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Guest
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As indicated, I still have the consultation but use the on-line tool to enhance it. If they've done all their homework; however, a consultation my not be necessary. I have not yet encountered this.
Online tools what?
I've emailed some planner tools...actually working on getting all that sort of stuff together, so that I can hand them out in person to clients. Next year, all new clients will receive a portfolio that includes a notepad, pen, and worksheets. That's the plan anyway. Of course, there will be an option for them to have me email the planner tools as well. (I'm still working on creating more effective planner tools.)
In my opinion, telling people to go to my website for stuff simply says, "Yeah, you're just another boost in my web traffic." I suppose that the online tool idea works for some folks. To each, their own.
I've emailed some planner tools...actually working on getting all that sort of stuff together, so that I can hand them out in person to clients. Next year, all new clients will receive a portfolio that includes a notepad, pen, and worksheets. That's the plan anyway. Of course, there will be an option for them to have me email the planner tools as well. (I'm still working on creating more effective planner tools.)
In my opinion, telling people to go to my website for stuff simply says, "Yeah, you're just another boost in my web traffic." I suppose that the online tool idea works for some folks. To each, their own.
See - and this is just my two cents here - I wouldn't WANT an online planning system to replace a consult, and -again just my opinion here... not actually worth a turd - any dj who does that is not doing justice to their client. Having a 100% online/automated process is far from idyllic for me.
I can see it for information gathering purposes only - names, family, introductions, song selections, requests, etc... but not for timelines.
If a dj routinely just "let's clients" lay out the flow of their own event online without discussing their ideas, alternatives, suggestions based on experience, etc., and then just executes events "that way" then they really aren't offering that much to the client at all.
It's (should be in my opinion) our experience in establishing and maintaining an effective flow between different parts of the event and for different crowds that makes us so invaluable. No online planning suite can do that for you, and they don't offer up scenarios, ideas, and suggestions based on context, and couples don't "know" these things, so it's our job to make them available to them. We should always be offering them things they hadn't thought about, weren't aware of, etc. Whether or not they choose to utilize them is 100% up to them... but we should engage them in a process where we have that dialog and provide those things to them.
In short, if they just plop it all into a form online, and we just print it on our way out the door and execute a reception that way, we're not justifying the fee we're charging.
We should be bringing as much IF NOT MORE to the table than the clients when it comes to timeline and event planning. If we're not, and we just have them determine or choose these things in each case, we're not doing our jobs.
Perhaps nobody uses these tools this way and I am just misunderstanding the way they are utilized by those who have them - which is the point of my asking in the other thread
It is my hope that dj's using these tools realize these things and keep these tools in the proper context and use them for what they are for - information gathering, and not for 100% automation of the planning process where the dj just "ends up with" a playbook to follow from the client.
Different strokes for different blokes!
Online tools what?
I've emailed some planner tools...actually working on getting all that sort of stuff together, so that I can hand them out in person to clients. Next year, all new clients will receive a portfolio that includes a notepad, pen, and worksheets. That's the plan anyway. Of course, there will be an option for them to have me email the planner tools as well. (I'm still working on creating more effective planner tools.)
In my opinion, telling people to go to my website for stuff simply says, "Yeah, you're just another boost in my web traffic." I suppose that the online tool idea works for some folks. To each, their own.
This is similar to what I do at my preliminary/first consult - give them a nice presentation folder with forms and packets and stuff. PM me Ducky if you'd like to see my planner if you're working on yours. Maybe you could cherry-pick some stuff.
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Guest
Guest
Let me qualify what I said a little more. If they did all their homework it could replace an in-person consultation. I'd have all their stuff sitting in front of me on the computer and would be able to generate the agenda before I even make the call. The only outstanding part would be verifying pronunciations and checking in on songs I don't have.
Actually, if they've given you the timeline, you can still have the discussion but it does not have to be in person. Read on...
When I said,
I had forgotten about the client for June 6th. She actually had a timeline at the interview (I was also hired at the interview as well). I took her timeline and other materials she gave me and put it in to the system for her and she tweaked it. I still had the in-person consultation even though we could have done it over the phone. But, then again, she lives within walking distance from me.
No arguments from me there. I simply use the on-line planning system as a tool. If they fill out all the forms, it just makes the process more smooth.
Perhaps nobody uses these tools this way and I am just misunderstanding the way they are utilized by those who have them - which is the point of my asking in the other thread
Well, I can guarantee you that there are DJs out there that simply take what is on the planning form; there are many that even do that with the printed ones and if the client doesn't fill them out they just wing it.
I also know DJs that maybe only meet with their client for the interview and then never see them face to face until the day of.
Wat chu talkin' bout, Willis?
Nice - I see - so it really is a timesaver and information gatherer rather than a 100% automation. That's how I'd use it anyway.
Thanks.
Thanks.
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Guest
Guest
Might I suggest DJ Event Planner? They're an ODJT sponsor and make a great system.
LOL... you can suggest all you like, but I prob won't be taking that plunge any time soon. As a result of another thread and my Promo Only subscriptions about to run out, I'm thinking my next little investment is going to be a new subscription service.
It depends for me, if its a smaller event such as a birthday party or graduation party, the online tools can easily substitute a meeting. However, if its a large event that requires alot of logistics planning like a mitzvah or a wedding, I always meet face to face, then offer the use of online tools.
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Kirby Ball
Guest
If we decide to implement the available online services, it would be only to enhance the personal consultation.
I can see where it might be useful for planning a long distance wedding, but I don't think I could ever completely use it as a crutch or a replacement for that good ol' personal touch.
YMMV
I can see where it might be useful for planning a long distance wedding, but I don't think I could ever completely use it as a crutch or a replacement for that good ol' personal touch.
YMMV
I average about 2-3 gigs a year where I never even meet the B&G until the day of the event.
This year I think I have about 4 already that have been simply phone or online bookings where I may have spent about 5 minutes on the phone with or sent a few emails back and forth before booking....
I think this trend will continue to rise. I see many coming into my area to get married that live or go to school out of state.
I have some materials I send to the bride.
Nothing I have replaces per se' but about 20% of my brides and I only meet on the phone and email. They are in most cases referrals or have seen my work.
Nothing I have replaces per se' but about 20% of my brides and I only meet on the phone and email. They are in most cases referrals or have seen my work.
Online tools what?
I've emailed some planner tools...actually working on getting all that sort of stuff together, so that I can hand them out in person to clients. Next year, all new clients will receive a portfolio that includes a notepad, pen, and worksheets. That's the plan anyway. Of course, there will be an option for them to have me email the planner tools as well. (I'm still working on creating more effective planner tools.)
In my opinion, telling people to go to my website for stuff simply says, "Yeah, you're just another boost in my web traffic." I suppose that the online tool idea works for some folks. To each, their own.
I'm going to have to disagree with you here... it's quite the opposite for us... most of our clients find it very appealing that they can go to our site and plan their event from the comfort of home. All the tools are there from planners to music requests.
Many of today's brides look for that kind of thing and I really don't think it takes away from the personalization of an event at all.
Online tools what?
I've emailed some planner tools...actually working on getting all that sort of stuff together, so that I can hand them out in person to clients. Next year, all new clients will receive a portfolio that includes a notepad, pen, and worksheets. That's the plan anyway. Of course, there will be an option for them to have me email the planner tools as well. (I'm still working on creating more effective planner tools.)
In my opinion, telling people to go to my website for stuff simply says, "Yeah, you're just another boost in my web traffic." I suppose that the online tool idea works for some folks. To each, their own.
I imagine it is all in the way it is presented to the bride. Plus, I doubt ANY DJ would say that a client MUST ONLY use online tools.
The internet by itself didn't replace the consultation - but combine it with the telephone, a good reputatuion, and solid references or referrals and people feel less inclined to need a face to face meeting.
Ah, but there's a lot that you can learn from clients that could be used to enhance their day by meeting with them in person, things that would not come out on the online forms. We'll get clients talking about their hobbies and interests, more about their likes in music and perhaps thinking of specific songs that some of their closer relatives and friends would like to hear.
I beg to differ. When I was doing my DJ search last year, I ran into DJs who insisted that I only use their online planning forms. The idea was that I meet with them in person for the interview, go through all the online forms at home, then within a month before the wedding, go through all the guests' music requests and all the reception details over the phone. To me, that's just not very personalized customer service.
EDIT: I even asked several times to these guys for a second face-to-face meeting. A few of them flat-out denied that and pushed for the phone meeting, and a couple of others said that was an additional charge.
I beg to differ. When I was doing my DJ search last year, I ran into DJs who insisted that I only use their online planning forms. The idea was that I meet with them in person for the interview, go through all the online forms at home, then within a month before the wedding, go through all the guests' music requests and all the reception details over the phone. To me, that's just not very personalized customer service.
EDIT: I even asked several times to these guys for a second face-to-face meeting. A few of them flat-out denied that and pushed for the phone meeting, and a couple of others said that was an additional charge.
Well, to that I would say, they are idiots.