DJ Associations?
- Thread starter Sounds To Go
- Start date
honestly
I am NOT trying to be nasty
just trying to clear something up.
in almost every post about DJ associations
someone says that they
"help the industry" or "give DJ's credibility"
I dont understand what that means!
If people are saying that we, as DJ's, have a better reputation as members of an organization...
I have to ask...according to WHO?
in my 27 years in the mobile biz
not one client, personal or professional
has ever asked me if I was a member.
How can these "relationships" benefit us
if we are the only ones who know we're in it?
I think it's alot like a union.
everyone pays to be in it
but not everyone gets their money's worth.
I am NOT trying to be nasty
just trying to clear something up.
in almost every post about DJ associations
someone says that they
"help the industry" or "give DJ's credibility"
I dont understand what that means!
If people are saying that we, as DJ's, have a better reputation as members of an organization...
I have to ask...according to WHO?
in my 27 years in the mobile biz
not one client, personal or professional
has ever asked me if I was a member.
How can these "relationships" benefit us
if we are the only ones who know we're in it?
I think it's alot like a union.
everyone pays to be in it
but not everyone gets their money's worth.
Its mostly in the public's perception. Its like being a member of the Better Business Bureau. It does not make you the most honest, ethical or professional but when the public sees that you are a member it gives them a feeling of "Comfort" and you are more readily accepted. They think that if you took the time to align yourself to the BBB that you are legit!
I used to be involved with the ADJA. In fact, I tried to start a local chapter twice. There was little interest, so I stopped that. I just have learned and grown so much more from ODJT than anything else I have ever been in that I stopped it all.
Same with me
Thats arguable....
With the chamber I get all the insurance benefits I need and some sweet discounts from local merchants including gear retailers. I also get to network with people that will hire me
The thing with the BBB and your local COC, they can keep a check on local businesses and report to the public. If there is a dispute, they'll be in a position to moderate it. That's what they do. 
Over the years, as in any industry, we have had some unscrupulous people bilk clients out of money by not showing up for events. We have had several unscrupulous people promise a great entertaining event only to send some poor inexperienced sap to face the lions.
The news people love to report the bad things in life. Dirty laundry sells.
Having an association which represents a large amount of DJ businesses, give that association the ability to make statements that are perceived by the media, reception and banquet halls, equipment distributors, and most importantly, clients, as being representative of the professionals in our industry.
When I speak with clients they do not ask me if I am associated with such an organization. It's up to me to tell them. And then its up to me to explain exactly what the benefits are to the client by my being a member.
ADJA benefits include a vast network of back - up DJ's, and replacement equipment in the event of theft or loss. These are important issues to a client. And when you highlight this, the client now enters a comfort zone with you as a professional.
Yes, it is mostly perception, but it is also factual.
When i meet with a client for the first time, and during the interview mention that I have the back up and support of the more than 100 professional members of The New Jersey Disc Jockey Network, it definitely helps to distinguish me from the non-affiliated disc jockeys.
The news people love to report the bad things in life. Dirty laundry sells.
Having an association which represents a large amount of DJ businesses, give that association the ability to make statements that are perceived by the media, reception and banquet halls, equipment distributors, and most importantly, clients, as being representative of the professionals in our industry.
When I speak with clients they do not ask me if I am associated with such an organization. It's up to me to tell them. And then its up to me to explain exactly what the benefits are to the client by my being a member.
ADJA benefits include a vast network of back - up DJ's, and replacement equipment in the event of theft or loss. These are important issues to a client. And when you highlight this, the client now enters a comfort zone with you as a professional.
Yes, it is mostly perception, but it is also factual.
When i meet with a client for the first time, and during the interview mention that I have the back up and support of the more than 100 professional members of The New Jersey Disc Jockey Network, it definitely helps to distinguish me from the non-affiliated disc jockeys.
The thing with the BBB and your local COC, they can keep a check on local businesses and report to the public. If there is a dispute, they'll be in a position to moderate it. That's what they do.
The Better Business Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce are two different entities. Chamber is for development of business (I know, I was once on the Board of Directors) wheras the BBB is more like a watchdog/association between public/consumers and business.
One thing that I do not like about the BBB is this...If you are not one of their members and a consumer files a complaint on you, it is more likely that you (the non member) will be dragged through the mud than if the same complaint came in about one of their members.
My point exactly - your "s" don't stink if they have been collecting their DUES!
I have had experience on the business-end with the BBB for an unrelated industry I used to be in outside of my dj bus.
Some personal experience from the other side of the curtain:
Several folks you know here were officers with the USODJA. Bill Hollick, Tom (goodknight), Eddie Fite, Patrick Lewis, Ken Owens, Mad Maxx and myself. The association fell off the edge of the Earth sometime back and no one knows what happened to it. Phones aren't answered, messages aren't returned.
USODJA was a free to join DJ association. We didn't charge dues. We offered DJ company insurance, a certificate and were working on some more bennies when the site disappeared. For my part I was building a rapport with the owner of TheKnot at the time. When you're an industry association officer, people will take you more seriously.
While some people, renegades for the most part, were burning bridges, we were trying to build bridges. I spent hours doing damage control, trying to convince people who could do this industry good not to give conference to a handful of renegades.
We had hundreds of members from all over. These folks can tell you that the most aggravating part of managing a DJ association is getting the members to participate. Bill worked up and sent out a member memo on a regular basis. No matter what we did, we couldn't get the members to participate to save our souls. It was like trying to herd cats.
Officer elections would come around and we'd send out reminders. No one voted. We worked up a discount deal with a remix CD service for members and nobody participated.
Folks, I undertand that many of yas are against paying dues to an industry association. For those who do, please participate. Vote in officer elections. Work with and support local chapters. None of us is as smart as all of us.
Several folks you know here were officers with the USODJA. Bill Hollick, Tom (goodknight), Eddie Fite, Patrick Lewis, Ken Owens, Mad Maxx and myself. The association fell off the edge of the Earth sometime back and no one knows what happened to it. Phones aren't answered, messages aren't returned.
USODJA was a free to join DJ association. We didn't charge dues. We offered DJ company insurance, a certificate and were working on some more bennies when the site disappeared. For my part I was building a rapport with the owner of TheKnot at the time. When you're an industry association officer, people will take you more seriously.
While some people, renegades for the most part, were burning bridges, we were trying to build bridges. I spent hours doing damage control, trying to convince people who could do this industry good not to give conference to a handful of renegades.
We had hundreds of members from all over. These folks can tell you that the most aggravating part of managing a DJ association is getting the members to participate. Bill worked up and sent out a member memo on a regular basis. No matter what we did, we couldn't get the members to participate to save our souls. It was like trying to herd cats.
Officer elections would come around and we'd send out reminders. No one voted. We worked up a discount deal with a remix CD service for members and nobody participated.
Folks, I undertand that many of yas are against paying dues to an industry association. For those who do, please participate. Vote in officer elections. Work with and support local chapters. None of us is as smart as all of us.
I'm not against paying dues for an organization. But if you're talking about the two main industry organizations that's not really paying dues. You are paying a fee for benefits. Nothing wrong with that, at least you know what you are getting. But there is no direct participation in regards to the operations of these organizations. You can't vote because there are no elections. Locally maybe but that's just fluff. Even locally, you are at the will of the owners of the organizations. I'm just pointing out the difference between a dues paying organization and a fees for benefits organization.
Thanks, Ron.
I dunno how the other associations are set up, have not reviewed their bylaws. Anyone thinking of joining an association should review their bylaws first.
With the old USODJA, the bylaws were done up by Glenn and were similar to the CODJA. If memory serves, officers served 2-year terms and elections were held at the USODJA bbs site as polls. Any member wishing to run for office was encouraged to do so.
I just thought it was kinda sad that no one bothered to cast a single vote.
I dunno how the other associations are set up, have not reviewed their bylaws. Anyone thinking of joining an association should review their bylaws first.
With the old USODJA, the bylaws were done up by Glenn and were similar to the CODJA. If memory serves, officers served 2-year terms and elections were held at the USODJA bbs site as polls. Any member wishing to run for office was encouraged to do so.
I just thought it was kinda sad that no one bothered to cast a single vote.
WeDJie World (www.wedj.com) is the only association I need:
For $110 per year (less than the $150 cost to join ADJA or NAME), I get:
A)Liability Insurance for $170 ($40 less than the association's policy)
B) Gigbulider 4.0 (saves me $100 per year on DJ Intelligence)
3) SEO benefits (saves me $$$ every year on marketing costs by staying on top of Google)
4) Travel benefits (I'm going to the Bahamas in November with the $$$ I've saved using WeDJ)
Who needs an association?
For $110 per year (less than the $150 cost to join ADJA or NAME), I get:
A)Liability Insurance for $170 ($40 less than the association's policy)
B) Gigbulider 4.0 (saves me $100 per year on DJ Intelligence)
3) SEO benefits (saves me $$$ every year on marketing costs by staying on top of Google)
4) Travel benefits (I'm going to the Bahamas in November with the $$$ I've saved using WeDJ)
Who needs an association?
I just became a member of the Canadian Professional DJ Association, formerly known as CODJA.
The main reason I joined was for the steep discount on digital music liscensing fees from the AVLA.
The second reason i joined was because the former president, Dennis Hampson, has a LOT of contacts in the industry and has ALWAYS answered any of my questions, concerns etc by the next business day, usually on the same day as I sent it.
As soon as I get my logo and stuff, I'm sticking it in all my business cards etc
-James
The main reason I joined was for the steep discount on digital music liscensing fees from the AVLA.
The second reason i joined was because the former president, Dennis Hampson, has a LOT of contacts in the industry and has ALWAYS answered any of my questions, concerns etc by the next business day, usually on the same day as I sent it.
As soon as I get my logo and stuff, I'm sticking it in all my business cards etc
-James