My partner is something else.

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What is your criteria for doing or not doing a gig?

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Great question sir. As I've said before my top priority is safety first. I used to do questionable events in questionable venues and for people I care not to deal with today. I don't care how much money they have to spend which usually isn't much. If I don't feel comfortable with doing the event I will pass.

Then another thing that factors into my decision to do an event is the style of music the client wants. What I mean by that is some potential clients don't care about a DJ playing music with explicit lyrics and some will get upset if you don't play such songs. If that's what someone wants I will pass. Sometimes you get there and find this out while you're doing the event. When that happens they don't have to worry about me doing anything else for them.

Those are 2 big reasons I won't do an event for a potential client. I have certain people that I easily will accept doing an event for them because I know those are issues I know I don't have to worry about.

Now let's discuss the money side. I wanted to save that a bit before discussing it. Some people's budget are just to low to do the event. What I found out is by doing those events people don't take you seriously. It makes you look desperate. Today let a client like that look for another DJ to do their event. I love the clients that have spent a decent amount of money on a venue where they are having their event. Overall there you have some of the reasons I will or will not agree to do an event for a client. I may think of more things later.
 
well when I reserve the date it's because I have a signed contract and a down payment for the event. At that point I have the necessities such as time, date and location. Somewhere usually about a month prior to the event I give the customer the opportunity to provide more details by sending them a planner...if they don't, that's alright too...to fulfill the contract we have the necessary information. With the planning details it makes our job a bit easier at the event as we're already prepared with special songs, but we can fly by the seat if we need to. Some clients don't want to fuss...some want to manage every aspect. Either is ok. We've done enough events to make it successful. If the client doesn't respond to the planning ahead of time we simply bring a blank planner along to the event and fill out details as we find out.

Currently I have a May 11 wedding client who wants to go over their event details by phone meeting, but hasn't been able to connect with me yet during business hours. I'd offer to talk at home but I wouldn't have the paperwork to be prepared to discuss it....

If you prefer a different method of operations why is your 'partner' doing it? Who holds the contract? Yeah, we know the answer to that, no need to reply.
 
well when I reserve the date it's because I have a signed contract and a down payment for the event. At that point I have the necessities such as time, date and location. Somewhere usually about a month prior to the event I give the customer the opportunity to provide more details by sending them a planner...if they don't, that's alright too...to fulfill the contract we have the necessary information. With the planning details it makes our job a bit easier at the event as we're already prepared with special songs, but we can fly by the seat if we need to. Some clients don't want to fuss...some want to manage every aspect. Either is ok. We've done enough events to make it successful. If the client doesn't respond to the planning ahead of time we simply bring a blank planner along to the event and fill out details as we find out.

Currently I have a May 11 wedding client who wants to go over their event details by phone meeting, but hasn't been able to connect with me yet during business hours. I'd offer to talk at home but I wouldn't have the paperwork to be prepared to discuss it....

If you prefer a different method of operations why is your 'partner' doing it? Who holds the contract? Yeah, we know the answer to that, no need to reply.
No I made up the contract. It's just that in this case he was contracted about doing the event instead of me. They couldn't contact me because they don't know how to reach me. So this is on him.
 
No I made up the contract. It's just that in this case he was contracted about doing the event instead of me. They couldn't contact me because they don't know how to reach me. So this is on him.
how did you make up a contract without having their contact information? ie. information by which you could contact them through to get the other details you want that your partner feels is unnecessary.
 
As many have said...you need the basic info, simply to fill out the contract.
That should be enough to get the ball rolling.
If you DON'T have enough info to fill out the contract, you don't HAVE a contract!

If you are looking to get MORE information about DOING the event...

1- Make some form of "Information Sheet(s)".
Mine are four pages long and handles everything from names to be introduced, to the timeline, to the music selections, to the special dances, to the start/end/load-in times, to what I would like for dinner!

2- Once you have them made, you can send them to every client once the booking is confirmed. Just ask to have them returned to you no later that one week prior to the event.

3- If you partner books the events, just get the client's email address so you can send the forms. Tell your partner that you'll handle the event details. He will probably enjoy not having to do it himself.

4- In the end, Mix... it really seems like he is getting more out of this arrangement than you are...
and he's doing less of the work!
 
I see you're missing the point. I don't know who this person is. My partner knows this person. So I can't do a thing till he tells me something. Now I hope you understand all.
 
I see you're missing the point. I don't know who this person is. My partner knows this person. So I can't do a thing till he tells me something. Now I hope you understand all.
If it's a "partnership", then your partner has the right to execute a contract on the both of your's behalf .. if it's not up to YOUR standards, you have the right to dissolve the partnership. Otherwise, you are bound by them .. complete info or not.
 
I see you're missing the point. I don't know who this person is. My partner knows this person. So I can't do a thing till he tells me something. Now I hope you understand all.

If you are partners, I assume you are also FRIENDS.
Is there some reason you can't just ASK YOUR FRIEND to give you the contact name?
If he is holding back on you...perhaps Steve has the right idea
 
I see you're missing the point. I don't know who this person is. My partner knows this person. So I can't do a thing till he tells me something. Now I hope you understand all.
but you said YOU MADE THE CONTRACT.
The contract should have all of the information by which to contact the client to obtain further information.
 
but you said YOU MADE THE CONTRACT.
The contract should have all of the information by which to contact the client to obtain further information.
I DON'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL CLIENT OR THE DETAILS OF THE EVENT. So how can I fill in anything for the contract? I said it before I don't know who this person is, my partner knows this person.

I talked it over with a friend of mine that sold me the speakers and he said to not sweat it, it's his event to do. I'm just driving, taking pictures and video and let it go. He said he's the one who will look bad. I disagree since we're working together.

I got to get ready to go but I got to say this. The last job we did in January he didn't find out until 2 or 3 days where the event was going to be and he had the time for the event wrong. He told me it was to be from 6-10pm and it was 6-11pm. Didn't find this out until we're already working the event.

Would you say something or just keep your mouth shut?
 
I DON'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL CLIENT OR THE DETAILS OF THE EVENT. So how can I fill in anything for the contract? I said it before I don't know who this person is, my partner knows this person.
I just do gigs on my own get rid of the lame partner
I talked it over with a friend of mine that sold me the speakers and he said to not sweat it, it's his event to do. I'm just driving, taking pictures and video and let it go. He said he's the one who will look bad. I disagree since we're working together.

I got to get ready to go but I got to say this. The last job we did in January he didn't find out until 2 or 3 days where the event was going to be and he had the time for the event wrong. He told me it was to be from 6-10pm and it was 6-11pm. Didn't find this out until we're already working the event.

Would you say something or just keep your mouth shut?
 
Let me say this. When a potential client contacts me I have 6 basic questions. What type of event it's going to be, where is the event to take place, what time is the event (that's so I get to know how many hours is the event), the date of the event how many people are expected to attend the event and what styles of music do you want at the event.

This so I can get a feel to see if I want to do the event before we talk about a price.
 
Mix What percent of the fee do you get paid? Do you claim that % on your income tax?
 
I DON'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL CLIENT OR THE DETAILS OF THE EVENT. So how can I fill in anything for the contract? I said it before I don't know who this person is, my partner knows this person.

So you DON'T have a contract.

I talked it over with a friend of mine that sold me the speakers and he said to not sweat it, it's his event to do. I'm just driving, taking pictures and video and let it go. He said he's the one who will look bad. I disagree since we're working together.

If you're not part of the entertainment it doesn't sound like this is your gig.

I got to get ready to go but I got to say this. The last job we did in January he didn't find out until 2 or 3 days where the event was going to be and he had the time for the event wrong. He told me it was to be from 6-10pm and it was 6-11pm. Didn't find this out until we're already working the event.

Would you say something or just keep your mouth shut?

If you had a CONTRACT for the event, it would have a LOCATION, and if the client changed without notifying you, it would be their liability, not yours. Without a contract, you might be expected at a location in SOUTH DAKOTA. If you failed to show up you would be liable because of your handshake agreement, even if you didn't know ahead of time where the event would be. We need the location at the contract time because it's how we calculate our mileage. Some of our events can be $1500 in transportation alone....that's a significant impact on the bottom line for us and for our clients!

See a theme here? Use a contract!