Quiet times?

[fullcontact68]

For some reason it seems very quiet around here at the moment, very few leads around.

I spoke to a few local DJ's who are finding the same. Anyone else experiencing this?

Last year I was far busier at this time of the year than I an now.

One company which I am still getting loads of leads from is Bark, I have done a couple of jobs from them last year, but there pricing structure means I spend more that I receive, (Paying £6/8/10 +vat to send a message is rather steep for me). I stopped using them at the end of last year.

Perhaps it's time to spread my wings and venture further out. Currently, unless its a good gig, I don't usually drive for more than 30 minutes.

[Pe7e]

Same here, it's been much quieter than last year, I think/hope it's just down to the cold wet weather and Christmas spending excesses, I expect it will pick up soon. If I'd known it was going to be so quiet I'd have gone away to somewhere warm for an extended holiday.

[rth_discos]

As a marketing expert, I trial pretty much everything!

Bark isn't bad - many DJs aren't using it because of the cost per lead, so you can often be the only one pitching.

But my gripe with Bark is there's not "vetting" of the lead - it could just be someone that's curious and you've paid to contact them.

Equally, any system that uses lead generation, eg Bark and NeedADisco tend to attract people who "just need a DJ", hence why they are inviting random DJs to contact them. So for the most part, they are price sensitive. I say for the most part, because I have had good paying gigs from both platforms.

However, the number one way to get gigs is through your own website, and a proper marketing system put in place. Speak to a professional and you'll soon discover why you've been missing out on so much, because you've not positioned yourself correctly online and not got in front of the right people.

When online marketing is done correctly, you create a "tap" of enquiries that you turn on and off whenever you need more bookings.

[fullcontact68]

Bark isn't bad - many DJs aren't using it because of the cost per lead, so you can often be the only one pitching.

But my gripe with Bark is there's not "vetting" of the lead - it could just be someone that's curious and you've paid to contact them.



I would hope they do start working on the legitimately side of leads. I do get a feeling that quite a few of them are fake.

Would work better for me if it was a subscription like NAD.

I only do this part time, so not too concerned about investing in online marketing experts at the moment.
2 or 3 gigs a month on average is fine for me.

[rth_discos]

For Bark to do more vetting would likely mean a more expensive lead.

Don't forget, NAD can often have 20 DJs competing for each lead, so each has its own pros and cons.

When you're marketing correctly and charging the right prices, 4 gigs a month is a full time income...

[Pe7e]

However, the number one way to get gigs is through your own website, and a proper marketing system put in place.

Are you advocating spending on professional SEO or funding a campaign on Google AD words, Facebook, Twitter or similar?

[rth_discos]

Are you advocating spending on professional SEO or funding a campaign on Google AD words, Facebook, Twitter or similar?

My recommendation is both.

SEO is a long term game - you won't get immediate results. And it's not guaranteed. But long term, if it works, can generate you traffic. You will need some form of SEO to ensure that at the very least you come up top for your own company name if you don't already. However, DJs are notoriously bad at SEO, and even worse at building websites (too many build their own), so it's a pretty un-competitive industry to rank in (compared to other industries).

Facebook Ads and Google Ads are different beasts (and will bring you different types of traffic). However, you get an immediate flow of relevant traffic. The key is to have it set up by someone who knows what they are doing and will continually tweak it to optimise it. If you get it wrong it can be very costly.

The big difference between Google Ads/Facebook Ads and SEO is that Google Ads/Facebook Ads stop the moment you turn off the money. Whereas SEO as an investment can last a very long time - even if you stop the investment.

Beyond that, you need to ensure your website is converting before you drive traffic to it - otherwise you still won't convert that traffic.

There's lots of elements around it, but when you get it right, you have a very powerful - almost automated - marketing machine.

[TONYTIGER]

I dont know but down here on the South coast it has been very busy,no Saturdays free this year and most of Fridays have gone as well,seem to be turning away quiet a few every day,most come from my website and a few from NAD but dont advertise any were else.

[Retrodisco]

I've had a better start to the year than last year. New website probably made the difference.

[musicology]

I've had a quiet February but January was busy and so is this month and April is looking strong too so it's evened out ok.

[Imagine]

Very, very quiet over here, and I know lots of other people around the country that I speak to on a regular basis are saying the same thing.
In fact, even watching Facebook on a Saturday night at the moment there are virtually none of the usual "my office for the night"/"what do you think of my setup"/"I've got an empty dance floor -help" type of posts.

What I have noticed is that the ones that ARE going out regularly at the moment (again, these are people I actually know and talk to) are at the cheaper end of the fees scale. I've also noticed the customer budgets (not that I take a blind bit of notice of them) on NaD going through the floor at the moment. Maybe there just isn't the money around at the moment...

That said, all of the bookings I do have are at my normal fee....so there's money around somewhere thankfully :)

I'm sure it'll turn around. I've got a very busy summer ahead of me with not many available dates between 1st April and the end of August (again...September at the moment is barren!). It's a funny old game sometimes.

[Imagine]

However, the number one way to get gigs is through your own website, and a proper marketing system put in place. Speak to a professional and you'll soon discover why you've been missing out on so much, because you've not positioned yourself correctly online and not got in front of the right people.

When online marketing is done correctly, you create a "tap" of enquiries that you turn on and off whenever you need more bookings.

I look forward to all the gory details in a couple of week's time Gavin :)

[ukpartydj]

It's a quiet March for me, I didn't have any bookings for March until 6 weeks ago so it's not a shock. I'm down by about £800 from last year which is a bit annoying!

I've did a tonne of seo on my new DorsetDJ site and it's paid off massively already. My traffic has doubled and enquiries tripled! Somehow my income hasn't... Least not yet.... Hmmm!

[ppentertainments]

Beginning of the year has been the worst since I went full time, with March alone looking to be £2500 down on last year :eek::eek:

Looking ahead, the rest of the year looks ok and speaking to other similar DJs they are finding it a quiet year as a whole. One big difference is that I am getting a lot more bookings with add-ons which is a bit of a bonus.

Problem is, without bookings I am busier than when I have bookings which seems very common in business :daft::daft::daft:

[Benny Smyth]

Problem is, without bookings I am busier than when I have bookings which seems very common in business :daft::daft::daft:

It's all that boring paperwork that we didn't really sign up for as DJs, but have to do. When you have more time, it can't keep dropping down the list of stuff to do.

Ugh. I hate paperwork.

[rth_discos]

I look forward to all the gory details in a couple of week's time Gavin :)

Thanks - I didn't want to provide a link to promote it for fear of breaking any rules :daft:

[ppentertainments]

It's all that boring paperwork that we didn't really sign up for as DJs, but have to do. When you have more time, it can't keep dropping down the list of stuff to do.

Ugh. I hate paperwork.
Oh yes, and the wedding fayres, network meetings and having to leave the house and talk to people :zip::zip:

I think about 80% of my business came as a surprise to me if I am honest lol

[musicology]

Paperwork? :confused:

[ukpartydj]

Paperwork? :confused:

Child: "What are you doing dad?"
Dad: "Paperwork"
Child: "Why haven't you got any paper?"
Dad: "Um, err..."

[yourdj]

All good this end, busiest year so far. With 2 babies I am happy not being mental busy!!! :)

Best quick way to get work Imo is wedding fairs or networking with another DJ(s). i find all the online stuff (unless your cheap) is a waste of time. All of my Facebook marketing has gone know here, but as mentioned I am sure done promo-rly that would work. Sod Bark or NAD etc. Rather spend time maintaining venue relationships. Aditional to that I have improved my extras and am pushing them a bit harder so the average spend has increased.

I think the average DJ can now build their own website (thanks to Wordpress) and make themselves look great. Most DJ's dont use or need agents anymore, so the market is full of competition that can actually show off what they can do now rather than the crap websites 8-9 years back. There is also much more communication and learning than their used to be through Facebook and places like here, so the average DJ knows how to market and may also be charging more money so can afford to pay for SEO and website development.

Only one answer - like yester-year, the average DJ now needs to think one step ahead and not get comfortable with loads of lead through something that works as that will date quickly. Person to person and maintaining relationships also seems to be every more important now, client meetings, be nice to hotel staff and do the best job ever (or differently to any DJ they have seen) would be my advice. :)

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

What I have noticed is that the ones that ARE going out regularly at the moment (again, these are people I actually know and talk to) are at the cheaper end of the fees scale. I've also noticed the customer budgets (not that I take a blind bit of notice of them) on NaD going through the floor at the moment. Maybe there just isn't the money around at the moment...



Not finding that at all.

I'm on a FB group with a very small amount of guys at the higher end of the market up here and we had a thread last week about how busy this year has been...

Im 3 gigs shy of topping my 2016 total already and I'm charging over £550 a gig.

On the flipside there's a bargain basement group people send me screenshots of now and again where the pleb that runs it whines about there not being enough £150 gigs going around...

I genuinely think there's been a shift in the market up here (certainly in weddings) where people realise that there are different shades of DJs and are happy to pay a premium to secure their services over the run of the mill pint drinking now that's what I call a wedding playlist type guys.

[yourdj]

Not finding that at all.

I'm on a FB group with a very small amount of guys at the higher end of the market up here and we had a thread last week about how busy this year has been...

Im 3 gigs shy of topping my 2016 total already and I'm charging over £550 a gig.

On the flipside there's a bargain basement group people send me screenshots of now and again where the pleb that runs it whines about there not being enough £150 gigs going around...

I genuinely think there's been a shift in the market up here (certainly in weddings) where people realise that there are different shades of DJs and are happy to pay a premium to secure their services over the run of the mill pint drinking now that's what I call a wedding playlist type guys.

I agree with all that especially with the wedding market. compared to a few years back, people are not hesitating to pay out more, but i do have a better website, more experience and venue recommendations so that probably helps? I think in general wedding industry professionals have all increased prices as they have been in more communication with each other (as per my other post). Just look at photo booths, they charge £300+, but commonly £400+, so it makes a DJ look reasonably cheap. If the photobooth did not show up no one would notice, but if the DJ did not show up everyone would be sitting about in silence and brides know this.

If it was back in Yellow pages days then my guess is they wold be more price conscious and also be managed by agents, who love to keep the prices down as long as they keep the venue dont they! I remember Mark Walsh saying that due to technology now (i.e. marketing/social) there would be a big change to the industry soon (years ago) cheap and expensive and one would imagine (half hearted vs bespoke). He said "I feel really sorry for the people in the run of the mill, turn up and play (never put any effort in to improving the service) type guys as they will be struggling to find work".

'Pleb who runs it'. thats something I would be told off for, great comment. :p

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

'Pleb who runs it'. thats something I would be told off for, great comment. :p

I've called him much worse to his face :p

As for your other points, I obviously can't talk for every couple but I get married 4 weeks today! and whilst being involved in the wedding industry has helped me have a decent idea of what is out there - I'm looking at it as - I have one chance to get this right so yeah I'll save where I can on the inconsequential stuff (she's agonising over centre pieces just now, I'd happily go without...) but for the biggies then I'm always going for quality over price and brides are now doing the same for their entertainment.

With the internet, youtube etc... it's now easier than ever for them to see and realise there's a reason why Jim charges around 4 times what DJ pleb charges... being asked why I cost £x instead of £y by a potential client is usually the quickest route to me securing a booking because I make no apologies for my prices and can clearly show why there's a difference. It's the same across the board.

[ppentertainments]

=
Im 3 gigs shy of topping my 2016 total already and I'm charging over £550 a gig.

Is that turning up and supplying a disco only, or does it include extras - moodlighting, photography, dance floors etc etc ?

Only asking as I keep hearing of people claiming they charge £xxx to make themselves sound good, when in in fact this £xxx is ridiculously cheap for what they provide.

[yourdj]

when in in fact this £xxx is ridiculously cheap for what they provide.

DJ Pleb can continue to do his thing as it makes me look good - Its the DJ's that provide top quality kit and amazing service and charge not much compared to everyone else, that annoys me, as it lets it down for the rest of us. Yes you may be making £xxxx but you are doing 200 gigs vs my 70 odd.

[Imagine]

DJ Pleb can continue to do his thing as it makes me look good - Its the DJ's that provide top quality kit and amazing service and charge not much compared to everyone else, that annoys me, as it lets it down for the rest of us. Yes you may be making £xxxx but you are doing 200 gigs vs my 70 odd.

I'll drink to that Toby (it's rare to agree with you but hey ho!).

My aim over the next 12 months or so is to earn a full time living from what I do, and it will be mainly from weddings (simply because I enjoy them). However, the challenge I face in my neck of the woods at the moment is a chap called Sidney who has all the gear, and absolutely no idea! Actually, Sidney has a whole family of DJs....lots of them (the average NaD wedding is going to around 30-40 of them!). Thankfully, I don't rely on those to get gigs (just one in the last year) and most of my work comes via my own websites.

I've got the top notch gear (around £30-40k in my store according to my books...I can literally offer a rig that fits ALL venues). I offer the absolute best customer service (hell....I used to train people in customer service for a living). But......this Sidney chap and his relations are also claiming the same and are seriously undercutting me. It's unfortunately a fact of life at the moment that a lot of customers are prepared to cut corners (the exception to this rule seems to be north of the border), and hire the cheapest DJ that's prepared to do the job. And once they've hired Sidney over me and he's cocked up on the gig....it's a bit late to worry.

At the moment, my average "evening only" reception is £400. Sidney will happily collect £170 cash on the night. It's the only reason I've only worked for 4 nights this year so far (and apart from being boring...it scares me)

There are even a couple in my area where mummy and daddy have set them up as a business and purchased all the gear for them (and I'm taking industrial scale here beyond belief).

In this day and age of getting an enquiry and responding via email (phone calls are rare!)...how in the name of all that's holy do you project the quality/A1 customer service/track record of doing the job/being the best fit for the job before the customer gets bored with reading the response and going to the cheapest?

So yes, my wedding site now "bundles in" confetti cannons and LOVE letters for "free"...because I have to. It's the only thing that gives me the edge at the moment (apart from agreeing to meet before they even spend a penny with me).

Hopefully Gavin will be able to give some pointers next weekend, because in this neck of the woods....it's bloody hard work at the moment (as our very own Gary will probably be able to attest since he moved out this way).

[musicology]

The money is probably there for weddings but there's not many that want to pay a lot of money for, say, a 60th birthday.

[ukpartydj]

It's all relevant, somebody earning 15k will be looking to spend £200 prehaps for an evening and will wonder why they should spend more.

Somebody earning £40k+ probably will not wish risking only spending £200 on their wedding DJ.

I think I'm going to increase my prices again soon. I'm on £399 for an evening and I met a chap charging £500 the other day who IMO offered a lesser service and claimed to be "fully booked" which I translated to "I don't DJ midweek".

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Is that turning up and supplying a disco only, or does it include extras - moodlighting, photography, dance floors etc etc ?

Only asking as I keep hearing of people claiming they charge £xxx to make themselves sound good, when in in fact this £xxx is ridiculously cheap for what they provide.

Disco only and it is cheap for what I provide - exceptional (I'm not just saying this, I get married myself in 4 weeks and have been pulling my non existant hair out at how bad some suppliers are) customer service and a lifetime of amazing memories ;)

[yourdj]

I'll drink to that Toby (it's rare to agree with you but hey ho!).

There is always a first. Its my resolution this year to take my posts a bit more seriously as people just dont get my humour on here. Sorry to hear you are having problems, I am surprised as you have a good catchment. I think the answer is possibly in the marketing? Throwing things at clients for free is good but it undervalues the service. Easy for me to say I know. If you are that good and your worth it often increasing it above most other DJ's seems to be a better option rather than sitting in the middle ground and being picked off by cheaper people. Just a matter of showing why you are better I guess. :)


It's all relevant, somebody earning 15k will be looking to spend £200 prehaps for an evening and will wonder why they should spend more.

You would be surprised, every year I have several quite un-wealthy clients booking me at well over £1000 for all day as my service is important to them. I always think 'no chance' after the meeting and then they book everything. Yes its a lot of their budget, but they may have booked a £500 photographer, or have family helping them. :)

[rth_discos]

Hopefully Gavin will be able to give some pointers next weekend, because in this neck of the woods....it's bloody hard work at the moment (as our very own Gary will probably be able to attest since he moved out this way).

Absolutely - in fact most of the morning will be based around "resetting" what you do and coming at it all with a fresh pair of eyes.

Only once you've got that aspect sorted can I show you how to amplify that message using online marketing (which we'll be doing in the afternoon) :)

So it's going to be a lot more in depth than just showing you how to make a Facebook advert.

[yourdj]

I personally think specialism is more important these days. Diverting all your efforts to a certain type of event or client type, or working only in one specific area or particular venues. Having decent websites for each specialism rather than one fits all. For an important corporate or wedding proper may pay more and hold your services as better than the do it all DJ? Its working wonders for me. 95% weddings and I don't have to travel more than 20 mins. We (Your DJ) have 6 wedding shows today all within 10 mins drive of one another, its a first for me, well looking forward to it as people visiting the venues will see us at least twice, ideally 3-4 times. No brainer for any bride with a good ideal of paying a little bit more for value/piece of mind.

It is tough trying to get work - I will be working on Phat Events this year and specialise in posh house parties in the forest as there are tons of rich people that are having parties and want someone trustworthy, good and can 'pimp' the house out so there friends can see how cool they are. Compared to any all day wedding its so easy!! The site is OK and ranks well but generates bugger all enquiries. ;)

[rth_discos]

It is tough trying to get work - I will be working on Phat Events this year and specialise in posh house parties in the forest as there are tons of rich people that are having parties and want someone trustworthy, good and can 'pimp' the house out so there friends can see how cool they are. Compared to any all day wedding its so easy!! The site is OK and ranks well but generates bugger all enquiries. ;)

I wouldn't be aiming to get those types of enquiries via the web...

However, the website serves as a place for a warm lead to find out more information about what you do.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

I wouldn't be aiming to get those types of enquiries via the web...

However, the website serves as a place for a warm lead to find out more information about what you do.

Yeah it's a very niche market to specifically gun for. I have one this year but they're usually good for word of mouth stuff.

[yourdj]

Usually good for word of mouth stuff.

Totally. We use need to get a name for ourselves. This is where Facebook networking comes in as we tend to do a lot of 21st etc. and we all know young people love to see themselves, so have added an event photography option now usually with a photo booth a bit later on.

[Excalibur]

Bark have recently been targeting me very heavily, and partly cos I hadn't quite grasped how the system works fully, and mainly cos nothing appealed, I let them go.

Well, one has come up for a Rock Wedding, at a venue I know, not far from me. Since this is my freebie intro, I've chanced my arm ( keyboard)?

Will keep you posted.

[Imagine]

Bark have recently been targeting me very heavily, and partly cos I hadn't quite grasped how the system works fully, and mainly cos nothing appealed, I let them go.

Well, one has come up for a Rock Wedding, at a venue I know, not far from me. Since this is my freebie intro, I've chanced my arm ( keyboard)?

Will keep you posted.

Did you get it then? (I'm genuinely interested because as much as I, and indeed everyone else in this neck of the woods distrusts Bark....it could be an advantage in a lack of people quoting).

Back to the quiet times plot though...I'm used to Jan/Feb being dead (although I'm sure people still get married and have birthdays during those depressing winter months)...any tips on getting the bookings though? All I'm seeing at the moment is requests for stupidly low fees which is a bit depressing to be honest.

I finish "work" on 17th December this year (I don't do NYE - I'd rather be at home with a warm log burner, warm wife and even warmer single malt than "entertain" some of the idiot binge drinkers I've met in recent years), and have nothing then until Valentines day (yup...a Wednesday night wedding in a venue that hasn't been too lucky for me in recent months...how hard is that one going to be???).

The rest of next year is filling up nicely...could do with something to ease the boredom for the first couple of months though without resorting to going out at bargain basement prices.

[ppentertainments]

I've 6 weddings in January BUT I use the month for marketing for the rest of the year.

Every Sunday night I have a (free) staff party at a residency/recommended venue which helps forge great relationships, and during the days on the Sundays I always have a wedding fayre (or similar).

It is also the time I look at forecasts etc for the year ahead and spend a lot of time on the road visiting venues, wedding coordinators etc.

Although not much actual DJing, January is one of my busiest months and financially I make sure any shortfall will be met from throughout the year - plus I never get paid for December until the end of January.

February for me is a normal month and things pick up from there.

[Excalibur]

Bark have recently been targeting me very heavily, and partly cos I hadn't quite grasped how the system works fully, and mainly cos nothing appealed, I let them go.

Well, one has come up for a Rock Wedding, at a venue I know, not far from me. Since this is my freebie intro, I've chanced my arm ( keyboard)?

Will keep you posted.


Did you get it then? (I'm genuinely interested because as much as I, and indeed everyone else in this neck of the woods distrusts Bark....it could be an advantage in a lack of people quoting).

.
Dunno. :shrug: Silence has been deafening. Neither of course do I know if anyone else has won it, unless Bark has a notification system in place. Some leads are coming in which might well be worth a punt, but I haven't yet worked out how to give them money to get them. :confused::)

[yourdj]

Although not much actual DJing, January is one of my busiest months

I have 'January off', but it will mostly be spent answering enquiries, ,marketing and meeting people. :)
Plus staff parties.

[ppentertainments]

I have 'January off', but it will mostly be spent answering enquiries, ,marketing and meeting people. :)
Plus staff parties.
I did contemplate going away for the month, but as mentioned it is actually a busy month, even if very few bookings.