There is a chance that I will get laid off from my FT job in July. I actually kind of hope I do. But if I do, I would want to try and ramp up my DJ events as quickly as I can... I'm not sure if you can even really have a sales person represent you, but I am trying to think of ways to grow my business quickly if I do get laid off....
Anybody have a sales person?
- Thread starter Papa Deuce
- Start date
Geez Chuck - that blows buddy. I know the boat you're in - I was in it last summer. Luckily, the Gannett folks were gracious enough to keep me on, and I thank the Good Lord everyday that I have a job.
As for an answer to your question - the best sales person you have is you. You know your assets better than any outside sales person does.
The best thing I could tell you is to max out your exposure on every free marketing vehicle available. Print up as many business brochures on your computer as you possibly can and hit every hotel banquet sales manager, caterer, local venue that provides space for weddings and events, in your local area that you can think of.
It's all about networking these days. Hand out a business card to everyone you talk to or come into contact with. Be a marketing whore if you have to.
Go back and talk with every daycare center you've done bubble parties for and let them know you will be available on a more regular basis and ask if they will or can refer you to other daycares and elementary schools.
Make an appointment with some of the elementary schools in the area and talk with the Principal or higher up in the administration about your bubble parties.
Do a search online for all the possible free linking sites you can post your business on.
Get on WeddingWire and post responses as a vendor to some of the Brides questions on the chat boards. It's free - use it to it's extent. I do.
Check out Weddingmapper.com - another free service, and it's cheap if you want to pay for it.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
As for an answer to your question - the best sales person you have is you. You know your assets better than any outside sales person does.
The best thing I could tell you is to max out your exposure on every free marketing vehicle available. Print up as many business brochures on your computer as you possibly can and hit every hotel banquet sales manager, caterer, local venue that provides space for weddings and events, in your local area that you can think of.
It's all about networking these days. Hand out a business card to everyone you talk to or come into contact with. Be a marketing whore if you have to.
Go back and talk with every daycare center you've done bubble parties for and let them know you will be available on a more regular basis and ask if they will or can refer you to other daycares and elementary schools.
Make an appointment with some of the elementary schools in the area and talk with the Principal or higher up in the administration about your bubble parties.
Do a search online for all the possible free linking sites you can post your business on.
Get on WeddingWire and post responses as a vendor to some of the Brides questions on the chat boards. It's free - use it to it's extent. I do.
Check out Weddingmapper.com - another free service, and it's cheap if you want to pay for it.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
If you had a Sales person you would have to pay them, even if it is Commission. Why not sign up with some Entertainment Agencies who may be able to find you gigs? I have a few with whom I have been using for probably about 15 years. Those extra gigs sure do come in handy. In some cases you end up with more money even after they take their cut. Just a thought. If they like you, they will feed you gigs on a regular basis.
Good luck on the employment front man... Hope all's fine.
As for the salesperson question - I would say that the time to hire sales help or a salesman isn't when you are desperate to build and maintain funds (ie current situation) just because they ARE another expense in the equation.
I would think the right time to add a salesman isn't to drum up business per se, but when you are so busy you actually need the help to represent yourself to an existing influx of potential customers.
That's my thought anyway. Sparkieg had the right idea. POUND THAT PAVEMENT PAL!
As for the salesperson question - I would say that the time to hire sales help or a salesman isn't when you are desperate to build and maintain funds (ie current situation) just because they ARE another expense in the equation.
I would think the right time to add a salesman isn't to drum up business per se, but when you are so busy you actually need the help to represent yourself to an existing influx of potential customers.
That's my thought anyway. Sparkieg had the right idea. POUND THAT PAVEMENT PAL!
Listen... Chucky Baby.... who Loves ya man? huh?!
When you have time your best bet in selling your self is to visit all of the venue's you've played and talk to them... give them a stack of business cards to pass out for ya most will be willing to do that since they probably already know you.... go to party shops, tux shops, bridal boutques and any other place in town that might have walk-in traffic just frothing at the mouth to hire a DJ.... this really in a nuttshell is all an agent or sales rep can do for you anyway...
I assume you already have a web presents if not get one and get it fast because it takes time to gain page status.... if ya don't have a weddingwire, justweddings, eventective, merchants circle, yahoo listings, any site that will give you free link backs and listings is great....
You can do it!
When you have time your best bet in selling your self is to visit all of the venue's you've played and talk to them... give them a stack of business cards to pass out for ya most will be willing to do that since they probably already know you.... go to party shops, tux shops, bridal boutques and any other place in town that might have walk-in traffic just frothing at the mouth to hire a DJ.... this really in a nuttshell is all an agent or sales rep can do for you anyway...
I assume you already have a web presents if not get one and get it fast because it takes time to gain page status.... if ya don't have a weddingwire, justweddings, eventective, merchants circle, yahoo listings, any site that will give you free link backs and listings is great....
You can do it!
I went to a business fair at a local golf club I have enjoyed working in. I honed in on a couple businesses which were relative to mine. This one modeling agency just so happened to be in need of a DJ for upcoming events. Another vendor which had no relativity saw my name tag the Wedding Director. I am meeting with her and her daughter next week for an October Wedding. I was there for 1 hour in support of my personal Concierge friend and ended up making two very good potential leads. I also decided while I was there I would also give my cards to the banquet manager. I had been in good with one there before and then a new manager was in place and they had their favorites. Come to find out there was a new manager and I have worked with her before. I gave her cards and she said she would gladly refer me.
Hmmmmm....Start Playing Hip Hop and Rap....Then you won't have to turn down 9 outta 10 job that come your way...
Chuck,
You sell. Your wife (if she wants to help) calls and sets up appt's. Have a link on your site with your daughter's saying "hire our dad....please" shout out. That would be cute.
Dave
You sell. Your wife (if she wants to help) calls and sets up appt's. Have a link on your site with your daughter's saying "hire our dad....please" shout out. That would be cute.
Dave
Chuck,
If you're as likable in the real world as you are here, you have no worries. You must have made countless contacts at your job. If you are let go, prepare a friendly memo of some sort to send out letting people know about it and what you intend to be doing afterwards.
Be a presence in your community as well by strategically placing yourself in the company of those that could use or mention your services. (Town meetings, PTA, political campaigns, sporting events, etc.)
A little spare time can go a long way.
If you're as likable in the real world as you are here, you have no worries. You must have made countless contacts at your job. If you are let go, prepare a friendly memo of some sort to send out letting people know about it and what you intend to be doing afterwards.
Be a presence in your community as well by strategically placing yourself in the company of those that could use or mention your services. (Town meetings, PTA, political campaigns, sporting events, etc.)
A little spare time can go a long way.
Word on the street is they are closing our building in June, I feel for you Chuck. I guuss all you can really do is hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
You're a personable guy and you should make a great salesman. If you do lose your job you'll just have that much more time to work on the sales end.
young...
You're a personable guy and you should make a great salesman. If you do lose your job you'll just have that much more time to work on the sales end.
young...
Chuck, I have market I don't think any other DJ has touched. I think it would work very well for you. I'm not willing to share with the group at this time as it needs some perfecting of the marketing program and I haven't even started the materials. If you want in on the ground floor I'm willing to share the idea. Once it's perfected I will share with the group.
I hope the layoff does not happen for you Papa D. If it does you will be fine. As stated above a booking agent or two will be a good start. Networking with other DJ's has helped me also.Find a couple of halls in your area and meet with the managers and sell your services.
If there is anything I can do to help with some of shows that you would normally not take (hip hop) just let me know. Every show/gig counts and income is the goal. I have a very large library of every genre, if you need me to load you up to keep you current just call. You wont have to pay me. I want to help. I would even drive up to assist you until you are comfortable with some of the gigs.
If there is anything I can do to help with some of shows that you would normally not take (hip hop) just let me know. Every show/gig counts and income is the goal. I have a very large library of every genre, if you need me to load you up to keep you current just call. You wont have to pay me. I want to help. I would even drive up to assist you until you are comfortable with some of the gigs.
I have a sales person, Scott, my employee is in charge of Sales & Marketing.
Although I DJ and do events... I consider that business mature. Originally he was hired on for the web aspect, but we discovered quickly that it was a lost cause on getting web work in our market. We will let our customers inquire about us naturally through our own home-brewed SEO work (its a slow process, and different from wavy davy's, his method is prob better).
We are really going after the construction sector in our area, unlike the rest of our economy, SE Texas is REALLY expanding and growing. We are one of the seats of the nations petrochemical industry.
What is his job in sales for? His main focus is on Sound, Lighting, & Video Systems for restaurants, bars, churches, clubs. We are confident we are at a critical point in our market, where one company is folding for videography work, the av big-wig is starting to lack on the quality of their work.
It's funny when I can now go into a venue and figure out what company did the installation. I'm that good
Ben, btw has been a great mentor!
Although I DJ and do events... I consider that business mature. Originally he was hired on for the web aspect, but we discovered quickly that it was a lost cause on getting web work in our market. We will let our customers inquire about us naturally through our own home-brewed SEO work (its a slow process, and different from wavy davy's, his method is prob better).
We are really going after the construction sector in our area, unlike the rest of our economy, SE Texas is REALLY expanding and growing. We are one of the seats of the nations petrochemical industry.
What is his job in sales for? His main focus is on Sound, Lighting, & Video Systems for restaurants, bars, churches, clubs. We are confident we are at a critical point in our market, where one company is folding for videography work, the av big-wig is starting to lack on the quality of their work.
It's funny when I can now go into a venue and figure out what company did the installation. I'm that good
Ben, btw has been a great mentor!
John, my brother, that is one helluva offer! I'll be fine, but all I am hoping for from you is that you can make it to the BBQ.
John, my brother, that is one helluva offer! I'll be fine, but all I am hoping for from you is that you can make it to the BBQ.
Oh hell yeah. I wouldn't miss it for the world.
K
