School Events

[charlie]

hello,

I would like to get into doing school discos, proms etc. I was wondering if anyone has experience of this and what is the best way of approaching the schools? I have emailed a few but with no reply, also im not quite sure about how to word things.


cheers

charlie

[Danno13]

I've picked up mine just from doing 18ths, If they like you, you'll usually get an enquiry about their prom. This is for 6th form proms though.

I recently sent a maildrop to quite a few local schools to try and pick up some more, but nothing came of that - although I think I may have left it too late.

Can you not first try approaching the school/college you used to go to? I've done the year 11 prom for my old high school the last 2 years running. I seem to have missed out on the 6th form events though, although I did do them all when i was a student there.

[theoloyla]

All the school jobs I have done have just come in in the normal way but I think a lot of schools now do their own thing with so many having the kit to do it.

[DMX Will]

I know for a fact your looking at a 6 week reply on emails if you email our school. Something like 200 emails a day + spam we recieve on our info@ address.

I would try a letter to heads of year 11? If it a sixth form college head of sixth form etc. I would say start from September, as you've lost this years trade for proms already. They organise these things as early as they can, so tell them about your services a early as possible, offer them a discount if they book before Xmas etc or maybe end of January.

As your 18, you can sell yourself on the basis that the age gap is smaller, and thus you can read the crowd better because of your age. I.E. They won't end up with a older guy who doesn't play it quite right.

Good Luck!

[charlie]

thanks for the advice, how would you write a letter? im not really sure how to sell a disco to schools?

cheers

[DMX Will]

Keep it short and to the point.

Here is something I'd go with.... (I've just made this up for you)


Dear Sir/Madam,

I am the director/manager of a local disco/entertainment/whatever company who provide a brilliant/excellent/etc service to schools and colleges like yours. We specialise in proms/end of term parties etc with over X years of experience. We offer great value for money and planning session with every booking.

Many of our clients have been extremely impressed with our great/wonderful/something else service and couldn't believe that we provide a considerably better service than other local DJs. If you would like see some reviews and comments by our previous clients, please visit our website at www.ourwebsiteaddress.co.uk

We have the most uptodate/top of the range sound system ideal for such events and have one of the best light shows in the TOWN/CITY area. For a no-obligation quote, or simply some more information please do not hesitate to contact me.

I think the middle paragraph is a good idea, as some schools will already have a DJ they use year in year out, this will help wheen them away and into enquiring about your service. You might also want to put something in there about them saving money, that choice is yours.

Good luck!

HTH

[PropellerHeadCase]

Or call the schoool and ascertain which if any teacher is in charge of/oversees the proms and address the letter to them, direct.

[Jays karaoke]

I get quite a few scjool proms and that is because i approach the schools and send circular letterrs like the one above.

[charlie]

cheers will thats just what i was looking for. Fingers crossed!

cheers for all the advice

Charlie

[DMX Will]

Or call the schoool and ascertain which if any teacher is in charge of/oversees the proms and address the letter to them, direct.

Calling schools to speak to specific people NEVER works, teachers are always teaching in lesson times, and at break times find themselves giving kids a telling off, or managing detentions!

[charlie]

Iv just rang roung the 17 village colleges in my area! I only had a few replys as its half term. All the schools that answered were helpful and gave me a name to address the letters to, heads of year 11 etc.
I have 6 letters with flyers, business card and discount slip ready to be posted!

How long do you give before following up or do you no bother?

Cheers

[DMX Will]

Iv just rang roung the 17 village colleges in my area! I only had a few replys as its half term. All the schools that answered were helpful and gave me a name to address the letters to, heads of year 11 etc.
I have 6 letters with flyers, business card and discount slip ready to be posted!

How long do you give before following up or do you no bother?

Cheers

A month sound right?

I'd take the average of what everyone says. Well done!