Well that was disheartening

[Benny Smyth]

Had a call from a potential client this morning, and one of the questions that they've asked me is whether I DJ full time, and how important do I think it is that DJs have this as their only job without relying on a secondary income.

I've been asked stuff like this before, and I always bat it away by saying that it doesn't matter if someone is full time or performs as a DJ as a supplementary income - what's important is how good they are, and the level of service that they provide. I tell them that as long as the have found a DJ who they have resonated with and are confident that he can do a grand job, then what he does 9-5 shouldn't factor into it. After this, the enquirer informs me that they spoke to a (and this is how they described him because, apparently, this is how he referred to himself) 'Weekend Warrior'

I know what you're thinking - I had they exact same adjective in my head too!

According to the Warrior, those who DJ full time do not have the financial capacity to maintain a high level of service and production values and because they do this full time, they become numb and disgruntled to it all much faster than part timers. It was at this point, I said aloud the adjective in my head - preceded by "He sounds like a".

It's nearly 17 years that I've been doing this now, and it still grates against me that there are DJs that are 'me against the world'. Miserable gits

As for the client, I suspect that I won't get the gig. I was asked if I'd be willing to shave my beard for the big day as the bride to be really doesn't like facial hair on men. :rolleyes:

[rth_discos]

As for the client, I suspect that I won't get the gig. I was asked if I'd be willing to shave my beard for the big day as the bride to be really doesn't like facial hair on men. :rolleyes:

I've recently been turning down people before I quote.

If I get a vibe from them that what they're looking for isn't what I do - especially a request like the above - I say "sorry, I'm not going to be the right fit for you, so I won't be quoting for your wedding".

It took time to get to that stage, but I much prefer to only take on gigs that are in line with the performance I provide.


According to the Warrior, those who DJ full time do not have the financial capacity to maintain a high level of service and production values and because they do this full time, they become numb and disgruntled to it all much faster than part timers. It was at this point, I said aloud the adjective in my head - preceded by "He sounds like a".

It's nearly 17 years that I've been doing this now, and it still grates against me that there are DJs that are 'me against the world'. Miserable gits

I can see the positives and negatives to both "full time" and "weekend warrior". I've done both. And currently enjoying the "full time" far more.

How I managed to work 9-5 during the week and then DJ at the weekend amazes me. I now build up during the week getting ready for my Saturday outing - and can devote more time to it than ever before, in terms of prep and on the day itself.

Equally, a weekend warrior can often be cheaper - they're less financially reliant on it then a full-timer.

Your response was a fair response. The only thing I'd want to know as a bride, is what job the weekend warrior does - and does his contract have any stipulation about being called in "out of hours". I've seen a few weekend warriors who are in jobs where they can't guarantee they won't be called in to work at the weekend - that'd be quite worrying...

[theoloyla]

For most of my 50 years innings I had another string to my bow but I don't think it affected whether I was better or worse as a dj. Even when I was earning enough to be professional I chose to do other things.

[DazzyD]

In the early days I was full time but I stepped back to part time when I needed a more consistent income and took on a full time day job. But I always ran the disco with a professional, customer-focused attitude. I've never slated other DJs on the grounds of whether they are full or part time - there are advantages to both and it's down to the individual to decide a working pattern that's best for them. I've only ever slated DJs for being shoddy!

I don't get potential client's attitudes when even asking this "are you full or part time" question. You're not going to be making yourself available to them for 37 hours of the week! What difference does it matter? You wouldn't ask a shop assistant or bus driver the same question! Can you imagine that? "I'm not getting on your bus because you only work 16 hours a week!". How crazy does that sound? :eek:

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

I've only ever been asked it a few times and my standard answer is - No, I work in a school teaching children with complex and additional support needs.


They're usually reasonably impressed by that as it kind of points to the fact that I'm not a complete rocket.

I wouldn't let the other guy worry you - anyone running down another business is always going to come across as a bit of an..... and desperate compared to someone who gives off a professional vibe whilst not chasing the gig.

[Excalibur]

Had a call from a potential client this morning, and one of the questions that they've asked me is whether I DJ full time, and how important do I think it is that DJs have this as their only job without relying on a secondary income.

I've been asked stuff like this before, and I always bat it away by saying that it doesn't matter if someone is full time or performs as a DJ as a supplementary income - what's important is how good they are, and the level of service that they provide. I tell them that as long as the have found a DJ who they have resonated with and are confident that he can do a grand job, then what he does 9-5 shouldn't factor into it.

An excellent, truthful and helpful answer Benny, well done. :clap2:


According to the Warrior, those who DJ full time do not have the financial capacity to maintain a high level of service and production values and because they do this full time, they become numb and disgruntled to it all much faster than part timers. It was at this point, I said aloud the adjective in my head - preceded by "He sounds like a".

It's nearly 17 years that I've been doing this now, and it still grates against me that there are DJs that are 'me against the world'. Miserable gits
More fools them. This place has taught me the incalculable benefits of working with people, not against them. We've had this debate about part/full time before, and it started off among very similar lines. Let's just say I don't think his argument holds water. ;)


As for the client, I suspect that I won't get the gig. I was asked if I'd be willing to shave my beard for the big day as the bride to be really doesn't like facial hair on men. :rolleyes:
Whatever happened to customer service? :confused::confused::p:D And the next few witty ripostes have not been typed out, on grounds of taste and decency. :zip::D
Mind you Benny, with demands like that I'm unsure whether she wanted you to play music, or marry her.


I've recently been turning down people before I quote.

If I get a vibe from them that what they're looking for isn't what I do - especially a request like the above - I say "sorry, I'm not going to be the right fit for you, so I won't be quoting for your wedding".

It took time to get to that stage, but I much prefer to only take on gigs that are in line with the performance I provide.


I applaud your morals, and like to think that I do likewise on occasion, but as long as I can provide something akin to their desires, I'm usually inclined to take their money. :)

[yourdj]

I think rather than yourself, the DJ in question was more putting down the very cheap or unprofessional DJ's that see being a DJ as a bit of beer or holiday money. You could arguably say that full time DJ's will be very much less like this as they have to rely on their trade, but there must be a lot of part timers that have a similar attitude to myself and a flexible job that allows them time on a Friday to go home early, prepare & still get to a venue an hour before they need to, set up and be in the zone for the client.

I would guess that up to 90% of single op DJ's do it as a part time trade and most probably do an amazing job in relation to their cost and application. As per the other comments I tend to tell clients I am not suited if they said that, but that would be after seeing why they find it important. If it was on the basis of one other suppliers comment, then i would question their motives??

My next question would have been, 'what jobs do you do' as that may have given you an answer to why they find it so important. A more useful question would have been 'do you have young children' as that takes up more of my time and attention than DJing has every done, let alone a casual weekday job (as you can still work in the evenings, and even perhaps answer emails at work?). Maybe its just my son? My wife went back to work with our first and it was like a holiday for her, where i was left with a 12 hour day and a lot of stress!

[funkymook]

You can spin it any way you want.

Full-time: Relies 100% on the income, can’t afford to be complacent or have unhappy clients. By having a track record of being in business they prove they are reliable and trustworthy. If they weren’t any good they couldn’t survive being full-time.

Part-time: It’s just pocket money to them, it doesn’t matter if they lose business as it makes no odds if they work or not, they can drop all their bookings at a moments notice if they wanted. If they were any good they’d go full-time.

[Corabar Steve]

You can spin it any way you want.

Full-time: Relies 100% on the income, can’t afford to be complacent or have unhappy clients. By having a track record of being in business they prove they are reliable and trustworthy. If they weren’t any good they couldn’t survive being full-time.

Part-time: It’s just pocket money to them, it doesn’t matter if they lose business as it makes no odds if they work or not, they can drop all their bookings at a moments notice if they wanted. If they were any good they’d go full-time.


:like:

[ppentertainments]

You can spin it any way you want.

Full-time: Relies 100% on the income, can’t afford to be complacent or have unhappy clients. By having a track record of being in business they prove they are reliable and trustworthy. If they weren’t any good they couldn’t survive being full-time.

Part-time: It’s just pocket money to them, it doesn’t matter if they lose business as it makes no odds if they work or not, they can drop all their bookings at a moments notice if they wanted. If they were any good they’d go full-time.

Got to agree with that

[simon1969]

Got to agree with that

WoaHi I find that comment offensive I dj part time and it isn't pocket money it supplments my income.
I enjoy it and same amount of time and effort goes into gigs as it would if I was a full time dj .
For one people deserve a quality service and I provide that and communicate well with customers.
During performance's I'm professional.
So the fact I'm part time doesn't make a difference.

[Excalibur]

You can spin it any way you want.

Full-time: Relies 100% on the income, can’t afford to be complacent or have unhappy clients. By having a track record of being in business they prove they are reliable and trustworthy. If they weren’t any good they couldn’t survive being full-time.

Part-time: It’s just pocket money to them, it doesn’t matter if they lose business as it makes no odds if they work or not, they can drop all their bookings at a moments notice if they wanted. If they were any good they’d go full-time.


Got to agree with that


WoaHi I find that comment offensive I dj part time and it isn't pocket money it supplments my income.
I enjoy it and same amount of time and effort goes into gigs as it would if I was a full time dj .
For one people deserve a quality service and I provide that and communicate well with customers.
During performance's I'm professional.
So the fact I'm part time doesn't make a difference.
:whoosh:

Big time. Simon, I'm sure Martin was trying to illustrate the point that there are two equally tenable viewpoints, the Full Time guys, and the Part Time guys. Neither is right, and neither is wrong. You can make a valid case for either being the best way to operate, it all depends on which way you want to spin it.

Me, technically I'm part time, but I'd never denigrate anyone for their employment status. That's irrelevant.

[yourdj]

Me, technically I'm part time, but I'd never denigrate anyone for their employment status. That's irrelevant.

:agree:

Although; as i have said, I agree that full timers have a lot more to loose even with one bad complaint, especially with residencies, but that does not mean that part timers don't care or wont give as much time, effort and passion. Its just there are a lot more part timers and like the building trade etc. there are a lot of muppets 'having a go' so can relate to Bennys client, although they should really be judging the individual and not if they are full or part time. I have not met Benny but i am sure he would come across as passionate and professional as myself or anyone else that works full time on here, so the question is largely irrelevant. :)

[funkymook]

:whoosh:

Big time. Simon, I'm sure Martin was trying to illustrate the point that there are two equally tenable viewpoints, the Full Time guys, and the Part Time guys. Neither is right, and neither is wrong. You can make a valid case for either being the best way to operate, it all depends on which way you want to spin it.

Me, technically I'm part time, but I'd never denigrate anyone for their employment status. That's irrelevant.

Yep - I was just pointing out you can twist (or spin) it any way you want, I could’ve just as easily put all the positives on the side of the part-timer and the negatives on the full-timer (as in the OP).

Full-time and part-time are largely misnomers anyway, I think 'main income' and 'supplementary income’ are more accurate. I don’t have any other job apart from DJ’ing, but I certainly wouldn’t call what I do full-time, I do around 30 - 40 bookings a year maximum and have loads of spare time, 'lazy git’ probably covers it!

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I now class myself as a part-timer. It doesn't mean I will act any different business wise or whilst performing as I have done for the past godknowshowmanyyears.

I'll still put everything into it and be the best I can for the customer but for now, I am not relying on it as much as I used to.
Not sure how long this new change will last but I quite like the idea (at the moment), of picking and choosing what I do, where I do it and when I do it.

[DJ Jules]

I've been asked the question a few times and I answer honestly, and people are generally surprised when I answer "part time" - hopefully because of the amount of effort I do put into my excellent customer service :D

I usually make a point of saying that I'm usually out 2 or 3 times a week every week and DJ'ing makes up a very significant part of my household income so it is far more than a casual interest or a hobby for me (i.e. I'm not likely to be flippant with my customers and I can't risk being unreliable).

I agree though that it's quite easy to spin arguments both ways.

Beards though... there's no excuse for unnecessary facial hair :whistle::whistle::whistle: :)

Julian

[Steven]

Got to agree with that

Do you agree with the statements Chris or that it could be spun anyway by different parties? :confused:

[Benny Smyth]

Beards though... there's no excuse for unnecessary facial hair :whistle::whistle::whistle: :)

Don't be dissin' da beard, yo!

[saduffy1]

The thread is a few months old but the cheek of the person who called Benny Smyth and asked if he'd be willing to shave his beard because the bride to be doesn't like facial hair on men! I wonder if they're asking the same of all of their guests?




I've recently been turning down people before I quote.

If I get a vibe from them that what they're looking for isn't what I do - especially a request like the above - I say "sorry, I'm not going to be the right fit for you, so I won't be quoting for your wedding".

It took time to get to that stage, but I much prefer to only take on gigs that are in line with the performance I provide...

I can't fault that approach. That was how I was in my last few years after for too long having ignored my gut feeling and taken on gigs, which turned out to be more trouble than they were worth. You're better off levelling with people and pointing out that you're not going to be what they're looking for and to try elsewhere if that's the feeling you get.

[Excalibur]

The thread is a few months old but the cheek of the person who called Benny Smyth and asked if he'd be willing to shave his beard because the bride to be doesn't like facial hair on men!

Oh come on! Have you seen him in his bewhiskered state? You couldn't look at him without hearing " Werewolves of London ". :eek: And to think without it he barely looks old enough to shave. :confused:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DCjqugNXkAIcUMx.jpg

[Steven]

You can spin it any way you want.

Full-time: Relies 100% on the income, can’t afford to be complacent or have unhappy clients. By having a track record of being in business they prove they are reliable and trustworthy. If they weren’t any good they couldn’t survive being full-time.

Part-time: It’s just pocket money to them, it doesn’t matter if they lose business as it makes no odds if they work or not, they can drop all their bookings at a moments notice if they wanted. If they were any good they’d go full-time.


Full Time: Couldn't get a decent job so does this between benefit payments, has to do each and every job comes his way as it pays for his fags and red stripe. Gets jaded and eventually becomes multi op providing a second rate service.

Part Time: does this because they want to, can cherry pick the better events and work for nicer clients and rocks everyone because they can focus on each event each week. Prices appropriately which brings the reputation of the industry up.


yeah you can spin it anyway you want.

[Benny Smyth]

Oh come on! Have you seen him in his bewhiskered state? You couldn't look at him without hearing " Werewolves of London ". :eek: And to think without it he barely looks old enough to shave. :confused:

My facial hair is being mocked from behind a 70's pornstar 'stache. :Laugh:

[Imagine]

My facial hair is being mocked from behind a 70's pornstar 'stache. :Laugh:

I wish I hadn't had a mouth full of coffee when I read that Benny! I've got to clean the laptop screen now :laughup::laughup::laughup:

[funkymook]

My facial hair is being mocked from behind a 70's pornstar 'stache. :Laugh:

there’s a reason he’s called Excalibur....

[djdj]

there’s a reason he’s called Excalibur....

Is it because he works Knights :o

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Had a convo with a friend I bumped into yesterday that went a bit like:

"Are you working tonight then?"

"yeah"

"Where abouts?"

"The Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh"

"What like THE botanical gardens?"

"Aye..."

"Oh, do you do places like that often?"

"Aye well it's all nice hotels and bespoke wedding venues normally, why?"

"It's just when I heard you were a DJ I thought you did pubs and social clubs and stuff."



I take it as a bit of a compliment to be fair nowadays :)

[Excalibur]

Had a convo with a friend I bumped into yesterday that went a bit like:

"Are you working tonight then?"

"yeah"

"Where abouts?"

"The Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh"

"What like THE botanical gardens?"

"Aye..."

"Oh, do you do places like that often?"

"Aye well it's all nice hotels and bespoke wedding venues normally, why?"

"It's just when I heard you were a DJ I thought you did pubs and social clubs and stuff."



I take it as a bit of a compliment to be fair nowadays :)

And if those of us who habitually work in pubs and social clubs and stuff were sensitive little souls, we could take that another way. :p