Thank You Peter Merry!

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Hank Davidson said:
You see, that's simply not true. You're generalizing based on hearsay.

I am not usually a $500 DJ, but if some couple called me about having their wedding at the local VFW on a small budget, you can bet that they will get my "A" game just like the rest.

Why is it necessary to be hurtful while being prideful?
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I don't call it hurtful, I call it truthful.
Client's appreciate & are willing to pay more for the personalized service, hand-holding, Etc. as apposed to handling everythng over the phone/online forms.

It's been proven by many. Personalized service in the wedding market is the way to go for a more successful event.
 
Bill Kexel said:
I don't call it hurtful, I call it truthful.
Client's appreciate & are willing to pay more for the personalized service, hand-holding, Etc. as apposed to handling everythng over the phone/online forms.

It's been proven by many. Personalized service in the wedding market is the way to go for a more successful event.
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That's not the comparison you first made. You implied that a $500 DJ does not do those things. That's a dig and not true.
 
I personally prefer face to face but its truly up to my clients and having said that to each his own. I am hoping this doesnt end up turning into a copy of the past Karaoke Kronicles. We have exhausted this topic nearly once a yr forever and it ends up the same old story. Im sure the new folks can check out archives if they want to recap the results.
 
Thhere ya go Sarge. What was thinkin folks have at it. Make sure ya all clean up after yourselves that sandbox sand tracks everywhere.
 
Steve LeBlanc said:
Patrick - you can't deny that meeting face to face offers the opportunity to sell one value; that opportunity, I think, lends itself to perhaps a higher rate?
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Actually, I can complete deny that.

This past week, we booked out highest priced event yet (a wedding for next year). It took a total of 17 minutes from the time the initial email inquiry came in until we get the contract sent to us. We were able to answer every one of the brides questions, give her our references from other clients (via the survey form through DJ Intelligence), show her past event pics (via our photo gallery on FB) and show her a demo of our lights (via the videos we have up on youtube).

Now please tell me, what would have driving 50 miles to meet her to show her the same thing changed? Outside of costing us the time and gas to do it, not one thing.

Oh, and BTW, it was all done on my phone while I was sitting at a booth in Fridays.

Sorry guys, but I don't think just because some bride read a book on how to get raped on price means we have the right to do it to her.
 
Where Do I Start?

bestdjinfl said:
Wow! inIn the past two weeks, I have booked 2 very nice weddings, @each at $1750.00. each Both brides had read Peter's book, The Best Wedding Reception Ever, and Both knew [learned] the importance of a true professional entertainer. One bride, Melanie Saxson, in fact almost booked a local company for $400.00. She then read However, after reading Peter's book and made some calls to calling some of the vendors she will be using, and of course my name came up.
[new thought, new paragraph]

Anyway weWe met yesterday and it was so pleasant to have an educated bride. whatWhat a great meeting!. I emphasisedemphasized to her when it comes to music and sound alone myself and the $400 guy may sound the same BUT that is where the similiarities end. [This sentence is too poor to fix and needs to be rewritten.] I expalinedexplained how the way I play the music, and what I say on the mic, and what I do for extra entertainment and customization. From the personal meetings, to fully scripted and customized intros, etc.[fragment]
[new thought, new paragraph]

She loved [appreciated] that I came out to meet her and that she didn't have to do it all online like the other company wanted to doas she would have with the other company. Her main issue[concern] iswas that she just didn't want someone who just[only] played music. She wanted someone who could bring her wedding to life. Peter's book is awesome and can really elevate your income level. Peter, thanks so much!!
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Wow! You are lucky there was no email correspondence involved, or you would have kissed that $3500 in revenue goodbye.

Within this "awesome" book, is there any mention of the importance of mastering professional or business writing? Spelling, grammar, punctuation, word usage, sentence structure - all are topics taught in elementary school. There is a saying that "practice makes perfect." I recommend that all posters on this forum practice proper grammar and accurate spelling (5th grade level minimum), so that when the real educated bride approaches you for a wedding, she won't walk away laughing.
 
Papa see below

Papa Deuce said:
I'm no giant fan of meetings, but it is part of the game for weddings. And I could do all my stuff online, but have chosen not to. I just do my music list. Oh Papa; A personal face to face meeting will not only let you sell yourself and shine but give the clients peace of mind. Would you buy a house without looking at it?

It's good to see that some brides don't want to do it all online.

BTW, I agree with Steve... you sold you.
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Bill Kexel said:
I don't call it hurtful, I call it truthful.
Client's appreciate & are willing to pay more for the personalized service, hand-holding, Etc. as apposed to handling everythng over the phone/online forms.

It's been proven by many. Personalized service in the wedding market is the way to go for a more successful event.
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Bill very well said.
 
Gentleman;
Many undervalue the value of face-to-face consultations and peace of mind. We preach how important the entertainment is at a Wedding yet many just want to show up and play music. My view is ANYONE can show up and play music. I am selling something that all good salesman can sell.... Peace of mind! Peace of mind alone can help you get the $$$$ you have aspired to get.
Steve;
Yes I am what some would call a part timer (With 20 years, 600 weddings under my belt, and various entertainment jobs). As a part timer my average wedding is $1150. I do anywhere from 30-36 weddings a year (That's all I want) and this year will have grossed roughly $40K as a part timer. :) I know of some local full time jocks that have to do 80 weddings to get that :) and they are self proclaimed Full Timers :)
 
patrickrlewis said:
Actually, I can complete deny that.

This past week, we booked out highest priced event yet (a wedding for next year). It took a total of 17 minutes from the time the initial email inquiry came in until we get the contract sent to us. We were able to answer every one of the brides questions, give her our references from other clients (via the survey form through DJ Intelligence), show her past event pics (via our photo gallery on FB) and show her a demo of our lights (via the videos we have up on youtube).

Now please tell me, what would have driving 50 miles to meet her to show her the same thing changed? Outside of costing us the time and gas to do it, not one thing.

Oh, and BTW, it was all done on my phone while I was sitting at a booth in Fridays.

Sorry guys, but I don't think just because some bride read a book on how to get raped on price means we have the right to do it to her.
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Patrick - with all due respect, what is your highest rate and how does it compare with other services?

Have you read the book? I can't believe I'm defending Peter Merry.

The book has value in that it tells brides what to look for and that you should be prepared to pay a reasonable price for professional service.

If your going to get body work done on your car , do you take it to the hillbilly that works out of the barn, while the cattle are in it and charges 10 bucks an hour?
 
DJ Ducky said:
Wow! You are lucky there was no email correspondence involved, or you would have kissed that $3500 in revenue goodbye.

Within this "awesome" book, is there any mention of the importance of mastering professional or business writing? Spelling, grammar, punctuation, word usage, sentence structure - all are topics taught in elementary school. There is a saying that "practice makes perfect." I recommend that all posters on this forum practice proper grammar and accurate spelling (5th grade level minimum), so that when the real educated bride approaches you for a wedding, she won't walk away laughing.
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Ducky - do you carry this critical attitude with you to every client meeting?

By the way it's; Anyway, we.....not Anyway We as you have mistakenly pointed out......better go back to the books,

What one types out on a chat form does not equate to what one conveys to a client.
 
Steve LeBlanc said:
Ducky - do you carry this critical attitude with you to every client meeting?

By the way it's; Anyway, we.....not Anyway We as you have mistakenly pointed out......better go back to the books,

What one types out on a chat form does not equate to what one conveys to a client.
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Steve, I would highly suggest you go back and take another look at her post in regards to how the corrections are made. She is still correct. You are correct as well in regards to another way the correction could have been made. Regardless of which correction is used, the original post is still incorrect.

Spelling and grammatical errors, regardless of where they are written, will always undermind the message that is being presented.
 
Jmac; The issue is I see this as a veiled "slap in the face" to Ray; His post here on ODJT has nothing to do with the subject at hand....yet Ducky chose to dissect it in what I thought was an attempt to discredit the OP.....

as an aside, you would be shocked to learn what isn't tought in elementary school any more...............
 
I have a meeting today where on the original call, I had to tell them that they could not come watch me at a wedding. I was surprised they even wanted to meet after that because the bride said her fiance wants to see the DJ in action and asked when they could come and "peek in" on me.

Meetings are not always needed, I offer to meet with every couple that inquired. Some take me up on it, others don't. Some that know me or have seen me usually don't want a meeting before booking.

But here is the big thing. You should always meet face to face to plan things. At least 1 time. Planning over the phone or online works, but when you get to see reactions, hear their voice when explaining things about their big night, you get a better sense of what they like and dislike.
 
If your going to get body work done on your car , do you take it to the hillbilly that works out of the barn, while the cattle are in it and charges 10 bucks an hour?
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NOPE! I'm going to go buy a book, read all 240 pages and then take it to an ASE certified mechanic! :trismug:
 
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