Bark

[DJWilson]

Hi,

I've joined bark.com and have had a load of enquires be sent to me. I'm yet to buy any credits to contact anyone yet.

Has/does anyone else use these and are all the requests genuine/worth while?

Thanks in advance.

[Imagine]

Jury's out on that one. Many seem to think it's a con (especially the price of the leads and the fact it's rare to hear back).
I believe our own Peter had a pop at one a little while back and hasn't heard anything since....

Personally, it's too rich per lead to even look at where there's potentially no gain. What worries me is that with other lead generation sources, you'll see the same gig appear in multiple places (i.e. it will appear on NaD, ampDJ and AddToEvent)....I've yet to see one of the Bark leads do this.

[rth_discos]

I'll echo what Wayne has said about the jury being out.

My research has shown that I too am not convinced by the quality of the leads received.

I've recently been looking at AddToEvent, and that on first appearances seems to have a slightly higher quality of lead.

The main benefit to you is these 'pay per lead' websites get a lower response from DJs compared to a NeedADisco lead, where you can be in competition with 20+ DJs.

So if the lead is high quality, you have a greater chance of winning.

Be conscious that these type of websites typically (but not always) attract budget conscious shoppers, so tend to have a low success rate for premium DJs.

[mbp]

I tried AddtoEvents and questioned them about "genuine" leads.......as I was getting loads with people of the same Christian name.

They never really gave me a definitive answer......I told them that if they displayed the name of the dj that "won" the lead then that would quash calls of "false leads".....they refused point blank!

I did say that I wasn't interested in how much they charged.....but who (so that we know it was genuine)

Still refused...

In my opinion, I can't see the problem with displaying the name of the winner.....UNLESS they have something to hide!

Other so called "agencies" might be different....

[rth_discos]

In my opinion, I can't see the problem with displaying the name of the winner.....UNLESS they have something to hide!


That requires them to add in a system where they actively chase and follow up with the client regarding who they awarded the work too.

What I have found with these lead gen sites is you get a lot of people who were just interested in what something would cost - they aren't aware that each person is paying to make contact with them. So the lead itself can often be very lukewarm!

For AddToEvent, take a close look at the 'message' field. If that's sparse, move on. If it's filled in, it can help identify how genuine the lead is, and also how relevant it is to you.

Here's some recent ones I've received (not contacted)

"Just looking at dj hire for a surprise 30th in October. Needs to be able to play oldies and new stuff from across all genres." (Just looking at sounds quite vague - sounds like they're considering a surprise party, and looking for costs at the moment)

"i've planned a surprise 40th party for both of my parents for 10th feb. looking for a DJ the party starts at 7 till about 11.30. in newbury" (Much stronger - they've actually booked the party and do need a DJ)

"Small birthday party more for background music with little dancing Veronica" (desired budget was set to less than £200 so they'll be looking for the cheapest option)

"Hi just looking for quotes to do a surprise bday party for my husband" (again, looking for prices rather than wanting to book)

So if you cherry pick who you contact, that can help increase your conversion rate.

[Excalibur]

Jury's out on that one. Many seem to think it's a con (especially the price of the leads and the fact it's rare to hear back).
I believe our own Peter had a pop at one a little while back and hasn't heard anything since....
He has not only tried the free offering, but invested £20 of his hard earned as well. With only around a fiver of it left, it's not looking too hopeful. :( You don't half get a quantity of leads, though.

One of the plus points is that when you respond, you get a phone number. I called one tonight, and it was indeed a genuine lead, but they had decided to go for a band instead.
The biggest downside is that Bark leads are expensive, and as they're likely to be lower priced, it would be very easy to spend say £50 in a short space of time, but take a long time to recoup at low prices. My first NaD gig was a £500 one. It took a while to win, so maybe I'm being a bit hasty with Bark.


Personally, it's too rich per lead to even look at where there's potentially no gain. What worries me is that with other lead generation sources, you'll see the same gig appear in multiple places (i.e. it will appear on NaD, ampDJ and AddToEvent)....I've yet to see one of the Bark leads do this.

And that is exactly the niggling doubt I have.

I'm not condemning Bark, but I'm not yet convinced, either. Jury's out here also. :confused:

[DJ Jules]

I've been on needadisco for a few years and I think I need to start looking hard at other providers, purely because there seems to be an issue with NaD and Bristol. I haven't seen a lead (for a job worth more than £150) for Bristol for months!

I'm not sure where Bristolians are shopping for Discos at the moment, but it's not NaD.

[fullcontact68]

I've used bark in the past, and still have 13 credits left.

I have had some work from them, but not much. Lead wise I get loads. I too have become very skeptical with the authenticity of some leads, some like very similar.

6 Credits a contact is too steep for the conversion ratios (Works out at about £8 per lead contacted)

I did receive a lead a few months ago for a venue which I know. As soon as I got the bark email, (within a few minutes) I called then venue, and they already had a DJ for it????

So someone must have been very quick at submitting a quote!

You have the potential to pay for a lead which could be a) genuine, b) fake, c) Already booked. Odds are already against you.

So, I've pretty much given up with bark. I do still have 13 credits left, so I'll take a couple more punts with the leads I feel more genuine.

As for NAD (and AddtoEvent), leads here are drying up too, not been getting much suitable for the last few months.

Where have all the leads gone :confused:

I have spoke to another DJ I network with recently, it's looking like most of the hotels, conference centers, restaurants etc have contracts with events companies.

Perhaps work is drying up now unless your with an agency, or willing to be a sid :mad:

[yourdj]

Perhaps work is drying up now unless your with an agency, or willing to be a sid :mad:

I think its just the time of year, normally I don't get a lot from October to mid Jan. Mid Feb is the time for enquiries rand ere.

Also i have seen a lot of hotels move back to agents and small quality multi ops like myself. I personally think this is because a few local agents have modernised a bit, private DJ prices have gone up at least 2-3 fold now as we are all talking to each other now and agents like myself are more with the times and can offer top quality modern entertainment at a reasonable price and also extra reassurance over the one man band. I don't know about side (or what ever) as i never come across them or have any issues with cheaper DJ's as I work with clients/venues that value paying a bit more for better options. :)

[Imagine]

I've recently been looking at AddToEvent, and that on first appearances seems to have a slightly higher quality of lead.

That's what I thought....until this one came through this afternoon. I'm sure somebody will do it (because it's better than sitting at home doing nothing....innit).

Services requested:
DJs, Mobile Discos
Location:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date:
xxxxxxx
Estimated time:
1:30 PM
Duration required:
11 Hours
Estimated number of guests:
80
Early set up requested
Yes
Desired budget
Less than £200

REALLY????????
Where DO people get these silly numbers from???? :daft::daft::daft:

[Benny Smyth]

REALLY????????
Where DO people get these silly numbers from???? :daft::daft::daft:

Assuming one charges £199.99, that's just over £18.00 an hour for pushing a play button a few times. Perfectly reasonable fee for such an easy job that an iToaster can do. ;)

[Excalibur]

Less than £200

REALLY????????
Where DO people get these silly numbers from???? :daft::daft::daft:

Exactly. :agree:


You'd never get that round here! :sofa:

[Vinny]

Hi,

I've joined bark.com and have had a load of enquires be sent to me. I'm yet to buy any credits to contact anyone yet.

Has/does anyone else use these and are all the requests genuine/worth while?

Thanks in advance.

Simple answer, don't bother unless you want to waste your money.

[rth_discos]

That's what I thought....until this one came through this afternoon. I'm sure somebody will do it (because it's better than sitting at home doing nothing....innit).


Sorry, when I said higher quality of lead, I meant that they seemed more genuine.

Typically, a lead generation website will often attract price shoppers, because the attraction is that they'll receive a large number of quotes, where they can simply 'pick' the most suitable one for them (often the cheapest).

But that's not always the case - I have had the odd lucrative gig from these websites. But they are very much the needle in the haystack.

[simon1969]

I've used bark add to event and have got two jobs off add to event and a few jobs off bark.
Need a disco hasn't produced many leads in the Nottingham area.
It is a bit of a rip off on bark but need a disco that seems a big waste of money at the moment.

[Excalibur]

Simple answer, don't bother unless you want to waste your money.

Harsh. Quite possibly true, but as yet unproven.

NaD is still doing it for me, but they're low budget diary fillers at this time of year. Welcome nonetheless.

[Excalibur]

What worries me is that with other lead generation sources, you'll see the same gig appear in multiple places (i.e. it will appear on NaD, ampDJ and AddToEvent)....I've yet to see one of the Bark leads do this.

I have. :p I have just replied to an AmpDJ lead, and when I then read my latest Bark lead, it was exactly the same one. :)

[DJWilson]

Been sent a 50% off credits offer and a 'No gig money back guarantee'. Potential of up to 7 gigs from the credits.

Now we wait...

[Excalibur]

Been sent a 50% off credits offer and a 'No gig money back guarantee'. Potential of up to 7 gigs from the credits.

Now we wait...

That would be nice here. Ever the optimist, having used up my first credits, one came up which was very quirky, so I rashly " invested " another sum of money. Unless something comes of these, I can see Bark getting blocked for emails here. So many requests don't have a date, so are obviously just getting prices.

Re price, in two months, I've spent the same on Bark as a year on NaD, and I get jobs from NaD. :(

[AndyC]

I had one booking from bark back in september for April this year which cancelled on new years day but nothing since not even a reply or a tick to say they were read from those I quoted for.
Being of a Slightly Cynical I do wonder how genuine they are. On the other hand I have had 5 from NAD in the same period of time.

[DJWilson]

That would be nice here. Ever the optimist, having used up my first credits, one came up which was very quirky, so I rashly " invested " another sum of money. Unless something comes of these, I can see Bark getting blocked for emails here. So many requests don't have a date, so are obviously just getting prices.

Re price, in two months, I've spent the same on Bark as a year on NaD, and I get jobs from NaD. :(

We're going to pick based on the information provided (and a check with the venue if we can work it out) and hopefully catch the serious bookers.


I had one booking from bark back in september for April this year which cancelled on new years day but nothing since not even a reply or a tick to say they were read from those I quoted for.
Being of a Slightly Cynical I do wonder how genuine they are. On the other hand I have had 5 from NAD in the same period of time.

A couple of people have put the venues address and/or venue name in the description which I can confirm with the venue, the booking is real but not had a come back. Hopefully going direct to the client pays off.

[Excalibur]

Right, my final two credits have gone, and if I don't at least get a response, then they're coming off my Christmas card list!!

[ckpr2]

Hi,

I've joined bark.com and have had a load of enquires be sent to me. I'm yet to buy any credits to contact anyone yet.

Has/does anyone else use these and are all the requests genuine/worth while?

Thanks in advance.

The quality of the leads depends on how many other discos are getting them as well.
You could be paying for a lead that has been sent to 10 other discos which means (unless your cheap) one of the other discos will always get the job.

[Excalibur]

The quality of the leads depends on how many other discos are getting them as well.
You could be paying for a lead that has been sent to 10 other discos

Allegedly, NO! Maximum 5.

[rth_discos]

The quality of the leads depends on how many other discos are getting them as well.
You could be paying for a lead that has been sent to 10 other discos which means (unless your cheap) one of the other discos will always get the job.

It may be *sent* to many discos, but because each disco has to pay to reply, I don't think there are many that reply.

I fear the issue is with the *quality* of lead, rather than how many are applying.

[Excalibur]

Well, subject to written confirmation, I've got one! :luck:
It's an 18th on a Monday night in a local Rugby Club I've been to a couple of times recently, and wouldn't be at all surprised to see some familiar faces from the previous gigs.
Rock bottom price, but as I said, it's Monday, it's local, and as long as I have the bilge they request, it's all good.

Technically, I'm now ahead on the Bark deal, but unless a couple more sign on the dotted, I don't envisage giving them much more money.

[DJWilson]

Well, subject to written confirmation, I've got one! :luck:
It's an 18th on a Monday night in a local Rugby Club I've been to a couple of times recently, and wouldn't be at all surprised to see some familiar faces from the previous gigs.
Rock bottom price, but as I said, it's Monday, it's local, and as long as I have the bilge they request, it's all good.

Technically, I'm now ahead on the Bark deal, but unless a couple more sign on the dotted, I don't envisage giving them much more money.

If that gig leads to more from the same client or their guests even better!

[rth_discos]

If that gig leads to more from the same client or their guests even better!

Being rock bottom price, I'm guessing they're not the ideal client for future work :D

[DJWilson]

Being rock bottom price, I'm guessing they're not the ideal client for future work :D

True, but if it fills gaps in the diary...

[Imagine]

I fear the issue is with the *quality* of lead, rather than how many are applying.

Yup - and I can confirm I've actually seen a genuine request at last :o

Trouble is, the budget was less than half what I'd quoted him for his wedding reception in a plush country house type of place just an hour beforehand :bang:

[Excalibur]

Being rock bottom price, I'm guessing they're not the ideal client for future work :D
And that would be absolutely correct.


True, but if it fills gaps in the diary...
As would that also. When your total income comes from being self employed, there's a saying always in your mind: " Don't work, don't eat ". Simples.

And yes, I'd far rather do 25 gigs at £300 than 50 at £150, but if you need to achieve that £7,500 target, how you get there is less important than actually getting there. ( Figures plucked out of the air for illustration purposes only )


Yup - and I can confirm I've actually seen a genuine request at last :o

Trouble is, the budget was less than half what I'd quoted him for his wedding reception in a plush country house type of place just an hour beforehand :bang:

So many jests spring to mind, but I've taken the pills, so I should get a couple of serious posts in before they wear off. I've just seen the closure of a NaD lead, wedding at private residence, long hours, interested in uplighting. Almost an all day job, so I quoted a figure of half what many here would have done, exactly on their ( quite sensible ) budget. Who got the job?
Well taking into account the code " a fair bit less " I'd say it was the person who quoted the sort of price I'm getting for a straight 5 hour disco on Saturday. Mine however won't involve being on site for over twelve hours. :(

[DJWilson]

Little update.

Managed to get three confirmed bookings at at rate we're happy with. Low conversion on the whole though.

Not a bad trial until I just recieved an email saying I'd been charged 6 credits (£7.92) for replying to a customer! :Censored:

Haven't sent a message to anyone - so a very angry email has gone off and if the money and my card isn't taken off their system tomorrow morning, a very angry call will be made.

[Excalibur]

Little update.

Managed to get three confirmed bookings at at rate we're happy with. Low conversion on the whole though.



Not unlike my experience. Never mind a low conversion rate, the notification rate is even lower! I've got one pending that I'd have expected to book by now, at a good rate, and if I got that one I'd be well ahead of the game. It's very expensive to reply to, so I've dipped a toe in with add to event. Early days yet, but it's a lot cheaper. :)

[Imagine]

Early days yet, but it's a lot cheaper. :)

Cheaper to respond to, and in the quality of the leads.
Honestly, some of the stuff coming through there at the moment puts NaD to shame :o

[Excalibur]

I've got one pending that I'd have expected to book by now, at a good rate, and if I got that one I'd be well ahead of the game.

Back of the net! :thumbsup: Lovely couple, lovely venue I've played before ( you can virtually reverse the van into the function room ), playlist to kill for ( 50s, 60s, Doo Wop, Tamla, Northern and a bit of 80s :D ) and at full price.

Will simply cherry pick where to use my last credits on there now, I think. NaD still the most effective source for me though.

[DJ Jules]

It turns out that asking DJ's to put their hand in their pocket and PAY for something is a far better way of filtering out the idiots than DJMark or any of the other tests that are designed to raise the bar :daft:

I've pretty much had it with NaD for 3 reasons:

1. I had a Diamond DJMark award until I received negative feedback from a 21st Birthday party where the Mum booked me and the daughters friends took over (they organised a limo that made all of the guests late to the party, and then they booked a stripper and it all ended badly with the daughters' boyfriend being none too happy). It's taken me TWO YEARS to build up my feedback to the point where I can almost get the Diamond award back (I needed an additional 10 positive feedback to get the right ratio). In that time I've done 20+ gigs and only received 9 feedback reports through NaD despite getting positive unsolicited feedback by email or feedback via my website from every single one of them and asking (and reminding) every single one to leave feedback via NaD. My customer from Jan says she spent literally HOURS trying to get in and leave me feedback - there's something really not right with the feedback system.

2. Bristol gigs aren't making it onto NaD. I get lots through for Gloucester, Swindon and Somerset, but I've only seen a handful for Bristol in the last 2 years. Either their SEO is messed up for Bristol, or people round here are intentionally avoiding NaD.

3. Bidding against 15+ people for every gig.

[yourdj]

It turns out that asking DJ's to put their hand in their pocket and PAY for something is a far better way of filtering out the idiots than DJMark

Your not right there - money talks, I started a charge of £30 per year for the HDA, which was an attempt to get rid of the unwanted members. We lost all of the undesirables in 2 days and still have the members that we held dearly. All for £2.50 a month. paying £2.50 a month to be part of an elite group is is a no brainer, ignoring the leads, advice, meetings and general camaraderie, but cheapo-disco-dave can't see beyond the money he could have spent on a 5 pints of beer.

Unfortunately this industry is a very poor one when it comes to the Sids as it's such an easy & fun way to make money. Plus the work is on weekends, when the job centre is closed. I think that this is slowly changing though as its splitting in two with the all day DJ/MC influences & better communication between DJ with the internet (i.e. this conversation). ;)

As for Bark, i feel that this is probably a good way to get leads if executed properly and ideal for any fledgling business struggling for leads, but its far too much of a gamble when compared to paying £x to attend a wedding fair, an SEO expert, Adwords etc. If I knew that I would get good leads at good local venues (i.e. its not another DJ testing the system) then I would go for it, but it all seems a bit iffy. They do rank well on Google mind you for a local search.

[Benny Smyth]

Unfortunately this industry is a very poor one when it comes to the Sids as it's such an easy & fun way to make money.

Seriously?

[Daryll]

I joined bark some time ago , never brought any credits.
Just had and email from them..

As you’ve not used Bark for a while we are offering you the leads below completely free of charge.
Nobody has responded to them yet so you'll have a good chance of securing the business. You can view all your free leads in your Dashboard here.
You can contact the customer completely free but only if you respond in the next 24 hours, so please review the leads as soon as possible. They're waiting for a response!

worth a punt

Daryll

[yourdj]

Seriously?

Yes good point, maybe the wrong use of word, not meant literally. :)

SID would have been more appropriate.

Mod note: Sid it is. Please would all members be careful about using terms/language which could easily be deemed offensive. Thank you all.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Toby, maybe it's worth reading over what you have written before posting sometimes? That's not a dig mate, but sometimes some of the lines you write unfortunately could cause offence to some people.
When I was doing the job full time, yes...the Sid's as we refer to them as, did annoy me slightly but at the end of the day, we've all said it before, the 'tyre kickers' who are looking for the cheapest price possible and are either not interested or bothered about how you / we go about our business, are NOT our customers, are they?

I was never interested in those customers, because I knew / know I am worth more than that and I wouldn't drop the price just so that I could get the job and fill the diary..... Ok, that's not strictly true, because there were a few occasions over the years, mainly when I first started out, that I'd rather have dropped the price than be sat there on a Saturday night, watching rubbish TV when I should have been out working, because Friday's and Saturday's were the core days. Anyway, I'm just repeating what has been said many, many times before.

That was before.......... Now, it is different for me.
Does it mean that I am a 'Sid' because I can afford to go out a bit cheaper and I am not doing the job full time?
I put the same dedication into the bookings that I do take on (few and far between now), and my standards haven't dropped whatsoever. That doesn't make me an 'undesirable', not in my book. There are many like me who now work full time, but are still bloody good at what they do. I am not taking any work off anybody as far as I know, because I am not going out silly cheap.

I had an enquiry today by phone. The guy said I'd been recommended. This came from a wedding I did when I first moved up here and the venue owner asked me for a card. The guy who enquired today for his wedding also said that it was a definite booking. All I needed to do was say I was available......... I know I'm available, but I said I would check and get back to him as I want to make sure I am up for it before I agree to it.

Anyway, slightly off topic (apologies). As for Bark - I was contacted by them years ago and I signed up, but I got absolutely nothing from it so I binned them.
I'm not keen on these 'middle men' type companies and would much rather get the work myself. A decent website and social media work will get you the work if you do it properly.

Like I said, not a dig and no offence intended.
Now, I'm off out for the second week in a row (go me...!!), as I have another 80's booking tonight. Same place as last week because they enjoyed it so much.

[Imagine]

Now, I'm off out for the second week in a row (go me...!!),

Blimey Gary - at two weeks on the trot you're doing better than most of the rest of the Norfolk contingent! You'll be meeting up with the other Norfolk DJs in McDonalds on a Saturday night before you know where you are!

Have you joined the Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex Mobile DJ network group on FB yet? Brilliant group of guys (and girls) who work across East Anglia (I'm a sort of affiliate member being the only Cambridgeshire member).

[Excalibur]

You'll be meeting up with the other Norfolk DJs in McDonalds on a Saturday night before you know where you are!

Can anyone join? Two weeks in a row, I'm going to be on the borders of that. ( Not as bad as Dave and Mattysounds who thought they might also be at one point, after encountering a diversion on the M62. Poor souls were completely lost at one point. Fortunately, they hit a road home they knew with a little guidance.)

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Blimey Gary - at two weeks on the trot you're doing better than most of the rest of the Norfolk contingent! You'll be meeting up with the other Norfolk DJs in McDonalds on a Saturday night before you know where you are!

Have you joined the Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex Mobile DJ network group on FB yet? Brilliant group of guys (and girls) who work across East Anglia (I'm a sort of affiliate member being the only Cambridgeshire member).

I did take a look at it when I first moved up here as someone recommended I join, just as you have said.
I haven't joined up though, because I just don't have the enthusiasm for the job like I used to have. I am more than happy getting the enquiries and cherry picking what I want to do now.
I guess I am quite lucky at the moment, because I have a number of different ways of making an income. I have the driving side of things which I have done since I relocated (pretty tiring work due to early starts and the main reason for going easy on the DJ side of things), and last week I started a new role where I am working from home too.

[Excalibur]

Curses! :mad: Just used my valuable Bark credits on a lead near me, only to see it come up on add to event a hour later for pennies. Grrr. :mad:

[Isobel]

That's what I thought....until this one came through this afternoon. I'm sure somebody will do it (because it's better than sitting at home doing nothing....innit).

Services requested:
DJs, Mobile Discos
Location:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date:
xxxxxxx
Estimated time:
1:30 PM
Duration required:
11 Hours
Estimated number of guests:
80
Early set up requested
Yes
Desired budget
Less than £200

REALLY????????
Where DO people get these silly numbers from???? :daft::daft::daft:

What I have found with these lead gen sites is you get a lot of people who were just interested in what something would cost - they aren't aware that each person is paying to make contact with this (https://accainsurancedeals.com)
 them. So the lead itself can often be very lukewarm!

[Excalibur]

What I have found with these lead gen sites is you get a lot of people who were just interested in what something would cost - they aren't aware that each person is paying to make contact with this (https://accainsurancedeals.com)
 them. So the lead itself can often be very lukewarm!

Absolutely correct Isobel, and one reason why so many requests not giving full details don't get replies. No point paying to respond to an enquiry which may easily be on a date that's not available.

Good to have you here from across the pond, could I ask you to pop across to the Newbies section and introduce yourself please. We're a sociable lot here, and like to know a bit about who we're typing to. Thanks.

[Excalibur]

Personally, it's too rich per lead to even look at where there's potentially no gain. What worries me is that with other lead generation sources, you'll see the same gig appear in multiple places (i.e. it will appear on NaD, ampDJ and AddToEvent)....I've yet to see one of the Bark leads do this.

Jackpot!!! In the course of five minutes, an enquiry came up on Bark and Add to event. I replied to it when it subsequently arrived through AmpDJ, and suggested they might like to look at my feedback on NaD.

You're ahead of me, aren't you? ;) Yup, it's just arrived on NaD. :D It's moving around a bit, too. It's gone from a club I've played in on the AmpDJ site, to a private residence on NaD, the numbers are fluctuating, and the age of the guests isn't set in stone, either. :daft:

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Jackpot!!! In the course of five minutes, an enquiry came up on Bark and Add to event. I replied to it when it subsequently arrived through AmpDJ, and suggested they might like to look at my feedback on NaD.

You're ahead of me, aren't you? ;) Yup, it's just arrived on NaD. :D It's moving around a bit, too. It's gone from a club I've played in on the AmpDJ site, to a private residence on NaD, the numbers are fluctuating, and the age of the guests isn't set in stone, either. :daft:

I've not had anything from Bark for ages so my spam filter is obviously working.

Couldn't tell you the last time I bid on anything from Amp - I reckon it's at least 2 years.

NaD is going the way of the dodo too imo - I now knock back well over 90% of enquiries and that's even with filters in place, I should really look at changing them.

On the upside it does mean I'm not wasting ages firing off quotes to noneties / letting the competition see my sales blurb.

[Imagine]

Bark??? Who are they???? (I've managed to stop the junk flying in from them).
Add2Event - cancelled that one. 99% of what comes through there are bottom feeders or have been let down by their already cheap DJ and haven't learned their lesson.
ampDJ - I get a lead occasionally. Unfortunately most of those are for Karaoke so not for me.

I've also left NaD - no more silly invented budgets coming this way and replying to leads you'll never hear from again. Best bit is, despite the threats of my SEO suffering, I'm still in business and getting jobs....just for a sensible price now and less frustration :)

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

I've also left NaD - no more silly invented budgets coming this way and replying to leads you'll never hear from again. Best bit is, despite the threats of my SEO suffering, I'm still in business and getting jobs....just for a sensible price now and less frustration :)

NaD is still worth it for me because I respond to so few and my prices are such that getting the two or three bookings a year is still worth the effort, if I was responding to everything that came in the law of diminishing returns would kick in.

The quality of leads (and members) has dropped dramatically over the past year or so and I'm not the only one that thinks that so it'll be interesting to see how things pan out over the next 12-18 months.

[Excalibur]

I haven't got any credits left on Bark, although I'm still getting the offers, obviously. Now the blighters have gone and put a double whammy in place. Not only does it cost around £7 per quote replied to, but instead of it costing £20+vat to top up your credit, they've now put that figure up to £33+vat, so I've not put any more money in. :eek::mad:

Now, here's the interesting bit. " Allegedly ", Bark customers are looking on the site, finding me and asking me for quotes. This means that the leads are free. Sadly I've not had availability for any of these, so couldn't quote. I don't see the enquiries on the site though, which makes me wonder if they're totally genuine. Surely if I wasn't available, the request would go out to all and sundry? :confused:

[ckpr2]

Now, here's the interesting bit. " Allegedly ", Bark customers are looking on the site, finding me and asking me for quotes. This means that the leads are free. Sadly I've not had availability for any of these, so couldn't quote. I don't see the enquiries on the site though, which makes me wonder if they're totally genuine. Surely if I wasn't available, the request would go out to all and sundry? :confused:

Dating websites sometimes pull a similar trick.
They wait for your subscription to be up then send you some "made up" emails of someone being interested in you.
This encourages you to re-subscribe.

[yourdj]

I have just released my new photography site from hidden to "visible by google" and have had 7 every week since (each email is changed slightly so its complete crap and they are lying):

I am actually seriously thinking of reporting them, especially after last weeks changes!

18601

[rth_discos]

I have just released my new photography site from hidden to "visible by google" and have had 7 every week since (each email is changed slightly so its complete crap and they are lying):

I am actually seriously thinking of reporting them, especially after last weeks changes!



This is the bit I find laughable about GDPR.

A load of small business worrying about a privacy policy on their website and if they need 'opt in' to run Google Analytics, and Bark just carries on spamming everyone regardless...

Toby, message them back asking them to delete you and not contact you again under your 'right to be forgotten'. If you're not a limited company, highlight that you're a sole trader (critical, because sole traders are treated as individuals, not as companies).

[yourdj]

This is the bit I find laughable about GDPR.

A load of small business worrying about a privacy policy on their website and if they need 'opt in' to run Google Analytics, and Bark just carries on spamming everyone regardless...

Toby, message them back asking them to delete you and not contact you again under your 'right to be forgotten'. If you're not a limited company, highlight that you're a sole trader (critical, because sole traders are treated as individuals, not as companies).

Its not too bad its all gone to my junk, but the point is its been sent. You wonder about replying to those sort of emails. Some time I just like to leave it and the system will move on as its a no go. :)

[Excalibur]

I haven't got any credits left on Bark, although I'm still getting the offers, obviously. Now the blighters have gone and put a double whammy in place. Not only does it cost around £7 per quote replied to, but instead of it costing £20+vat to top up your credit, they've now put that figure up to £33+vat, so I've not put any more money in. :eek::mad:



They've updated again. Cost of replies has risen, as has cost of credits. Some leads are now costing £11.53 to reply to!!!! They're currently offering a BOGOF deal. Still too rich for me, Add to Event is looking best for me at the moment. Sad to say, but NaD is offering less leads nowadays.

[Vinny]

They've updated again. Cost of replies has risen, as has cost of credits. Some leads are now costing £11.53 to reply to!!!! They're currently offering a BOGOF deal. Still too rich for me, Add to Event is looking best for me at the moment. Sad to say, but NaD is offering less leads nowadays.

I would not touch Bark! they are resorting to some dodgy marketing tactics nowadays.
Is anyone else getting emails from Bark saying that some of their customers would like you to contact them as they have found you on Bark!
It costs even more to reply to those leads and if they wanted to talk to me they could always get in touch with me via the contact form on my website.

[Excalibur]

and if they wanted to talk to me they could always get in touch with me via the contact form on my website.
Funny you should say that.:whistle:

One switched on client did just that, result, one free booking. :)

[DJWilson]

I would not touch Bark! they are resorting to some dodgy marketing tactics nowadays.
Is anyone else getting emails from Bark saying that some of their customers would like you to contact them as they have found you on Bark!
It costs even more to reply to those leads and if they wanted to talk to me they could always get in touch with me via the contact form on my website.

Clients now see your details, so with a bit of luck they'll ring or email - which has happened a couple of times already. Happy days!

[Retrodisco]

If we stop feeding these companies, we'll get our own natural enquiries back, the ones that would have found us direct, had a paid for advert promising professionals been at the top to distract them.

For every lead you win, you probably lost two to someone else, when the emails would've been in your mail box had these companies not existed.

[Excalibur]

If we stop feeding these companies, we'll get our own natural enquiries back, the ones that would have found us direct, had a paid for advert promising professionals been at the top to distract them.

For every lead you win, you probably lost two to someone else, when the emails would've been in your mail box had these companies not existed.

Not sure I agree with that. Certainly, a lot of the work I get, I wouldn't have come up in a search " Mobile Disco Cleckhuddersfax ", as I'm East Yorkshire, but probably work more in West Yorks, North Yorks and Lincolnshire.

[Nakatomi]

Not sure I agree with that. Certainly, a lot of the work I get, I wouldn't have come up in a search " Mobile Disco Cleckhuddersfax ", as I'm East Yorkshire, but probably work more in West Yorks, North Yorks and Lincolnshire.

Time to set about those search terms then innit :)

Figuring how much bark et al seem to be bidding on Google keywords, how much they take per lead etc I'm not sure they can be making much money so maybe they won't be around forever

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I've used Bark for the past 8/9 months. Spent about £150 and gained (mainly midweek work) about £1800 in business so well worth the investment.

That said there's a few leads that I'd never pay for (missing details such as date required). It's worth being part of but just turn off the email alerts unless someone wants a quote from you.

My 2p's worth.

[mike8863]

I've spent about £100 on leads in the last 12 months and had 5 gigs from bark so not too bad, just be choosey about what you quote for. Not got any credits at the moment as i'm busy for the rest of the year, and most enquiries are last minute!