I apologize then for saying that. I can't say I blame you. Carry on! As you were!
Event Pacing - The key to the "Magic" (blog)
- Thread starter rickryan.com
- Start date
djsarge
Mac Daddy DJ
There are a couple venues in my area I play at often. Many times after I've set up and tested everything and since I know the wait staff fairly well, I've often asked if I can help them finish setting up. I've been known to light candles, set plates, pour water, etc. I don't do it a lot, but venues I know well.
As to other parts of the Reception, if Canute or Pro has someone to make sure everything is in place, then great. I don't have that so I check to make sure the buffet or dinner is ready, proper people are in the room before dances, etc. Nothing magical about it, but promoting it as magical is just marketing.
As to other parts of the Reception, if Canute or Pro has someone to make sure everything is in place, then great. I don't have that so I check to make sure the buffet or dinner is ready, proper people are in the room before dances, etc. Nothing magical about it, but promoting it as magical is just marketing.
To the extent that I have more to offer clients than base line competence hawked as "magic" - then Yes, you have all made me feel quite superior! Thank you.
hey look who evaded the point again lol Steve is exactly right the debate began when Houstonmade the case that it is not the DJs responsibility at weddings to make sure key people are ready when certain events are about to happen. If you have the microphone and aren't willing to facilitate the tempo you aren't doing your job. This includes coordinating vendors and key players when a planner is not present.
There is a huge difference between "doing someone else's job"...
and simply making sure that everything is in it's place.
I wouldn't think of pouring the champagne myself...
but I feel it IS my job to at least make sure that someone else HAS.
(and how much effort does it take to LOOK...or ASK?)
If I can do something to make the evening better, why would I not offer my help?
I not only make it a better experience for the client and the guests...
I can make things easier for me.
and simply making sure that everything is in it's place.
I wouldn't think of pouring the champagne myself...
but I feel it IS my job to at least make sure that someone else HAS.
(and how much effort does it take to LOOK...or ASK?)
If I can do something to make the evening better, why would I not offer my help?
I not only make it a better experience for the client and the guests...
I can make things easier for me.
The above is where it started. This was in response to the OPs thread and his little condescending article he posted in WW for which he was looking to get praise, as usual.
I thought I would get one more laugh for the night. Mike what you wrote above is completely wrong read my Quotation above. This was directed to Rick Ryan. You all misinterpreted everything and went off on a tangent. You guys keep twisting things so your futile arguments can be artificially boosted.
Just go ahead feeling like its your job to be "Mother Hen". It is no wonder you don't get respected and are almost always relegated to a corner spot. If you are liked and appreciated so much how come they don't take the time to accommodate you? You are making yourself a pushover is what you are doing. You don't see it and probably never will because you are so wanting to be liked and be pleasing everyone. Aww Mike is such a nice DJ! LOL
I just realized something the two of you are named Mike, it must be something in y'alls DNA, eh!
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Praise? Hardly. These articles are meant to stir the pot. Paint myself as an expert (to any co-vendors or brides who happen to read) and to honestly share a bit of education that I think Brides will find helpful to their events. The end result? Sell dates. Know what? It's working.
You still need to pull it together. You sound more pleading than expert. Essentially, you are speaking to the past - settling arguments with past clients rather than speaking to the expectations of new ones.
For example, you want Brides who are unhappy about how long it takes you to "slam the dance floor" to realize you need time to figure out what the crowd wants. You go on to tell them you don't want music lists from people. This is an argument with people in your past. The future bride thinks: "If you had a list couldn't you fill the floor with the very first song?"
Dance floors do slam from the start at many events and people know this from experience. To be effective your writing needs to be consistent with their experience, their desires, and their expectations - not simply your preferences or personal pet peeves.
It can also be much more brief. Authority is conveyed by the content not the length. I'd lose the personal jabs at other DJs, (brides already have enough of their own). Also, stay on task and out of your own head. Metaphors to "waves on the shore" and journeys inside yourself are to introspective and are the places where readers jump off.
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More proof you have no idea what you are talking about.
How in the world would YOU know what clients and venues think about me?
I am respected BECAUSE I go the extra effort...not in spite of it.
I am NOT "almost always relegated to a corner". Again, how would YOU know?
You took one post about a not-so-perfect situation, and decided to throw it in my face every time you are cornered.
It is possible to be liked AND respected.
I guess if you cannot be liked, you need to depend on respect to make yourself feel better.
Sure, I am trying to please everyone and be liked. THAT"S MY JOB!!!
If they LIKE me, they have a good time. If I please them, I get return business.
It's no different than trying to please everyone by playing good music and entertaining the crowd.
If that makes me a "pushover"...than I am happy to be a pushover.
If our arguments are "futile"...
it's because YOU just don't get it...
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Wow .. I guess if you equate being a d*ck to being respected, you can have that kind of respect.
Stirring the Pot is not an actionable thing to do. In that arena it is very unprofessional. Painting yourself as a Professional the way you are attempting is counter productive. Just emphasize your strengths without pointing the finger at others. To the people who you are addressing that article, if you have to paint yourself as a Professional they would view you as less than one. Isn't that what your beloved reviews are meant to do for you?
Yeah, I can see it working, pretty soon you will be telling us that because of the article you have doubled your Bookings. Go on, you know you want to do it! My suggestion is, wait awhile before you do, so it will be more believable. Not everyone is that gullible.
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My revenue stream is steadily rising. Your fate rests in others' hands. That is a fact.
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Here is how 95 percent of the events I do usually work out. I'm sure your mileage may very in different locations around the States. Everything that has been said about "Weddings" and expectations at the very least in my area. Are spot on, many times we are called on to release tables. Though I feel that is a catering type job. But I have done it and continue to do it because it helps facilitate a successfull wedding. Many of the weddings we are called on to do have no one but me helping and running the show. The times when there is a planner, it tends to be the exact same situation, except I usually blow past them in getting things organized and most of the time they just kind of really appreciate a very organized and tight run but fun event.
If I waited for anyone to get people or situations set I would probably still be at my wedding from two weeks ago. Now with that said I can see that this might be an area thing. Expectations in certain areas might be different. Thus the different attitudes on what is 100 percent right or wrong. Even the best planners and venues in "our" area expect all of these things from me and are one of the reason I continuously get referrals. I can honestly say that I have never been asked how I DJ by any of our clients.
Their biggest concern in "our" area is to be assured on my level of being able to run a wedding and never on if I beat mix music which I'm quite sure is a great thing. Again this is just my 2 cents and take on this whole situation. I think it would be awesome to have others informing me when others are ready. Unfortunitly 95 percent of the time it does not happen and that person is just not available. And just so folks will know our average wedding is 150 to 300 people and average price 1,000 - 1500 dollars. I read most of the comments in this thread and will finish reading them all just to say I did. )
If I waited for anyone to get people or situations set I would probably still be at my wedding from two weeks ago. Now with that said I can see that this might be an area thing. Expectations in certain areas might be different. Thus the different attitudes on what is 100 percent right or wrong. Even the best planners and venues in "our" area expect all of these things from me and are one of the reason I continuously get referrals. I can honestly say that I have never been asked how I DJ by any of our clients.
Their biggest concern in "our" area is to be assured on my level of being able to run a wedding and never on if I beat mix music which I'm quite sure is a great thing. Again this is just my 2 cents and take on this whole situation. I think it would be awesome to have others informing me when others are ready. Unfortunitly 95 percent of the time it does not happen and that person is just not available. And just so folks will know our average wedding is 150 to 300 people and average price 1,000 - 1500 dollars. I read most of the comments in this thread and will finish reading them all just to say I did. )
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Dave, I am glad you posted what you just did. I guess it must be an area thing. This thread did not have to go that far if some people did not feel that it was their almighty duty to act as Wedding Planner as though it was standard practice. Again I could see if that was part of the Agreement/Contract. I have been asked to Call Tables on a few occasions and have no problem with it. However the total job from beginning to end of doing all the things that a Wedding/Event Planner is supposed to do has never fallen on me just because I was the DJ in attendance. Making and announcement from my Booth such as "Would someone please help to find the Groom and let him know that it is time to cut the Cake" is far different than leaving the Booth to hunt him down.
Even when I am doing Hip Hop/Talent Events I do not go around rounding up people. That is someone else's job and they need to get paid to do it.
Again, you should refrain from painting an incorrect picture ...
And again, most don't have the "luxury" of having a "Event Planner" to assist .. and yet you keep making the same comment as if it was a fact everywhere. Most times, there is NO ONE ELSE to do the job.
Houston glad I misunderstood your original point. Just so we are onthe same page, if no wedding planner is available and no one else to facilitate you would coordinate parent dances, cake cutting, bouqet, garter, etc?
Professionalism
I have done enough of Weddings in my lifetime and also attended many as a Guest. When I have to do a Wedding my experiences have taught me to ask questions in the beginning, questions such as:
Do you have a Designated Wedding Planner/Coordinator for the Wedding?
Do you have a Master Of Ceremonies?
Do these people know it is their responsibility to do those tasks?
If all those answers are in the positive then I know that task is going to be handled by someone else.
If the answer to any of the above questions is in the negative I then ask "Are you then looking to hire my services to perform these tasks?" If the Client answers "Yes" my fee is adjusted to compensate me for that extra Duty and then and only then would I be diligent in making sure things happen when they should at the Event. I still don't run around corralling people. That is the purpose of a microphone. If I am being paid to perform MC Duties I may just as likely hire someone to handle that for me. I have done it before.
Regardless of what the arrangement may be, it is all put in writing under "Additional Provisions". This is how I go about executing a Professional Agreement. I am not going to be caught up doing stuff for free (A favor or two is fine) when in reality it is a task for which payment should be made. That is how I roll. They can get a package price for my services based on their answers and their needs. I am not going to be caught flatfooted.
So to answer your question, I will know before the day of the Event if there is going to be a Planner or Coordinator or whatever y'all call them in your area. If the Planner No shows on the Wedding Day and I have to step in to do everything, there is an extra charge for that.
I have done enough of Weddings in my lifetime and also attended many as a Guest. When I have to do a Wedding my experiences have taught me to ask questions in the beginning, questions such as:
Do you have a Designated Wedding Planner/Coordinator for the Wedding?
Do you have a Master Of Ceremonies?
Do these people know it is their responsibility to do those tasks?
If all those answers are in the positive then I know that task is going to be handled by someone else.
If the answer to any of the above questions is in the negative I then ask "Are you then looking to hire my services to perform these tasks?" If the Client answers "Yes" my fee is adjusted to compensate me for that extra Duty and then and only then would I be diligent in making sure things happen when they should at the Event. I still don't run around corralling people. That is the purpose of a microphone. If I am being paid to perform MC Duties I may just as likely hire someone to handle that for me. I have done it before.
Regardless of what the arrangement may be, it is all put in writing under "Additional Provisions". This is how I go about executing a Professional Agreement. I am not going to be caught up doing stuff for free (A favor or two is fine) when in reality it is a task for which payment should be made. That is how I roll. They can get a package price for my services based on their answers and their needs. I am not going to be caught flatfooted.
So to answer your question, I will know before the day of the Event if there is going to be a Planner or Coordinator or whatever y'all call them in your area. If the Planner No shows on the Wedding Day and I have to step in to do everything, there is an extra charge for that.
Sounds like you're assuming that others here do not ask the same questions / price accordingly .. and show up on the 'day of' with no idea what's going on. It looks like you are also assuming they do these 'additional duties' for free. These are awful big assumptions.
Also, as pointed out several times, while you may not be 'coralling people', if you are doing these 'additional duties', you will check to see that things are ready before you proceed with certain activities - nothing like a cake cutting with no B/G around. Why would they hire you for these services if you're not going to perform them in a professional manner. I don't know many DJ's that 'coral' or chase people down for activities. That would be unprofessional IMO - but I think most people here know this already. To assume otherwise is looking down your nose at them. Like you, most people here also know if there will be a planner / coordinator prior to the day of the event .. and if there is a no show, will do what's needed / required and charge as needed / required.
I think you're problem is assumptions. Remove the assumptions and you're good to go.
Also, as pointed out several times, while you may not be 'coralling people', if you are doing these 'additional duties', you will check to see that things are ready before you proceed with certain activities - nothing like a cake cutting with no B/G around. Why would they hire you for these services if you're not going to perform them in a professional manner. I don't know many DJ's that 'coral' or chase people down for activities. That would be unprofessional IMO - but I think most people here know this already. To assume otherwise is looking down your nose at them. Like you, most people here also know if there will be a planner / coordinator prior to the day of the event .. and if there is a no show, will do what's needed / required and charge as needed / required.
I think you're problem is assumptions. Remove the assumptions and you're good to go.
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