Would you help a client try to find a venue?

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MIXMASTERMACHOM

DJ Extraordinaire
ODJT Supporter
Oct 16, 2011
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I'm asking this question for several reasons. I talked it over with my friend and he said at times he might give a client some ideas about a venue to have their event. I figure if they want us to do an event for them to possibly get the job to help them out if they haven't found a venue to have their event. I don't mind asking what their budget is so I can suggest places that are in their budget. It doesn't happen very often. Now my question is what do you feel is a last minute event? For me a client looking for a DJ with a month or less to go to the event is last minute. I say depending on the type of event I say a client needs to book a DJ at least 3 months in advance and that way it doesn't have the DJ scrambling to get things together to do the event.

Now the thing is if and when something drastic happens that are not expected that they have make changes. Like a DJ cancelling on doing an event for the client and it's last minute. I can't forget the wedding we did with a days notice. Got the call on Saturday for a wedding reception the next day. We saved the day and the event. This was a long time ago when we were using CD players and CD's to mix with. I never found out why the DJ they had to do the wedding cancelled doing the wedding the day before. I was curious but I never asked. Just agreed to do the job and we did it.
 
Yes, if they ask. I have been asked about good venues before. Also, other times the venue is already booked, but if the client knows I have been to the venue to perform weddings in the past which I usually have, then sometimes they ask me what I think about the venue itself, and how events go there.

I have a list of my favorite venues to work at. I also have "preferred" venues up on our website. Unfortunately, some of the preferred venues have been on that list a real long time, and it's been 6+ years since I worked at some of them so my information on how these venues are currently isn't very good.
 
What about the other question? What do you think is a good amount of time a client should take to look to book a DJ to do an event? When do you consider a client looking to book a DJ is last minute?
 
Yes, I would absolutely try and help.
Why wouldn't you Mix.You have made a lot of contacts 30 YEARS that would pass on your service??
 
What about the other question? What do you think is a good amount of time a client should take to look to book a DJ to do an event? When do you consider a client looking to book a DJ is last minute?

Doesn't make any difference WHEN they hire me. If their schedule works with mine, I book it.
 
Doesn't make any difference WHEN they hire me. If their schedule works with mine, I book it.


I agree to the fullest. Al though, I will recommend to EVERY BRIDE/GROOM to book your DJ at least 8 months in advance of their wedding date. Especially now with 2022 and 2023 having a higher demand for in season Saturday weddings due to Covid, and lots of couples delaying weddings, or holding out to plan their wedding. I think that Saturdays in June, September, and October are going to be Very Popular Prime Dates for the next 2 years....at least here in the DMV. Most everyone wants these dates.
 
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Depending on the type of event I say they should book a DJ at least 3 months in advance. That way the DJ has enough time to get prepared to do the event and don't have to rush getting things together.
 
Depending on the type of event I say they should book a DJ at least 3 months in advance. That way the DJ has enough time to get prepared to do the event and don't have to rush getting things together.

Lets be honest if you are doing this for more than a year or more than a dozen weddings and you can't put together a last minute event maybe this isn't for you.
 
Lets be honest if you are doing this for more than a year or more than a dozen weddings and you can't put together a last minute event maybe this isn't for you.
I am assuming like most here we have all done save the day weddings I’ve done them with less an hours notice got the basic details read the crowd and rocked the house
 
I am assuming like most here we have all done save the day weddings I’ve done them with less an hours notice got the basic details read the crowd and rocked the house

Yes many times over the years. I got the call one night at 9:10 for a 9:00 start time. Got the nesessary info on the phone while loading the truck was there at 9:30 and playing music by 9:40 it turned out to be a great night
 
Lets be honest if you are doing this for more than a year or more than a dozen weddings and you can't put together a last minute event maybe this isn't for you.
Like I said before we did it with one days notice. That's not the big issue here. The issue I'm talking about are those who wait till what I say is last minute to book a DJ to do an event and not properly prepare for an event. Since a wedding was mentioned for the event, normally a couple doesn't plan to get married in say less then a month and want to have a wedding ceremony and reception. The decision is made way before then. Now what happened in our case is I got a call from my best friends wife on Saturday to do a wedding the next day because she got a call from the bride telling her for some reason the DJ that was supposed to do the wedding cancelled at the last minute. We did it and it was the weirdest event I've ever done. I found out after the wedding why it was strange the way things went.
 
It doesn't matter why a couple does whatever they do - as a provider, either you're ready .. or you're not.
I disagree. What if it's something you can't provide that they want at the last minute? You need time to get it and there isn't enough time to provide what they want? Can't just assume a DJ has any and everything a client wants. Some may have it and some may have to get it if they can. Also the DJ may not be able to provide what they want or if they do it might be done right for the event.
 
I disagree. What if it's something you can't provide that they want at the last minute? You need time to get it and there isn't enough time to provide what they want? Can't just assume a DJ has any and everything a client wants. Some may have it and some may have to get it if they can. Also the DJ may not be able to provide what they want or if they do it might be done right for the event.
If they want something you can't, won't or don't provide, I believe that falls under you're not ready. Then you or they don't accept it and they keep looking. This isn't complicated.
 
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If they want something you can't, won't or don't provide, I believe that falls under you're not ready. Then you or they don't accept it and they keep looking. This isn't complicated.
What I'm talking about is it's last minute and you agree to do it and then they spring something else that they want besides you. Keep in mind I'm talking a month or less from the event date.
 
What I'm talking about is it's last minute and you agree to do it and then they spring something else that they want besides you. Keep in mind I'm talking a month or less from the event date.

Then you either

A) find a way to provide it

B) Tell them you can't provide it

C) Don't take the gig

If they want something a month or even a week out you generally speaking can do it although you may choose not to. Example: They want cold sparks. You don't have a machine so the options are rent or buy. You can't make a profit either way so you don't

You provide a DJ service it's real simple to run keep it simple and the headaches go away
 
My big thing is I like the clients looking to book a DJ do proper planning and do it as early as possible.
 
My big thing is I like the clients looking to book a DJ do proper planning and do it as early as possible.

An option here would be your contract with the client.

Let's say they book you last minute. Wedding is in two weeks. Whatever the reason, they got your number, you had it open and agreed to it. The first thing I would do is say, Listen, under normal circumstances, my clients have up until 2 weeks prior to the event day to make any changes, requests, song selections, etc. At that 14 day mark, I will not make any changes. (perhaps you say, you can try to accomodate, but no guarantees - business speaking, it's better to just say you can't/won't make changes). Now, since they just booked you 2 weeks out, maybe you modify and say 1 week prior to the event, it's all locked in.

In MY OPINION, if you are up front and clear with the client on their and your expectations, them expecting you to make very last minute changes should not be an issue. Will there be unforeseen circumstances at some point? Sure, but those should be very few and far between.

As others have said, if you agree to take the job, both parties should know right away what is or is not feasible. Set that "locked-in" date, and after that, your job is to show up and perform.

You have to remember, most of the time, this is a first for the client... so they don't know what "proper planning" is or means. They may feel like they are right on schedule. We as dj's are the professionals in this situation. Sometimes, they need guidance. That's part of our job as mobile DJ's.

All of this is just my opinion.... :)