I just got something crazy in the mail to me the other day.

Jeff Romard said:

Mix might not be completly wrong on this one....

I know what a Bridal Show goes for in my area I can get in the top end one for $500-$600 and that gives me exclusive rights in the DJ category. According to Brendan in his area the top end one is about $1400 so I am going to assume that Mixes area would be in that range also. I would be skeptical of a half price Bridal Show in a mall.

Before I signed I would look at a couple of things

Is this a high end mall or a "grub" mall? Are all vendors going to be grouped in an area of the mall or spread out through the mall? How well are they marketing the show? What is the Demographic for the area within a 20 minute drive of that mall?

If you do your homework and everything is good it could be a gold mine if not it could be a $700 disaster

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Glad you said this! I agree 100%. Before i would just plop down $700.00 i would want to know if anyone has heard of the people having this bridal show and what's their success rate? You just wouldn't want to to risk throwing $700.00 down the drain would you? I would opt for show that cost me less money since i've never done a bridal show to get the experience of what to do and what not to do.

Then i think it also too has to do with how on average do you charge to do weddings? I can't see a DJ that charges on average $500.00 to a brides wedding spending $1,400.00 on a bridal show. Unless they guarantee that within the next 6 months you'll book at least 15 weddings or you get your money back.

ahoustondj said:

Mix, the folks who put on these Bridal Shows are doing it for one purpose TO MAKE MONEY. The people who they want to please are the Brides to be, the Vendors are incidentals. The Vendors are paying for the privilege of being there. There is absolutely NO Guarantee of your success. Your Sales skills is what counts. You are selling a Service not a product so you have to talk to people, get them interested and then try and close them by making a booking.

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I get all of that of course. I was making a joke about money being refunded to you if you don't book a gig. There is a sight that says if you sign up with them and in 6 months you don't book an event they will give you 6 months free. If you can't book an event in the first 6 months what difference will it make if you get 6 months free. More then likely you still won't book an event.

Now haven't we all had someone send us an email, called us or saw us face to face and tried to sell us on advertising with them will increase your business and make you plenty of money? They make that claim but can they deliver? One member mentioned here he does a show in a mall every year for $200.00 and gets bookings. That's great because obviously they are legit. I could see myself taking a chance with $200.00 at a show in a mall. If i didn't get a booking out of it at least i got the experience of what to do and what not to do at a bridal show. $700.00 isn't exactly pocket change. At least not for me. For others that just might be a drop in the bucket. I would just want to feel that by doing that bridal show not only would be able to get my $700.00 but a whole lot more to make it worth my while. Plus do remember it's not costing you $700.00 alone. What about gas and tolls to get to the place? The things you would have there to put on your table for people to take? Such as a brochure, DVD, business cards and so on. Wouldn't that cost you money to provide such things? That would need to be factored into the cost of me doing a bridal show as well. So i would certainly would want to see a very nice return on such an investment. I would say considering the cost that i would need to make at least 3k off of that bridal show after making back the initial money i put out to say that it was worth it for me to do that bridal show.

I can see me taking a risk with $200.00 and if it doesn't work out that's not a major biggie. But $700.00 if things didn't work in my favor that would be a major biggie.

Lastly why wouldn't you try to get a bride to book you as their entertainment if they seem very interested in your services at a bridal show. Isn't that the reason for you being there to gain more bookings? I wouldn't brush someone off just because say 20 others are standing in line and i can show off what i have to all of them. If i can seal a deal right then and there why wouldn't i do it? Especially since i just got setup to take a cc payment with my iPhone.

I've made this classic mistake when doing a gig and someone ask how much do you charge? I'll hand them a business card and tell them to call me later so we can discuss in further details about the event they are planning to have. I just never liked trying to talk business while i'm trying to provide entertainment to a client and their guest. Not one has ever called me back.

Here's what i thought of doing. Have our logo along with our company name put on a nice piece of paper with different starting prices for different types of events and things we offer. Then have it laminated. So that way when they come up to me at an event asking that question i can show them this. So that way i can still try to keep the focus on where it needs to be while they check out starting prices for different events and then if they have any questions i can try to answer them. That way it doesn't look like i'm brushing them off to get to the next song i'm going to play or the next thing i'm going to do.

Audio One said:

Mixx, Go for it !!!

But if you really want to make an impression, be sure to bring your lightscaping, dance floor lighting, LED dance floor, photo booth, plasma screens, "zap" photos, and lots, lots more. You know, all that stuff you advertise on your website.

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There's a saying called k.i.s.s. Keep it simple stupid. I know you're having fun with me but if anyone shows up to a bridal show with all of that they will not be allowed to come in unless they have $10,000,000.00 to pay the host of the show. LOL.

Jon Tuck said:

of course Mix knows the ins and outs of bridal shows with his vast experiences as a mobile Entertainer.

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I said in the beginning i've never done a bridal show. I would love to do one. I've been invited a few bridal shows and when i can make it i go. With that said what do you bring to a bridal show? I heard one member mentioning having a banner to put in front of their table. That would be great with our logo and info on it.

I do know you need to dress the part.