Discos not as good as in the past.

[Dj brummie]

Hi hope your all having a busy Christmas. Would anyone agree that discos are not as busy as they used to be. We've been going for 15+yrs and the last couple of years have been quiet.
What do people think, also where do you mainly find your work.
Thanks

[Excalibur]

Well, due partly to a certain website run by a respected forum member, and a regular customer, I'm currently having my busiest year for ages. If I can match it in 2015, I'll be happy. And going on the current diary, surprised. Ah well, there's time.
Oh yes, don't forget networking on here as well. That can pay dividends.

[DJ Jules]

I set out at the beginning of this year to increase my turnover by 50% and I'm on track at present. There's 4 months to go admittedly, but my book of business for next year is looking pretty promising and most of the days off I've had this year have been forced by the wife :D.

Julian

[Vectis]

due partly to a certain website

Wow - 32 direct gigs this year, plus no doubt a few which didn't get recorded properly and no doubt a few repeat bookings ... nice job :beer1:

If you need a disco listing like this, you know where to go! ;)

[Excalibur]

Wow - 32 direct gigs this year, plus no doubt a few which didn't get recorded properly and no doubt a few repeat bookings ... nice job :beer1:

If you need a disco listing like this, you know where to go! ;)

Alright Son, the cheque's in the post. :D ( Actually, paypal, a couple of weeks ago. ) ;)

[dicky]

Really too soon to comment for me but I have played 3 bookings in my first 8 days back DJing and have 3 others booked in this side of Xmas so far, so as a new venture I am happy with that

Possibly just the time of year though

Rich

[Daryll]

looks like 30 gigs for me this year , improvement on last year, which in turn was better than the year before , next year is looking good as well

Daryll

[DJColsie]

Think it will be 51 for me this calendar year by the end of December. Considering I did 75 in the previous two years combined and I am only part time, things are going well. Average fee has increased by 40% too.

[dj foureyes]

I did 48 gigs in 2012, 55 in 2013 and 68 (so far booked) this year, so can't complain.

[yourdj]

Had a quick count and its in the region of 80 bookings, which includes December.
Thats at £500 (4 hours) £600 (5 hours) - (usually more with extras) and average of about £900-1000 all day.
rough split is 20% all day rest evening. This is up on last year and most of the years before it at my current pricing. :beer1:
Not looking forward to the tax bill.

Don't think its that much tougher, maybe its just tougher as agencies are not as prolific and its now up to individuals to market themselves. Being web savvy is all enough in itself but getting to the client is becoming even more difficult. I have personally found that simplifying it and just doing a good job & creating good honest customer relations from the first lead wins at the end of the day, when compared to any marketing regime (in my price bracket anyway). 80% of my work is on recommendation, so standing out and creating ties with venues/networking with suppliers is key for me.

In every trade (that is not just a fad) I have found people who have said that the work is not out there (especially photographers) have failed to move with the times and become a bit stale in their service and also the marketing and business professionalism.

Not referring to the poster though - just a general observation.

So no i think that there is a bigger market for mobile DJ's, but things have changed a bit as customers have more choice and can now see/experience what they will get rather than looking through yellow pages and pretty much booking blind. I would imagine that someone who wanted a good DJ previously would have gone on seeing them before & reputation/recommendation. Now we have cost effective video cameras, Youtube and probably (with the help of quantum computing) a 3D walk through simulation of what "your party" will be like on the night). Wont that be good!

Because of this individual DJ's (with the help of social media/forums) have also changed their approach to what and why they choose certain set ups of use certain marketing tactics and are now much more business focused, rather than treating being a DJ as a holiday fund and "somin fun to do at the weekend." :)

[djdj]

Fully booked all of this year
Passed on three or four bookings to other DJ's in my area
Happy with my lot, Considering my lack of effort in chasing work!

[Imagine]

Well, due partly to a certain website run by a respected forum member, and a regular customer, I'm currently having my busiest year for ages. If I can match it in 2015, I'll be happy. And going on the current diary, surprised. Ah well, there's time.
Oh yes, don't forget networking on here as well. That can pay dividends.

Got to admit - I'm the same as you Peter.
OK - it's my first year back after 15 years out, but wasn't expecting to be anything like as busy as I am. I've been out 2 times a week minimum for the past several weeks, and now I'm 3 times a week right up to New Years Eve...I've even put my prices up now I'm becoming established again :)

If that's how busy the first year's been (48 gigs since April), roll on 2015 :beer1:

[atlanticdisco]

Busiest year for weddings and corporate events in 28 years.
Invested in a new main show and this has had a huge positive impact. Repeat/new clients and venues have given very complimentary feedback. Like someone else said, our price increase has also increased our bookings. Price definitely gives an initial perceived quality.

[yourdj]

Price definitely gives an initial perceived quality.

Yep - assuming you have the delivery and marketing to back it up.
Some people seem to think that they can come straight out of a Derek Pengelly seminar and double their prices just like that. :)

Often lots of DJ's are massively underselling themselves and are very good with excellent shows, so that does not apply to them.
Problem is we all think we are excellent. i always did when i was, lets face it, crap and at the time not worth double the fee. :p