Benny Smyth
01-10-2014, 10:29 AM
On Sunday, I may have had a couple of Diva moments (I'll get in there before you - "REALLY?!?! You don't say!").
Story one
I was at a wedding fayre and I met a couple. They were really nice, and after speaking for about ten minutes about them, what they would like etc., I gave them a quote. The venue is a 'big money' venue (for exclusive use, it's £40,000 and that's before food, ceremony etc.). Even though there is more money than sense here, I don't charge extra, but it was the first time whilst quoting for this venue that I've seen someone wince at the quote.
They asked me what if there was a band as well, and I replied that it is the same price. When they questioned why, I replied that I'm still there, I'm still working etc. I even asked "Would your band be charging less because there is a DJ there?", by which point, they replied with "but it's just a disco." I suggested that if it is just a disco to them, then they should consider going for the cheaper resident, and I took back my leaflet.
This morning, I received an email from the bride-to-be apologising, and asked if they can book me. Unfortunately someone else has booked me, but I did pass on their details to a DJ partner of mine, so hopefully he can help them.
Story two
Been emailing back and forth with a chap who wanted to book me for his wedding. Gave him a quote last Tuesday and on Sunday evening he called me back. He said both he and his bride are really enthusiastic, but there was one problem: the price. Was there any chance of dropping the price as "we're gonna put a playlist together, so we'll only need someone to press buttons."
Now it was my turn to wince.
I'm gonna do a summary of the conversation (it's not word for word, but close enough).
"Well, if all you need is a button presser, maybe a dry hire would be the best bet for you."
"What? Like an iPod through speakers?"
"Yeah."
"Well, what about gaps in between the songs? Or mixing?
"Mixing is not important. I mix myself, but not always through the whole night. I've seen DJ's work entire gigs without mixing. It's great, but the music selection is far more important."
"Ok. Can CD players and lights be dry hired too?"
"Yup. I can recommend someone if you like."
"Actually, yeah, that'd be a great idea."
"That's fine. Who's gonna do your button pressing for you?"
"Erm...I dunno...my best man, I guess."
"Ok, cool. Make sure you get two of everything."
"Why?"
"In case something fails. You'll want something to replace anything that stops working. In fact, you'll need to find someone who will set it up before the entertainment starts and take it down at the end."
"Oh."
"Yeah. And if your best man is going to be button pressing, you do realise that he'll not be able to party with you? He'll be working. He'll also have to restrict his alcohol intake dramatically so he can remain clear headed enough to press those buttons."
"I guess so."
"And what will you do if your playlist doesn't work?"
"I don't follow."
"Will your best man have enough about him to see that things aren't working, and change it up so it will get people dancing?"
"Probably not."
"And what's his mic skills like?"
"*laughs* Shocking, I should imagine. He can be quite shy."
"Not good for crowd interaction then. You'll also need to check on the equipment you hire to ensure that they are PAT tested."
"Won't they be PAT tested?"
"I'm certain that they would be, but you'll need to check anyway. If you buy a car, you'll want to check stuff before you drive off. Kinda the same thing."
"Oh, OK."
"I'm not sure on the Public Liability Insurance though - they might have it as part of the hire, or you'll have to get it yourself. Is this something that you want to worry about on your wedding day?"
"OK. I get your point. You're not a fan of the idea, are you?"
"I'll be honest with you - I think it's a stupid idea. Don't get me wrong, input from you both is crucial for the success of the night, but there is a reason why I do this for a living. You can give me a playlist but based on what you tell me, I know that I can chuck in a lot of tracks that will fit your night, and that you wouldn't have thought of. Not to mention, of course, the mic skills, the production values and the comfort of knowing that a professional is around to ensure that your night goes off without a hitch without you having to worry about it."
"Ok. We'll have a chat and call you tomorrow."
Got a call back on Monday, and they booked me. We even had a laugh and a joke about the conversation, with his missus telling me that it should be her job to send him away with his tail between his legs. :lol:
Story one
I was at a wedding fayre and I met a couple. They were really nice, and after speaking for about ten minutes about them, what they would like etc., I gave them a quote. The venue is a 'big money' venue (for exclusive use, it's £40,000 and that's before food, ceremony etc.). Even though there is more money than sense here, I don't charge extra, but it was the first time whilst quoting for this venue that I've seen someone wince at the quote.
They asked me what if there was a band as well, and I replied that it is the same price. When they questioned why, I replied that I'm still there, I'm still working etc. I even asked "Would your band be charging less because there is a DJ there?", by which point, they replied with "but it's just a disco." I suggested that if it is just a disco to them, then they should consider going for the cheaper resident, and I took back my leaflet.
This morning, I received an email from the bride-to-be apologising, and asked if they can book me. Unfortunately someone else has booked me, but I did pass on their details to a DJ partner of mine, so hopefully he can help them.
Story two
Been emailing back and forth with a chap who wanted to book me for his wedding. Gave him a quote last Tuesday and on Sunday evening he called me back. He said both he and his bride are really enthusiastic, but there was one problem: the price. Was there any chance of dropping the price as "we're gonna put a playlist together, so we'll only need someone to press buttons."
Now it was my turn to wince.
I'm gonna do a summary of the conversation (it's not word for word, but close enough).
"Well, if all you need is a button presser, maybe a dry hire would be the best bet for you."
"What? Like an iPod through speakers?"
"Yeah."
"Well, what about gaps in between the songs? Or mixing?
"Mixing is not important. I mix myself, but not always through the whole night. I've seen DJ's work entire gigs without mixing. It's great, but the music selection is far more important."
"Ok. Can CD players and lights be dry hired too?"
"Yup. I can recommend someone if you like."
"Actually, yeah, that'd be a great idea."
"That's fine. Who's gonna do your button pressing for you?"
"Erm...I dunno...my best man, I guess."
"Ok, cool. Make sure you get two of everything."
"Why?"
"In case something fails. You'll want something to replace anything that stops working. In fact, you'll need to find someone who will set it up before the entertainment starts and take it down at the end."
"Oh."
"Yeah. And if your best man is going to be button pressing, you do realise that he'll not be able to party with you? He'll be working. He'll also have to restrict his alcohol intake dramatically so he can remain clear headed enough to press those buttons."
"I guess so."
"And what will you do if your playlist doesn't work?"
"I don't follow."
"Will your best man have enough about him to see that things aren't working, and change it up so it will get people dancing?"
"Probably not."
"And what's his mic skills like?"
"*laughs* Shocking, I should imagine. He can be quite shy."
"Not good for crowd interaction then. You'll also need to check on the equipment you hire to ensure that they are PAT tested."
"Won't they be PAT tested?"
"I'm certain that they would be, but you'll need to check anyway. If you buy a car, you'll want to check stuff before you drive off. Kinda the same thing."
"Oh, OK."
"I'm not sure on the Public Liability Insurance though - they might have it as part of the hire, or you'll have to get it yourself. Is this something that you want to worry about on your wedding day?"
"OK. I get your point. You're not a fan of the idea, are you?"
"I'll be honest with you - I think it's a stupid idea. Don't get me wrong, input from you both is crucial for the success of the night, but there is a reason why I do this for a living. You can give me a playlist but based on what you tell me, I know that I can chuck in a lot of tracks that will fit your night, and that you wouldn't have thought of. Not to mention, of course, the mic skills, the production values and the comfort of knowing that a professional is around to ensure that your night goes off without a hitch without you having to worry about it."
"Ok. We'll have a chat and call you tomorrow."
Got a call back on Monday, and they booked me. We even had a laugh and a joke about the conversation, with his missus telling me that it should be her job to send him away with his tail between his legs. :lol: