Has anybody used wedding.com?
- Thread starter MIXMASTERMACHOM
- Start date
I do agree with that. My issue is that i was with a friend whose party I'm attending on the 24th paying for a ticket when he got a text message. It was about him doing a sweet 16. He said he he doesn't do them and would i do it. I said yes. He texted them my number. He talked me into giving them a price of $350.00 since he knew them.
I got the call and was told the person i was to speak to had a doctors appointment and wanted to know the price. I asked where it was to be at and how many hours. It's to be in South Orange, NJ for 4 hours. I gave her the price and said have the person call me. I haven't heard a thing back. So i know what that means. They are looking for a DJ that will do it cheaper. I'm certainly not calling them back chasing down a gig. They want it at that price, then they will get back to me or my friend if they don't remember my number. That's how sick things have gotten around here. It's a race to the bottom.
This business consists of about 2% playing music and 98% selling yourself. Making a follow-up call is not "chasing a gig", it's good customer service. It shows people that even if the cost for your services might be more than they're hoping to spend, you care about their event enough to check in with them. A phone call takes two minutes. If you could book a job at $350 with just a two minute phone call, wouldn't that be worth your time?
Too often you see DJs posting about what makes them different, and they'll mention their sound systems, music library, or the fact that they provide personal service. The reality is that most of them only provide adequate service - enough to get the job done without screwing things up. People don't hire DJs enough to know how much hand-holding they're supposed to get, so they have no idea if they're receiving the right service leading up to their event. Things like follow-up calls or an occasional email can be a welcome surprise. Show them that you're excited to be part of their event and they'll recommend you to others even before the event happens.
They won't get back to you. YOU need to follow up. Forget your friend - if he recommended you and they're calling him a second time to get your number, it tells him that you didn't take care of the people he referred to you.
It's only a race to the bottom if you choose to participate in it. For others, it's a moderately challenging climb to the top.
Then get out of the business right now and don't look back.
You know how I spend my days......calling back, emailing and chasing down gigs. You expect to join a site, shoot an email off and then get a job? Sorry dude, you are so far out of touch with how the "non-club" side of the business works it is sad. On average, it takes 4-5 phone calls / emails PER CLIENT before we lock them up.
Even as I type this right now, I have 9 emails getting ready to go out to people who asked about our services in the past 2 weeks I have not heard back from yet.
Once again, I know this is completely falling on deaf ears for Mix, but anyone else out there who is learning, please take these words to heart. We do not stop contacting leads until we are told they have found someone else. THAT is how you stay busy in this industry, not one phone call.
Same here, except (as a part-timer) I use an automated system to just send weekly emails until they either;
1) tell me to go away
2) the event date passes
3) they book
I can tell you for a fact that I get several bookings per year where they booked someone else, sometimes months in advance, then the other DJ cancelled out on them. When my automated email walks in the door (me not knowing they'd booked previously) guess who they snatch up? I'll take left-overs. That money spends exactly the same as the ones who booked me the first time.
I called and left a message about them getting back to me to see what their decision is. I gave them my cell number and email. I'll wait to see if they respond or not. I do know if they contact me back the price won't change. I refuse to drop the price to win the gig. That's a great price!
You're such a business stud. One of these days, you're gonna land a gig. Well, maybe.
DjDennis
RIP- My Dad (2011), Sister (2013) and Mum (2017)
and for MIX to even get work, he needs to work on his business ethics more, as his so called clients can see a scam coming a mile away
that's how some are these days
you cant sell yourself then u wont get anywhere.....
that's how some are these days
you cant sell yourself then u wont get anywhere.....
Are you really that bad at math or am I missing something in the translation. In the same thread you won't take a wedding for $750 but you will do this for $350 and play a bar for $150.
I noticed you didn't respond to my offer I'll assume you are taking it under consideration
I've tried my best to be nice when it comes to you. I'm done now that you said what you said. You're an idiot! Steve is right in what he said. The problem is some won't even consider talking to you to see why they should book you. All some care about is what you are planning on charging them. Some just want to know the price and when they hear that they have already made their minds up that they wouldn't dare pay that much for a DJ.
My question is how do you even get them to stop focusing on price when that's all they have on their mind? I'll try to get some others to either have a meeting with me or discuss over the phone other things then just the price alone. I've tried talking about us and what we can do to make their event a big success and some just want to cut to the chase.
Some will ask how much do you charge and haven't even given you their name or details of their event they are needing a DJ for.
You can't change them. You can only change you.
Perhaps you're not a great communicator. Maybe your inexperience becomes evident when you talk too much. It's possible that you're just not asking them the right questions. Or, maybe you're in over your head. You're busy telling them about how you can provide uplighting and zap photos when they really just want music.
You really need to identify your market. If people only want a cheap DJ, you might find more success being a cheap DJ and crushing the market. Just my thoughts.
Short version from a recent inquiry from Monday: Gal inquiries with a budget of $750 for a 6 hour reception with accent lighting. My fee came in at $1400. I sent her the information email and within 2 hours, I get a text confirmation that she wants to book. I sent the contract on Tuesday morning via email and received her reservation fee & signed contract back on Wednesday. Many of us here can give numerous, simliar examples that price is not always what they are looking for. It's the value they will get with the fee you demand.
Again, you're a bar jock, imo. Nothing wrong with that, but once you acknowledge that and quit drinking the kool-aid your association buddies are blowing up your arse, you'll be better off. Impressions go a long way in our business and you have several things against you that prevent you from potential clients thinking you are worth the money you quote; ie, website, pics, typing skills (you really should have your secretary do that), personal look and most of all, experience. You can't prove to them that you have successfully did a high-dollar gig.
All these past few years and you're constant advise-asking threads and you've not heard anything that you've been told.
I don't tell them what i can do. I ask what they are looking for, where the event is to take place, kind of event it is and how many hours is the event. The one for $350.00 i didn't even get to talk much at all. The person who called me didn't really know very much at all. They couldn't tell me where the event was to take place. All they could tell me was the date and type of event it is. That was it.
I've never tried to sell anybody on anything. If they want to know about a question they have. I do my best to answer their question. Some will see our website and inquire about a particular thing they have seen on our website. If they simply just want music then that's what they will get. As long as i feel we're the right company for the job and i feel we're going to be safe doing the event.
Mix...I took a gamble on wedding.com a couple of months ago. The only method of communication with the couples is through the site only. There is no e-mail or phone information posted which I find limiting. This was not clear to me before I paid...my fault for not thoroughly researching. Also the number of couples, at least in my area, were about 2 - 3 a month. My advice is save your money and go with the free posting.
I just called the contact for the sweet 16 and found out some bad news. The person I'm supposed to speak to is in the hospital with numoneia. I was told i would get a call tomorrow to see if they still want us to do the party. That's what i get for me thinking other wise.
Now onto The ologee comments about wedding.com. What the hell is going on with them? You don't get a phone number or email on how to contact the people about doing their wedding. I guess if you want that info it will cost you more money. That's crazy and thanks for the heads up. I was planning on joining them myself. That won't happen!
Now onto The ologee comments about wedding.com. What the hell is going on with them? You don't get a phone number or email on how to contact the people about doing their wedding. I guess if you want that info it will cost you more money. That's crazy and thanks for the heads up. I was planning on joining them myself. That won't happen!
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