Value of associations like ADJA and NAME

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TheOlogee

DJ Extraordinaire
Dec 4, 2011
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Texas
www.idjdfw.com
Next month will mark our first calendar year in the biz since stopping in 2000. We had a good year and are working this month to update and plan for the next 12 months. My wife thought it would be good to join a pro organization for added credibility and continuous learning.

Association affiliation hasn't kept us from getting work so far. I don't see the value beyond a few discounts for things that could be negotiated one on one and frankly already have. I do not have time to attend chapter meetings as I still hold a full time job and travel occasionally. With respect to learning this board has been invaluable.

I'm sure these are fine organizations but want to make an informed decision before writing them off. Am I missing something?
 
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Next month will mark our first calendar year in the biz since stopping in 2000. We had a good year are working this month to update and plan for the next 12 months. My wife thought it would be good to join a pro organization for added credibility and continuous learning.

Association affiliation hasn't kept us from getting work so far. I don't see the value beyond a few discounts for things that could be negotiated one on one and frankly already have. I do not have time to attend chapter meetings as I still hold a full time job and travel occasionally. With respect to learning this board has been invaluable.

I'm sure these are fine organizations but want to make an informed decision before writing them off. Am I missing something?
Apart from looking nice on your resume, website, Business cards etc it is a great way to support your Industry. These associations are not borne to bring you business. It is not advertising. They help the Industry in many ways and if one is truly running a business, it is a Tax write off as a business expense. I see no negatives.
 
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Nope, you're not missing a thing. I joined the ADJA for one season. Went to some meetings. Made some friends and got snubbed from some of the others. The point that nailed it for me was one day when I was having lunch with one of the large multi-op players in town. He was just feeling me out and asked how many dates I normally work. When I told him "45 the first year and 56 this year." his eyes went wide open and he said "Well, that makes you top dog in the ADJA. Those guys average 15-18 per year and are always asking me for work." It got me to thinking, why would I pay several hundred per year in order to go network with guys that aren't getting it done? BTW, the ADJA chapter in Nashville folded last year.
 
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Nope, you're not missing a thing. I joined the ADJA for one season. Went to some meetings. Made some friends and got snubbed from some of the others. The point that nailed it for me was one day when I was having lunch with one of the large multi-op players in town. He was just feeling me out and asked how many dates I normally work. When I told him "45 the first year and 56 this year." his eyes went wide open and he said "Well, that makes you top dog in the ADJA. Those guys average 15-18 per year and are always asking me for work." It got me to thinking, why would I pay several hundred per year in order to go network with guys that aren't getting it done? BTW, the ADJA chapter in Nashville folded last year.
Not all Chapters are the same. If you were the Top Dog in the Chapter maybe you should have run for President of the Chapter and help to make a difference instead of dwelling on its shortcomings.
 
Not all Chapters are the same. If you were the Top Dog in the Chapter maybe you should have run for President of the Chapter and help to make a difference instead of dwelling on its shortcomings.

So I could invest even more time with people who are no real benefit to me or my business?
 
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So I could invest even more time with people who are no real benefit to me or my business?
Trade Associations by and large are good for their Industries. As a collective voice they have more clout. Again, if you are looking at it from a "Whats in it for me?" stance, you may be sorely disappointed. Djs want to be recognized as professionals, as a viable means of income, be respected etc...well on their own it is an uphill battle. As a collective voice they will more quickly be given the attention they are seeking.
 
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Nope, you're not missing a thing. I joined the ADJA for one season. Went to some meetings. Made some friends and got snubbed from some of the others. The point that nailed it for me was one day when I was having lunch with one of the large multi-op players in town. He was just feeling me out and asked how many dates I normally work. When I told him "45 the first year and 56 this year." his eyes went wide open and he said "Well, that makes you top dog in the ADJA. Those guys average 15-18 per year and are always asking me for work." It got me to thinking, why would I pay several hundred per year in order to go network with guys that aren't getting it done? BTW, the ADJA chapter in Nashville folded last year.

This is exactly what I'm looking to avoid. I do not mind supporting the industry (@ Canute) so long as there is value add to the whole which would include me and mine. I've been involved in a couple of professional organizations for another industry and was even on the board of one of them when I lived in a another city for a time. The issue I had there was everyone reminisced about the 'good ole days' and there was little discussion or interest in future industry growth. After countless attempts of steering to the future I resigned and stopped supporting the group altogether. Needless to say I am a bit biased based on my past experience so wanted a more balanced view before just saying no.
 
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This is exactly what I'm looking to avoid. I do not mind supporting the industry (@ Canute) so long as there is value add to the whole which would include me and mine. I've been involved in a couple of professional organizations for another industry and was even on the board of one of them when I lived in a another city for a time. The issue I had there was everyone reminisced about the 'good ole days' and there was little discussion or interest in future industry growth. After countless attempts of steering to the future I resigned and stopped supporting the group altogether. Needless to say I am a bit biased based on my past experience so wanted a more balanced view before just saying no.
Well you have heard two views. A General Overview and one from personal Bad Experience. Vist the Chapter Meeting as a guest and make your own determination. What works in one area may not in another and vice versa.
 
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Trade Associations by and large are good for their Industries. As a collective voice they have more clout. Again, if you are looking at it from a "Whats in it for me?" stance, you may be sorely disappointed. Djs want to be recognized as professionals, as a viable means of income, be respected etc...well on their own it is an uphill battle. As a collective voice they will more quickly be given the attention they are seeking.

Great point. Being true to my capitalist bent I was looking for the gain to my business in the decision as I'm looking to grow. As for me and my house its all about the Benjamins;).
 
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This is exactly what I'm looking to avoid. I do not mind supporting the industry (@ Canute) so long as there is value add to the whole which would include me and mine. I've been involved in a couple of professional organizations for another industry and was even on the board of one of them when I lived in a another city for a time. The issue I had there was everyone reminisced about the 'good ole days' and there was little discussion or interest in future industry growth. After countless attempts of steering to the future I resigned and stopped supporting the group altogether. Needless to say I am a bit biased based on my past experience so wanted a more balanced view before just saying no.

Have you looked into a "wedding professional" networking group in your area? I would think that would be miles more productive than sitting around with a bunch of DJs, whining about the craigslist guys.
 
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I find that its worth the benefits alone even if you dont partake of chapter meetings etc. However from what I know of the ADJA there are plenty of other learning devices given that ad value to membership webinars etc. Also the Convention in Vegas which has just two yrs under its belt and it has provided a very good program at a very tax deductable low price for learning and a getaway. If the benefits are a motivator even if it merely replaces something you have I would consider it for atleast one round to make a proper opinionated decision. It is all business expense write off potential. You may like it and find tenfold benefits but if you merely go by those who either didnt pursue all that is offered or had a bad experience for whatever reason in an area outside your location I would seriously consider it. Give Drax a call (national President) he is a easy guy to talk to he can give you full details.
 
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I met the great Ben Stowe at a local association meeting...'back in the day'. I have considered him a valued friend, ever since. Establishing those kind of relationships is worth the price of admission.
 
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Well, I have belonged to NAME and ADJA at different times.... Mostly all I got was a decent rate on insurance.... However, I did actually book an event because of my ADJA association. It was a last minute event, and the lady found me on the ADJA website. Truth be told, IMO, if it wasn't for insurance, and for the occasion meetings, I wouldn't see much value in either one.... AND last time I checked, Philadelphia did not have a local chapter for the ADJA. I don't know if that holds true today or not. BTW, ADJA does have an app available on the iTunes store for wedding DJs.
 
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BTW, the ADJA chapter in Nashville folded last year.
I could not ever figure out why anyone would give a couple hundred dollars per member to a national in addition to annual national dues. Just get together with a few fellow djs in your area, talk shop, network etc. and leave it at that. You'll have a network of good friends in the business. Avoid anything with dues and bylaws.

You can purchase good insurance with a bronze listing on wedj and other providers.

Sale
 
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I could not ever figure out why anyone would give a couple hundred dollars per member to a national in addition to annual national dues. Just get together with a few fellow djs in your area, talk shop, network etc. and leave it at that. You'll have a network of good friends in the business. Avoid anything with dues and bylaws.

You can purchase good insurance with a bronze listing on wedj and other providers.

Sale
May I ask you a few questions?
1. Do you do DJing as your Sole Income/additional business or as a Hobby?
2. Do you report all your income from DJing to the IRS?
3. Do you use an Accountant for your Business?
Again, if one views Membership in Trade Organizations as advertising with the expectation of getting new business, they need to redo their thinking. That is not its purpose.
 
I'm a current member of ADJA (for less than a year) and I'm not sure that I'l be renewing my membership in the local and "may" keep my membership in the national. I'll elaborate later....maybe. ;)
 
May I ask you a few questions?
1. Do you do DJing as your Sole Income/additional business or as a Hobby?
2. Do you report all your income from DJing to the IRS?
3. Do you use an Accountant for your Business?

Yes you may. Answers:
1. Yes, Sole income 16 years.
2. Yes,Schedule C reported for all business, and self employment taxes paid.
3. Yes, CPA


Again, if one views Membership in Trade Organizations as advertising with the expectation of getting new business, they need to redo their thinking. That is not its purpose.
That is not my view!

Sale
 
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The main purpose of any national organization like this is to gather common purchasers of something into a segment that can warrant a given product. In this case that product is general liability insurance aimed at mobile DJs. Most general liability policies exceed the needs of DJs and cost significantly more. We have to give the formation of DJ associations credit for getting those products on the radar of insurance brokers - even if not a member. Our ability to qualify for something like the RV Nuccio, WEDJ, NAME. etc. coverage is largely due to the work of early ADJA founders like Bruce Keslar.

The networking aspects aren't really viable reasons to join because that kind of lateral networking isn't really what DJs need or want. They are generally served by other professional trade organizations and local affiliations with event business groups. Much of the original thinking of DJs coming together in these organizations was always a misplaced search for self-esteem through naive notions of barriers to entry and enhanced image profile of member disc jockeys. This idea of getting a leg-up on other DJs fails to recognize the largely consumer talent that comprises the mobile DJ field.
 
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Trade Associations by and large are good for their Industries. As a collective voice they have more clout. Again, if you are looking at it from a "Whats in it for me?" stance, you may be sorely disappointed. Djs want to be recognized as professionals, as a viable means of income, be respected etc...well on their own it is an uphill battle. As a collective voice they will more quickly be given the attention they are seeking.

The industry has more clout...to accomplish WHAT?
it's not like they use the clout to elect politicians or get laws enacted.
They want to be recognized as professionals....by WHOM?
the only recognition they are getting is from other DJ's, the rest of the world (including clients) don't really care.
Sure it makes money for the association, but I cannot see how industry "benefits" from it.

Vist the Chapter Meeting as a guest and make your own determination. What works in one area may not in another and vice versa.

Now THAT is solid advice, my friend.