Would you encourage someone to start a DJ business if asked?

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Would you encourage someone to start a DJ business if asked?

  • Yes

    Votes: 17 100.0%

  • No

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    17
G

Guest

Guest
My assistant has been telling some of my clients and guests at shows that he is planning to start DJing himself. I don't have a problem with this but I am not sure he really knows what he would be getting himself into. He didn't ask my opinion on this till today and it is clear to me that he thinks he can get into this for $500.

So, today I sent him an e-mail detailing what he should expect to spend just to get out the door and then annually on webpage, advertising, insurance, music subscriptions, and so on.

The bottom line is, I highly discouraged him from getting into it.

Poll coming..
 
That would depend....

I voted no as I wouldn't want to encourage my compitition... but, on the same token I believe that this is a legit occupation and for those with the dedication to pursue and continue to pursue it long after the "Cool Factor" wore off then yes I would encourage and even help them.....
 
Tom Ohlendorf said:
The bottom line is, I highly discouraged him from getting into it.
Click to expand...

In all honesty Tom, just because your experience appears to have failed -- does not mean everyone's will... ;)

By encouraging folks NOT to try things for themselves, you do yourself and others a disservice, IMHO.

You sound very bitter -- hope this cheers you up... :D

YouTube - suicide is painless - 4077th tribute
 
Rick:

I'm not being bitter, I just don't want him to get into this thinking he'll make tons of money right away and also thinkking it will only cost a little. I gave him a blow by blow breakdown on the cost including subscriptions and insurance. Plus I also told him that the economy has put a bite in the wallets and now would not be the right time. I suggested that if he really wanted to DJ then he should hook up with The Pros.

He's caught the bug. He's a young guy (28) working two jobs and he has a monthly mortgage to pay. I'm afraid he's going to blow his mortgage payment on DJ gear. I think I gave him sound advice.

BTW, the experience lasted almost ten years this time around.
 
Tom,

Have you read any of your posts since announcing your DJ suicide to the world?

They are almost all negative about the business, the people in it, the direction it's heading, the people we work for, the music, et. al.


To me, it all sounds bitter -- as if you blame any new and up and coming DJs, for your lack of motivation and success. I may be wrong, but that's the way it sounds to me...
 
Rick:

Most other folks have said much of the music is headed in the dumper.

As the people we work for; that is, the client, I've always said that the only thing that they care about is the price. I've lost track of the number of times I've been asked the "How much" question, tried to educate, and lost the battle.

As to the people in it, except for Merry's Faries and the bottom feeders, I will give most good credit. The ones on this board all hardworking with legitimate experience to share. I do put myself in the hardworking category as well.

As to the direction the business is heading, if automation persists, then we are becoming our own worst enemy. It does look too easy. I had a guy at last Saturday's wedding standing behind me make that very same remark. If you don't want me to say that then I will stop saying it even though it is becoming more true each day.

The business is not and has not been negative to me. I've done well with it and have enjoyed it. I just don't want to see somebody walk in with a false impression and false hopes. In this economy I wouldn't encourage anybody to start any business.

As to lack of motivation, I freely admit that since I am winding down it is becoming harder to get motivated about some things, but lack of success, no way. I count the DJ business as a success. And now it is time to move on.
 
That's what people have been saying all along, in the end it boils down to money. Either people can afford a particular DJ's services or they can't. Educating the potential client has no effect if they can't afford you.

Music, yeah, so a lot of new stuff isn't that great, but that's the same thing my grandparents said about the music my parents listened to. All that means is we as DJs need to dig a little deeper and not rely on subscriptions and the radio to tell us what to play. Go buy the album and find that awesome track that isn't gonna make it on the radio.

The automation of the DJ...boy funny, Ducky and I don't have that problem...oh wait, we still spin cds and vinyl.

(no offense Rick, if we were digital DJs, we'd go for Rockit)
 
DJ J Mac said:
That's what people have been saying all along, in the end it boils down to money. Either people can afford a particular DJ's services or they can't. Educating the potential client has no effect if they can't afford you.

Music, yeah, so a lot of new stuff isn't that great, but that's the same thing my grandparents said about the music my parents listened to. All that means is we as DJs need to dig a little deeper and not rely on subscriptions and the radio to tell us what to play. Go buy the album and find that awesome track that isn't gonna make it on the radio.
The automation of the DJ...boy funny, Ducky and I don't have that problem...oh wait, we still spin cds and vinyl.

(no offense Rick, if we were digital DJs, we'd go for Rockit)
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I WON'T do.... try to break music on my client's dime.
 
Tom Ohlendorf said:
And now it is time to move on.
Click to expand...

With all due respect Tom -- if that is the case, why have you been so prolific at spreading doom and gloom all over the DJ chat boards of late...?

Get into gardening, or make BBQ sauce or something -- us retired DJs have some interesting discussions, about non-DJ related topics... :)


What happened to religion? Did you quit that too...? ;) :D
 
Whether i encourage someone or not would depend greatly on the person. If they were like me, then no I would not. I am starting to realize that i don't have the people skills it takes to get new business and keep the gigs i do get.


-james
 
Papa Deuce said:
That's exactly what I WON'T do.... try to break music on my client's dime.
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Ah, but sometimes it's that little known track that is actually going to be the best song of the night. Now I'm not saying we just play whatever, if we play something rarer, we make sure that it is played at the right moment with the right crowd.
 
I would say that the DJ business is not for everybody and go from there and that it also is not that easy
 
DJ J Mac said:
Ah, but sometimes it's that little known track that is actually going to be the best song of the night. Now I'm not saying we just play whatever, if we play something rarer, we make sure that it is played at the right moment with the right crowd.
Click to expand...


Not if they have never heard it before. Now I certainly play some older songs that weren't huge hits, but no way I am picking a brand new song to play that hasn't had any air time yet. But to each their own.
 
Papa Deuce said:
Not if they have never heard it before. Now I certainly play some older songs that weren't huge hits, but no way I am picking a brand new song to play that hasn't had any air time yet. But to each their own.
Click to expand...

See for us, songs can get played in larger markets (Chicago, Indy, Boston) and it can take upwards of 6 months for them to reach our market if they ever make it here at all. Combine that with a large diverse wedding market that Purdue brings in and we've got to be willing to step outside the "safe" songs.
 
I'll open up the can......

If this person wants do do it part time or as a hobby......why not?

I would caution him that to do it right, it isn't cheap...and that if that person is intent on doing it...do it right...

If that person wants and thinks it'll put food ion the table and is considering giving up a job that does that, tell him he's crazy.....
 
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