Overcoming an issue of credibility...

the only way I know is to get some work from other companies to get some experience under your belt.

Well I think it comes down to how you answer the question from a positive or negative emphasis, of your experience.

You can look @ 15 gigs as negative relative to 100.....however it is very positive relative to 3? Agreed? The glass is "half full or half empty"...in a nutshell.

A response like "I served my apprenticeship for 3 years and learned an awful lot, that was definitely the way to go for me; and have been on my own now for "X" years and loving it, I really enjoy what I do.

You have not lied, you "Emphasize the Positive De-Emphasize the Negative" that last part of your suggested statement shows enthusiasm for what you do.....that always goes a long way with any buyer of your services..........

The question...

"How much experience do you have" has never come up from a venue... but brides will sometimes ask.

If you talk about some of your positive experiences, the venue manager will assume you know what you're doing without asking. You demeanor will dictate if you get a second look or even get hired.

When you are interviewing with the hiring authority, act professional and that will carry you farther, than how long you've been doing this.

I have rehearsed a "script" that highlights my strengths. Work on what you intend to say (and get across) and stick to the script.

A good web presence will help too... people shop more and more online. I started with a basic website... had problems with my company name being negatively associated with (achem) porn... so changed it from Jokers Entertainment to Total Impact DJs got a url to match with a .com and also invested in using DJIntelligence along with DJWebmin... plus updated my website to be more appealing to brides and incorporated availability checkers, planners etc...

I've gone from 2 gigs in 2006 to 7 in 2007, I might have had more if I had made the company name and web changes sooner... but hindsight is 20/20. with word of mouth and my web presents I'm seeing a potential rise for 2008 maybe even a dramatic one if things go well.

Another thing that can help with web presence is recipricol links... some DJ centric sites with do recipricol links like wedj.com and since most of these guys have a very good web placement and ranking it helps to improve your ranking and get your site view'd sooner in the search engines... it takes time... and you will really want to look at your url closely... too short nobody knows what it is too long and your ranking goes down and it's hard for people to remember...

Once the gigs start coming give your best to each and even give them more than they have bargend (sp?) for... for example I did a reception where the ceremony was held at the same location... I noted that they were going to play the ceremony music from someones boombox... so I offered since I was already setup to play the music for them... it was no sweat off my back I was already there and had nothing to do for the hour long ceremony...

Another example I just did an Engagement party and brought my lights with me... didn't have to but it really did make for a very nice evening of dancing.

All of this adds up, your relationships with venues and consultants, web presents and of course, and probably most important your performance.

Bravo, to you guys for taking the time to help a new member out!

That's what ODJT is all about!

RustyKat : Just think of the numbers of DJs who use the approach of facility contact to grow their business. Then think of the mindset of these facility managers and sales people who are in a dog fight to keep their own businesses alive, the numbers of customers they are already dealing with PLUS developing new ones, and then to have another DJ pop on their doorsteps (along with a hundred photographers, videographers, florists, bakers, et al) also looking for the referrals.

Don't be too disappointed if they don't give you the time of day let alone an interview.

But, a smart tactical mind might just find a way to offer them a solution to one of their problems if you were "on their team". It requires homework in getting to know the achilles heel of their service or building, then focus on how they WILL benefit from you.

Two examples.

Are you insured? Send them your blanket liability coverage policy and the recommendation they should require this insurance from every vendor they deal with, thus their policy rates will decrease. You saved them money already. Use this as your door opener.

Do they have a huge cave of a building where no pro-audio system sounds any good? If you have the BOSE, arrange for an audition to show them that problem is erased, fixed, eliminated forever, and only by you. Use this as your door opener.

Just a different look at the norm.

(Note to OurDJTalk DJs in this area. I've already done this. You're too late!! )

I would suggest a few things that have helped me.

Network, join a local bridal association, bring business cards, dress professionally, and mingle. This puts you in a environment with catering and venue managers, of course, the other vendors, you never know where a referral will come from.

Put together a promotional information package, containing reference letters, information about your company, professional organizations that you belong to and a personal letter inside from you to the catering or banquet manager.

If you don't have any reference letters call people that you have worked for and ask if they would mind writing you one. Your promotional package should also look very professional have a "wow" factor.

Hope it helps.

The following has been my approach to getting into the biz:
I've targeted the school dances, these are usually held as fundraisers, therefore my current low rates help tremendously in booking these gigs. My age, 21, helps me be slightly more in touch with this age group. The teens really don't want to hear you on the mic, they just want the hottest tunes. In my opinion the school gigs are the best way to start out, as far as skills goes there's the least required, just be as friendly as possible to everyone at the event (students and faculty).

Once I get a few more months of school experience I plan to target the wedding industry, where I can command slightly higher rates. I'll have some DJ experience, my equipment is ample for school gigs which in turn translates to more than enough for a wedding. I also have a previous contact with a wedding planner at a venue in my area (I worked on the grounds crew and would often work up to 12 hours when I was going in for only 6 in order to help fill in gaps and extinguish the unexpected), so I'm crossing my fingers that I'll have an advantage there.

This is at least my dream world of how it works, how things actually pan out will remain to be seen.

Not trying to promote one service or the other but as far as your forms are concerend you may want to look into DJ Intelligence for that... they offer great ways of incorporating them into your site for your clients to use at their convienence...

I've coupled that with DJ Webmin to help in the Administrative portion of the business as well as a way to book new clients that call. It's a great way to build a data base and to maintain your customers profiles.

I consistantly make this suggestion to ALL event DJs, and especially the newer ones:

Go get a once weekly show at a bar.


1) You get paid less, but you are being PAID to advertise yourself and get exposure. Make sure you give out plenty of cards, and that these cards note that you are available for private events.


2) Though not neccesarily polishing "wedding" DJ, it will certainly help polish your technical skills, people skills, mic work, and all other DJ skills, as well as build confidence. DO IT!

Fake credibility would be no credibility, so simply start with an honest presentation of your present ability and past successes.

If you have 15 shows under your belt then pick out the references that most closley resemble the job you want to book and present those.

For example, you have to admit to both yourself and the prospect that a sweet 16 is not relevant to a wedding, and a retirement party is not relevant to a prom. Then you have to be ready to support the idea that you are capable enough to take on new challenges, and deomstrate why you other experience might add some unique benefit.

Use your other experience where it might add advantage:
Stress for example, that a DJ who only does school dances might not be a good choice for a wedding. But, a wedding DJ who also does many school dances will be more "hip" than the DJ who only does weddings, and a good choice for younger couples.

If you demonstrate a mature and honest understanding of your own limitations then people will feel more confident helping you expand those boundaries.

You also have to have a price that is comensurate with the risk and benefit of hiring you. If you are too low - you will undermine your credibility. But if you match or exceed the rate of reputable seasoned pros then you remove the incentive that would move a client to assume the risk of hiring you.