Biz Cards

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What I learned to do is while doing an event put a few of business cards on the table where you're playing and if someone wants a business card they can come up and get one.
 
Having spent years in marketing. I give a lot of thought as to how each piece of marketing collateral is used. It is a continually evolving picture. Biz cards are just another piece of collateral and they make sense in some situations but not in others.

The pandemic definitely put a change on the use of biz cards. Several trade shows early on considered biz cards as a possible transmission mechanism for the virus and greatly discouraged their usage. That said, most people over 40 seem to still use them. When I was at startups, I put product pictures and info on the back of my cards. This was mostly so I could show people a picture of the product without carrying larger brochures and data sheets. I also knew that anything larger than a biz card would get tossed in the trash quickly.

I used to customize a dozen or so DJ cards for each event I did. I printed stickers to put on them that said "As seen at <bride> & <grooms> wedding". This way if they stumble on my card months after an event and can't recall who I am, the sticker told them where they saw me. It was really not much effort to do this but I can't really say it paid off. Perhaps it just delayed how long it was before my cards ended up in a landfill. Some of the couples thought it was cool that I put their names on my cards and would take my leftovers.

These days I carry two sets of personal biz cards. One set is somewhat generic. It just has my name, phone and email address over a modern background image of an audio signal. I use it for non-day job situations. The other set has an image of a cult-like gathering (a group of faceless people in dark robes) and says I'm a religious cult leader specializing in soul cleansing, wallet cleansing and grape Kool-Aid. It usually gets a huge laugh from people in my age group and they usually want to show the card to others. However, I am careful not to pass these out to people without a sense of humor.
 
this is tacky and makes you look cheap

This is not a direct shot because I know you have them I have in the past also but how would this be more tacky than a laptop skin? How are either less tacky than signage? Cards on the table would be the least obtrusive of any I mentioned

Personally if I was going to do anything like skins of cards it would be a QR code
 
This is not a direct shot because I know you have them I have in the past also but how would this be more tacky than a laptop skin? How are either less tacky than signage? Cards on the table would be the least obtrusive of any I mentioned

Personally if I was going to do anything like skins of cards it would be a QR code
A laptop is part of the equipment. It’s an essential item. Business cards play no vital function to your performance. They’re also not presented in a clean way… whether they’re laid out on a table or in a card holder attached to your setup bc at that point it’s a random small item breaking up a clean look. If I used usb, I suppose then there literally would be nothing saying my name. Could you just use the laptop with no skin, sure, but I’d rather have a white/black skin that ties in with my setup than a silver laptop. It’s also my name in my case which I think makes the DJ more personal as opposed to it saying abc entertainment or having a flashy or colorful logo. I also spent money to create a logo that I knew would blend in perfectly in these situations and has a classy look.
 
A laptop is part of the equipment. It’s an essential item. Business cards play no vital function to your performance. They’re also not presented in a clean way… whether they’re laid out on a table or in a card holder attached to your setup bc at that point it’s a random small item breaking up a clean look. If I used usb, I suppose then there literally would be nothing saying my name. Could you just use the laptop with no skin, sure, but I’d rather have a white/black skin that ties in with my setup than a silver laptop. It’s also my name in my case which I think makes the DJ more personal as opposed to it saying abc entertainment or having a flashy or colorful logo. I also spent money to create a logo that I knew would blend in perfectly in these situations and has a classy look.

I firmly believe we think far more of it than any client or guest does. Aside from a big gaudy sign it likely is subliminal at best and more likely unnoticed. Same could be said for business cards they sit on the table likely unnoticed. I've given away maybe a dozen in the last 5 years it's a dying form of advertising without a doubt but you can get a lifetime supply for $25 these days if it gets you one gig it's worth a 2 inch space on the table

As an aside I always said DJ's are the worst at promoting themselves. Most business put their name on any flat space they can. Look at Ruths Chris steakhouse every page on the menu has their logo or name most others do to. DJ's for some reason try and hide that
 
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I firmly believe we think far more of it than any client or guest does. Aside from a big gaudy sign it likely is subliminal at best and more likely unnoticed. Same could be said for business cards they sit on the table likely unnoticed. I've given away maybe a dozen in the last 5 years it's a dying form of advertising without a doubt but you can get a lifetime supply for $25 these days if it gets you one gig it's worth a 2 inch space on the table

As an aside I always said DJ's are the worst at promoting themselves. Most business put their name on any flat space they can. Look at Ruths Chris steakhouse every page on the menu has their logo or name most others do to. DJ's for some reason try and hide that
The difference is you're at somebody's private vent. It's not our place to excessively advertise. You know how you do advertise... create an experience that they don't forget and make people want to know who you are. I just booked a wedding in chicago bc the bride wanted an amazing experience, and she heard about a wedding I did last year from her friends as the "best ever". Within 24hrs, the event inquiried and a contract was sent out.

Honestly, do you think people appreciate this look?
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or this
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or do they prefer
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Taso I get what you're saying with the first 2 pictures. There are those who don't care what a DJs setup looks like. All they care about is if the DJ is doing a good job playing music for the event.
 
create an experience that they don't forget and make people want to know who you are

I am well over 90% referral and have been for 30 or so years the first 10 was building my reputation...Sounds like bragging but it's something I am very proud of I build experiences with the music. I did a wedding Saturday night and have had 5 referrals from it since nothing booked yet but I expect to get 4/5

You have the pinnacle of DJ setups I think we can all agree on that and from everything we see you do a great job at the event but not everyone is you. Setup number 1 you posted with a little help would be ok #2 is a mess

From a personal standpoint I don't put cards on my table haven't in years but I don't see anything wrong with it. I remember years ago DJ's would put request cards on guest tables but that was a different time

It just occurred to be I assumed you were talking about the DJ table maybe you mean guest tables?
 
I am well over 90% referral and have been for 30 or so years the first 10 was building my reputation...Sounds like bragging but it's something I am very proud of I build experiences with the music. I did a wedding Saturday night and have had 5 referrals from it since nothing booked yet but I expect to get 4/5

You have the pinnacle of DJ setups I think we can all agree on that and from everything we see you do a great job at the event but not everyone is you. Setup number 1 you posted with a little help would be ok #2 is a mess

From a personal standpoint I don't put cards on my table haven't in years but I don't see anything wrong with it. I remember years ago DJ's would put request cards on guest tables but that was a different time

It just occurred to be I assumed you were talking about the DJ table maybe you mean guest tables?
I think my 2 point were slightly overlooked or taken the wrong way.

- The whole referral thing wasn't aimed at you or anyone in particular, but that simply if you do an amazing job... they'll find you... you don't need cards to make it happen. If this was pre 2015 perhaps I can understand the value of having a card, but now it's SOOO easy to find a business... whether they search for you on instagram, or they txt/dm the person that hired you before to get your info.

- I wasn't trying to show off how impressive my setups are. To make it more apples to apples I'll include a setup w/ no real visible add ons. The point is, the laptops are part of the setup and fit right in, they don't look out of place... business cards are not... no matter how clean you make the table. It comes off as trying too hard and ruins a clean look under just about every circumstance. Don't get me wrong, even a laptop can be a negative if it had a busy over the top logo that maybe instead of black and white incorporated other colors like blue or red for example, or had a picture of someone djing or pretending to scratch. It's why I mentioned that when I designed my logo, I factored its placement into the design and where it would be seen.

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If I was to book you for an event at the price you charge I would expect your setup should look like those last 2 pictures. If it looked anything like the first 2 pictures I certainly wouldn't pay you the prices you charge. I seriously doubt either of those DJs starting price to do events is $2,750.
 
If I was to book you for an event at the price you charge I would expect your setup should look like those last 2 pictures. If it looked anything like the first 2 pictures I certainly wouldn't pay you the prices you charge. I seriously doubt either of those DJs starting price to do events is $2,750.
Missing the point again
 
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You said that what I do sometimes is tacky to you. Most times I just keep the business cards in a pocket and if a person wants one I will give it to them.
 
Wow!
What I learned to do is while doing an event put a few of business cards on the table where you're playing and if someone wants a business card they can come up and get one.

You said that what I do sometimes is tacky to you. Most times I just keep the business cards in a pocket and if a person wants one I will give it to them.
 
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The whole referral thing wasn't aimed at you or anyone in particular, but that simply if you do an amazing job... they'll find you... you don't need cards to make it happen.
I don't take much personal....

So why do you use Instagram? A card is only another tool in the box. Good marketing is a mix of many areas. You don't need cards I agree. I don't either but I can't see not having them. I got the last set locally I believe 500 colour on good stock for about $40.00. I had a 30 something lady ask for one tonight for a staff party December 14 I got home to an email from her I just sent the contract out

I agree they will find you but iff you can lead them to you all the better
 
I understand that it's great to have different ways for people to get to know who you are and what you do. Myself I'm on FB. I don't have a Tik Tok or Instagram listing. That's just me. I really was not a big fan of FB because I seen a lot of stupid crap posted on there. I had to learn to overlook that stupid stuff.

What I find is it's about what you post and the reason for what you post.
 
I understand that it's great to have different ways for people to get to know who you are and what you do. Myself I'm on FB. I don't have a Tik Tok or Instagram listing. That's just me. I really was not a big fan of FB because I seen a lot of stupid crap posted on there. I had to learn to overlook that stupid stuff.

What I find is it's about what you post and the reason for what you post.

Facebook and Instagram are the most valuable tools we ever had access too for DJ marketing
 
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I don't take much personal....

So why do you use Instagram? A card is only another tool in the box. Good marketing is a mix of many areas. You don't need cards I agree. I don't either but I can't see not having them. I got the last set locally I believe 500 colour on good stock for about $40.00. I had a 30 something lady ask for one tonight for a staff party December 14 I got home to an email from her I just sent the contract out

I agree they will find you but iff you can lead them to you all the better
So instagram is perhaps the MOST important tool that us dj's can and should be using. Consider that the website before the website. Mind you I'm speaking from the wedding perspective and for that generation. This generation will likely try to find you on instagram before anything else. Nowadays, no one asks for my number... they ask for my insta. It's how they see if you're active... on your insta theres also a ton more content than a website. Your insta is what will typically drive people to your website to initiate the more formal connection. The website is where they learn about you the person/dj, details about your service, and pricing, as well as the proper contact form. 90% of couples check a companies insta before booking. A card is a tool... but its the least effective tool urrently compared to all other options. I've said it before, but I've given out less than 100 cards since 2017.
 
So instagram is perhaps the MOST important tool that us dj's can and should be using. Consider that the website before the website. Mind you I'm speaking from the wedding perspective and for that generation. This generation will likely try to find you on instagram before anything else. Nowadays, no one asks for my number... they ask for my insta. It's how they see if you're active... on your insta theres also a ton more content than a website. Your insta is what will typically drive people to your website to initiate the more formal connection. The website is where they learn about you the person/dj, details about your service, and pricing, as well as the proper contact form. 90% of couples check a companies insta before booking. A card is a tool... but its the least effective tool urrently compared to all other options. I've said it before, but I've given out less than 100 cards since 2017.

In this area I find it's Facebook they turn to but we are well known for being behind the times here. I did a survey on my radio page before I launched Facebook was by far the winner followed by Snapchat, Tiktok, and then Instagram. Not exactly scientific and the demo might be different but I can tell you I get a LOT of inquiries through Facebook. I don't give out a lot either but I will never be without them
 
In this area I find it's Facebook they turn to but we are well known for being behind the times here. I did a survey on my radio page before I launched Facebook was by far the winner followed by Snapchat, Tiktok, and then Instagram. Not exactly scientific and the demo might be different but I can tell you I get a LOT of inquiries through Facebook. I don't give out a lot either but I will never be without them
I’m not without them either. Always a box of cards in my laptop bag ready to go… but still hardly asked for them. But I also don’t lay em out in eye sight for people to want to take one.

I’m speaking strictly weddings… it’s 80%+ of my clientele so I’m speaking 25-35yr olds. Most don’t even have Facebook under 30. Instagram is their main source of info, with Tik tok being more a source for inspiration and trends. Almost every time someone starts a sentence with “I saw this thing on…” it’s always Tik tok. But whenever they say I’m working with xyz photography or this is my planner or florist… they always share their instagram. In addition when I work with planners, they always ask vendors for their instagram for the purpose of content sharing. Facebook is a relic at this point.