Start the ball rolling

[REVOLUTIONS]

Hi

I'm new to this game. I've been getting my equipment & marketing together for the last month or so and am now ready to go.

I'm struggling to get some bookings. I have a website with Google links, a high profile Yell.com advert and have a local advert going in a local newsletter next week.

So far I've only had a couple of enquiries via the website and a couple of calls through word of mouth. None have led to a firm booking.

I've spent quite a bit of cash on quality equipment to appeal to the middle to high end of the market but have I set my prices too high? (£160 for a 4 hour set).

I am only doing this as a hobby but I do want to make enough cash to pay off the equipment and fund my record/CD buying habbit.

I aim to provide 'top quality' service and events. I'm doing it for the enjoyment, making cash is not the biggest incentive.

Can anyone give any pointers on how I can get things moving?

Thanks

Adrian

http://www.revolutionsdj.co.uk

[soundlad]

Hey there Adrian welcome to the mdd! it takes time to build up your rep. The best way of getting bookings is word and mouth so design business cards and advetise in the local newsagents to get the best results!!

[colint]

Agree with soundlad but you could also do a promo pack and take it or post it to local pubs, hotels venues etc try microsoft publisher for some really good results! include services photos etc

[Corabar Steve]

I don't know about your local market, but I'd say for mid to high end clients £160 is a little low

[Corabar Entertainment]

Unfortunately, it does just take a bit of time to build. Not only will it be easier once you actually have some gigs and start getting 'word of mouth' bookings, but as you get enquiries, your responses will become more second-nature and you will sound more confident and so inspire confidence in your prospective customers.

Have you got any 'hands-on' experience, or are you trying to start from scratch on your own without any history? If the latter, it may be worth your while contacting a few established DJs near to you to see if you can go out with them to gain experience. If you build up a relationship with them, they may start passing you work that they cannot cover.

It may also be worth your while doing a few lower paid pub nights just for the experience, and to get your skills shown to an audience! People who visit pubs have parties too you know, and if they like what they see & hear you will get recommendations/referrals that way as well.

[HightowerMusic]

Over here in the US, a good way to build a reputation is to donate DJ services to a worthy cause like a charity of your choice. Also my first 2 years in business I had a ad in the phonebook that was 1/4 page size then after 2 years I went down to a single line. We have bridal shows here, in fact I just got home from one. A bridal show is a group of wedding vendors getting together in a huge building and brides and grooms come in and walk around and get to see lots of wedding related merchants. Dont know if you all have bridals shows over there?

[Dragonfly]

wedding fayres and local newspaper i would recommend to get some gigs under your belt .....yellow pages is a total waste of money unless you charge 120-140 a gig .......charity gigs good idea if you can afford to do them free but be a bit picky with them not much point giving up your time free to do a gig for 20 people.


it really does depend on what work you are after sure mail-shotting pubs hotels etc may work although its only worked once for me..... im going to have another go at this though as ive taken marketing advice and am going to go down a slightly different route with it.

pm me if you want to know a bit more.

[Silver]

Hi

I'm new to this game. I've been getting my equipment & marketing together for the last month or so and am now ready to go.

I'm struggling to get some bookings. I have a website with Google links, a high profile Yell.com advert and have a local advert going in a local newsletter next week.

So far I've only had a couple of enquiries via the website and a couple of calls through word of mouth. None have led to a firm booking.

I've spent quite a bit of cash on quality equipment to appeal to the middle to high end of the market but have I set my prices too high? (£160 for a 4 hour set).

I am only doing this as a hobby but I do want to make enough cash to pay off the equipment and fund my record/CD buying habbit.

I aim to provide 'top quality' service and events. I'm doing it for the enjoyment, making cash is not the biggest incentive.

Can anyone give any pointers on how I can get things moving?

Thanks

Adrian

http://www.revolutionsdj.co.uk

Errr sorry how do you know and does it matter where you pitch your service to?
What makes the difference in somebody paying you £160 in a church hall or a five star hotel? The money still pays your bills. http://planetsmilies.net/person-smiley-1295.gif

[axeman]

I would say £160 is "top end" pricing in your area, Steve is right in saying some high end prices are a lot higher but it greatly depends on the area you cover, and you arn't that far from me, so from my experience you have pitched your price about right for weddings or big hotel do's etc, but if you wanna build up your rep 1st you need to gather a lot of experience 1st too, also top quiality equipment isn't everything, a good dj and a sound collection of music is essential. I would do a few smaller gigs (local pub/clubs) to get the rough spots ironed out before you get into corporate events and peoples big days!! anyhoo good luck

[Dragonfly]

Errr sorry how do you know and does it matter where you pitch your service to?
What makes the difference in somebody paying you £160 in a church hall or a five star hotel? The money still pays your bills. http://planetsmilies.net/person-smiley-1295.gif


more people will pay the £160 in a five star hotel than will in the church hall ..... well this is exactly what im finding around me ......so i think where you pitch your sales does matter to an extent ......im also finding people who come to me through the internet book more often than those that come through yellow pages enquiries.

[Silver]

My take is that, yeh I'd like to be in a five star place with a full dance floor but I'd also like to be in a pub earning £120 rather than sitting at home watching sky movies.

Until you are established and have a good, well earned and respected reputation its hard to say this is the market I want to work in! So for me take anything, get about, be proactive not reactive and push youself. http://planetsmilies.net/sign-smiley-6881.gif

[theoloyla]

It takes time to establish any business. Be patient. Like the others have said do some charity gigs or parties for friends and family. Pubs are good. Work with other dj's, contact agencies, just keep plugging away and if you are any good it will happen. Believe in yourself and work cheap for experience but dont get taken advantage of.

[Spirits High]

Agree with the guys, am afraid it won't happen overnight. You need to get out and do some gigs , once the people see what you can do they'll start to book.