Request forms - how many requests do they have space for & why?

[rob1963]

I'm just wondering - for those of you who send request forms to clients, how many requests do they have space for, and why?

Mine used to be one sided, with room for about 17 requests, or an hour's worth.

I recently decided that for a 5 hour gig, that's only about 20% of the music, which isn't very much.

Therefore, I've now made the forms two-sided with space for up to 50 songs (3 hours worth), giving clients the chance to have much more input, although they obviously don't have to fill up the whole form if they don't want to, but the option is there...which it wasn't before.

What are your views on this?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I'm just wondering - for those of you who send request forms to clients, how many requests do they have space for, and why?

Mine used to be one sided, with room for about 17 requests, or an hour's worth.

I recently decided that for a 5 hour gig, that's only about 20% of the music, which isn't very much.

Therefore, I've now made the forms two-sided with space for up to 50 songs (3 hours worth), giving clients the chance to have much more input, although they obviously don't have to fill up the whole form if they don't want to, but the option is there...which it wasn't before.

What are your views on this?

So with 3 hours worth, they are basically choosing the whole nights music.

Take an average booking, minus background music, minus buffet time and I reckon that you don't play for much more than 3 hours.

[DMX Will]

I have a blank space with headers "Music to play" and "Music not to play" (the latter is a much smaller box (about 4 lines high) at the bottom). It states they can write on a sheet of paper if they need more space, and I've had the odd extra sheet back, which is fine in my opinion - As I don't nescisarily play all the tracks they list.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I don't send request forms. I have a space on my booking form that they can list certain songs & genres but it also says that they are very welcome to send a list along with the signed form and deposit. I also say that there will be request slips on the tables on the night and if they do not want that, they just need to let me know.

[Vectis]

THIS (http://www.vectisvibe.com/tastes.pdf) works very well for me...

[rob1963]

So with 3 hours worth, they are basically choosing the whole nights music.

Take an average booking, minus background music, minus buffet time and I reckon that you don't play for much more than 3 hours.

Darren, they are only choosing the whole night's music if they fill up the WHOLE form, which, since i've changed it, only one client has decided to do so far.

I just think it's better to give them the option.

[rob1963]

THIS (http://www.vectisvibe.com/tastes.pdf) works very well for me...

Hiya Vectis,

Interesting idea, but I find that if people want particular kinds of music, they just write that on my form anyway - as well as their individual requests.

I'm also trying to work out the difference on your form between "Hmmm...ok" and "Not fussed" :confused:

[Vectis]

"Hmmm...ok" = under slight duress
"Not fussed" = yeah, whatever

Those occasional customers with a BIG list just tend to send one anyway. This form helps those who don't really care and has had some good feedback from customers. I'm known locally as 'the DJ who plays requests' so must be doing something right! :p

[rob1963]

I'm known locally as 'the DJ who plays requests' so must be doing something right! :p

That's a good point, Vectis.

I'm amazed at how many people come up to me & ask "Do you do requests?"

I'd have thought that was a bit like going into a pub & asking "Do you sell beer?"

:p

[DJ Frankie]

My request form has spaces for up to 60 songs even though no one has ever requested that amount the most has been around 30ish.

[rob1963]

My request form has spaces for up to 60 songs even though no one has ever requested that amount the most has been around 30ish.

Hiya Subsonic,

Thanks for the info...sounds good to me!

[Danno13]

I leave about 5 lines, but then you can fit about 3 songs on each line if you're neat.

However, most people tend to foward a list later on, rather than back with the booking form - which is good in a way, as it means they get it booked quicker rather than having to wait whilst they decide on music.

[rob1963]

However, most people tend to foward a list later on, rather than back with the booking form - which is good in a way, as it means they get it booked quicker rather than having to wait whilst they decide on music.

Hi Danno,

I completely agree.

I dont even send a request form initially - just the booking form, terms & conditions and a covering letter.

I wait for them to return the booking form & deposit, and then I send them a booking confirmation and request form.

I ask them to return the request form a couple of weeks with their function, which they tend to do.

As you say, this stops any booking delays while they're thinking about their requests.

[Danno13]

Yeah, sounds like a good idea, although i think i'll include the request form with the intital booking form, then they can either send it back with the booking form in the SAE i provide, or at a later date.

[DJ Frankie]

Yeah, sounds like a good idea, although i think i'll include the request form with the intital booking form, then they can either send it back with the booking form in the SAE i provide, or at a later date.

Thats what I do, I normally ask for the music request sheet 2 weeks prior to the event along with the remaining balance. Its worked so far.;)

[Excalibur]

That's a good point, Vectis.

I'm amazed at how many people come up to me & ask "Do you do requests?"

I'd have thought that was a bit like going into a pub & asking "Do you sell beer?"

:p

Even after you have spent all evening telling people to come up and speak to you if they want any particular piece of music playing!!!!!!!!!! :bang: :bang:

[PropellerHeadCase]

I get the impression that people are looking for a one-size-fits-all solution which, to my mind, can't work.

The company I sub to has a play list and request list. The play list is about 600 of the usual favourites from which the client can tick or cross as many as they like. The Request list asks them, in the case of a bride and groom, to let us know what their must-play songs for the night are - seven each and four joint favourites, plus the first dance and room for a dedication. It clearly states on the form that if we have less than the full four hours some of the songs from further down the list may have to be sacrificed.

This has worked really well for us since I put it in place.


What I do for my personal gigs is offer my clients three different ways of selecting their music:

You can choose to leave all but the most important songs of the evening up to me; or
You can select from a list of 100 all-time favourites and add your special requests to that list; or
You can do The Music Man Questionnaire from which I will generate you a personalised play list


This way people can tell me up front how involved they want to be in the music. All clients get a request sheet similar to the one I designed for my boss and so far the response has been really positive. I'm just about to get back the first playlist that I have generated from a questionnaire, so that should be interesting.


VectisVibe, I like that 'Tastes' document you posted. I've just been working on a way to get some direction from my clients as to how to deal with requests for new/different music and a variation on that idea would work well.