Are you ready for a Bride that met me?

To many ads? Support ODJT and see no ads!
I almost agree with you 99% Chuck however I think my style has made a clear impact on my events having brought something different to British Columbia than the local DJs here. The measure of success is how you carry what you bring and if enough folks enjoy that style the norm plays no impact. Im confident in my approach and what I offer which might be totally different than the guy down the street who may be equally succesful with his or her way.
 
DJ Ducky said:
I suppose that if they really wanted a demo, we could do it. It's not always about the MC, though...a lot of times, it's about the music, its volume, and the theatrical effects. It's about striking up the attention of the audience and keeping their attention throughout the introduction. I could describe what we do and why and if they really want to hear either of us speak, well then, we'll demo. :) I've just never been asked about that before this thread came up today.
Click to expand...

I agree, it isn't all about the MC. I paint the picture for them from the guests POV and have a great sound system in my meeting room (thanks Kev). I play a song for the bridal party, then 1 for the B&G, if I know what the 1st dance will be at that point I will also show that transition.

As I said before this invokes an emotional response as well as showing them the level of professionalism and polish that we bring to every announcement throughout the event. If I have one of my DJs in the building I will often have them come in and do one also. This shows consistency and makes them more comfortable with my company even if I am booked for that day.
 
I'm confused with the following - Booking 2 to 3 receptions a month and been in business for a little over a year. Just wondering how many arrogant DJs would you beat out during that time frame?

Just wondering why people feel confidence and a ego shouldn't go hand in hand? They both really support each other.
---
Request Line

Thats where the perception word comes in to play.
---
DJ J Mac

Your request in the highlighted area in post 38 is declined.
---
Chuck

I've been to one convention - That was enough for me.
 
Cesar,,, now don't take this as a slam, just the way that I see it.....

You do what you do and think it is the right way to do it. You are very confindent and are not scared to tell people what you think, or how you think they should do it. Doing it your way is the right way.

You went to 1 convention and decided that was enough. I'm betting because you figured that you know everything and that there was nothing you could learn, or maybe it was because there were all these other guys who were very confindent and had egos and were telling people that their way was the way to go and they rubbed you the wrong way.

You don't or didn't care about the networking and meeting of other DJs because they didn't have anything whatsoever to offer you and were "not like you", or not worthy of your time or attention and you didn't feel that you should share your experience with them.

You feel that you are in a class by yourself and that nobody is as good you. You don't network in your area because you feel that you need to take over and book every event because every person for any type of event is fair game. You try to be, as you said, everything for everyone and 125 - 150 gigs a year isn't enough for you.

This is not a slam, just thoughts from what I have read. But do you feel that it describes you or am I way off base? and if so, how?
 
Chuck

I don't think it is the right way - I know it is the right way. This is based on over 100 plus Wedding Receptions a year over the last 13 or more years.

As far as the convention went it was a one time experience to see what it was like............................................................

Problems or dislikes from the convention were the sound system (Come on were DJs we should of had the best sound system possible not the one I experienced.) Seminars where audience members argued with the speakers taking away from the seminar. Favoritism showed to others that didn't wait in line like those of us that drived hundreds of miles and spent our money to be there. Going back home and thinking was there really anything I learned or was it just a experience.

As far as the networking goes I have had Lunch with one DJ from a chat board and found it to be unrewarding. Maybe the next time it will be more interesting but I will be more selective who I spend my time with.

I would say as far as sharing goes I think you have that wrong. I share quite often sometimes it's the way I share that people don't like.

I don't feel like I am in a class of my own since there are DJs I marvel at but I do realize I am in the upper tiers and what I experience is not commonly shared by the vast majority of DJs that do this to supplement their income from there Mon thru Fri job.

I don't necessarily Net Work with anyone in my area because I realized a long time ago this is a business and the other person is just as hungry as you for the income you have.

As far as the amount of events I like to do that comes from doing this as a Full Time Professional DJ relying on that income to survive (In other words not from a spouses income or a Mon thru Fri income job not associated with DJing.) The 125 to 150 number is Wedding Receptions only, the total number of events I am comfortable doing in a year is well over 250.

I hope this helps you understand me a little better.
 
Mahalo and I think I got you figured out pretty good, sounds to me.

Personally I truly don't think someone HAS to work 250 events a year to survive. It is their choice to do so and I know personally you don't have to do that many to survive. But each DJ, as I have said many times, is free to decide what is right for them.

I've been full time for 25 years, no Mon - Friday job and my wife, who I love, is a bellydancer and except for the festival she puts on, really doesn't make near what I make.

I do less than 100 events a year, but again, that is my choice as is my style of living. As I have also said sucess is not messured by dollars.

I don't know how much you charge, I don't think I have ever read that, but let's say you average $900.00 a gig that comes to $225,000.00 a year.

It does sound like what you are doing, is working for you, BUT I do not agree that it is the ONLY right way. It is just what works for you. I make less than 1/2 of what you make. But it works for me.

I'm sorry to hear that you have had such bad experiences networking. To me that is one of the best ways to enjoy what we do. I enjoy hanging with DJs, not all, but most.

And it does shock me to hear that you can go to a convention and not learn or pick up anything useful, but that just goes to prove my point about how you see yourself.

And yes you do share here in your own way, I personally like thought provoking posts, the WWYD kind of thing. It is interesting to read what others would do and it is a way to learn or get an idea on how to maybe better handle the situation if it ever comes my way.

It is just sad that you feel you can't share those with people in your own area.

I really have no idea why I'm on a Cesar kick today,,, just popped in.

If you ever come to Maui look me up, the Mai Tais are on me.... :) well they aren't ON me, but I'll buy. LOL,,, I mean, it's not like I want to to lick them off me or anything.... I mean some people may like that, but it's not for me..... not that there is anything wrong with someone who is like that.......
 
Some people are just not networkers but if you are networking is a very worthwhile thing.
let me say this though...

Typically every year the same valentines week that the ADJA is in vegas, there is a NC Hotel Motel Restaurant Association show in Greensboro, where do you think I'm going to be. You guys are nice and everything but im not going to make much money hang out with you however I do a KILLI at the HMRA show.

We were going to go to Chicago but had to go to court we are going to DJ Times I love networking with other djs its fun commaradarie and fellowship and sometimes good for learning and picking brains but my true networking shine is outside the dj rehlm.

I am an adja member but again its more for the fellowship and the prizes LOL.

I honestly think NAME is a better investment for a dj than adja because at least the professionals in NAME have an active interest in hiring you
 
Cesar said:
I'm confused with the following - Booking 2 to 3 receptions a month and been in business for a little over a year. Just wondering how many arrogant DJs would you beat out during that time frame?

Just wondering why people feel confidence and a ego shouldn't go hand in hand? They both really support each other.
---
Request Line

Thats where the perception word comes in to play.
---
DJ J Mac

Your request in the highlighted area in post 38 is declined.
---
Chuck

I've been to one convention - That was enough for me.
Click to expand...

Cesar, the only advertising I ever paid for in the past year was for one bridal show. The rest of my requests have been from free online listings and word of mouth. Unlike you, I don't need this "job" to survive and I take on fewer events so that I can spend more time working on each event. And for the record, I have beaten out many arrogant DJs, whether it was a rival radio station in college or with my very new company. Think of it this way, these 2-3 events per month that I've started off booking are 2-3 events per month where a local multi-op has to leave one of their rigs in storage.

And by the way, Cesar, what is the name of your company? I've shared mine, but have yet to learn the name of yours. I mean, it must be pretty successful if you are personally DJing 125-150 weddings and another hundred more events on top of those. I've never hear of "DJ Cesar, so what's the name of your company? Do you have a website?

Do you actually have a mobile DJ business or are you just full of bullcrap.


Anxiously awaiting your reply,
Anna
 
Whoooa now ducky. Don't let Cesar get under your skin. I think you're doing a fabulous job so far, asking all the right questions seeing how the interworkings of the industry benefit you etc.
Even though you took a stab at us multi-ops. LOL!
You don't have to be arrogant to be successful Although I think i can be quite arrogant and egotistical I've accomplished a lot in my short 32 years. Not only that but ask 90% of 1st Carolina DJ's clients and they'll say my lack of arrogance was one of the things they liked about me. Remember this is all show business.

--- on the note about multi ops I assure you around here no multi op is keeping one of our rigs in the office. Downtime is totally dependent on staffing, financials, headache factor etc...

---- but back to your post Anna a lot of us would probably say we are really proud of the progress you and Jmac have made thus far.
You as a woman also have a lot more going against you in a very male dominated industry so really you go girl keep it up.
 
Cesar said:
That rationalization of a short coming always cracks me up - I do less events so I can spend more time with my clients. LMAOROTF
Click to expand...

Cesar
I think picking on a new up and coming dj is destructive to the environment that was created here. I really appreciate your banter back and forth with me and a lot of the guys who have comparable experience to you however Ducky and Jmac are admittedly newbies and if I was a newbie Id think this was a little bit uncalled for.
In 20 years or so if they are still doing the same things a newbie would be doing that'd be totally different. There are several other dj chat boards out there where they could get chastised for their "greenness" here though we try and help newbies without a premadonna attitude whether its warranted or not.

Kyle
 
Kyle

Is your respnse to me because they are new to the business or for another reason?

You wouldn't be using a double standard here when reponding to me would you?
 
DJ Ducky said:
Cesar, the only advertising I ever paid for in the past year was for one bridal show. The rest of my requests have been from free online listings and word of mouth. Unlike you, I don't need this "job" to survive and I take on fewer events so that I can spend more time working on each event. And for the record, I have beaten out many arrogant DJs, whether it was a rival radio station in college or with my very new company. Think of it this way, these 2-3 events per month that I've started off booking are 2-3 events per month where a local multi-op has to leave one of their rigs in storage.
Click to expand...

Ducky, I have one question for you.

What bridal show?What kind of online listings?Whose mouths?What do you mean you don't need this job to survive?If you only do 2-3 events per month, then don't you think that you'll suck in comparison to somebody who does 4?

Thanks. I look forward to your response, as I thrive for knowledge.
 
Mr. K said:
Ducky, I have one question for you.

What bridal show?What kind of online listings?Whose mouths?What do you mean you don't need this job to survive?If you only do 2-3 events per month, then don't you think that you'll suck in comparison to somebody who does 4?

Thanks. I look forward to your response, as I thrive for knowledge.
Click to expand...

-Local bridal show in town
-Yahoo!, Google, WEDJ, and others
-I'm booking some weddings for guests from other weddings that I DJed
-Jon and I work day jobs and that money pays the bills and keeps us happy. Aside from some withdrawals from business profit (because extra money is always nice), a lot of money gets reinvested into the business. Why? Because we're always trying to get better equipment. :)
-We're starting off just maxing at 3 events (mostly weddings) each month, mainly because at least a third of the requests for information that I receive (including those from people who have been jilted by other DJs canceling on them) are for dates that we already have booked. Besides, we like spending more time on each event. It's also nice to have one weekend off per month. As I've said, despite the fact that I've been DJing since I was a kid, I've never run my own business before. I'm trying to ease into all this. :)
--And no, I don't think I'll suck in comparison to someone who does 4 per month. By the way, I was DJing with Jon when we did the 50+ events within the school's calendar year (under 9 months). I know that I can handle more events.

Will I ever move on to fill up each and every single weekend with events?
Probably not. I need a vacation, too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back