Your On-Line Planner

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So, lately I've had a few brides that have forsaken the on-line planner. Just when I was figuring on eliminating the face-to-face finalization and charging extra if they want them or need them.

Do you require them to use your on-line planner or do you work it out in a meeting?
 
That depends... most of the time it's done online, but this year I have had one where I needed to sit down with in person and the other just needed to be prodded a bit and we went over things on the phone.... the later one was an out of state bride so meeting face to face wasn't an option.

Overall I'd say 99.9% will do it online the other .1% just need a little coaxing and maybe some hand holding.
 
To me, it's all about customer service. I don't force my clients to do anything. I offer them choices. like Joker said, 99% prefer to do it online. 1% don't. I have no problem doing this the old way.

I have found people like options. That why we offer payment options, planning options, payment term options
 
Seriously, this is a catering job - people hire you too look after their needs. Relying on the internet as a substitute for personal service undermines the whole point of hiring you.

Success in this job is defined as a client that trusts you to take care of them. You need to give them something more than a place to drop off information.
 
I tried an online planner, but meeting face to face & planning with the client has been more successful. The response from past clients has been outstanding, they prefered & appreciated the personal touch.

For me, online planners would only be utilized if the clients are communicating with me long distance.
 
Seriously, this is a catering job - people hire you too look after their needs. Relying on the internet as a substitute for personal service undermines the whole point of hiring you.

Success in this job is defined as a client that trusts you to take care of them. You need to give them something more than a place to drop off information.

Really????

What's the difference between printing a planner and giving it to a bride and telling them to return it a couple weeks prior to their event versus here's your login information please log in and complete your planners, timeline and music requests at your leisure?

I don't see a difference other than the paper planner means more work for the DJ and the Bride.

There's a reason why folks in many cases prefer the online experience.... one word Convenience.


Many folks myself included find it much eaiser to fill something out online vs hand wrighting and filling in a document by hand.... not to mention all the resources that are at your finger tips while online. Can you get that from a piece of paper? Nope.

I know your point was the lack of personal attention but I say why is it needed when all you are gathering is information if the information is bad or not understood then clarification is just an email or phone call away.
 
What's the difference between printing a planner and giving it to a bride and telling them to return it a couple weeks prior to their event versus here's your login information please log in and complete your planners, timeline and music requests at your leisure

In a word: "computer-geek"

On a functional level it doesn't matter either way you're simply filling out form. You can edit online or use and eraser.

On a customer service level you are presuming that all of your clients have integrated computers into their lives to the same degree that you have. Thus, you are unwittingly steering yourself to a specific subset of the maretplace: internet users.

Does that trouble you? Maybe not. But, have you actually researched or compiled a profile of that subset? Do you know what makes them different than buyers who don't rely so heavily on the internet and computers?

Most poeple would say it's simply generational (young vs old) and while that's true of computer use in general, it's not generally true when it comes to how people make purchase decisions.

Another word is "hurdle."

please log in and complete your planners, timeline and music requests at your leisure.

You have just placed a number of hurdles in front of the runner:
1. get on a computer
2. Remember your login
3. Save your changes.
4. Wait for confirmation

Computer geeks enjoy jumping so they don't see those hurdles but, everyone else does. Providing customers with convenience is always good - but, being perceived as web-centric can loose you alot of good potential clients.

Another word is: "distance."

Psychologically, the computer and your web are like a third party to the transcation. You've inserted a broker where there was once only you.
 
I have contemplated the online tools and just never felt the need.

I ask my clients how they wish to get their planning material. It's their choose.

I can provide a link to a page that I have set up with detailed instructions on how to download, complete, print or email it back to me.

Or, I can mail the hard copy with the same info to them as well.

Surprisingly, most choose to have me send it via mail.
 
In a word: "computer-geek"

On a functional level it doesn't matter either way you're simply filling out form. You can edit online or use and eraser.

On a customer service level you are presuming that all of your clients have integrated computers into their lives to the same degree that you have. Thus, you are unwittingly steering yourself to a specific subset of the maretplace: internet users.

Does that trouble you? Maybe not. But, have you actually researched or compiled a profile of that subset? Do you know what makes them different than buyers who don't rely so heavily on the internet and computers?

Most poeple would say it's simply generational (young vs old) and while that's true of computer use in general, it's not generally true when it comes to how people make purchase decisions.

Another word is "hurdle."



You have just placed a number of hurdles in front of the runner:
1. get on a computer
2. Remember your login
3. Save your changes.
4. Wait for confirmation

Computer geeks enjoy jumping so they don't see those hurdles but, everyone else does. Providing customers with convenience is always good - but, being perceived as web-centric can loose you alot of good potential clients.

Another word is: "distance."

Psychologically, the computer and your web are like a third party to the transcation. You've inserted a broker where there was once only you.

I could not disagree with this post in its entirety more.

I'm not marketing to old fuddy duddy's.... even my 70+ year old dad has no problems with using the internet for everyday things such as shopping, paying bills, etc....

Let's face it, this is the computer age. I would estimate that about 95% of this countries house holds have a computer or have access to one either at work, library, home, or school. It's like saying I couldn't call someone because I don't have a home phone, Pay Phone, hello?

It's just insane to me to consider internet planning tools as impersonal and that we have to have that one-on-one with our clients to provide personal service... that is just pure BS.

Take a read on my thread "You Rock" that one was booked by 1 phone call and me giving them their login information.... 5 minutes later I had the booking. A few months later one more phone call to be sure we were on the same page still and then the event.... no complicated forms, no face to face needed and barely any contact necessary to provide a personalized event that everyone enjoyed.

Bottom line here is computers are here for us to use to make life easier... a simple login is not a hurdle too difficult to overcome by the vast majority of society... I mean for Christ Sake most cell phones are more complicated than a simple login screen.
 
Does that trouble you? Maybe not. But, have you actually researched or compiled a profile of that subset? Do you know what makes them different than buyers who don't rely so heavily on the internet and computers?

Most poeple would say it's simply generational (young vs old) and while that's true of computer use in general, it's not generally true when it comes to how people make purchase decisions.

Another word is "hurdle."



You have just placed a number of hurdles in front of the runner:
1. get on a computer
2. Remember your login
3. Save your changes.
4. Wait for confirmation

Computer geeks enjoy jumping so they don't see those hurdles but, everyone else does. Providing customers with convenience is always good - but, being perceived as web-centric can loose you alot of good potential clients.

Another word is: "distance."

Psychologically, the computer and your web are like a third party to the transcation. You've inserted a broker where there was once only you.

Again, we give our clients the option. 99% of them would rather do it online. They log in with their wedding date and their password is usually the brides name. If they cannot remember those two things, they have bigger issues to worry about.

In some instances, it makes more sense to sit down with the couple and do this. But for the vast majority, they don't need or want me sitting there every second while they listen to songs and pick the songs they like. Psychologically, they may not feel as comfortable with me sitting there every moment of their planning process. When we do get together, our time is spent more on discussing their overall vision of the evening and how we will incorporate their songs into what they want rather than them using that time to pick songs.

We've also done weddings where the bride and groom are coming in from out of town. They love how they can do these things and make changesright online. We've done a number of very successful weddings where we did not physically meet the bride and groom until that evening.

We are flexible and can adapt to the client's needs rather than making the client adapt to ours. Customer service!!! I don't see it as adding a 3rd party broker, I see it as offering our clients a very effective and effecient tool that most seem to love very much.
 
If the clients are from out of town, yes, an online planner is a Godsend.

But local is another story. I guess it also depends on what you are charging the client.
If I was charging $700 or less, I would probably not be planning with them in person.

Charging over $1,000? personally, I would feel like I'm shortchanging them by not planning with them in person. This is one of the reasons why they hired me, for my professional assistance.

Most bride & grooms have never been married & are clueless about the planning & timing of events of a reception.

I like to sit down & ask the questions that will help us to create a better flow to the event. It's a combination of my experience & the communication with the other vendors (beforehand) that will be the key to a smooth flowing reception. (pouring of champagne? toasts? cutting of cake? sunset photos? Etc. )

When I did use a planner, I found I was spending more time going back over the items with them and having to change & move things around in order to create a flow to avoid: no down time/vendors arguing about the timing/a feeling among everyone that the event being done on a wing & a prayer, Etc.

To meet in person & discuss the pros & cons of doing things at a certain time make more sense to everyone....... otherwise your online planner is just an "online guesstimate".

But to each his own. Whatever works best for you & your customers.
 
While an online planner, depending on the format, may be able to have them input the desired order of different events, it can't:

1. Offer substitutes or variations for certain events.
2. Suggest and explain to the clients the possible benefits and pitfalls of the event order they input.
3. Suggest the possibility of combining certain events
4. Help them anticipate and account for scheduling conflicts (ie modifying the order of the event because the photographer is only going to be there until 9:30)
5. Discuss the pros and cons of placement for toasts, cake cuttings, etc.
6. Discuss the pros and cons of anything really
7. Suggest options or alternatives for anything really

When, in your process for every wedding you do, do you do these things for your clients consistently?

If you don't do any or all of these things (1-7) without being prompted or asked on every wedding you do, and you just "gather information" and print up the actual/final itinerary of the event with the ordering of events exactly as they input the first time by themselves online, and only initiate further human-to-human contact when and if "clarification is needed," it's my humble opinion that you are not doing all you can and should for your clients, and are, in fact, doing them a great disservice.

The inability of online planning forms to do ANY of those things is exactly why I deem them useless for anything other than solely gathering information to be used for a further, more in-depth planning process that includes more. As a personal meeting, or call, in extreme/extenuating circumstances in always and consistently needed to offer these things to the client, the very step of having them fill anything out online prior to that ITSELF becomes "an unnecessary and extra step."

In my process, the client doesn't need to fill out anything online OR on paper... just provide me with their must-plays, play if possibles, and do not plays.

Sure, they can fill out the forms prior to the meeting if they like, but very few but the most conscientious brides actually do.

:sqbiggrin:

Having them "create their own event" online without the aid or benefit of creative input and suggestions based on real-world experience in each and every case is NOT providing "personalized" service. TRUE personalization requires out of the box (and online template) thinking, and the suggestion of things that they themselves do not have any idea of. That *should*, after-all, be why they hired a professional. :)
 
While an online planner, depending on the format, may be able to have them input the desired order of different events, it can't:

1. Offer substitutes or variations for certain events. Yes it can, that's what the "Other Event" is for on a timeline and the "Additional Notes" section of both the planner and timeline worksheets.

2. Suggest and explain to the clients the possible benefits and pitfalls of the event order they input. This is true, and is why as the DJ or Event Coordinator it is your job to spot this and if necessary make contact via phone or email and discuss their requests.

3. Suggest the possibility of combining certain events Again true but, a DJ or Event Coordinator that is on the ball will spot these things and make a call or email with those sugestions.

4. Help them anticipate and account for scheduling conflicts (ie modifying the order of the event because the photographer is only going to be there until 9:30) I would assume that this is known before the event by the bride or groom and should be information that is contained in the "Additional information area and in the vendor information section of your online planner. If not know prior to the event then any good DJ or Event Coordinator should be flexible enough to adjust on the fly anyway.

5. Discuss the pros and cons of placement for toasts, cake cuttings, etc. We deal with customized events no matter how we think it should go ultimately it's up to the couple. But, here again the alert DJ or Coordinator should be able to spot these things and therefore contact should be made to iron it out to the satisfaction of the couple.

6. Discuss the pros and cons of anything really Define anything, as this is very vague. Obviously if you are designing your own online planners be as detailed as possible the "anything" should already be covered unless your couple is creative and wants to step outside the norm with their own ideas... which is cool, then ya you will need to again make contact to discuss them.

7. Suggest options or alternatives for anything really Again this points to a very vague and unique cercumstance, unique to the couple and of course will require a discussion.

When, in your process for every wedding you do, do you do these things for your clients consistently?

If you don't do any or all of these things (1-7) without being prompted or asked on every wedding you do, and you just "gather information" and print up the actual/final itinerary of the event with the ordering of events exactly as they input the first time by themselves online, and only initiate further human-to-human contact when and if "clarification is needed," it's my humble opinion that you are not doing all you can and should for your clients, and are, in fact, doing them a great disservice.

The inability of online planning forms to do ANY of those things is exactly why I deem them useless for anything other than solely gathering information to be used for a further, more in-depth planning process that includes more. As a personal meeting, or call, in extreme/extenuating circumstances in always and consistently needed to offer these things to the client, the very step of having them fill anything out online prior to that ITSELF becomes "an unnecessary and extra step."

In my process, the client doesn't need to fill out anything online OR on paper... just provide me with their must-plays, play if possibles, and do not plays.

Sure, they can fill out the forms prior to the meeting if they like, but very few but the most conscientious brides actually do.

:sqbiggrin:

Having them "create their own event" online without the aid or benefit of creative input and suggestions based on real-world experience in each and every case is NOT providing "personalized" service. TRUE personalization requires out of the box (and online template) thinking, and the suggestion of things that they themselves do not have any idea of. That *should*, after-all, be why they hired a professional. :)

See my answers in blue above...

First I'd like to say.... D'uh... to the rest of the above. Many times unless the client is looking for complete customization of their event vearing well off the normal beatin' path that most weddings take, of course you are going to have to talk with them. It doesn't have to be face-to-face it can be by phone or email.

But, it's a silly notion to think that, by not having those conversations when the bride and groom know exactly what they want and are able to put that in the planner, that we are not giving our personalized attention to their event.

Believe me I'm not minimizing the affect of the effort to hold the couples hand and guide them like a couple of 5 year olds through the planning process and I know that for many couples this is the first time they've been married but.... and you knew there would be a but.... many of those first time brides have been dreaming about this day since the very first time they played dress-up and have since studied bridal magazines to tatters long before they met Mister Right. They know what they want more often than not.

To say that they don't is pretty arrogant of us don't ya think?
 
Sometimes it's this easy. Click on the link below. Our clients if local have the option to meet us if they choose to for final planning etc etc. I have the majority of our clients, who are young professionals, teachers, lawyers, car dealership owners and jet pilots are sent home with a paper planner and then are sent these links in email. I have had "0" return the paper planner. They have loved this option.

Here is an email from one of our clients. These links are sent in email to them. They can log on with there wedding date and last name (from our website) or just use the links. Oh by the way my planner has been brideafide ). Everytime the planner is saved it is updated and sent to me automatically in email. This way I'm kept current even if they are working on it in another country 6000 miles away.

We always go over everything with our clients most of the time over the phone about every detail of there event. And then the week of there event, usually about 4 days before hand we call and go over it one last time checking for changes and just verifing all information. With the planner they also have the ability to print this for themselves. I love this system, With DJ intelligence you have the ability to pretty much make your own planner.


"Your website is amazing. I can't believe how easy you have made all of this! So organized! Cody and I will be working on this a lot now. My older sister just got married this last weekend and I have been so busy helping her I have put off so much of my planning.

But now we are on it! One question....our ceremony is going to be outside, followed by cocktails inside, followed by the reception, also inside but in a different room than the cocktails. Are we going to be able to have music at all 3 places or how does that work? sorry if you already told us, I forgot!"



Thanks, Monika


http://www.next-generation.djintelligence.com/planning/planning.asp?ID=Diamond+Wedding+Demo
 
While an online planner, depending on the format, may be able to have them input the desired order of different events, it can't:

1. Offer substitutes or variations for certain events.
2. Suggest and explain to the clients the possible benefits and pitfalls of the event order they input.
3. Suggest the possibility of combining certain events
4. Help them anticipate and account for scheduling conflicts (ie modifying the order of the event because the photographer is only going to be there until 9:30)
5. Discuss the pros and cons of placement for toasts, cake cuttings, etc.
6. Discuss the pros and cons of anything really
7. Suggest options or alternatives for anything really

When, in your process for every wedding you do, do you do these things for your clients consistently?

If you don't do any or all of these things (1-7) without being prompted or asked on every wedding you do, and you just "gather information" and print up the actual/final itinerary of the event with the ordering of events exactly as they input the first time by themselves online, and only initiate further human-to-human contact when and if "clarification is needed," it's my humble opinion that you are not doing all you can and should for your clients, and are, in fact, doing them a great disservice.

The inability of online planning forms to do ANY of those things is exactly why I deem them useless for anything other than solely gathering information to be used for a further, more in-depth planning process that includes more. As a personal meeting, or call, in extreme/extenuating circumstances in always and consistently needed to offer these things to the client, the very step of having them fill anything out online prior to that ITSELF becomes "an unnecessary and extra step."

In my process, the client doesn't need to fill out anything online OR on paper... just provide me with their must-plays, play if possibles, and do not plays.

Sure, they can fill out the forms prior to the meeting if they like, but very few but the most conscientious brides actually do.

:sqbiggrin:

Having them "create their own event" online without the aid or benefit of creative input and suggestions based on real-world experience in each and every case is NOT providing "personalized" service. TRUE personalization requires out of the box (and online template) thinking, and the suggestion of things that they themselves do not have any idea of. That *should*, after-all, be why they hired a professional. :)


Just like any technology, if you don't use it properly, it won't be beneficial. Just like it won't be good if you get a computer and just put a bunch of music in there and let it play, it won't be a good result. That is not the computer's fault. It's the person who chose to do that's fault. There are lazy DJ's have been doing this using mixed CD's for years

If someone let's people fill things in on an on-line planner and then doesn't go over it with them and make suggestions BEFORE and AFTER they work on it, and/notice things that won't work well, the results probably won't be very good. Again, that's not the on-line planner's fault, it's a bad way to use that.

Some DJ companies I know sends out a paper planner for people to fill out and send back. If someone sends back a paper planner and you don't go over it, the same poor results may happen. An online planner is not going to help someone that's lazy. It will help customers let a great DJ know and understand what the client wants so he/she can give them the evening they want. Many clients and Djs have found these tools very helpful.

All technology is only as good as the person that uses it. To me, it's kind of like someone saying forums like this are useless because people ignore me, say mean things to me, and kick me out. That can be true. If you are are mean to others, selfish, rude, self absorbed, or simply a jerk to others, those things can happen in forums like this. Don't blame to forum, blame the person, Ceaser.
 
Just like any technology, if you don't use it properly, it won't be beneficial. Just like it won't be good if you get a computer and just put a bunch of music in there and let it play, it won't be a good result. That is not the computer's fault. It's the person who chose to do that's fault. There are lazy DJ's have been doing this using mixed CD's for years

If someone let's people fill things in on an on-line planner and then doesn't go over it with them and make suggestions BEFORE and AFTER they work on it, and/notice things that won't work well, the results probably won't be very good. Again, that's not the on-line planner's fault, it's a bad way to use that.

Some DJ companies I know sends out a paper planner for people to fill out and send back. If someone sends back a paper planner and you don't go over it, the same poor results may happen. An online planner is not going to help someone that's lazy. It will help customers let a great DJ know and understand what the client wants so he/she can give them the evening they want. Many clients and Djs have found these tools very helpful.

All technology is only as good as the person that uses it. To me, it's kind of like someone saying forums like this are useless because people ignore me, say mean things to me, and kick me out. That can be true. If you are are mean to others, selfish, rude, self absorbed, or simply a jerk to others, those things can happen in forums like this. Don't blame to forum, blame the person, Ceaser.

Of course... this is exactly my point. For me, it's a matter of one information gathering process vs. another... said information gathered to be used in a much more robust planning process that involves much more. As a simple information gathering method then, it does become a matter of personal opinion as to which one is "better."

What I take issue with is how many dj's approach BOTH paper AND online planners as BEING their "planning process" ITSELF.

It seemed to me, with what Joker has explained so far, that this is what his process entails. If not, and he does have a phone call with them to go over those options and whatnot, then he managed to leave that part over over the course of several posts in his defense. :sqlaugh:

And even with what you said... for me, it's not even a matter of just or simply "seeing a problem" with something that they B&G may have input on the forms as to the order or composition of their event. Sure, looking out for, identifying, and reacting to problems with clients in a good thing... but for me, personalized planning means even more than that.

It means even seeing a flow they input into the forms that isn't NECESSARILY "problematic," it may be "just fine" technically and logistically speaking... BUT... there may STILL be another option, scenario, order, way of doing things that once they discover it, may make the event that much MORE exciting, memorable & fun than their initial event flow, etc that the "DJ Intelligence DJ" simply "approved" because he didin't "see any problems."

Its not just about identifying problems. Even if what they submit is "fine" by anyone's estimation, there is ALWAYS *something else* that you might be able to suggest or present that may fit them, their crowd, and their event better and make them even happier in the end *had they known it was an option in the first place.* THAT is the piece that neither paper nor online planners can accomplish.

That is what "personalization" means to me... Presenting them with an entire pallet of options, ideas & suggestions and helping them assemble them into their perfect event.

Simply *assuming* they know or "might know" "what they want" or "what they need" already of their own accord, having them input it into planning forms on paper OR online, and then simply "perusing it for problems" isn't REALLY personalization - it's just proofreading - and many dj's could and SHOULD be offering more than that to their clients.
 
Bill,

Do your clients get any planning information before they meet you?

or is everything handled at the meeting?

Just curious.
 
So, lately I've had a few brides that have forsaken the on-line planner. Just when I was figuring on eliminating the face-to-face finalization and charging extra if they want them or need them.

Do you require them to use your on-line planner or do you work it out in a meeting?

The J Mac and I do not use an online planner. We have a "Wedding Event Planner" document that we complete ourselves. We do offer to email a list of common and optional wedding traditions for which the bride and groom can choose songs. They can email the list to us or bring it to our final planning meeting, same thing with the order of events and the names for the introduction.

It is a rarity for us to not meet face-to-face with clients, but we are flexible with folks who are planning from out-of-state or wherever. Email is very helpful; so are phone calls.

That said, I'll switch to a bride's perspective....

There are a gazillion things to do when planning a wedding and this can make things overwhelming. Even something as simple as filling out a 6-page planner for the DJ can be left on the back-burner.

Kudos to those DJs who give their clients options that work for both the DJ and the client! I know that I'd go nuts if I was required to sit for hours in front of the computer in the office to go over all this stuff. I'd rather have a printed list of stuff to discuss in a cozy living room, rather than in the office.

I do believe that face-to-face meetings are the best ways to hash things out and make sure that you're on the same page. Body language and eye contact are key parts of communication that are lost in emails and phone calls. Besides, this helps with the impromptu questions about things that are not on the planner, as some things are just easier to say than to type.

Besides, I don't want to be a stranger to my clients, and as a bride, I don't want my DJ to be a stranger to me.
 
It seemed to me, with what Joker has explained so far, that this is what his process entails. If not, and he does have a phone call with them to go over those options and whatnot, then he managed to leave that part over over the course of several posts in his defense. :sqlaugh:

I agreed with your post in it's entirety but, just wanted to pull this part out.

Basically that's it in a nutshell.... if I understood the OP correctly it wasn't a question of do you rely on online planning tools entirely for the planning process but more of a case of using them vs. other tools such as pre-printed planners and face-to-face.

I would say, or hope, that 99.9% of us here on ODJT that use online planning tools use the tools as an information gathering tool and don't rely on them as "Our Planning Process". For sure it's an integral part of the planning process and is very important part, or tool. But, at the end of the day it is just a tool.

I'm a tool too. hahahaha shut up! Let me clarify what I mean: I'm a tool in that I encourage my clients to call, write and email me any and all questions they may have no matter how small or insignificant they think they are to me. I also encourage them to put as much detail as they can in the planners, timeliness and music request systems.... plus there are other tools such as vendor and venue information that can be entered online. So use me, I'm your tool too, but also use my online tools too. They are there not to make it impersonal but to enhance the personal.

Make sense or have I rambled off to another dimension again?


PS: These online planning tools are a great sales tool too. After someone submits an inquiry to me they get an email that details their information along with a detailed quote and..... wait for it... and they get instructions on how to log in and are invited to do so without commitment just so they can see what it is we offer by way of planning tools. Key word here is "Tools".
 
Bill,

Do your clients get any planning information before they meet you?

or is everything handled at the meeting?

Just curious.

The first time we meet is the interview to see if we are a correct fit, if so, we sign the contracts (or they have 2 weeks to decide) I do not accept a wedding booking unless I can meet them in person first. (some exceptions for long distance clients)

After the contracts are signed, they get a hard copy of a reception planner that includes a list of questions for them to ask their caterer & photographer. They can fill out if they want to, but we are going to discuss it in detail later.

We will meet again 1 month before the wedding to go over ALL the details & prepare the timeline. If there are things they are still unsure of, I will prepare a list of what is needed & they can email it to me. Later, I email them the timeline to approve. I then email it out to the other wedding vendors the week prior to the wedding....I'll follow up with them to make sure they received it & it looks good to them. (we are all on the same page)

I'm sure there are simpler ways, but this works great for me.