My view on client meetings

[theoloyla]

Having mentioned this in another recent thread and found I was in a minority I thought I would give this analogy.

Suppose you have a really big event and you want to book Status Quo to appear what do you do?
Answer: you ring up their agent and ask if they are available, negotiate a fee, check how long they will perform for, check they will play all their well known songs, discuss facilities and riders they require and then confirm and make payment and arrangements as necessary. You can do it all on the phone with their agent. You don't need Francis Rossi to come round to your house and sit down over a drink to discuss the event with you.
I am the same. If I work for an agent I expect him to have discussed requirements with the client and to give me the relevant information. I generally will also telephone the client myself out of courtesy and reassurance and to confirm and question anything I am not sure of. If I have taken the booking myself then I will do all of the relevant research with the client on the phone and/or by post and again ring them to confirm and iron out any queries. I honestly don't see the need to take time out of my day to meet them and discuss the same things that I can do in a phone call.
My most recent wedding where the client insisted on not one but two face to face meetings where we discussed music and timings etc etc which could all have been done on the phone ended up with me being unfit to do the job and a fellow trusted dj covering for me and him getting all the said information in written form from me and not meeting them until the day. He did a good job and they were very happy.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

I don't think anyone's ever claimed that you couldn't do meets over the phone. That being said, I'm driving almost an hour for a full day meet tomorrow because there is a tonne of things we need to go over and I don't want anything left to chance or missed out.

Back to your original point - proportionally I'd imagine most people see a lot more bad than good DJs so why would they not want to meet and make sure you're not a total clown?

Aside from that, if I'm paying someone 400 quid to DJ at my wedding, I'd expect a higher level of service and attention to detail from someone doing it for £200.

[funkymook]

Having mentioned this in another recent thread and found I was in a minority I thought I would give this analogy.

Suppose you have a really big event and you want to book Status Quo to appear what do you do?
Answer: you ring up their agent and ask if they are available, negotiate a fee, check how long they will perform for, check they will play all their well known songs, discuss facilities and riders they require and then confirm and make payment and arrangements as necessary. You can do it all on the phone with their agent. You don't need Francis Rossi to come round to your house and sit down over a drink to discuss the event with you.
I am the same. If I work for an agent I expect him to have discussed requirements with the client and to give me the relevant information. I generally will also telephone the client myself out of courtesy and reassurance and to confirm and question anything I am not sure of. If I have taken the booking myself then I will do all of the relevant research with the client on the phone and/or by post and again ring them to confirm and iron out any queries. I honestly don't see the need to take time out of my day to meet them and discuss the same things that I can do in a phone call.
My most recent wedding where the client insisted on not one but two face to face meetings where we discussed music and timings etc etc which could all have been done on the phone ended up with me being unfit to do the job and a fellow trusted dj covering for me and him getting all the said information in written form from me and not meeting them until the day. He did a good job and they were very happy.


No one is saying it’s essential, we can all do a great job without a client meeting as well.

Some DJ’s like to do meetings, some don’t.
Some clients like to do meetings, some don’t.

If I do a meeting it’s always after I’ve been booked - I’m a people person and I enjoy doing them, it gets me out of the house. It’s usually at the venue as well so it’s a handy site visit. (and on more than a few occasions I’ve pre-empted something that would’ve been a real issue on the day).

My meeting expenses and time are built into my fee. It's swings and roundabouts, some meetings might cost me a bit more petrol and time, some clients might not want to meet at all.

As for booking Status Quo - all very valid comments, but they’re a known quantity (with Quo a very know quantity indeed). Now what if it was a totally unknown band, you’d want to hear them and see them, see their set-list. They will probably have videos which will give you a good idea of what they do, there may also be a live gig you could go to, you just choose whichever suits you.

[Benny Smyth]

I find that about 10% of client meetings is about music and timings, 40% about building a rapport and 50% is about them wanting to see the colour of your eyes. It's reassuring on their part to see a real person beyond those emails and phone calls. I actually get get most of the info that I need in the days/weeks after the meeting. Sadly, I don't have a Quo profile just yet but if I do, I may change my mind.

On top of that:


My most recent wedding where the client insisted on not one but two face to face meetings where we discussed music and timings etc etc which could all have been done on the phone ended up with me being unfit to do the job and a fellow trusted dj covering for me and him getting all the said information in written form from me and not meeting them until the day.

Horrible from your perspective but from the client's point of view, I would rather find out that my DJ didn't quite 'get me' from a meeting before my wedding than at my wedding.

[Excalibur]

I find that about 10% of client meetings is about music and timings, 40% about building a rapport and 50% is about them wanting to see the colour of your eyes.
As little as that? :) The meeting is your chance to demonstrate that you're a human being who wants to make their special day happy, and not some bloke who cares only about the fee. ( However low or high that may be )
I love meetings. They make the gig so much easier.


Horrible from your perspective but from the client's point of view, I would rather find out that my DJ didn't quite 'get me' from a meeting before my wedding than at my wedding.
Agreed, though getting as far as that would seem to indicate a fault somewhere to me.

[funkymook]

And lets not forget a meeting (or any enquiry/booking process) should work both ways. Or are we so desperate to get the job we’d take anything offered as long as it’s the right price?

[Benny Smyth]

As little as that? :) The meeting is your chance to demonstrate that you're a human being who wants to make their special day happy, and not some bloke who cares only about the fee. ( However low or high that may be )
I love meetings. They make the gig so much easier.

Oh I concur with that wholeheartedly.

With regards to the rapport, I've personally found that most of the rapport you build with your clients has already happened from the initial enquiry, to every bit of communication after that. The rapport at the meetings is just you putting it into practice, as it were. I do firmly believe the biggest benefit from any client meeting is the client seeing you. Once they see the colour of your eyes, they know "that's my DJ, with his/her cheeky little smile."

I know someone who has a team of DJs, and I was close by when he was having a mildly heated conversation on the phone with a client. What had happened is that he turned up to the consultation, then a few weeks later emailed the clients to let them know that DJ [whoever it was] would be performing at their event. The client called him up and questioned this, and was worried that he had palmed off the gig onto someone else, and he spent the conversation reassuring them that the DJ does work for him and the gig hasn't been outsourced.

He didn't understand their point of view and said that he never once told them that he would be their DJ, but that the disco would be provided by his company. He still didn't understand it when I told him that "Actually, the moment you turned up to that consultation was the moment you told them that you are their DJ for their event".

[Excalibur]

. Or are we so desperate to get the job we’d take anything offered as long as it’s the right price?
Well yes. Have I ever made a secret of that? :whistle:


Oh I concur with that wholeheartedly.

With regards to the rapport, I've personally found that most of the rapport you build with your clients has already happened from the initial enquiry, to every bit of communication after that. The rapport at the meetings is just you putting it into practice, as it were. .

Well to an extent, yes. Some customers establish that from the first ten seconds of the first phone call. Some don't. I had one last week where the Dearly Beloved was in earshot, and decided that some heavy duty flirting was going on both ways!! I have a story about that from many many years ( decades, actually :o ) ago, another time perhaps.
Some folk are a tad nervous on the phone, and thus:


I do firmly believe the biggest benefit from any client meeting is the client seeing you. Once they see the colour of your eyes, they know "that's my DJ, with his/her cheeky little smile."

.

Err, for " cheeky little smile", insert " white hair, and benign appearance " :):)

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Case in point. Todays meeting has chewed up 3 hours of my Sunday (2 hours driving, 1 hour meeting) but for them to have a walk round and envision how everything is going to be and us to properly talk logistics (they're having a band do their first dance, ceremony music etc.. Im doing speeches for mics, background for breakfast etc... is so much more tangible than doing it over the phone. Makes my job on the day easier too as I'm not running around going - OK where do you need me set up in the drawing room, who's doing the speeches, when's the cake getting done.

Aside from that (and you can disagree all you want but you'd be wrong) it's providing quality and value to the service that doing the same thing over the phone just can't match and clients do appreciate that.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I only meet the customers when they have booked me and that is around 2-3 weeks before the booking.
I am a people person too (not nicking Martin's line by the way) and I enjoy the meetings and my feedback tells me that the customers do too. If it's a wedding for example I can go over details without distraction and there are questions I ask which they haven't even thought about and it prompts them. For example: A simple question like "How would you like to be announced?".

Yes, all of this could be done over the phone but it's not the way I work.

Now, on the other side of things....Do I meet customers before they book me?
No!
I've done it once before a few years ago. I got up early one Sunday morning after a late finish the night before and I drove 10 miles to a residence where the couple were going to get married. I waited 15 minutes before I got a phone call from them apologising that they were late and then a further 20 minutes before they actually turned up.
I spent an hour with them talking about their requirements and came up with a decent price for them. I walked away thinking that I'd got the booking but also felt very uncomfortable and as if I had been in some kind of audition. It was probably the first and only time that I've been wrong about a booking. The way they were talking and the way we got on....well, I was convinced the job was mine.

I received an email a day later saying that they weren't going to book me. No other reasons at all (not that they needed to tell me anyway).
I said there and then that I will not meet anyone unless they've booked me.

[ppentertainments]

Seems to be quite an active topic of discussion at the moment and I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to this.

2 years ago I would have said a meeting was an essential part of the booking process and I met up with EVERY couple at least once, normally twice. Now though I very very rarely meet in person.

From a personal point of view I like to meet and do feel more confident on the night knowing I have met, however from a business perspective holding meetings was not really a priority. This year I did not increase my prices, but looked at cutting costs, meetings being a large factor in cutting costs. I will meet if a couple ask, but do not initiate the requirement to meet. So far this has made absolutely no difference at all, in fact a lot of people I have spoke to prefer NOT to meet.

For next year I have increased my prices whilst also carrying on with my cost cutting that I implemented this year. For me the 'business' decisions are more important than what I would personally like to do.

[ukpartydj]

Aldi and sainsburys both sell very similar quality food.
One rushes you through the till charges for bags and doesn't have a customer service desk it needs to be done via the cashier. The other is the opposite but far more expensive.

Same applies... No meetings - no customer service desk.
It doesn't mean the food is worse. Just you might have a more pleasant experience in sainsburys.

[Nakatomi]

Yes but when people who command fees ten times what I currently get are saying they don't feel the need, cost is hardly a valid motivation is it?

Uh oh. Not another pricing discussion!

I see meetings as just another line of communication. They probably help break the ice too.

Would it be worth an hour of your time going to see a prospective client? Now there's a much more interesting question IMHO.

[Benny Smyth]

Would it be worth an hour of your time going to see a prospective client? Now there's a much more interesting question IMHO.

I'd like to make a slight addendum to that: An hour of time that you'd be getting paid for.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

You could also look at it as the whole customer service experience from start to finish and not just "doing a Disco".
Good communication is vital in my opinion. If the customer emails you or calls you with reference to their booking you should be able to get back to them as soon as possible.
I always thinking meeting them is part of the job. Ok, it's not essential to some but to me, it is.

I had a meeting with a Bride & Groom on Sunday and all they did for the first 5 minutes was compliment me on the service and I hadn't even played a song yet (wedding is next week). They then proceeded to tell me about the stress they've had trying to get communication from the chair covers woman. This is stressing the Bride out and the Groom (who is a very nice guy but pulls no punches) says that now it doesn't matter if she does a great job on the day and is there on time, the stress she has caused the 2 of them will result in negative feedback once their day is over.

I always say to my customers if they've booked me a year in advance....Don't think that I am just going to take your booking fee and then you won't hear anything from me until a few days before the wedding or whatever the booking is....Keep in touch with any updates or information you think I need to know and I will meet with you a week or two before the booking to finalise everything.

[Benny Smyth]

You could also look at it as the whole customer service experience from start to finish and not just "doing a Disco".
Good communication is vital in my opinion. If the customer emails you or calls you with reference to their booking you should be able to get back to them as soon as possible.
I always thinking meeting them is part of the job. Ok, it's not essential to some but to me, it is.

I had a meeting with a Bride & Groom on Sunday and all they did for the first 5 minutes was compliment me on the service and I hadn't even played a song yet (wedding is next week). They then proceeded to tell me about the stress they've had trying to get communication from the chair covers woman. This is stressing the Bride out and the Groom (who is a very nice guy but pulls no punches) says that now it doesn't matter if she does a great job on the day and is there on time, the stress she has caused the 2 of them will result in negative feedback once their day is over.

I always say to my customers if they've booked me a year in advance....Don't think that I am just going to take your booking fee and then you won't hear anything from me until a few days before the wedding or whatever the booking is....Keep in touch with any updates or information you think I need to know and I will meet with you a week or two before the booking to finalise everything.

I've said this a million times already, but I do believe it to be true: I think weddings are incredibly easy to organise. The only problem is people - whether it's the B&G themselves, friends and family chiming in or suppliers making things difficult. Obviously we as DJs have no control over a lot of things but part of what we do is to make the B&G's life little easier. "This is what I want, can you do it?" "Yes." "Excellent. Here's some money, now go make that happen." It's when I hear of DJs that inform their clients that they will require X amount of space, Y amount of 13 amp plug sockets that makes me think "Hold on, aren't you getting paid to sort this out yourself?"

[ppentertainments]

An hour of time that you'd be getting paid for.

Don't follow that ?

[Benny Smyth]

Don't follow that ?

If you've included the pre-event meeting into your fee, you're getting paid for it.

[ppentertainments]

If you've included the pre-event meeting into your fee, you're getting paid for it.

Or your offering something for free ;-)
If you are paid for it would you reduce your fee if the client didn't want a meeting and would you include this fee if asked for a price breakdown ?

[Benny Smyth]

Or your offering something for free ;-)
If you are paid for it would you reduce your fee if the client didn't want a meeting and would you include this fee if asked for a price breakdown ?

If you do it for free, then you'd be silly.

And in answer to your question, no I wouldn't reduce my fee. It's a service that I offer and provide and clients are aware of this when they book me. If they so choose to not take advantage of that (which, to date, has never happened) then that is their choice.

[ppentertainments]

If you do it for free, then you'd be silly.

And in answer to your question, no I wouldn't reduce my fee. It's a service that I offer and provide and clients are aware of this when they book me. If they so choose to not take advantage of that (which, to date, has never happened) then that is their choice.
But could you not offer a meeting and gain the same fee ?
If yes, then in essence your meetings are free !

[Excalibur]

I'd like to make a slight addendum to that: An hour of time that you'd be getting paid for.
The clue's in the question, Benny.




Would it be worth an hour of your time going to see a prospective client? Now there's a much more interesting question IMHO.
Prospective. Don't get the gig, you can't add it to the fee.

That's a slightly flippant answer. I know many on here will only meet clients after a confirmation. Others, like me, may be prepared to take that risk because


You could also look at it as the whole customer service experience from start to finish and not just "doing a Disco".

Gary, you've got it in one. We're a service industry. Service. ( Not necessary servile, by the way. )
How can you command high fees with crap service? It's not rocket science.

[ukpartydj]

I've no evidence to support which way works best but I'd imagine you could sell more add ons during a meeting before they book. I've not measured this or noticed a difference though!

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

The couple I met on Sunday have just e-mailed to say it was really nice to meet me in person and they were super impressed with how organised I was and how I was able to suggest ideas for them and draw a picture of how their day will run. THAT is quality and service and explains why I'm earning more for that gig than I will in a week of grafting the 9 to 5 and I don't make pocket money on that as it stands.



Could I have done it over the phone? Yes

Would I have been able to offer the same level of service? No

Would I have still had the gig and the dough? Yes

Am I more likely to get great feedback for going that extra mile? Absolutely.

Would I expect the same level of service from the DJ for my wedding? Abso :Censored::Censored::Censored::Censored:ing lutely and to do wedding gigs properly and treat them with nothing but the same gravitas and respect as you'd expect your own is doing the client a disservice.

I'll leave the half arse jobs to the candy carts and togs that cause bride meltdowns on all the facebook groups :D

[Nakatomi]

I must admit that when I went to see my near neighbours who were getting married (and I just so happened to be DJing their reception) they were completely surprised (in a good way) by the fact I was willing to do that. That's definitely the way I intend to go for proper paying gigs no matter what they are.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

When I get an enquiry, either by phone or email...I confirm the following as included in the price. In the example below, it is a wedding.

A Disco duration of 4hrs - 4.5hrs
A full sound & lighting system
A full back up system (to avoid any disruptions to your evening)
Early access & set up of the equipment (if the venue allows it and it is viable to do so)
A pre-wedding meeting at a convenient time to you either at the venue or your home to go over your expectations for the evening including timings, announcements & specific music requests including first dance(s)

As I said, it is all part of the price and I do it for every booking. If it is part of the price it means I am getting paid for it. If the customer doesn't want to meet (and I haven't had any yet that haven't met) then I am still getting paid for it whatever but obviously the way I work means that I would rather meet them.

I am not going down the whole full time vs part time thing but I'd still do it even if I was doing the job part time. As a full timer it means I have the time to do it and that's why I push it. I am fully customer service focused and it can only help me in the end when it comes to repeat work. I don't tend to advertise that much anymore because I get a lot of recommendations and repeat bookings.

In fact, I had an enquiry and confirmed booking yesterday over the phone (I wish they were all that quick) from someone who was at a wedding I did back in April. They mentioned the pre-wedding meeting to me as the Groom had told them that I'd speak to them and go over everything with them and they liked that idea.

[Benny Smyth]

The clue's in the question, Benny.

I may have mis-read the question. :daft:


But could you not offer a meeting and gain the same fee ?
If yes, then in essence your meetings are free !

I'm afraid that I don't see what you're getting at.

[Excalibur]

Benny, I may not have been as clear as we'd all like.

I was referring to Juski's question about would you meet a prospective client? That's different to " would you meet a confirmed client"? Presumably you'd factor in the cost in the second scenario, but you'd be unable to recoup it if the client didn't book you.

I believe Chris is asking a question along the lines of " If you charge £xxxx for a disco with a meeting beforehand, and you can still achieve the same figure without a meeting, is the meeting cost effective"? Answer, No.

[ppentertainments]

Benny, I may not have been as clear as we'd all like.

I was referring to Juski's question about would you meet a prospective client? That's different to " would you meet a confirmed client"? Presumably you'd factor in the cost in the second scenario, but you'd be unable to recoup it if the client didn't book you.

I believe Chris is asking a question along the lines of " If you charge £xxxx for a disco with a meeting beforehand, and you can still achieve the same figure without a meeting, is the meeting cost effective"? Answer, No.
Give that man a cigar !!

I can see why people have meetings and it may be beneficial to them. I will still have a meeting if someone asks - but basically the costs of that, and the time, is out of my own pocket. There are many DJs out there claiming to earn big money, but if you break down their spend/booking etc you often find the final figure is not as attractive as it first may seem.

I also think that things are changing greatly. I have had comments by brides on how the DJ at weddings they have attended wore a penguin suit, which they found comical and totally overboard (not that they would welcome a scruffy t-shirt and ripped jeans either). Now 3/4 year ago this was almost the norm, in fact I wore a suit and tie to every meeting and booking. These days it is mainly smart dark jeans and a company logo polo shirt. A few years ago meetings also seemed the norm, now with all the communication methods and the dreaded facebook, I have found couples don't see the need, value or have the spare time to meet just to basically tell you what their first dance is.

A meeting used to be a big marketing tool for me and was really the only successful way I had of upselling. Now though, people know what I offer, have seen pictures etc (often in the same venue they are getting married) so already know what they like and don't like. Anything I may be interested in I can communicate via email or telephone.

I also think it depends on how many bookings you take. Some are quite happy with half a dozen a month whereas others are looking for that amount, or more, on a weekly basis. 6 meetings a month are doable, whereas 6 a week would be quite a challenge - so depends on your own business needs.

As I constantly mention there is no right or wrong answer - the only thing that infuriates me are when DJs say you MUST have meetings to gain better bookings etc etc that just ain't true !

[Benny Smyth]

I can see why people have meetings and it may be beneficial to them. I will still have a meeting if someone asks - but basically the costs of that, and the time, is out of my own pocket. There are many DJs out there claiming to earn big money, but if you break down their spend/booking etc you often find the final figure is not as attractive as it first may seem.

But if the DJ played it smartly, he could still do meetings at minimal cost. So, for example, I sometimes hold 'clinics'. If I have a run of quite a few gigs, I find the venue where most of them are, do 30 minute appointments and essentially make it a production line.

[ukpartydj]

How much does a meeting really cost anyway?

If you're within 10 miles of the client surely that's like £3 fuel there and back and and just over an hour of your time???
25 miles away and you're looking at most £10 and a couple of hours??
Further than that then sure I'd try and sack off the meetings unless they really wanted one / wanted to pay extra for it.

If you're part time I can see it'd be a pain in the bum to do meetings. But I wouldn't say it costs me much.

[funkymook]

the only thing that infuriates me are when DJs say you MUST have meetings to gain better bookings etc etc that just ain't true !

They’re probably right in certain circumstances though, but it depends on what you mean by better bookings.

[scott23]

I know this is a old thread. As remember reading it last year and I came to mind today after me missing a meeting. I feel like Av been running about like a mad man lately, meeting after meeting after meeting. As we don't just do discos, sometimes its necessary to have a meeting at a venue. But am at the end of my wits this week!

I had a last min meet this morning a hours drive away, got back to office starving, popped home to eat and got a call from a client who booked a meeting a month prior, but kept changing the time, hence I hadent marked it down properly. Told them I was going to be another hour. They cancelled!

I would love to only do meetings when booked, but doesn't always work that way! Iv had at least 3 cancelled meetings last min from clients since Jan. But seems most want to arrange a meeting and do like meetings. But I think I need to set down some rules as I cant physically do all the meetings, with other commitments and cant really get anyone else to do. But that's how mistakes happen eh?!

[yourdj]

I know this is a old thread. As remember reading it last year and I came to mind today after me missing a meeting. I feel like Av been running about like a mad man lately, meeting after meeting after meeting. As we don't just do discos, sometimes its necessary to have a meeting at a venue. But am at the end of my wits this week!

I had a last min meet this morning a hours drive away, got back to office starving, popped home to eat and got a call from a client who booked a meeting a month prior, but kept changing the time, hence I hadent marked it down properly. Told them I was going to be another hour. They cancelled!

I would love to only do meetings when booked, but doesn't always work that way! Iv had at least 3 cancelled meetings last min from clients since Jan. But seems most want to arrange a meeting and do like meetings. But I think I need to set down some rules as I cant physically do all the meetings, with other commitments and cant really get anyone else to do. But that's how mistakes happen eh?!

Skype is always a good option, you don't have to leave the house/office. :)
I can't see how some local DJ's can make any profit, when they say they meet clients. I spend most week nights out and don't have a day job.

I have it as an optional extra for my parties & simple private functions, but will generally meet clients if its local anyway. Compared to an all day wedding, its a walk in the park, but you still have the "nice to meet you" on the night, rather than, "hello toby, how is your baby, was your holiday nice?".

Horses for courses, but I witnessed a decent DJ last night, who had not a lot of info on the client. The event could have been so much better planned and coordinated on the night tbh. It was a reasonably classy wedding in a premier venue also. As a 'roadie' it was not my place to criticise, nice to have the night off tbh and watch someone else second guess what people want. it was half the clients fault as they were mates. :)

[scott23]

Skype is always a good option, you don't have to leave the house/office. :)
I can't see how some local DJ's can make any profit, when they say they meet clients. I spend most week nights out and don't have a day job.

I have it as an optional extra for my parties & simple private functions, but will generally meet clients if its local anyway. Compared to an all day wedding, its a walk in the park, but you still have the "nice to meet you" on the night, rather than, "hello toby, how is your baby, was your holiday nice?".

Horses for courses, but I witnessed a decent DJ last night, who had not a lot of info on the client. The event could have been so much better planned and coordinated on the night tbh. It was a reasonably classy wedding in a premier venue also. As a 'roadie' it was not my place to criticise, nice to have the night off tbh and watch someone else second guess what people want. it was half the clients fault as they were mates. :)

I think skype might be a good option actually, thanks! Never actually thought of that. I would still have to go to the office though as at home I have 2 baby's in need of constant attention. The summer isn't even here yet and it feels like am burning the candle at both ends already.

[yourdj]

I think skype might be a good option actually, thanks! Never actually thought of that. I would still have to go to the office though as at home I have 2 baby's in need of constant attention. The summer isn't even here yet and it feels like am burning the candle at both ends already.

I only have a 2 bed house and a baby, i think it makes you human if there is a bit of crying/noise in the background. My wife often stays in the bedroom during a meeting however. Good lighting, no crap in the background and looking smart is useful. Get a mug of tea in a thermos flask also. You can add vodka and lemonade, they won't know! :)

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Skype is always a good option, you don't have to leave the house/office. :)
I can't see how some local DJ's can make any profit, when they say they meet clients. I spend most week nights out and don't have a day job.

I have it as an optional extra for my parties & simple private functions, but will generally meet clients if its local anyway. Compared to an all day wedding, its a walk in the park, but you still have the "nice to meet you" on the night, rather than, "hello toby, how is your baby, was your holiday nice?".

Horses for courses, but I witnessed a decent DJ last night, who had not a lot of info on the client. The event could have been so much better planned and coordinated on the night tbh. It was a reasonably classy wedding in a premier venue also. As a 'roadie' it was not my place to criticise, nice to have the night off tbh and watch someone else second guess what people want. it was half the clients fault as they were mates. :)

It's each to their own with reference to client / customer meetings in my opinion.
I always offer them as part of the quotation and I state that I will meet them at least 2 weeks before their booking, whatever that booking is. I also make sure that I meet them when it is someone else covering a booking for me so that everything I go over is transferred to them afterwards.

I think it is all part of the service but it's not for everyone obviously. I'd confidently say that 100% of my customers have thought it good and worthwhile.
I also do them as part of the service for the residencies too. They don't ask me, I just do it and always have done. The residencies are happy, the customers are happy and so am I and when it comes to profit - Yes, I make a profit.

The only thing I will not do (which I have mentioned before) is meet a potential customer beforehand (unless it is at a wedding fair or open day) because I have had felt like I have been in some kind of audition on the previous experience I had doing that (long story which I won't bore you with again).

I won't do Skype or Facetime unless I really have to. I have taken a booking on this week for June for someone who used to come to my Alternative club nights many moons ago. He has spent weeks (apparently) trying to find me (couldn't remember my name apparently) and has booked me for his wedding in Brighton. It's a very good earner and we will communicate nearer the date either by phone, Facetime (if I have to) or by meeting at his parents who still live in my town. All part of the service to me.

[scott23]

I only have a 2 bed house and a baby, i think it makes you human if there is a bit of crying/noise in the background. My wife often stays in the bedroom during a meeting however. Good lighting, no crap in the background and looking smart is useful. Get a mug of tea in a thermos flask also. You can add vodka and lemonade, they won't know! :)

I talk to much as it is, without being intoxicated ;) Had another cancelled meet on sat afternoon. Already booked though, and had a good excuse! Still bloody annoying though.

[Excalibur]

This thread's close enough to resurrect for a follow up to this one (http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?43986-Vibe)

Dunno if I can add a poll, but I may have a go later. Let's post the basic questions anyway. I'm defining client meetings as not being while you're doing or preparing for a booking at a venue, ie they're separate to any other event.

1) Do you offer client meetings?
2) Would you meet prospective clients, or only confirmed bookings?
3) Would you hold these meetings for no added cost ( ie free if it's prospective, or factored in if it's a firm booking ) ?

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

This thread's close enough to resurrect for a follow up to this one (http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?43986-Vibe)

Dunno if I can add a poll, but I may have a go later. Let's post the basic questions anyway. I'm defining client meetings as not being while you're doing or preparing for a booking at a venue, ie they're separate to any other event.

1) Do you offer client meetings?
2) Would you meet prospective clients, or only confirmed bookings?
3) Would you hold these meetings for no added cost ( ie free if it's prospective, or factored in if it's a firm booking ) ?

1) Yes - both before booking and as standard for all weddings - it's rare but I hate turning up to a wedding when I've not met them face to face even if we've done things over the phone and e-mail, Skype / Facetime is OK but I'd still rather meet.

2) Yes, within reason - I'm not going to drive 40 miles but I offer a no pressure no obligation meeting before booking - most don't ask for it...

3) It's factored into the price and I convert the vast vast majority of them (only lost 1 so far) so there's not much int he way of "lost" or wasted energy, time and money all in. As well as that - I have quite a lot of international clients who do need to do things over e-mail and Skype so that cuts out a bunch of meetings that I've factored into my costings too.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Boom tonight's is in the bag.

Got someone come back to me from a NaD inquiry asking to meet. That's a bit of a different kettle of fish admittedly but we'll see how it pans out.

[Imagine]

This thread's close enough to resurrect for a follow up to this one (http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?43986-Vibe)

Dunno if I can add a poll, but I may have a go later. Let's post the basic questions anyway. I'm defining client meetings as not being while you're doing or preparing for a booking at a venue, ie they're separate to any other event.

1) Do you offer client meetings?
2) Would you meet prospective clients, or only confirmed bookings?
3) Would you hold these meetings for no added cost ( ie free if it's prospective, or factored in if it's a firm booking ) ?

1) Yes. Like Jim, I'd much rather meet with the happy couple beforehand.
2) Prospective - yes, confirmed only if they ask. The reason for them having to ask is that I'm finding fewer and fewer actually want to meet up and we seem to be going "full circle" where they don't actually see us as a major part of the day (I'm talking evening only here by the way). That may just be my target market at the moment though. It just seems to be becoming the norm for the bride and groom just to want me to "play music" for the evening rather than spotlight moments and the like.
3) Yes. It's factored into the prices anyway with my higher priced package.

[Excalibur]

This thread's close enough to resurrect for a follow up to this one (http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?43986-Vibe)


3) Would you hold these meetings for no added cost ( ie free if it's prospective, or factored in if it's a firm booking ) ?


1) e bride and groom just to want me to "play music" for the evening rather than spotlight moments and the like.
3) Yes. It's factored into the prices anyway with my higher priced package.

Point of order, Mr Chairman. You can't factor it into the price if you don't get the booking. :no: I can think of folk on here who levy a fee for meeting prospective clients.

[rth_discos]

Point of order, Mr Chairman. You can't factor it into the price if you don't get the booking. :no: I can think of folk on here who levy a fee for meeting prospective clients.

I think Wayne is suggesting he's absorbing the costs as part of his fees, in the same way that his fees cover his Facebook advertising for example.

It's part of the cost of sale - and in the same way that not everyone who sees an advert will book, neither will every meeting.

But it's a cost of doing business that he's factored in to his business plan.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

I think Wayne is suggesting he's absorbing the costs as part of his fees, in the same way that his fees cover his Facebook advertising for example.

It's part of the cost of sale - and in the same way that not everyone who sees an advert will book, neither will every meeting.

But it's a cost of doing business that he's factored in to his business plan.

Yup pretty much how I approach it.

That's another one from last week just confirmed their booking this morning :D

My Christmas and Hogmanay trip to Vegas might not bankrupt me after all :beer1:

[Imagine]

I think Wayne is suggesting he's absorbing the costs as part of his fees, in the same way that his fees cover his Facebook advertising for example.

It's part of the cost of sale - and in the same way that not everyone who sees an advert will book, neither will every meeting.

But it's a cost of doing business that he's factored in to his business plan.

I am indeed factoring it in to the costs.
Not every client will want to meet up....but the cost is built in anyway so I win on some, and lose on others.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

That was the last of those run of meetings / calls got back in touch today wanting to book.

I've filled the date in between the call and her coming back to me (you snooze you lose dear) but that's £2k+ worth of bookings garnered with a little help from client meetings in the space of a few days... no brainer to do them imo.

[ppentertainments]

That was the last of those run of meetings / calls got back in touch today wanting to book.

I've filled the date in between the call and her coming back to me (you snooze you lose dear) but that's £2k+ worth of bookings garnered with a little help from client meetings in the space of a few days... no brainer to do them imo.
Just to play devils advocate, I have converted around £1.5k of bookings this past 2 weeks, although generally a quiet time for bookings, without one single meeting.

I agree, meetings helped and when I was quieter I had meetings with almost everyone, but now just don't have the time and have not noticed any difference.

[Excalibur]

Just to play devils advocate, I have converted around £1.5k of bookings this past 2 weeks, although generally a quiet time for bookings, without one single meeting.

I agree, meetings helped and when I was quieter I had meetings with almost everyone, but now just don't have the time and have not noticed any difference.

I don't think devil's advocate is strictly true, Chris. If you're running your business model fine without them, all well and good. I don't think anyone has said they're essential, but I'll tell you something, I'll take ( almost ) every chance I have for a meeting.

To me, it means that you're meeting friends at the gig, not strangers, and you have a good idea of what they want. Also, they are secure in the knowledge that you'll provide that.

[ppentertainments]

I don't think devil's advocate is strictly true, Chris. If you're running your business model fine without them, all well and good. I don't think anyone has said they're essential, but I'll tell you something, I'll take ( almost ) every chance I have for a meeting.

To me, it means that you're meeting friends at the gig, not strangers, and you have a good idea of what they want. Also, they are secure in the knowledge that you'll provide that.
I agree 100% (although have a bee in my bonnet about people claiming couples are friends, but thats for another day) it is 'nice' to meet, however questionable if beneficial in a business sense.

I did send a questionnaire out to past brides (not friends but some who I keep in touch with loosely ;);) ) and the majority commented that they were not fussed whether they met the DJ or not, however photos of the DJ on website and Facebook were nice - first impressions and all that I would imagine.

There is no right or wrong answer to this, however I don't think meetings are a necessity. They were quite novel a few years ago, but now everyone is offering to meet the novelty has worn off.

Right, must go as believe it or not, I have 2 client meetings this evening :rolleyes::D:D:D

[rth_discos]

Sorry if it's already been covered earlier on, but we should differentiate between meetings for practical purposes (a 1 hour meeting going through the details for an all day wedding, to ensure everything is smooth on the day) and a "sales meeting" where the meeting is used pre-sale for the purpose of securing the sale.


I don't think devil's advocate is strictly true, Chris. If you're running your business model fine without them, all well and good. I don't think anyone has said they're essential, but I'll tell you something, I'll take ( almost ) every chance I have for a meeting.

Absolutely spot on. If everyone did meetings, then I'd recommend not doing meetings to "stand out" and be different! Meetings would have evolved from the fact that up until recently, pretty much no one offered meetings, so this was a way to stand out.

Certainly when booking a DJ, if you had 3 people just email you a quote, and 1 person take the time to come and meet with you, then the person who did the meeting is much more likely to get the work.

However, not all clients want a "sales meeting", so that 'system' doesn't always work. Every client is different, and it's about finding a process that your typical client will want. Those who are very busy (time poor), don't live locally to where the event is happening, or simply don't like meeting (an increasing number of millennials) won't like the offer of a meeting, and will likely decline it. If you try and force it, you can often lose the sale.

With millennials becoming an increasingly large percentage of the population, and not preferring to meet, it's likely we'll see the process of meetings to sell start to decline soon.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Just to play devils advocate, I have converted around £1.5k of bookings this past 2 weeks, although generally a quiet time for bookings, without one single meeting.

I agree, meetings helped and when I was quieter I had meetings with almost everyone, but now just don't have the time and have not noticed any difference.

Don't get me wrong, I'd rather save myself the time too and the majority of my bookings are fine to do it without meeting or even chatting on the phone however as my prices have gone over the £550 mark I've found more clients asking if they can meet before deciding to book. To be fair to them, at that price point they're more than entitled to see why I've 2-3-4x as expensive as the other quotes they're getting in and as I said, apart from one couple who were clearly time wasting / hoping to put me on the spot to drop my price, I've never failed to land one so you're essentially converting 100% of clients who do ask to meet / skype - it's a no brainer.

[simon1969]

I offer a meeting to everyone as it reassures some clients and they feel they are having a personal service (ooh er):)
Last week I met two customers and they felt they were getting a better service and we went through their playlist, as there were some songs that were covered by other bands.
They had even timed all their songs and knew how they wanted their evening to run.

I think meetings are essential at weddings.

[Excalibur]

I think meetings are essential at weddings.

No. I find they're always beneficial, but not essential. Granted, some weddings could never run according to plan without one. :)

[mattydj50]

No. I find they're always beneficial, but not essential. Granted, some weddings could never run according to plan without one. :)

As a venue's "resident" DJ, client meetings are non existant! The hotel do pass my details onto the B&G who, should they choose to do so, contact me direct, but many just deal with the venue wedding co-ordinator. They claim they cannot give be their clients details due to Data Protection. That's rubbish, as all they have to do is to tell the client they will be passing details on to their chosen suppliers, who may then contact them directly.

I do meet several couples at the venue's Wedding Open Days at which I stand (its free and only has the venues chosen suppliers there).

It may not be ideal for many, but it works for us. It helps no end that the venue staff on the day are good at what they do and keep things on the move.

[Excalibur]

As a venue's "resident" DJ, client meetings are non existant! .
Tee hee. :) Been there, done that. :bang:

Mind you, there was the exception that proves the rule. One customer worked out that by paying me beforehand, he saved the VAT the hotel would have charged him.

[mattydj50]

Tee hee. :) Been there, done that. :bang:

Mind you, there was the exception that proves the rule. One customer worked out that by paying me beforehand, he saved the VAT the hotel would have charged him.

Not to mention the hotel's add on "commission"

That is of course a conversation that I would never have. Ahem.

[Nakatomi]

I've yet to do a pre booking meeting but I find that for all my private work (ha! All!) a face to face meeting is really useful for relationship building.

With regard to the residency there have only been 2 meets requested out of probably 170+ gigs. No. 2 is early next month. Still useful but my motivation to do these is based purely upon so few customers wanting them.

[Benny Smyth]

At the beginning of this month, I performed for a couple's wedding on a date that just so happened to have been my 32nd birthday.

About 6 weeks beforehand, they came round to my house where we sat in my kitchen and had a chat over a cuppa. She had just come off her hen do and was hungover and limping (twisted her ankle on the night out), and it took about 15 minutes before we actually started talking about their evening entertainment because we were getting to know each other. At some point, Mrs. B blurts out "Oh, this is the one on your birthday." and we had a bit of a laugh and joke about it, and how I promised that I was going to get all their guests to sing happy birthday to me on the night. On top of this, there was the obvious chat about timings and music. As the meeting ended, Mrs. B and I received a hug from both of them.

On the night itself, the bride made a beeline for me after I set up (well, as much as a bride can beeline for anyone on her wedding day, what with being stopped every step by someone else) and there came another hug. Mrs. B and the nephew was with me that night, and they got hugs too. The night itself was fantastic, the bride danced herself silly and became exhausted. I'm handing out hugs and high fives to people I have never met before because the bride and groom told their guests about this DJ who was really nice and has really worked hard to tailor the night to them. She also told most folk that it was my birthday and I had people shout happy birthday to me throughout the night. It was at this point I thought 'Sod it!' and got everyone to sing happy birthday to me. It was hilarious, and I wish I got it on film. Couple of days later, I got an amazing and unprompted review on Google that bought a smile to my face.

Could I have given them an amazing night without the consultation, but instead an exchange of emails? Too right - I am very good at my job, so you're damn skippy I would have.

Could I have made an emotional connection with my clients, and subsequently their guests, whilst also demonstrating how much effort I've put into their night and displaying genuine sincerity that I do give a crap about their evening entertainment without a consultation, but via the medium of an email? I'm less certain of that one.

Sometimes, it's the intangible that makes all the difference.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Could I have given them an amazing night without the consultation, but instead an exchange of emails? Too right - I am very good at my job, so you're damn skippy I would have.

Could I have made an emotional connection with my clients, and subsequently their guests, whilst also demonstrating how much effort I've put into their night and displaying genuine sincerity that I do give a crap about their evening entertainment without a consultation, but via the medium of an email? I'm less certain of that one.

Sometimes, it's the intangible that makes all the difference.


Knowledge is power - there's a guy on a local fb group who prides himself on the fact he can turn up to a wedding, get the first dance 10 minutes before time and get the gig done.

That's all well and good, what we do isn't rocket science and anyone with a few brain cells could do that same but - just off the top of my head - he won't know that the name of the MoG or that she's a Billy Joel fanatic like my first wedding of the year in January which involved a 4 hour round trip for the meeting in November...

He won't know the dynamic between the bride and groom that she loves naff 90s pop, he really doesn't but she wears the trousers and you can make a play on that during the wedding...

Or that HE likes naff 90s pop but doesn't like to admit it...

Or that the groom plays in a Frankie and the 4 Season tribute

Or that their wedding is themed on the Labyrinth movie

And so on and so on and so on... those are just some off the top of my head examples.

I used to do the odd diary filler for an agency because they had a venue 5 minutes up the road that needed a minimal rig and the load in was a skoosh but I just couldn't settle myself with the idea that I got a text from the agency with their names and first dance tune and then I'd just to turn up and do it - I got great feedback from every client and the venue but I walked away because I can do so much better and offer so much more when I'm actually given access to my clients.

[Imagine]

No. I find they're always beneficial, but not essential. Granted, some weddings could never run according to plan without one. :)


I've yet to do a pre booking meeting but I find that for all my private work (ha! All!) a face to face meeting is really useful for relationship building.

With regard to the residency there have only been 2 meets requested out of probably 170+ gigs. No. 2 is early next month. Still useful but my motivation to do these is based purely upon so few customers wanting them.


Knowledge is power - there's a guy on a local fb group who prides himself on the fact he can turn up to a wedding, get the first dance 10 minutes before time and get the gig done.

That's all well and good, what we do isn't rocket science and anyone with a few brain cells could do that same but - just off the top of my head - he won't know that the name of the MoG or that she's a Billy Joel fanatic like my first wedding of the year in January which involved a 4 hour round trip for the meeting in November...

He won't know the dynamic between the bride and groom that she loves naff 90s pop, he really doesn't but she wears the trousers and you can make a play on that during the wedding...

Or that HE likes naff 90s pop but doesn't like to admit it...

Or that the groom plays in a Frankie and the 4 Season tribute

Or that their wedding is themed on the Labyrinth movie

And so on and so on and so on... those are just some off the top of my head examples.

I used to do the odd diary filler for an agency because they had a venue 5 minutes up the road that needed a minimal rig and the load in was a skoosh but I just couldn't settle myself with the idea that I got a text from the agency with their names and first dance tune and then I'd just to turn up and do it - I got great feedback from every client and the venue but I walked away because I can do so much better and offer so much more when I'm actually given access to my clients.

Funnily enough - I had a meeting on Monday with this coming Sunday's couple (left it late but they work away).

Yes, I can and DO do weddings where I turn up armed with nothing more than the first dance and the name of the happy couple (last Saturday was a case in point and the evening rocked....literally).

This Sunday will be different after a large caramel macchiato and 90 minutes of natter.

1. They're planning on leaving 20 mins early (I wouldn't have known this because let's face it...it's rare these days especially when the B&G are staying in the venue overnight as they do with this place). OK - let's turn it into (and I hate this phrase with a passion) a "spotlight" moment. We're going to reprise their first dance track to get everyone in the dance marquee in a circle of love around the bride and groom (for this venue is two marquees) and then announce a grand exit....cue the human archway (their idea after talking things through). Grooomsmen and bridesmaids will be prepped for this by the B&G to make sure at least a few people can demonstrate/lead the way in what's expected rather than me trying to herd cats.

2. Before the grand exit, we're going to do something special for mum and dad of the bride. When they married (back in the days of black, shiny discs), their wedding DJ didn't have their selected first dance song (don't ask how that happened!). So, at the request of bridey, we're going to do that one for mum and dad BEFORE the reprise of the first dance (cue lots of emotional hugs and tears because mum and dad have absolutely no idea about this one). And yes, I know their names as well (which not meeting up wouldn't have necessarily revealed)

3. Turns out that most of the guests will be into the UK Garage scene. Glad they told me that bit....not my speciality but heck...it's easy to mix so let's go with it.

So, by meeting up with the happy couple, I now know an awful lot about their expectations and should indeed, exceed those to make their big day even more special for them. Isn't that what we're supposed to do?

Now I can go in blind like last week, but it's literally flying by the seat of my pants when I do that and as a Scout leader, I believe in the motto of "Be Prepared" !

[ukpartydj]

I had a wedding a couple of weeks ago, the b&g when I met them were keen on older tracks despite being around 26-30ish, no problem we go the whole night with minimal dancing... Everybody's next door at the bar enjoying themselves so I think nothing of it. 40mins before the end the groom comes up to me has a chat and says everybody is having a good time he looks at my laptop and notices I happen to have some heavy metal on the screen I'm on....

The last 30 mins were great loads of people came in for system of a down etc... Why did they not mention about 20 of their guests loved metal I don't know haha!

Maybe I need to ask more questions!

[Retrodisco]

1. They're planning on leaving 20 mins early (I wouldn't have known this because let's face it...it's rare these days especially when the B&G are staying in the venue overnight as they do with this place). OK - let's turn it into (and I hate this phrase with a passion) a "spotlight" moment. We're going to reprise their first dance track to get everyone in the dance marquee in a circle of love around the bride and groom (for this venue is two marquees) and then announce a grand exit....cue the human archway (their idea after talking things through). Grooomsmen and bridesmaids will be prepped for this by the B&G to make sure at least a few people can demonstrate/lead the way in what's expected rather than me trying to herd cats.
!

This is all well and good I find, until on the night, everyone booked taxis for 11 and theres only 5 people left at 11.40 for it.

Happened with 'wedding arches' and all sorts over the years and haven't had the bodies to do it.

[Nakatomi]

My previous client meet went very well but the bride to be went on to have a moan about her decoration supplier. Apparently she went to visit them at home (good service to do that too) but she just wouldn't take a hint & leave. 6 hours she ended up being there!

Anyway something that came up in the meeting was that the family were big fans of Monty Python. Come the last tune time out came Always Look on the bright side of life & for a couple of seconds I thought "oh no why did I do this" & then the look of realisation on the crowd's faces told me I'd definitely made the right choice. I got my best ever review for that gig.

I just don't have time go meet more couples especially this month with it being so busy. 16 weddings, a day job and family life... It's alright for you full-timers :lol:

[rth_discos]

16 weddings, a day job and family life... It's alright for you full-timers :lol:

Surely 16 weddings makes it full time?

4 weddings a month is full time for me.

[Nakatomi]

Surely 16 weddings makes it full time?

4 weddings a month is full time for me.

Aha yes but... ;)

[ukpartydj]

I never understand why successful DJs have other jobs as well! This month I'm averaging around 60 hours of work per week (that includes admin of course).

[Nakatomi]

I never understand why successful DJs have other jobs as well! This month I'm averaging around 60 hours of work per week (that includes admin of course).

Well there you seem to have mistaken me for somebody who is successful

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

I never understand why successful DJs have other jobs as well! This month I'm averaging around 60 hours of work per week (that includes admin of course).

I'm a qualified History teacher who now works in a special needs school - I love my job and would never give it up to make DJing full time even though I could pretty much overnight if I wanted to.

1. I don't need the stress

2. I used to run a tourist pub crawl company when I was a student - it SUCKED - I realised if I could hate going to work to drink, club and hang out with hot aussie birds and get paid really well was a drag then anything can be - I don't want DJing to turn into that.

3. If I was full time I'd have to take everything and anything on even when I didn't want to - I pick and choose my gigs / clients, do approx 45-55 bookings a year and the only person in my day job making more than me is the head teacher (and she's not making THAT much more considering the amount of stress, hours and graft she has to put up with)

[ukpartydj]

Well there you seem to have mistaken me for somebody who is successful

16 bookings in a month is good... Well depending on how good the bookings are I guess.


I'm a qualified History teacher who now works in a special needs school - I love my job and would never give it up to make DJing full time even though I could pretty much overnight if I wanted to.

1. I don't need the stress

2. I used to run a tourist pub crawl company when I was a student - it SUCKED - I realised if I could hate going to work to drink, club and hang out with hot aussie birds and get paid really well was a drag then anything can be - I don't want DJing to turn into that.

3. If I was full time I'd have to take everything and anything on even when I didn't want to - I pick and choose my gigs / clients, do approx 45-55 bookings a year and the only person in my day job making more than me is the head teacher (and she's not making THAT much more considering the amount of stress, hours and graft she has to put up with)

Fair enough, more of a personal thing than financial then. Also sounds like you've got a couple of good jobs!

[yourdj]

Maybe I need to ask more questions!

Its amazing what clients wont tell you unless you ask! i had one where half the guests were part irish. Well they asked the bride for irish music and all i had on my list was Galway girl and one other. When I found out that a whole corner of the room (they put 2 tables together) liked this then it all kicked off and went seamlessly into 500 miles, cotton eyed joe and the likes. Finshed with Cela vie, which lead nicely to spice girls and backstreet boys and ended up making the night. :)


16 bookings in a month is good... Well depending on how good the bookings are I guess. Fair enough, more of a personal thing than financial then. Also sounds like you've got a couple of good jobs!

Exactly. I know DJ's that are more often than not charging £2000 for all days and are probably only out 3-4 times a month. Other guys charge on average £6-800, but some DJ's claim to be busy and successful but only average £200 an event. What someone charges is their own business but its all relative. i would have to do 2-3 x what the £2000 guys are on and the £200 guy would have to do 10 x more events, probably more as it may involve a lot more work (i.e. 10 times more meetings, setup/pack downs and general admin plus equipment maintenance and travel costs). :)

Having said that you can also work a business as hard as you want to make it. One example is having automatic booking forms, a home meeting room, quicker set up times, less travel (and other tricks to make life easier and free up time). Despite having 2 children both under 2 yo, I have just moved to a larger house and have a bit more time/space on my hands so am considering setting up an event/portait photography business as I feel that I have taken my wedding business as far as I want to go with it. As the kids grow up this spare time will only get easier as they will be at school all day - bliss. :)

[yourdj]

Admin, I am on Safari Version 10.1.2, when i go to edit a post there is nothing in the edit box?

Is this the same for everyone?

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Fair enough, more of a personal thing than financial then. Also sounds like you've got a couple of good jobs!

It involves a lot of juggling and time management but it works for me though I do put in a lot of hours - if I was stacking shelves in Asda, absolutely I'd be going full time.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Ah the old "I'm out every weekend" fallacy - aye very good pal - you crack on with your 8 x £200 gigs, I'll do 3 for £550 and keep a weekend free. :beer1:

[Imagine]

Can't fault that attitude Jim. I'm in a similar boat to you with a well paid day job and the disco is just building the pension fund.

I used to want to be out every weekend and thought I was doing something wrong if I wasn't. I'm happy to take the occasional weekend off these days to recharge the batteries.

[Marc J]

Admin, I am on Safari Version 10.1.2, when i go to edit a post there is nothing in the edit box?

Is this the same for everyone?

I don't have a Mac to check on here, but I've disabled some speed-up options (the auto-minifying of css, js & html). Can you try again (make sure you clear your browser cache).

[yourdj]

Its a character issue as pointed out in another thread. I have added a load of strange characters and the pound sign after 2 successful edits and it did not work and the content vanished. It may well the the colon used for the smileys?

[Marc J]

Its a character issue as pointed out in another thread. I have added a load of strange characters and the pound sign after 2 successful edits and it did not work and the content vanished. It may well the the colon used for the smileys?

Anything not in the first 127 characters listed here (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UTF-8#Codepage_layout) will likely cause the issue.

All smileys seems to be OK, but the £ symbol breaks it in my experience.

[rth_discos]

added a load of strange characters and the pound sign

Sounds more like a pricing structure for a mobile DJ :D:D:D

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Can't fault that attitude Jim. I'm in a similar boat to you with a well paid day job and the disco is just building the pension fund.

I used to want to be out every weekend and thought I was doing something wrong if I wasn't. I'm happy to take the occasional weekend off these days to recharge the batteries.

When I got made permanent teaching my plan was to plow all of my DJ income into the mortgage. What I've actually ended up doing is booking a lot of extravagant holidays :D

I was speaking to a younger DJ a while back who by all accounts has his head screwed on and is doing OK for himself but he was undervaluing himself and he actually started posting lower prices than he had been across a bunch of bridal groups. I spoke to him about how he could potentially alienate his current clients who booked him at the higher price and how difficult it could be in the future to up those prices once they've been blasted all over facebook.

His response was he's booked every weekend for the next year so he must be doing something right. :zip:

[ppentertainments]

Ah the old "I'm out every weekend" fallacy - aye very good pal - you crack on with your 8 x £200 gigs, I'll do 3 for £550 and keep a weekend free. :beer1:
I'd rather do 8 @ £550 :eek::eek::eek:

[yourdj]

I'd rather do 8 @ £550 :eek::eek::eek:

Or 2 at £1200. :o:o:o

The all days are a long day and sometimes a lot of prep, but I can see why people just do them. Now my assistant is busy (he has a girlfriend), i would like to just MC the day, first dance and get someone else to do the tech and evening part as I have recently found myself lagging a bit come 10pm (especially as I have 2 babies). A local DJ to me only does one all day a week as a rule and I think this makes sense, but you really have to charge for that luxury and add in those extra special time consuming details. :)

Editing is fine now by the way Mark. £££@@@@:::

[Daryll]

Naw..................26 gigs at £60 init...........:zip:

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Or 2 at £1200. :o:o:o

The all days are a long day and sometimes a lot of prep, but I can see why people just do them. Now my assistant is busy (he has a girlfriend), i would like to just MC the day, first dance and get someone else to do the tech and evening part as I have recently found myself lagging a bit come 10pm (especially as I have 2 babies). A local DJ to me only does one all day a week as a rule and I think this makes sense, but you really have to charge for that luxury and add in those extra special time consuming details. :)

Editing is fine now by the way Mark. £££@@@@:::

I've a belter of an all day shot in December and it's an 11 finish so not uber late.

Pretty much sorted out my spending money for Vegas over Xmas and New Year :D

[Excalibur]

Naw..................26 gigs at £60 init...........:zip:

Draws self up to full height, takes a deep breath, and utters the time honoured phrase "You'll never get that round here". :D

[Benny Smyth]

Draws self up to full height, takes a deep breath, and utters the time honoured phrase "You'll never get that round here". :D

The money or the amount of gigs?

[ppentertainments]

Or 2 at £1200. :o:o:o

The all days are a long day and sometimes a lot of prep, but I can see why people just do them. Now my assistant is busy (he has a girlfriend), i would like to just MC the day, first dance and get someone else to do the tech and evening part as I have recently found myself lagging a bit come 10pm (especially as I have 2 babies). A local DJ to me only does one all day a week as a rule and I think this makes sense, but you really have to charge for that luxury and add in those extra special time consuming details. :)

Editing is fine now by the way Mark. £££@@@@:::
I don't agree with that - on paper sounds good, but if just 1 of those bookings does not materialise you are snookered - plus 2 x £1200 bookings a month would not be enough income for me. By taking a slightly higher quantity, if bookings are a little slow it does not affect you.

A lot depends if you solely rely on your DJ income or have partners wage, redundancy, pension etc to fall back on

[Excalibur]

Naw..................26 gigs at £60 init...........:zip:


Draws self up to full height, takes a deep breath, and utters the time honoured phrase "You'll never get that round here". :D


The money or the amount of gigs?

26 gigs, no probs, but not at such inflated prices* :eek:


*For our newer readers, I must point out that this is a running gag, which children such as myself never tire of. :)

[Imagine]

26 gigs, no probs, but not at such inflated prices* :eek:


*For our newer readers, I must point out that this is a running gag, which children such as myself never tire of. :)

Sixty quid????? That's an all day wedding including ceremony services in parts round 'ere ;)

[Benny Smyth]

Sixty quid????? That's an all day wedding including ceremony services in parts round 'ere ;)

Plus the complimentary reach around.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Quick wee update -

I mentioned that once my prices hit a certain level there was a noticeable increase in people who wanted to meet prior to booking which is fine.

I've also noticed in the past few months a marked drop in clients who want to physically meet before the wedding. Wether that's because they're time poor in the run up or they don't feel it's needed is anyone's guess.

If I had less a truckload of paperwork to deal with day in and day out in the teaching job (which, now and again, I actually get to teach instead of doing said paper work :D ) I would sit down and work it out but I reckon with this recent swing, I'm most likely spending less times on meets and clients than before even with more pre-booking meets :idk:

[Imagine]

Quick wee update -

I mentioned that once my prices hit a certain level there was a noticeable increase in people who wanted to meet prior to booking which is fine.

I've also noticed in the past few months a marked drop in clients who want to physically meet before the wedding. Wether that's because they're time poor in the run up or they don't feel it's needed is anyone's guess.

If I had less a truckload of paperwork to deal with day in and day out in the teaching job (which, now and again, I actually get to teach instead of doing said paper work :D ) I would sit down and work it out but I reckon with this recent swing, I'm most likely spending less times on meets and clients than before even with more pre-booking meets :idk:

I've noticed that swing myself to be honest Jim, but slightly differently.....

I've done more weddings this year where the client hasn't wanted to meet between booking and the big day to discuss (my normal routine is take the booking after a quick discussion over the phone or email and then meet 4-6 weeks before the big day to go over the finer details of the day). Most of these are happy to complete all of the details for the day online via DJEP, with just a quick follow up a couple of weeks before the wedding via email or telephone to confirm everything and double check stuff I'm maybe not clear on.

That said, since I put my own prices up, I've had more than ever before that want to meet BEFORE making the actual booking (and I've currently got a 100% hit rate on those).

[yourdj]

I mentioned that once my prices hit a certain level there was a noticeable increase in people who wanted to meet prior to booking which is fine.


I am having a lot of people book me without meeting me this year (opposed to previous years), despite it being offered. I can only assume that they have been reccomeded and are happy with the website and what we have to offer. I also have the prices on my site, so am only getting solid enquiries now. Someone booked for £1900+ last night, I had to double check as i would have thought they would want to meet parting with cash like that, but no. I still want to meet them in the next couple of weeks though as its an all day booking with Photo Booth. :)

Its saving me an aweful amount of time, something i don't have a lot of at present, so I am happy. Roll on when each house has a hollodeck, that will make life easier still. :)

[mattydj50]

26 gigs, no probs, but not at such inflated prices* :eek:


*For our newer readers, I must point out that this is a running gag, which children such as myself never tire of. :)


We'll keep on running.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

I am having a lot of people book me without meeting me this year (opposed to previous years), despite it being offered. I can only assume that they have been reccomeded and are happy with the website and what we have to offer. I also have the prices on my site, so am only getting solid enquiries now. Someone booked for £1900+ last night, I had to double check as i would have thought they would want to meet parting with cash like that, but no. I still want to meet them in the next couple of weeks though as its an all day booking with Photo Booth. :)

Its saving me an aweful amount of time, something i don't have a lot of at present, so I am happy. Roll on when each house has a hollodeck, that will make life easier still. :)

My crap SEO does a good job of weeding out the non serious enquiries :D

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Ended up with 3 this week for potential clients.

2 reasonably local, another in Edinburgh.

I have a venue recce to do for a James Blunt of a load in in Edinburgh so I don't mind the drive through there and all in these are potentially close to £2k in bookings, more if they take on the half or full day packages so it's all good.

[ppentertainments]

Ended up with 3 this week for potential clients.

2 reasonably local, another in Edinburgh.

I have a venue recce to do for a James Blunt of a load in in Edinburgh so I don't mind the drive through there and all in these are potentially close to £2k in bookings, more if they take on the half or full day packages so it's all good.
I had 2 this week - both (I thought) were disasters.

1. Turned up for meeting in Costa in the morning, offered to pay for the coffee and my debit card wouldn't authorise the payment. Luckily had another which did, however when they are booking (they did book) and paying a 4 figure sum for a days work it was rather embarrasing. Need to pay myself in future lol.

2. Second one we were chatting football for a while at the start, I was en-route to a match after the meeting. Thought they supported the same team - turned out they supported the biggest rivals and were very passionate too. Chatting about the venue for a while, then the penny dropped, I had the wrong venue in my head - don't think they realised. Still, they booked though :D

[Excalibur]

I had 2 this week - both (I thought) were disasters.

1. Turned up for meeting in Costa in the morning, offered to pay for the coffee and my debit card wouldn't authorise the payment. Luckily had another which did, however when they are booking (they did book) and paying a 4 figure sum for a days work it was rather embarrasing. Need to pay myself in future lol.

2. Second one we were chatting football for a while at the start, I was en-route to a match after the meeting. Thought they supported the same team - turned out they supported the biggest rivals and were very passionate too. Chatting about the venue for a while, then the penny dropped, I had the wrong venue in my head - don't think they realised. Still, they booked though :D

1) Most places still accept coin of the realm. One cashier in the petrol station was positively delighted to see cash for once!
2) I once had a wedding reception full of Scousers, and forgot there were two teams. In those days, I used to finish with You'll never Walk Alone. :eek: Lived to tell. :)

[Andy P]

We all have our own ways or gathering information, stops us being too similar.

For me I'm not a big salesman so don't really do the selling meetings. I do like to provide good customer service and a booking journey however so clients are sent a proper made booklet to complete about their wedding and i'm happy to meet with them for a friendly chat about their wedding closer to the date. I try not to book and forget about clients, and with some now booking up to two years in advance this can be a long process.

Not all of my clients choose to have a meeting which saves me time and money but they do know Im at the end of the phone or email almost all of the time.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Sure I mentioned this particular client earlier in the thread:

I've spent most of the day (and a pubic hair under 300 miles) driving to Aberdeen and back for a meet.

All day wedding which is paying the mortgage until the Spring so I can live with the 5 hours on the road + meeting time.

You know what's more important than the dough though? I now know, with extreme detail everything that is going on during the day so there'll be no surprises or anything to trip me up and, more importantly, my clients are confident and comfortable that the music and MCing is in safe and capable hands.

[Imagine]

Sure I mentioned this particular client earlier in the thread:

I've spent most of the day (and a pubic hair under 300 miles) driving to Aberdeen and back for a meet.

All day wedding which is paying the mortgage until the Spring so I can live with the 5 hours on the road + meeting time.

You know what's more important than the dough though? I now know, with extreme detail everything that is going on during the day so there'll be no surprises or anything to trip me up and, more importantly, my clients are confident and comfortable that the music and MCing is in safe and capable hands.

Nice one Jim....and about 200 miles further than I've ever travelled for a meeting before.
What you say is right though....and the reason I prefer to meet up. It's surprising just how much can come from such a meeting.

OK - the vast majority of mine are more of a getting to know you type of meeting with nothing out of the ordinary planned. I've had a couple recently though where by meeting up we've managed to turn an ember of an idea into something that will be remembered for a long time - well worth my time when that happens.

[ukpartydj]

I had an interesting meeting a few weeks ago. The first meeting I arrive and wait for 30 minutes with their phone ringing to voicemail. No answer so I go home and get a text message - can we reschedule, we got our dates wrong. .. Hmm okay then, no apology but fine, rescheduled it for next week.
I misjudged the traffic for the second meeting and arrived 5 minutes late to a couple and their friend, the friend seemed massively unimpressed that I was late and was a bit rude about it after I apologised. Bizarre, they never apologised about the no-show.

I didn't get the job and to be honest I'm glad about that, if I'd not suggested a meeting I feel I could have regretted allowing the booking as they seemed the types that'd give me a right headache on the day.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

I had an interesting meeting a few weeks ago. The first meeting I arrive and wait for 30 minutes with their phone ringing to voicemail. No answer so I go home and get a text message - can we reschedule, we got our dates wrong. .. Hmm okay then, no apology but fine, rescheduled it for next week.
I misjudged the traffic for the second meeting and arrived 5 minutes late to a couple and their friend, the friend seemed massively unimpressed that I was late and was a bit rude about it after I apologised. Bizarre, they never apologised about the no-show.

I didn't get the job and to be honest I'm glad about that, if I'd not suggested a meeting I feel I could have regretted allowing the booking as they seemed the types that'd give me a right headache on the day.


I always get in touch a day out to double check everything is still on.

Tbh if I'd had a pre booking no show I really doubt I'd reschedule. Manners to call off cost :Censored::Censored::Censored::Censored: all, my time and energy doesn't.

[ukpartydj]

I always get in touch a day out to double check everything is still on.

Tbh if I'd had a pre booking no show I really doubt I'd reschedule. Manners to call off cost :Censored::Censored::Censored::Censored: all, my time and energy doesn't.

I agree I cannot imagine being that rude. It was only a couple of miles away so I wasn't too bothered. If it'd been 10 miles or something I'd have asked them to book before we reschedule.