The passion is waining

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vpver2

New DJ
Mar 22, 2009
74
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55
We all know things are tough out there with the economy and hobby DJ's undercutting the professionals. I for one have had enough and will be using everything at my disposal to fight back against those who have no right calling themselves DJ's.

I have a bunch of cash deal guys in my neck of the woods, none of them have pro gear, none of them use licensed music, none of them pay taxes and none of them give a damn about the customer.

I sent an email to the AVLA (this is the music licensing agency for Canada) about this one clown claiming his "comprehensive computerized library consists of over 160,000 songs and counting!" His kijiji ad also claims he's "AVLA Copyright Licensed." The response I got back from Janet Turner at AVLA indicates he's not and they have no knowledge of who he is. AVLA will be contacting him about this. Hopefully, they'll also get the RCMP involved and bust this guys ass for copyright infringement.

This idiot also claims his Karaoke list "contains more than 60,000 songs and new songs keep updating weekly."

He's also claiming "state-of-the-art equipment (that) can provide 100 to 100,000 watts of pure, clean and digitized sound."

At times, I hate what this business has become. Over the past the past 27 years I've tried to be the best DJ I can be, but the battle is starting to wear on me. I've canceled my Yellow Pages ad and put plans for a new PA on the back burner. Business is down 40%, mostly because I won't go out for less than $400.00 (that's a top end rate in my area). I'm losing events to guys who are playing for as little as $225.00 cash.

I use to be proud to tell people I Dj'ed, now I'm almost embarrassed because everyone has a "buddy who is a DJ." MP3's and cheap offshore DJ gear has turned this once cool profession into something that's quickly becoming a joke. When it comes to entertainment, we are an after thought. So little thought is put into hiring a DJ and so little value is placed on what we do, it saddens me.
 
vpver2 said:
....

I use to be proud to tell people I Dj'ed, now I'm almost embarrassed because everyone has a "buddy who is a DJ." MP3's and cheap offshore DJ gear has turned this once cool profession into something that's quickly becoming a joke. When it comes to entertainment, we are an after thought. So little thought is put into hiring a DJ and so little value is placed on what we do, it saddens me.
Click to expand...

No doubt.... I hear it all the time.
 
vpver2 said:
I use to be proud to tell people I Dj'ed, now I'm almost embarrassed because everyone has a "buddy who is a DJ." MP3's and cheap offshore DJ gear has turned this once cool profession into something that's quickly becoming a joke. When it comes to entertainment, we are an after thought. So little thought is put into hiring a DJ and so little value is placed on what we do, it saddens me.
Click to expand...

About 90% of the time when I tell someone I'm a mobile DJ, they know someone who is also a DJ. Many times, it's a guy or a kid that DJs on the side for some quick money or as a hobby.

Kinda like being in LA, everyone claims to be an "actor", but in reality they are waitresses or waiters.
 
vpver2 said:
At times, I hate what this business has become. Over the past the past 27 years I've tried to be the best DJ I can be, but the battle is starting to wear on me. I've canceled my Yellow Pages ad and put plans for a new PA on the back burner. Business is down 40%, mostly because I won't go out for less than $400.00 (that's a top end rate in my area). I'm losing events to guys who are playing for as little as $225.00 cash.
Click to expand...

Where in Ontario are you? I am guessing northern I've heard the rates are pretty low like in this neck of the woods. The lowest rate I have heard of here is $75.00...Thats not per hour thats 4 hours performance time.

I've been around a long time too...26 years this year 20 in business for myself. The only advice I can give you is the same advice I gave myself a few years back stick it out. The lowballers will always be there and they change every year. It's like killing ants one goes two show up. Run a good solid business get yourself noticed and known for quality. There is always a market for quality. Put all you can in to the business for one year financially and physically. You will see results at the end of that year. Sell your stregenths and by doing that you will show thier weakness. For example mention to very prospective client you use a contract. If your market is like mine the lowballers probably don't.

By doing this you will have to accept that you can't be evryones DJ there will be some that book soley on price.You may lose as many as you get but the ones you get will be worth getting

Good Luck
 
Bill Kexel said:
About 90% of the time when I tell someone I'm a mobile DJ, they know someone who is also a DJ. Many times, it's a guy or a kid that DJs on the side for some quick money or as a hobby.

Kinda like being in LA, everyone claims to be an "actor", but in reality they are waitresses or waiters.
Click to expand...
Kinda like individuals claiming to be business owners and simply behaving as if they were getting paid for their hobby. It happens in every non-licensed, non-degreed profession.
 
Bill Kexel said:
Kinda like being in LA, everyone claims to be an "actor", but in reality they are waitresses or waiters.
Click to expand...

I have a lot of friends in LA who are "working" actors and writers, and they really are, they just don't make enough to keep pay their bills doing it, so they have to have other jobs too, lol.

In regards to this issue, I have also believed in the concept of not worrying about anything else around me and how others are running their business, and just concentrate on mine. If I do my job right, and concentrate on cultivating relationships with my customers, what others are doing won't matter.
 
Don't forget - every event is an audition for every guest.

Every guest is a potential client.

Your reputation is on the line at every event.

Nothing sells or kills better that your reputation.

I occasionally turn down events for various reasons (venue, music selection, family issues) if I feel it may damage my reputation.

Please don't feel I'm being snooty, but a bad event (for whatever reason) will be blamed on the DJ by many guests.

And we have no recourse after the event.

Not every client is for you!
 
vpver2 said:
We all know things are tough out there with the economy and hobby DJ's undercutting the professionals. I for one have had enough and will be using everything at my disposal to fight back against those who have no right calling themselves DJ's.

I have a bunch of cash deal guys in my neck of the woods, none of them have pro gear, none of them use licensed music, none of them pay taxes and none of them give a damn about the customer.

I sent an email to the AVLA (this is the music licensing agency for Canada) about this one clown claiming his "comprehensive computerized library consists of over 160,000 songs and counting!" His kijiji ad also claims he's "AVLA Copyright Licensed." The response I got back from Janet Turner at AVLA indicates he's not and they have no knowledge of who he is. AVLA will be contacting him about this. Hopefully, they'll also get the RCMP involved and bust this guys ass for copyright infringement.

This idiot also claims his Karaoke list "contains more than 60,000 songs and new songs keep updating weekly."

He's also claiming "state-of-the-art equipment (that) can provide 100 to 100,000 watts of pure, clean and digitized sound."

At times, I hate what this business has become. Over the past the past 27 years I've tried to be the best DJ I can be, but the battle is starting to wear on me. I've canceled my Yellow Pages ad and put plans for a new PA on the back burner. Business is down 40%, mostly because I won't go out for less than $400.00 (that's a top end rate in my area). I'm losing events to guys who are playing for as little as $225.00 cash.

I use to be proud to tell people I Dj'ed, now I'm almost embarrassed because everyone has a "buddy who is a DJ." MP3's and cheap offshore DJ gear has turned this once cool profession into something that's quickly becoming a joke. When it comes to entertainment, we are an after thought. So little thought is put into hiring a DJ and so little value is placed on what we do, it saddens me.
Click to expand...

I share your sentiments 100%. But in his defense.... he really COULD be offering 100,000 watts PEAK!

:sqlaugh::rofl::sqlaugh:
 
Agreed with the folks here... times are hard and a lot of people are out of work. Or underemployed as the case may be.

It is very easy to amass a library of music and aquire a rudimentary lot of sound equipment. The wannabes have been doing this for many years. They'll always be with us. In tough financial times, they pop out of the woodwork, people looking to make a few dollars here and there. Most are not serious about the DJ biz.

Clients and guests notice the difference. They notice poor system tone and mic feedback. They notice when the wrong song is played or there's dead air. They notice a sloppy appearance. A sloppy, inexperienced DJ isn't worth a dime of what he's being paid. They notice that, too. :)

Unfortunately, the market for professional vendors is on the ebb right now. Money is tight and many people don't have the big bucks to pay a pro.

Please don't mistake this for not wanting a pro. Of course they want a pro. Many cannot afford one right now. Many people want to buy a car but can't afford one right now. And the car makers are hurting because of it.

The economy will pick up soon. When it does, the half-assed wannabes will dump their DJ hobbies due to lack of work and clients will be booking professional vendors again. :)
 
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