2008 boom or bust?

[CRAZY K]

Just got a cancellation for a booking I was passing on that read like this--

I'm sorry to inform you that I've just had a call from the event manager for 14th January, to say that the whole event has been cancelled due to budget cuts at the client company.

My Wedding Bookings arent too bad next year but this isnt a good sign, anyone else got any thoughts about next year--in view of the latest short term forecast that the UK economy is going to suffer.

I spose it will probably swing the rate tarts into action:(

CRAZY K

[Vectis]

I'm guessing you get a reasonable chunk of your bookings from companies Alan given your specialism...

I only get an occasional corporate booking (there's virtually no industry here other than tourism!) and rely mostly on kids parties, weddings and then general private functions in that order. Guess it might make folks a bit more price-sensitive but so far 2008's looking reasonably good.

[TONYTIGER]

I'm guessing you get a reasonable chunk of your bookings from companies Alan given your specialism...

I only get an occasional corporate booking (there's virtually no industry here other than tourism!) and rely mostly on kids parties, weddings and then general private functions in that order. Guess it might make folks a bit more price-sensitive but so far 2008's looking reasonably good.

What you get no bookings from the yacht brigade big bucks.

[Dragonfly]

well for me it will be boom or bust ..... I have upped prices for next year ..... as yet the conversion rate is fairly low but that said they are still coming in ..

im sticking to my pricing and am fully aware that there is alot of guys cheaper than me infact probably most in the area , but you charge what you think you are worth which i am ,

last year it was really mid/late feb before it boomed but it did so im not panicing , quite simply as i say every year to this question if the work doesnt come in at the price i want ..... i will do something else.

[Vectis]

What you get no bookings from the yacht brigade big bucks.

Yeah I class these as 'private' as they're usually arranged by members clubs rather than corporates. You get the occasional promoter or agency but mostly the clubs themselves do the organising. I have a residency at one, which is nice.

[CRAZY K]

What you get no bookings from the yacht brigade big bucks.

The wealthy individuals probably book live music and pay big bucks--
thats my experience in Jersey ( another Island) :D

CRAZY K

[TONYTIGER]

The wealthy individuals probably book live music and pay big bucks--
thats my experience in Jersey ( another Island) :D

CRAZY K

Yes you might be right but i have that covered as i have two bands that work with us as a package ,works quite well one pa and the clients like the combined package as its been known for bands and djs to fall out.

[CRAZY K]

Yes you might be right but i have that covered as i have two bands that work with us as a package ,works quite well one pa and the clients like the combined package as its been known for bands and djs to fall out.

Your lucky, I know Bands that include their own Disco in the package--even Ceilidh Bands---the drummer doubles up as a DJ ( of sorts:eek:)

CRAZY K

[rob1963]

I've only been full time for 3 years, but next year is shaping up quite well.

I already have the same number bookings in the diary as I had at the END of 2005 and 2006.....but there are still more than 6 weeks to go before the end of the year, during which time I'm bound to take more bookings.

In contrast, a friend of mine has been running an agency for over 20 years, and is really struggling.

He supplies all kinds of live music as well as discos, and always used to be busy until about a year ago, when things suddenly seemed to dry up for no obvious reason. When I spoke to him the other day, he informed me that he currently has just 2 bookings for next year.

Weird!

:shrug:

[CRAZY K]

I've only been full time for 3 years, but next year is shaping up quite well.

I already have the same number bookings in the diary as I had at the END of 2005 and 2006.....but there are still more than 6 weeks to go before the end of the year, during which time I'm bound to take more bookings.

In contrast, a friend of mine has been running an agency for over 20 years, and is really struggling.

He supplies all kinds of live music as well as discos, and always used to be busy until about a year ago, when things suddenly seemed to dry up for no obvious reason. When I spoke to him the other day, he informed me that he currently has just 2 bookings for next year.

Weird!

:shrug:

Agency with 2 bookings for next year--thats not weird--sounds terminal :eek: :eek: :eek:

Possibly people are buying direct on the Internet?

CRAZY K

[PropellerHeadCase]

In contrast, a friend of mine has been running an agency for over 20 years, and is really struggling.

He supplies all kinds of live music as well as discos, and always used to be busy until about a year ago, when things suddenly seemed to dry up for no obvious reason. When I spoke to him the other day, he informed me that he currently has just 2 bookings for next year.

So, when did that agency, A-Plus, first get aired on Watchdog?

[TONYTIGER]

Your lucky, I know Bands that include their own Disco in the package--even Ceilidh Bands---the drummer doubles up as a DJ ( of sorts:eek:)

CRAZY K

Bands with there own dj:eek: it is not long ago that the MU were moaning that djs were killing of live music what next djs playing the tambourine)

[robbiedj]

Bands with there own dj:eek: it is not long ago that the MU were moaning that djs were killing of live music what next djs playing the tambourine)

Already do that, and maraccas as we hand them out with the inflatable guitars.:corabarsteve:

[rob1963]

Agency with 2 bookings for next year--thats not weird--sounds terminal :eek: :eek: :eek:

Possibly people are buying direct on the Internet?

CRAZY K

Crazy,

It sure is terminal...which is why he has taken on some quiz nights, started running ghost walks and also started doing discos passed to him by a different agency!

As for people buying direct on the internet, that shouldn't affect him, as he has a website which he advertises.

[CRAZY K]

Crazy,

It sure is terminal...which is why he has taken on some quiz nights, started running ghost walks and also started doing discos passed to him by a different agency!

As for people buying direct on the internet, that shouldn't affect him, as he has a website which he advertises.

ahhhh but you miss the point Rob, --people THINK they get a better deal by going direct and saving money cutting out the middleman--often wrongly of course-

How many businesses now are called DIRECT?

Carpets,Plumbing, Flooring etc

Got one myself :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

CRAZY K

[rob1963]

ahhhh but you miss the point Rob, --people THINK they get a better deal by going direct and saving money cutting out the middleman--often wrongly of course-

How many businesses now are called DIRECT?

Carpets,Plumbing, Flooring etc

Got one myself :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

CRAZY K

I agree, Crazy, although it's really swings & roundabouts.

People can indeed book a disco direct. The main advantage is that they will probably pay less than going through an agency.

However, if you book through an agency, they are more likely to have extra DJs on standby in case of any problems at the last minute. Many people will be happy to pay extra for the peace of mind which this gives.

:)