doing exactly what you've accused them of doing?

[Paul The Party Dj]

I'm going, I'm sure that'll be no surprise to anyone who knows me.

I started DJ'ing in the seventies and I've been doing it on and off ever since. The fact that events like this, BPM, Derek's workshops, Mark and Rebecca Ferrell's visits means that we have the chance to learn more, improve our performance on all levels, and move our industry forward - how can that be a bad thing? There has never been a better time to be a DJ, the internet has opened up a whole new era for information sharing, receiving and giving help, and numerous other opportunities like cheap advertising. It is also now possible to finally make a good living as a DJ. That is not to say that it's the only way to operate, there is nothing wrong with DJ'ing for fun, as a hobby, or as a part time job - we are all different, with different priorities in our lives.

Many mobile DJ's and discos are still routed firmly in the last Century. In one of his spots at BPM last October Mark Walsh encouraged everyone to look up Mobile DJ, Mobile Disco etc on Google images and see how the World see us. We all have all heard nightmare stories about competitors, the look of their kit, not turning up, being rude to clients etc etc etc. Like it or not our industry has a long way to go and events like this can only help.

Peace & Love ;)

[DJIanScott]

So why do you mention your gear on your site in relation to how much better it is than cheaper DJ's etc. Surely with negative marketing (there's a few other examples as well) you're doing exactly what you've accused them of doing?

Yes, you are correct...I do boast a little upon the website and maybe I shouldn't, I'll address that on my site......but equally I do not put myself up as some kind of self-made DJ business expert in front of lots of paying DJ customers and tell them all how evil the cheaper DJs are, and that they are deliberately trying to ruin people's parties, etc. I refer mainly to a couple of articles in recent Pro Mobile issues, written by some keynote speakers (I'm sure if you have a copy, you'll work out who I mean)

We were all starting out once, I just want to live and let live. I vaguely remember an old business adage......'concentrate your firepower on the people you perceive to be above you. Don't fire on those you have already surpassed.'

[funkymook]

Yes, you are correct...I do boast a little upon the website and maybe I shouldn't, I'll address that on my site......but equally I do not put myself up as some kind of self-made DJ business expert in front of lots of paying DJ customers and tell them all how evil the cheaper DJs are, and that they are deliberately trying to ruin people's parties, etc. I refer mainly to a couple of articles in recent Pro Mobile issues, written by some keynote speakers (I'm sure if you have a copy, you'll work out who I mean)

We were all starting out once, I just want to live and let live. I vaguely remember an old business adage......'concentrate your firepower on the people you perceive to be above you. Don't fire on those you have already surpassed.'

Look forward to reading your revised site. At your level you shouldn't need to point out the differences between yourself and other operators, that always comes over as a lack of confidence and scaremongering to me (and in fact it would put me off using a company). Quality can stand alone without reference to anyone else.

[DJIanScott]

Look forward to reading your revised site. At your level you shouldn't need to point out the differences between yourself and other operators, that always comes over as a lack of confidence and scaremongering to me (and in fact it would put me off using a company). Quality can stand alone without reference to anyone else.

I think there are always differences you need to point out to state your case on a website, but I agree with avoiding the scaremongering. There are ways to do it without negativity so I will have a look later on and tweak a few pages!
Nice to have a critique I can work with, thank you.

[LeapCreative]

I do think there's a fine line between trying not to be boastful and underselling yourself. If it's within these forums, then I'd accept that saying how much better you are than others isn't a great idea, but your websites main function is to sell yourself, which I'm not sure you can do if you're trying not to boast - surely this could be construed as a lack of confidence in your own abilities?

Sorry this is a bit off topic but its just my thoughts.

[DJIanScott]

I do think there's a fine line between trying not to be boastful and underselling yourself. If it's within these forums, then I'd accept that saying how much better you are than others isn't a great idea, but your websites main function is to sell yourself, which I'm not sure you can do if you're trying not to boast - surely this could be construed as a lack of confidence in your own abilities?

Sorry this is a bit off topic but its just my thoughts.

Not off topic at all! That's just where we ended up!

Boasting on here is pointless....there's no customers after all! I have removed a few negative-sounding lines from the site (concerning budget DJs, etc), whilst definitely leaving enough boasting to impress prospective clients.

[Andy Collins]

I'm not going, and I wish they would STOP sending me emails every couple of days through anyone that will send it out for them. Recieving the same email 6 or 7 times a day is getting tedious and boring.

It doesn't make me want to go, it just makes me want to put whoever's sending me these in the spam folder.

We all know when it is, what date it is, who's speaking etc.

Spamming me will not make me want to go! :mad:

Anyway..... back to work!!

[Corabar Entertainment]

...I wish they would STOP sending me emails every couple of days through anyone that will send it out for them. Recieving the same email 6 or 7 times a day is getting tedious and boring.

It doesn't make me want to go, it just makes me want to put whoever's sending me these in the spam folder.

We all know when it is, what date it is, who's speaking etc.

Spamming me will not make me want to go! :mad:

Anyway..... back to work!!Funnily enough, I was thinking EXACTLY the same this this afternoon when the same email arrived via Mastermix and BPM within a very short time. (and these being just the latest in a long line of exactly the same email being received)

How many times are you going to email the same thing to the same people?!!!!!

[yourdj]

I am going and looking forward to it - full weekend.
It will be a great event without a doubt. :) Its a place to chat and learn about the trade at any level as long as your open to it. Things have changed in the industry in recent years thats for sure.

It amazing all the different views we have isn't it :p

From my experience knowing a lot of the attendees they are a great bunch of guys who most certainly do not look down on smaller operators.
We have a number of newcomers in the HDA and actively encourage people with the right attitudes and are not full of Ego as that is what causes the problems.

I do agree that over advertising can have negative effects however and is very annoying!

I think the event will be worth its weight in gold vs the cost of it which is only one gig for most of us. ;)
Try paying £1,200 for Marbecca too as well as BPM which is not cheap with accommodation.

What I will learn from it all will pay it off as has happened in recent years. Im a happy chappy now. :o



I take a few nuggets from each one that I use to improve the service I provide... And be confident about raising the prices!

Exactly. I think you will benefit much more from this over BPM and the likes from an industry service point of view anyway rather than Kit and the likes. Will be nice to meet Jim Cerone.

[Andy Collins]

Will be nice to meet Jim Cerone.

I would have gone but none of the speaker inspire me, with the exception of Jim Cerone. So I don't see that as value.

[DJIanScott]

I'm not going, and I wish they would STOP sending me emails every couple of days through anyone that will send it out for them. Recieving the same email 6 or 7 times a day is getting tedious and boring.

Maybe they're struggling to fill places? Just saying.......

I would definitely respect what certain keynote speakers have to say, like Mark Walsh, but otherwise I fear it would be a wasted trip for me personally. Having worked briefly in the US, they operate differently from us....and I think their customer service translates over here as quite 'slimy' and contrived. So I'm sure Jim Cerone would find it challenging facing up to us miserable and cynical Brit customers!!!

Nevertheless, good luck to everyone attending and hopefully you'll glean a lot from the seminars. :grouphug:

[funkymook]

Maybe they're struggling to fill places? Just saying.......

I would definitely respect what certain keynote speakers have to say, like Mark Walsh, but otherwise I fear it would be a wasted trip for me personally. Having worked briefly in the US, they operate differently from us....and I think their customer service translates over here as quite 'slimy' and contrived. So I'm sure Jim Cerone would find it challenging facing up to us miserable and cynical Brit customers!!!

Nevertheless, good luck to everyone attending and hopefully you'll glean a lot from the seminars. :grouphug:

I suspect you only started this thread as a device to get your views across Ian - I think we've got the message now, no need to keep restating it.

[DJIanScott]

Definition of 'Forum'.....A meeting or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged.

Sorry if I offended anyone. :zip:

[funkymook]

Definition of 'Forum'.....A meeting or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged.

Sorry if I offended anyone. :zip:

That's my opinion as another forum user.