Hiding your phone number

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80% to 90% of the phone calls that I get incoming to my phone are SPAM ROBO callers. Because of this I simply do not answer my phone unless it's a family member calling and I notice they are calling. My phone is most of the time on Silent. I also have become tired of carrying it everywhere with me. I think as I get older I just don't care to have a cell phone on me 100% of the time outside of taking a shower. When I am at work, I leave it on my desk and walk away from it all the time. I only have it on me during breaks so I can watch You tube on my breaks.

I use my phone to make You tube videos so that is one thing that I do.

I also don't sign up for any kind of give away or change to win a car or some vacation trip when I am out and about. I can't stand sales or telemarketing calls. It's a deceptive trap, and I bet nobody even wins the grand prize most of the time these organizations run these data grab schemes at shows/expos etc.

I let prospects leave me a voice mail. I will give them a call back 2 to 12 hours later in most cases. I also agree with Taso that the ones that call as an initial contact usually are just price shoppers and do not book. If the prospect is a referral from a previous client then it's much more likely they will actually book.

Anyway, I don't care much any more to be honest lol. I'm on a real stream lined set up doing business, and appreciate the clients that do book, but don't care about maximizing sales these days and don't want to work a bunch of weekends in a row. I think a lot of us are over stimulated with social media, and the every day news, and with what's going on in the world. I'm tired of all that stuff and have reverted into a "Chillaxin" type of mode. I just want to take life easy and try to enjoy life. I'm not overthinking stuff any more, or getting stressed about business, or making money. I don't care any more about that stuff, and it feels like a good thing! :dontknow: 💪 :djsmug:

Enjoy the weather outside! It was a BEAUTIFUL DAY yesterday and today in Maryland. I took a couple of good relaxing walks at local parks! :)
 
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djtaso said:
I used to dj in a lot of nightlife prior becoming a full time dj and have used the efx500. The efx 500 is a DINOSAUR and pretty outdated in terms of capabilities. It does have more nuanced effect control and you can really pinpoint how you want those effects applied with the isolator, but what I was trying to share is that controllers are extremely capable as well, and the higher end controllers can do even more than the efx500. If you want to make a better comparison, you should be using the rmx1000 which can do quite a bit.

Very very few dj's actually utilize the full capabilities of the effects controllers, even most house dj's don't bother with them anymore because the new djm mixers are quite capable as well. The efx was a big player back in the day when it was cdj 1000's and djm800 mixers and dj's used cd's and no software. Ever noticed how pioneer barely updates these? There's no market for them now.

To you it represents something that was iconic in a past era, but now very few performing dj's have it in their rider.
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I thought of something after my last post. I know the Denon DN MC 6000 doesn't have effects pads built in. You suggest I should buy a high end Pioneer controller that has built in effects pads. A controller like that in a case can be very heavy making it difficult to transport. The controller in the case I use isn't a boat anchor. I can bring it up and down the stairs where I live without struggling and needing another person to help me move it. I'm 67 and I have arthritis through out my body. So I'll stick with what I'm using now. When I first came back I was in my early 40's. Since then I've had 2 hip replacement surgeries. I buy one of those boat anchors you suggest and I will be needing to go to the ER.
 
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
I thought of something after my last post. I know the Denon DN MC 6000 doesn't have effects pads built in. You suggest I should buy a high end Pioneer controller that has built in effects pads. A controller like that in a case can be very heavy making it difficult to transport. The controller in the case I use isn't a boat anchor. I can bring it up and down the stairs where I live without struggling and needing another person to help me move it. I'm 67 and I have arthritis through out my body. So I'll stick with what I'm using now. When I first came back I was in my early 40's. Since then I've had 2 hip replacement surgeries. I buy one of those boat anchors you suggest and I will be needing to go to the ER.
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An flx10 is less than 15lbs.
 
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djtaso said:
An flx10 is less than 15lbs.
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The controller in the case weights less than that one. Now do you have a link with a price for that controller? Besides the effects pads what else does it have that makes it worth buying,?
 
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
The controller in the case weights less than that one. Now do you have a link with a price for that controller? Besides the effects pads what else does it have that makes it worth buying,?
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Nothing at all.. its just preference. I like certain controllers because some allow 2 computers to be hooked up at once. For weddings, this is great for backup in case a laptop freezes. I hardly use any effects other than echo or fiilter. I use stems more, which in weddings is more practical, especially if I want to create an instrumental on the literal spot (happened to me 2x this year). I also like pioneer controllers because they are very close to the layout from my nightlife experiences of the cdj's and djm mixer.

If you care about weight, get a hard case not a road case. The case and controller are 20lbs total. It is what I carry my back up controller in. The controller and case can likely be had for $1500 from kpodj.
 
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djtaso said:
I only speak for the wedding industry.
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You don't "speak for the wedding industry."
You're a DJ. That's the entertainment industry.

You're website relies very heavily on the actual original creative work of others using photographs of settings, and decor provided by other wedding vendors, or the venue itself. We do not become that which surrounds us merely by association anymore than a sailboat can claim credit for the wind.

You've obvioulsy recognized the significance of being able to have a footprint that conforms with 5 star decorating and service. But that's stagecraft, not luxury. Don't get caught in the trap of thinking that as vendor working in those circles we are somehow enjoined as a member. That is the folly of many an entertainer and a bitter pill when reality becalms their sails.

If actual sales and consulting is a weakness, relying on a website (and by that I mean - actually redirecting people away from personal consultation) will becalm us in the future and we'll not have developed the better sales skills we need. Our website is not our highest value contact, and that's refelcted in your descriptions of the numbers of customers you end up rejecting.

Referrals are the highest value contact and those people should not be redirected to a website until you've actually gotten a commitment. Take the booking in person or on the phone, and never send someone to a website to fill out a for Personal service remains the highest value option we can deliver and that's a physical experience not a photographic one.

The metric of sales is conversion - you're marketing is more like fishing, which is why you throw so many back.
 
I had to get used to texting. The problem with that is there are plenty of text solocitsting something and people trying to scam other people. One of them it says I need to pay this certain amount or my service with my carrier will be shut off. My service provider automatically take their payment by a certain date each month.

The thing now is to communicate how a person wants to. Some will call you, some text and some like to email you. I can resend either way today. At one time you could only communicate with a phone call. Modern technology gives you more options. It's about adjusting to the way things are done today. I used to hate texting and now it's not a big deal.
 
Taso you said something interesting. It's what you prefer. For me it's about what helps me to do a good job. What some might find an antique, I find it works great for me and what I do. I know the controller I use has been discontinued. They have people selling the one I use on Ebay. Now some of them have lost their mind. One person is selling a Denon DN MC 6000 for $1,200 plus shipping. That's crazy! So far I see nobody has bought it


My buddy that DJs has 2 of them and does a great job with it! I did him the same way my partner did me. I kept at him becoming a computer DJ. He was hesitant like I was. He used to carry CDs with him and a CD player because he wasn't complaining sold on a computer to DJ with. Now I don't remember the last time he brought that setup with him
 
Proformance said:
You don't "speak for the wedding industry."
You're a DJ. That's the entertainment industry.

You're website relies very heavily on the actual original creative work of others using photographs of settings, and decor provided by other wedding vendors, or the venue itself. We do not become that which surrounds us merely by association anymore than a sailboat can claim credit for the wind.

You've obvioulsy recognized the significance of being able to have a footprint that conforms with 5 star decorating and service. But that's stagecraft, not luxury. Don't get caught in the trap of thinking that as vendor working in those circles we are somehow enjoined as a member. That is the folly of many an entertainer and a bitter pill when reality becalms their sails.

If actual sales and consulting is a weakness, relying on a website (and by that I mean - actually redirecting people away from personal consultation) will becalm us in the future and we'll not have developed the better sales skills we need. Our website is not our highest value contact, and that's refelcted in your descriptions of the numbers of customers you end up rejecting.

Referrals are the highest value contact and those people should not be redirected to a website until you've actually gotten a commitment. Take the booking in person or on the phone, and never send someone to a website to fill out a for Personal service remains the highest value option we can deliver and that's a physical experience not a photographic one.

The metric of sales is conversion - you're marketing is more like fishing, which is why you throw so many back.
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Ok i meant for MY experience as a wedding dj...

Where does my website "rely" on the setting of others decor and settings or the venues as the focal point. Did you even actually go to my site... my home page and wedding section literally are focused on people dancing and having a good time... with exception of one or two photos, you can't even tell the venue and not a flower in site. The gallery is a larger collection of various pics, but the majority of those as well are focused on people, not the venue. I screenshotted sections of my site... not sure what you're referring to where the emphaisis is on the decor and such except on my uplighting section. The uplighting section naturally showcases how the whole room comes together... but that's literally one section of many.

I do not actually redirect people. It's just literally the natural flow of a 25-35yr old couple. As mentioned, out of nearly 250 inquiries of which 200 are for weddings... maybe 10-15 a year came in via call for a wedding. About another 20-30 or so initiate their contact via instagram dm's or a text message. The rest, or around 150 each year, come in through my site. My number is not hidden... its on my google business profile, my site, my instagram... it's everywhere. It's just not in the behavior of the couple to utilize it. The only time a call is successful is when parents call on behalf of their kids (that generation prefers calls, so it makes sense)... but that's typically out of state where its a little more old school and parents are more actively involved. In the NJ/NYC/PA area, couples are the ones booking their vendors directly and handle the planning themselves, with less parent input, at least in their choice of vendors.

As mentioend, every client I do in fact book has a lengthy PHONE consultation where we talk about the expeirence itself and what I create. It never revolves around price, as they already know all that info since they went to my site and inquired there, where I was then able to email everything b4 speaking. It's actually a much more calm and exciting conversation bc there's no tension or them being defensive waiting for the price to magically appear and them being sticker shocked... like at a car dealership where we don't wanna say too much to not hint at what we're thinking w the car salesman.

Agreed that Referrals are in fact my highest value contact. It's over 80% of my business... but the way a 25-35yr old referral works is, the couple gets my info... checks my insta, goes to my website, and then contacts me. Rinse cycle repeat. I'm not sending them to my site... they're going. It's instinct. As a millennial, It's how we shop, its how we research. I'm not hiding my number... it's there, everywhere.

I actually do NOT throw many leads back because they werent good. The majority in fact are all qualified. While I book around 65-70 events from those inquiries... the majority of inquiries are turned down due to no availability or is a daytime event (I don't do those). I also don't like to do many triples or overload a month more than 8 events in a month, so even if I'm avaialble I may say no due to the existing work load. To put it into perspective, 70% of 2027 is booked. 2026 I stopped booking for in March. I'm not looking for a large pool to then pick and choose... the large pool just comes naturally. Of those who I actually send my pricing and have a conversation, I maybe only lose 2 a year where they don't book me after speaking. My conversion rate for those who I speak with is abnormally high for this industry. More or less if I get an inquiry, and I'm in fact available... there's a good chance it's getting booked, simply because that lead is likely referral based. Screenshot 2026-05-06 at 2.00.52 PM.pngScreenshot 2026-05-06 at 2.01.40 PM.pngScreenshot 2026-05-06 at 2.02.18 PM.png
 
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djtaso said:
Ok i meant for MY experience as a wedding dj...

Where does my website "rely" on the setting of others decor and settings or the venues as the focal point. Did you even actually go to my site... my home page and wedding section literally are focused on people dancing and having a good time... with exception of one or two photos, you can't even tell the venue and not a flower in site. The gallery is a larger collection of various pics, but the majority of those as well are focused on people, not the venue. I screenshotted sections of my site... not sure what you're referring to where the emphaisis is on the decor and such except on my uplighting section. The uplighting section naturally showcases how the whole room comes together... but that's literally one section of many.

I do not actually redirect people. It's just literally the natural flow of a 25-35yr old couple. As mentioned, out of nearly 250 inquiries of which 200 are for weddings... maybe 10-15 a year came in via call for a wedding. About another 20-30 or so initiate their contact via instagram dm's or a text message. The rest, or around 150 each year, come in through my site. My number is not hidden... its on my google business profile, my site, my instagram... it's everywhere. It's just not in the behavior of the couple to utilize it. The only time a call is successful is when parents call on behalf of their kids (that generation prefers calls, so it makes sense)... but that's typically out of state where its a little more old school and parents are more actively involved. In the NJ/NYC/PA area, couples are the ones booking their vendors directly and handle the planning themselves, with less parent input, at least in their choice of vendors.

As mentioend, every client I do in fact book has a lengthy PHONE consultation where we talk about the expeirence itself and what I create. It never revolves around price, as they already know all that info since they went to my site and inquired there, where I was then able to email everything b4 speaking. It's actually a much more calm and exciting conversation bc there's no tension or them being defensive waiting for the price to magically appear and them being sticker shocked... like at a car dealership where we don't wanna say too much to not hint at what we're thinking w the car salesman.

Agreed that Referrals are in fact my highest value contact. It's over 80% of my business... but the way a 25-35yr old referral works is, the couple gets my info... checks my insta, goes to my website, and then contacts me. Rinse cycle repeat. I'm not sending them to my site... they're going. It's instinct. As a millennial, It's how we shop, its how we research. I'm not hiding my number... it's there, everywhere.

I actually do NOT throw many leads back because they werent good. The majority in fact are all qualified. While I book around 65-70 events from those inquiries... the majority of inquiries are turned down due to no availability or is a daytime event (I don't do those). I also don't like to do many triples or overload a month more than 8 events in a month, so even if I'm avaialble I may say no due to the existing work load. To put it into perspective, 70% of 2027 is booked. 2026 I stopped booking for in March. I'm not looking for a large pool to then pick and choose... the large pool just comes naturally. Of those who I actually send my pricing and have a conversation, I maybe only lose 2 a year where they don't book me after speaking. My conversion rate for those who I speak with is abnormally high for this industry. More or less if I get an inquiry, and I'm in fact available... there's a good chance it's getting booked, simply because that lead is likely referral based. View attachment 56528View attachment 56529View attachment 56530
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Thank you for your post. I like that you have plenty of ways people can contact you. You have ways young and older people can contact you. That's great instead of being stuck on one way to contact you.
 
Wow...the DJ business seems to have changed...for the worst!

I still prefer to meet with my clients and set up what they want and what I will give them.

Old School lives on...

Been in this business since 1980...who knew that we should get rid of basic business models.
 
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musicdoctordj said:
Wow...the DJ business seems to have changed...for the worst!

I still prefer to meet with my clients and set up what they want and what I will give them.

Old School lives on...

Been in this business since 1980...who knew that we should get rid of basic business models.
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Clients dictate the norms, not us. We have to adapt to grow. For example 60% of couples now say they won’t inquire if they don’t see pricing on a website. You can stick to whatever preferences you have, but if they don’t align with your clientele’s preferences, then There’s a natural disconnect which often leads to lower inquiries.

Naturally most on here appear to be retired or retiring… to that generation why would they see a need to change what worked for 40 years when they or time in the industry has come to an end… whereas if you’re in your 20’s and 30’s you need to adapt to make it another 30yrs should you desire.
 
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djtaso said:
Clients dictate the norms, not us. We have to adapt to grow. For example 60% of couples now say they won’t inquire if they don’t see pricing on a website. You can stick to whatever preferences you have, but if they don’t align with your clientele’s preferences, then There’s a natural disconnect which often leads to lower inquiries.

Naturally most on here appear to be retired or retiring… to that generation why would they see a need to change what worked for 40 years when they or time in the industry has come to an end… whereas if you’re in your 20’s and 30’s you need to adapt to make it another 30yrs should you desire.
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Thanks Taso for your post. When I first became a DJ we didn't have an email address. I have one now. It's about adopting to how things are done today if you choose to. Not every client will want to meet up with their vendors. Some situations are difficult to do a meet in person thing. What if it would take 3 hours to have a in person meeting. How many would agree to meet then. Also nowadays there's Video conference. Zoom is very popular and works great!
 
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
Thanks Taso for your post. When I first became a DJ we didn't have an email address. I have one now. It's about adopting to how things are done today if you choose to. Not every client will want to meet up with their vendors. Some situations are difficult to do a meet in person thing. What if it would take 3 hours to have a in person meeting. How many would agree to meet then. Also nowadays there's Video conference. Zoom is very popular and works great!
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Mix, serious question. How many Zoom calls have you had with potential clients, and do you have a formulated plan on what you need to cover during this meeting in order to provide them with an accurate assessment of their needs and and a quote???
 
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In person meetings ave. One hour tops.
 
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MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
I thought of something after my last post. I know the Denon DN MC 6000 doesn't have effects pads built in. You suggest I should buy a high end Pioneer controller that has built in effects pads. A controller like that in a case can be very heavy making it difficult to transport. The controller in the case I use isn't a boat anchor. I can bring it up and down the stairs where I live without struggling and needing another person to help me move it. I'm 67 and I have arthritis through out my body. So I'll stick with what I'm using now. When I first came back I was in my early 40's. Since then I've had 2 hip replacement surgeries. I buy one of those boat anchors you suggest and I will be needing to go to the ER.
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Anyone else remember when this thread was about hiding your phone number?
 
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MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
Thanks Taso for your post. When I first became a DJ we didn't have an email address. I have one now. It's about adopting to how things are done today if you choose to. Not every client will want to meet up with their vendors. Some situations are difficult to do a meet in person thing. What if it would take 3 hours to have a in person meeting. How many would agree to meet then. Also nowadays there's Video conference. Zoom is very popular and works great!
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I book over 50 weddings a year… no one has asked me to meet in person since before covid.
 
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tunes4046 said:
Mix, serious question. How many Zoom calls have you had with potential clients, and do you have a formulated plan on what you need to cover during this meeting in order to provide them with an accurate assessment of their needs and and a quote???
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I don't have a zoom account. I just mentioned that's a way to communicate with someone. I will be on one today for a different reason.
 
I thought of this after my other post about a venue.

I have seen online where Beyonce has had a concert and front row seats costing 13K. That's what I saw online. Now who is going to pay that much to see her in a concert? It certainly won't be me. I did the math for what I pay in rent times 8 months. 13K is more than I pay in rent for 8 months. My point is that there are some people out here that can afford to pay that much to see her in concert.

So there are clients/brides who can spend 100K to have their event in a venue. Then there are those who could never afford to spend that kind of money to have an event somewhere. I'm one of them. So there are different types of venues for different budgets. It's all in what a person can afford and not going overboard to have an event. To sum it up it's about being practical because the day after the event you still have to go on with your life.
 
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