The Wedding DJ Saga (this actually applies to all DJs)

Listen to Me and Respect Me

I have phoned tens of DJs in the past couple of days. First of all, please answer the phone. If you are unavailable to answer the phone, please have voicemail; I need to know that I have called the correct number. If your spouse answers the phone for you, please have them prepared to take down information - and please, call me back. If I leave a message asking for you to call back after 5pm, please don't call me at 11:30am or look up my phone number and email my DJ account (I'm trying to keep businesses and personal stuff separated, as are many prospective clients.)

Okay, now that we've gotten the phone situation down, let's discuss the conversation itself. Much of the time, I did not get enough of a word in to explain that I am a DJ and after the long rehearsed sales schpiel is over, I feel kinda funny mentioning it. Speaking of which, I'm not a child so please do not soften your voice and act happy. Also, consider listening to my plans for agenda and music before you push your own.

When we call up for information, we are looking at the price and what we are getting for that price. Don't get taken aback when we ask about your equipment or what kind of lights you offer. Don't get flustered when we say "Well, DJ B is offering something very similar for half the price. What makes you different?"

Also, don't sound nervous on the phone. Use a normal, adult phone voice and remember that we are listening for whether you would make a great MC.

Most importantly, listen to me and respect me. Listening comes from the fact that as individuals, we are all different. We have different ideas for our weddings. Listen to what we want and don't push format or your own ideas right off the bat. Respect comes from the idea that you are speaking to an adult who is inquiring about your services.

This was borrowed from a local competitors site.........


thats my DJ. You made the wedding fun as hell. I didn't expect the DJ to bring a Beer Bong to a wedding, but it was a huge hit."


Lol, ask your prospective DJ's if they supply the beer bong!!!

Please let us know what the 'winning' answers are. Not to be a smart a$$, but here's how I'd answer you questions.

#1 - My background is in aircraft engineering.
#2 - What do I do outside DJ'ing? I like to ride my mountain bike, listen to live music and spend time with my family.
#3 - What can I do that other DJ can't? I can do magic tricks.

So, am I in the running?

If those answers aren't good enough for you, then forget me not being your DJ, you ain't my kind of client.

Respectfully submitted for your thoughts.

As for what makes me different? My personality.

what is your budget?

What makes us different? Customer service. Yes, we have top quality equipment. Yes we bring back up equipment. Yes, we dress and act professionally, but so do a lot of companies.

The difference is we will take the time to find out what you are looking for, make the planning portion as easy on you as possible and then want you to relax, enjoy the evening and let us make it happen the way you want. You can make changes to your planner at any time from any computer, but you can also call or email us at any time if you'd like pointers or suggestions.

Besides that, we will be excellent at reading the crowd. In addition to your requests, we'll know what to play and when. Most DJs have a lot of music today, but some don't know different genres and know how and when to mix them up. We'll certainly take requests from your guests, but we won't just blindly play any request if it's not appropriate. However, that does not apply to you and your fiance. It's your day and you get whatever you'd like.

I'm in the process of revamping my entire website.

The "How are you different" is going to be the first item on my FAQ page.

Here's what I say:

How are you different from other Disc Jockey Entertainers?

Many DJs put on such an elaborate show, that they make themselves the center of attention. I feel doing so will take too much attention away from the guests of honor. While I encourage party guests to have a good time, I do it in a low-key, behind-the-scenes sort of way.

Even when I am acting as your Master of Ceremonies, I keep the focus on you. I always remember that I am not the star of your show.

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DJ J Mac said:

This has to be the biggest annoyance that I've come across in this search. The number of DJs who say the same thing on their website, on the phone or in e-mails they send.

We understand that every DJ worth a dime has professional equipment, is a capable MC, can do lighting, will play the music that we want, has references, etc. BUT when they're asked the question what sets them apart from everyone else we've called, none of them can answer that question.
?

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I have to let you know that I started a thread about this very thing in this and other forums.

In this forum of over 1000 members, only 8 or 9 could answer the questiion.

Wishing you luck though!

What makes me different? I have a lot of fun and it shows.

young...

I have had that question asked and I have a hard time answering it. Why?

Because I don't see other DJs in action. I tell them that straight out. I let them ask questions. I don't give a sales pitch. After they are done asking questions I will hit on some things that they might have missed but I never have had a "Big" pitch.

When I a booked sometimes I get asked if I know any good DJs. I tell them the same thing. I don't see any other DJs because we work the same days.

Best of luck finding the right DJ for your wedding.

Karl

Karl -

No offense, but that sounds like a cop-out.

Don't you network? Aren't you a member of an association? Don't you talk to other DJs in your area?

Heck, just from what you've seen of other DJs here on ODJT, can't you come up with an estimate of things you do that most other DJs don't do?

Talk to my agent -- I am an entertainer, not a salesman.

IMHO, too many DJs these days are used car salesman, and not concentrating enough on the entertaining part. Far to worried about the contract, than they are about their style and performance.


I get the same silly calls about my software -- "Why is yours better than PCDJ, or VirtualDJ?". I tell them I have no clue, I just write it. Theirs may be better for your particular application, or mine might. Do your research -- I'm not in business to do it for you.


Any decent entertainer will have a promo DVD, or packet, that shows off their talents. If one is confident in their abilities, there is no need to sell oneself in person or on the phone -- the product or service speaks for itself.


Shop for clothes -- choose your entertainer...

Dave Miller said:

Karl -

No offense, but that sounds like a cop-out.

Don't you network? Aren't you a member of an association? Don't you talk to other DJs in your area?

Heck, just from what you've seen of other DJs here on ODJT, can't you come up with an estimate of things you do that most other DJs don't do?

Click to expand...

So when was the last time you seen another DJ in action at a wedding? Me, it has been probably 5 years.

I personally know maybe 2 of the DJs on these chat boards and have never seen them at a wedding. I have no idea what they do or how they do it. So I can not tell them why I am better. Same as Rick, I don't know that I am better. Why lie to them.

To you it is a cop out. To me, it is the truth.

As to estimating things I do that others don't, no I cannot. Everyone has great set up pick but also everyone always posts the "Full dance floor all night" gig reports. No one ever posts the "Man, no one was dancing and I couldn't figure it out" gig reports. We all have them. If you say you don't, you are not telling the truth.

You fill their heads with what ever you want. I will stick to the truth.

What makes me different...

I don't care if you book me or not, I will be working that day taking somebody's money for "pushing play" for 4 hours. Will it be your money I take, maybe, I don't really care.

DJ Mac and Ducky,

I have several questions.

Why are you interested in what a DJ does outside of the parameters of his Job "DJing"?

What does my interest in furniture building and woodwork have to do with my ability to DJ your event?

What can I tell you about my work outside of DJing? Nothing because DJing is my livelyhood!

I agree that a prospective DJ should have a presense on the phone, if you like a baratone voice then you will probably like mine! If you like a Southern accent you will probably like my voice. If you want a Tenor voice with a New York Accent then I also have the DJ for you. If you want a Female DJ with a low husky voice and a non accent then I still have the DJ for you! If you don't then you probably will continue looking for another DJ.

If you want an "old" "fat" and "male" DJ I am the one you are looking for, If you want young, skinny, male DJ I offer that as well, If you want a young full figured female DJ I can offer you that too, if not then you probably would want to find another DJ!

As far as what set's one DJ apart from another well there is only one thing that does that, "the perception of the client and the people for whom he is DJing"!

One client may despise the mouthy DJ while the next one may love him!

Dave Miller said:

Karl -

No offense, but that sounds like a cop-out.

Don't you network? Aren't you a member of an association? Don't you talk to other DJs in your area?

Heck, just from what you've seen of other DJs here on ODJT, can't you come up with an estimate of things you do that most other DJs don't do?

Click to expand...

Dave,

No offense, but please tell me the things you do that makes you different from me when it comes to DJing!

Exactly how are you different? Please don't give an answer that is the same as everyone elses!

Also as in Karl's question! just how many of the DJ's in your association and or network have you seen perform at a wedding?

I can't tell you if I'm better than the next guy. I don't go out and shop the competition. Every DJ is different...personality, style, pricing etc.

All I can do is set up a meeting and see if my wife and I mesh with the potential client. For the most part...we usually hit it off.

Most of our business comes from referrals, being on vendor referral lists or people seeing us in action... we're fortunate in this sense.