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

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Mr. K said:
But the bottom line is that I am absolutely honest. And I don't think that everybody here is being totally honest with everybody else, or even themselves.!!
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I am as honet as they come my friend.:sqwink:

Mr. K said:
You can say that you are unique, but if you have to go into great detail convincing others that you are unique, then you probably aren't. Or, maybe you are not being transparent enough.
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We all convince our clients that we are unique in some fashion during their hiriing process, or we wouldn't get their business. Bottom line. I mentioned one thing about my service that CLIENTS HAVE TOLD ME helped contribute to their deciding to hire me and that THEY THOUGHT was different than others they had interviewed. Appaerently, this answer was not deemed "sufficient" by the committe.

Mr. K said:
Too many people here have nothing to show, yet plenty to say.
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I merely answered the initial question that started the thread off and had to go back through it explaniing the answer ad nauseum. My responses trying to satisfy the questions of others being "too much to say" is the fault of those asking the questions and refusing to accept explanations given.[/QUOTE]

Mr. K said:
Show us the money! And keep it fresh, like I just did in the last exclamation!!
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There's nothing to show. I have already explained one thing that I think makes me different (the original question that was aksed) and pointed out that prospective and previous clients find/found unique about my offering as well.

Again, not so much a difference in what is done, but in how its done. I cannot help it if some people don't understand or don't want to accept that subtle disctintion.
 
Sounds To Go:

First, you are darned lucky that my last name is not Durio.

Second, I was not singling you out; however, the fact that you personally responded to my comments tells me a great deal.

Third, I am merely regurgitating words that I have ejaculated upon these boards numerous times...

...because, fourth, I am a malcontent who posts here just because I hate this place and everybody else in it...

...just ask PP
 
Mr. K said:
Sounds To Go:

First, you are darned lucky that my last name is not Durio.

Second, I was not singling you out; however, the fact that you personally responded to my comments tells me a great deal.

Third, I am merely regurgitating words that I have ejaculated upon these boards numerous times...

...because, fourth, I am a malcontent who posts here just because I hate this place and everybody else in it...

...just ask PP
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Mr. K said:
First, you are darned lucky that my last name is not Durio.
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Who is Durio, and why should I be trembling? lol

Mr. K said:
Second, I was not singling you out; however, the fact that you personally responded to my comments tells me a great deal.
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Reading back at your post, I can see where it can be read as a general blanket response, and if I was mistaken in my interpretation, I ask you to go back and re-read the post from my vantage-point at the time... being hounded on one side and downright attacked personally and professionally on the other, and you could see how I interpreted to post as being aimed towards me directly.

It read exactly like another member of the old-guard swooping down on the prey-of-the-moment. My apologies if I assumed the wrong context or read into your post what wasn't intended.

Mr. K said:
Third, I am merely regurgitating words that I have ejaculated upon these boards numerous times...
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Whatever trips your trigger!

Mr. K said:
...because, fourth, I am a malcontent who posts here just because I hate this place and everybody else in it...
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Sorry to hear that!

Mr. K said:
Reason: error in syntax ... and I hate you
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Yeah.... that's cute. :sqlaugh:
 
Sounds To Go said:
This is just plain rude. I don't see the need for insults here, and I certainbly haven't spoken ill of anyone else here or claimed superiority. I know enough about what I am doing to have a list of satisfied clients, and I have never been dishonest with anyone anywhere, other dj's or clients, as to my level of experience or years in business, what I have experience doing, etc.

And I never tried to convince anyone here I was "better." The question was, "What is the DIFFERENCE." I simply explained what the difference is.

As for willingness to learn, did you not read in my very first post that I welcomed exchanging planners and processes with others here so I could improve what I have? Did you not read that I welcome constructive cristicisms from others?

Scroll up. Those things are there, so it's best we don't go around making assumptions or saying someone thinks they are above question or improvement when they aren't.
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well is that mean I aint straight laced and tell the truch of what I see!!
thats why I can blow my own horn and say one thing after another
that is what I use to do years and years ago.....

so what we are all Dj's some just do the job better than others can, so what
is that mean we are all the same but different ? - so what!!

you have to convice others at a level that is truely different to what 99.95% of what others do here on ODJT

now you didnt tell anyone how long you been Djing for so that also may help others reply to see how much you really know about djing ?
(thunder) Steve will want to know also

so I dont thgink that you should go off saying thats an insult, it maybe but its the truth at what I see it in the world as a Dj isnt doing this for 30 years nothing I havent learnt (and still learning) enough looks like it isnt
see thats why I say unless you have dont this for say 200 years you will NEVER know how to be a top Dj as there is always something new that you have no idea about and wouldnt know about untill you have learnt it

then you can say you are 100% different to any other Dj thats alive

sorry you feel that way but when I start you get the truth shown
 
DjDennis said:
you have to convice others at a level that is truely different to what 99.95% of what others do here on ODJT
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We don't have to convince each other here of ANYTHING!

Like I said before, the original question was framed from the customer's standpoint. I will quote the original post here to freshen everyone's memory:

_________________

The Question
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. All we hear is how many years they've been doing it, or they go into more detail about their equipment and how professional they are. I'm sorry, but if "DJ A" can't tell me what makes them truly different from "DJ B" then why should I pay any attention to "DJ A?"

I personally want to know what is your background, what do you do outside of being a DJ, what is that one thing that you can bring to the table that no other DJ in your area can bring?

It's been my experience so far that the DJs who are staying on our list of possibilities are the ones who can answer the question, what makes you different?
_________________

This is a prospective CLIENT asking us as dj's "what makes you different." The replies given in answer and response to this post should be framed by us as we would respond to the client!

I explained what I market as a differentiating point between myself and others in my area. Not, as Thunder keeps interpreting, "I have a wedding planner," but "I have a wedding planning process that is a lot more detail oriented than some."

Do I "do what other dj's do?" Yes. BUT, a subtle difference can be found in the tools and process I use to do it. That's all. No it's not "stand-out" or flashy for other dj's, but it shouldn't be hard to understand as an answer, and honestly I really don't give a *blank* if it matters as "a difference" to other dj's here, because it matters as a difference to my clients, and it's their value judgments that matter. I don't come here looking for validation.

We seem to have forgotten that initial context here since my first post - the question was asked as a consumer, so I answered AS I WOULD ANSWER a consumer, not as I would answer other dj's here on ODJT.

DjDennis said:
now you didnt tell anyone how long you been Djing for
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Well it's no closely guarded secret. My website is in my profile, and anyone who was genuinely interested could readily find out - the year I started is right on my homepage for all (yes, even clients) to see.

Should I just state it here, though I suspect the answer is just going to be used as ammo against me for some reason? I started dj'ing in 2004.

DjDennis said:
so that also may help others reply to see how much you really know about djing?
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"How much I really know about dj'ing" is irrelevant to this thread we are in. I answered the original question as is was posted. 20+ yrs of experience is not required to do that.

DjDennis said:
see thats why I say unless you have dont this for say 200 years you will NEVER know how to be a top Dj as there is always something new that you have no idea about and wouldnt know about untill you have learnt it
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I neer said I was a top dj, and I know I have a lot to learn, that's why Im here! :sqlaugh: I never said I didn't have anything to learn, and I came right out above and said openly I wanted to learn. Just seems like some people jumped right into the heat of battle and didn't slow down long enough to see that part!:sqrolleyes:

DjDennis said:
then you can say you are 100% different to any other Dj thats alive
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I never said I was 100% different, and I never would. That would be silly.

DjDennis said:
sorry you feel that way but when I start you get the truth shown
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You're a good guy Dennis, I can tell!


*NOTE TO ALL* This will be my last post in this thread. I have already contributed what I see as an appropriate response to Mac and Ducky's initial question. Anyone genuinely interested in continuing can PM me. I don't want to be held responsible for the continuing degradation, or complete derailing of this thread. :)
 
ok then - HAVE A NICE DAY
 
Justin,

My post were not meant to put you down just get you to think about what you were saying.

To be honest there are 100's of DJs who have said the exact same things on these online boards.

Personally I have had very few clients ever ask me what I do outside of DJing (what's your other job?) in fact my only answer would have to be "DJing"! I like the fact that you think you are different from all the other DJs because honestly everyone is.

But your post came across as an RB, PM, MF, type of post about how special you are. And those types of braggart post generally gets a response on these boards!
 
Thunder said:
Justin,

My post were not meant to put you down just get you to think about what you were saying.

To be honest there are 100's of DJs who have said the exact same things on these online boards.

Personally I have had very few clients ever ask me what I do outside of DJing (what's your other job?) in fact my only answer would have to be "DJing"! I like the fact that you think you are different from all the other DJs because honestly everyone is.

But your post came across as an RB, PM, MF, type of post about how special you are. And those types of braggart post generally gets a response on these boards!
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It's all good man. I appreciate your response. As for "full-time," I am an account manager for an internet advertising company:)

It's not that I think I'm "special," I just answered the question about what I feel (based as much on what my clients tell me) makes my process a little different. I do it enthusiastically (maybe TOO enthusiastically if it was received negatively) because I do take a certain amount of pride in what I have worked up, and the fact that it serves me and my clients well. I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with that. I developed my entire planning process from scratch by compiling things from books and other dj's sites online, not by talking to other djs or on forums, so it is largely a creation of my own that has grown to what it is primarily because I revise, add to, and change it up every time I SCREW UP* (see below) on something, and I modify my process and the materials I use to make sure that same mistakes doesn't happen again. The result is very detailed, almost cluttered, but seems to work for me and the effort and detail is appreciated by my clients. Forgive me if I take a *little* bit of pride in my process, as do we all.

If I came across as a "braggart," I apologize. I just feel as if I provided a legitimate answer and it was being run through the ringer:)

If we're talking about something you bring that other services don't, that is almost nichey and specialized, I could say that I offer a very extensive collection of Big Band/Swing music and Popular Standards from the 20's through the 50's. Probably more extensive than any other local service (uh oh.... "BRAGGART AGAIN:)") But who knows! My collection in these genres has brought me a handful of specialized and non-specialized events as well as themed gigs since I started advertising it, and I guess you could say it makes me "different." But thats a difference that would only really qualify for someone looking for those types of music. In my response before I was trying to point out a difference that would actually be recognized by and be beneficial to all of my wedding clients.

*Primary example of this would be a wedding where the couple was from out of state so I never even met them or their family who were all from out of town until the wedding day. Well, turns out that not only were the groom's parents an interracial couple, but they were divorced as well... and I did not know this:) The father had come up and introduced himself to me, so I knew who he was, and later on when it was time for the Mother Son dance... (like you can't see this one coming...) let's just say I introduced not only the wrong person, but the wrong ethnicity as well... I had said the mother's name and pointed to the woman the father was obvious there with and married to! You get the picture:) Everyone there, parents included just laughed it off as if it was something they ran into every day (probably is for that matter), but I changed up my planning materials immediately after that to collect not only parent's names, but who they will be present with, all names of step-parents, all sibling and grandparents present, etc. This is just one example of a "blow it" on my part where I had to modify my process accordingly:) I've had a lot of lessons like that hard-learned on-the-spot, so if I sound proud of the fact that I have learned from them and come up with ways to prevent them, I can't really help that!
 
What a read this is........I'm in Massachusetts however I have not had a prospective client looking for Greek music, however my girl teams up with me for weddings, I run the box, she does the announcing. So I'm not the lucky DJ.

A whole lot of good points here. Massachusetts has a bunch of multi-op's with flashy websites and ga-ga references, bottom feeders with ear-bleeding equipment telling all who will listen that they will beat anyone's quote by 15%, and on and on. Then there are part-time DJ's like me who DO care, and have great gear, great lighting and personality somewhere in the middle. I do not list pricing on my site, and never will.

I'm a technical guy. I spent more than I should on equipment, provide backup and sweat the details. I'll meet in person or by phone with clients as many times as reasonably possible to get it right by them. They are my boss....it is a service we provide.......I can't forget that. I DO feel out wedding couples, and if the "bridezilla" bell starts ringing in my head, I pass. Those that do book, get my complete 100% effort.

In my area of Massachusetts, most folks could give two sh*ts about equipment quality. No one ever asks about backup, or whether the music is licensed......it's all about price. Gets frustrating sometimes however every gig I do usually gets me 2 more.

I'm not much for arguing in forums, I see value in some way in practically every post in this thread. As DJ's selling a service IMHO flexibility is a must.

Regardless, I hope "ducky" has a great wedding and the DJ lives up to expectations set.

Best,

Paul
 
beemer said:
I'll meet in person or by phone with clients as many times as reasonably possible to get it right by them.
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Good luck with that! I prefer a streamlined process (using the wedj Gigbuilder to plan, then meet one time for 45 minutes face to face). That's how I'm able to keep my rates under $1k.

Unlimited Consult is a great sales tool, but its not something brides want or need!

(My couples tell me that they only want to meet ONE time if possible)
 
DJMC said:
Good luck with that! I prefer a streamlined process (using the wedj Gigbuilder to plan, then meet one time for 45 minutes face to face). That's how I'm able to keep my rates under $1k.

Unlimited Consult is a great sales tool, but its not something brides want or need!

(My couples tell me that they only want to meet ONE time if possible)
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Yeah, but, if you have an unlimited consult policy it still sets you apart. My bottom line is that I have it but it is hardly ever used. They use DJEP, we have a finalization, and then we knock their socks off at the wedding.
 
DJMC said:
Good luck with that! I prefer a streamlined process (using the wedj Gigbuilder to plan, then meet one time for 45 minutes face to face). That's how I'm able to keep my rates under $1k.

Unlimited Consult is a great sales tool, but its not something brides want or need!

(My couples tell me that they only want to meet ONE time if possible)
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Usually one meeting and E-mail get it done. My website was done by me, the chief bottle-washer, chauffeur, roadie, mechanic, business manager and all-around jack of all trades. I don't have DJ intelligence or other add-ons, I'd like to.....however the amount of business I'm doing now does not justify the cost.

Like I said, if she seems to me to possibly be the bride from hell, I pass at the first meeting.

Best,

Paul
 
DJ Ducky said:
Maybe I am the bride from Hell, or maybe I should just become the DuckZilla that people want me to be! :evil7: Maybe I can get the camera crew from the WE channel to feature me on their Bridezillas show. :D
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I do not believe you are........any questions couples want answered are valid when I interview, however that's the way I like to handle it. Best to you with your wedding in Danvers, and I hope the DJ you hired exceeds your expectations.


Best,

Paul
 
Beemer,
What area are you from?

Ducky,
Who did you end up hiring?

Just curious on both questions.
 
What makes me special and why do people book me??

Oh it could be....

1) I dont sugarcoat the business, I am honest with my clients on what they can honestly expect from our services.

2) I know where I stand in the DJ world, "I'm not the best, I'm not the worst!" I know I will do a good job and fill your expectations.

3) I am moderately priced...I'm not your bottom feeder, nor am I the guy who charges the most..because I can.



Its a very simple recipe if I am the right Dj......

Does the client understand my personality and how I will treat their event. It takes me less than 5 minutes of consultation for me to decide if I am the right DJ for their event. And it should be the same from your clients perspective. They either like you, or they dont! Make an lasting impression!


We are in a business of sales and services! Plain and simple! If you can't figure out your client in 5 minutes to make the sale, you are not finding the right answers and you are not turning the same pages with your clients. Why has this thread gone on for this many pages??

I bet if I had an event coming up, and I was calling the DJs on this forum, I could find 20 DJs or more who are capable to handle my event! Everyone of you DJs could tell me something that would be music to my ears, from a client standpoint. However, personally, I would base my recommendation of your personality. How did you handle my call? Did you make me laugh, did you make me think of things I didnt think of....what made you special??

My clients love that I am genuine and I am very honest! But is every client looking for that?? NO! The sole decision is in your clients, and if you are a good salesperson, you will figure out what to say to cue in on what your client wants. Of course, if you lie, and you can't deliver what you promise, you only hurt yourself.

There is no real answer to what sets you apart from other DJs, its what your clients perceive you as being different. Maybe your clients just want your service based on your personality! That would set you apart. Face it, every DJ is unique, however it just depends on your level of service, however you want to justify what is important.

I honestly couldnt tell you what makes me different, however I could tell you that I will deliver the services I promise, and you wont be disappointed. There is nothing that makes me different!
 
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