Can You Survive Without One
- Thread starter ahoustondj
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Although the proper choice for me wasn't in the poll, I don't have one but am having one worked up!
I can honestly say in the entire time I have been working as a DJ I have only had two clients ask me if I even had a website, even though I do not I was still hired without a problem!
I can honestly say in the entire time I have been working as a DJ I have only had two clients ask me if I even had a website, even though I do not I was still hired without a problem!
I won't vote, because I'm no longer gigging -- but a few thoughts, if you folks don't mind... 
For a wedding/mobile person, I would say yes without hesitation. Even if they don't find you that way, it can still be a major time/effort saver, using the tools available. Not everyone (client) will use those tools, but the ones that do, will save you time and money.
Bar/karaoke -- depends... Some folks like Joe C., Cam and Steve, probably get most of their work through referrals and regular weekly gigs, and may not need one. On the other hand, if they can have a place where their regulars can easily check where they're gonna be, it would come in real handy.
Sort of an analogy here:
Y'all know my favorite floating bar is less than 3/4 mile from my house, but I generally don't go down there on a regular basis. I check out their MySpace page, to find out what bands are playing on what nights. Very handy
Anyway, in this day and age, it seems sorta silly not to have one, since most people are on the net, and it's a very inexpensive way to keep your present/potential clients informed, give them tools, etc.
I'm sure many survive just fine without one, but why not go that extra mile, and show your clients you care
For a wedding/mobile person, I would say yes without hesitation. Even if they don't find you that way, it can still be a major time/effort saver, using the tools available. Not everyone (client) will use those tools, but the ones that do, will save you time and money.
Bar/karaoke -- depends... Some folks like Joe C., Cam and Steve, probably get most of their work through referrals and regular weekly gigs, and may not need one. On the other hand, if they can have a place where their regulars can easily check where they're gonna be, it would come in real handy.
Sort of an analogy here:
Y'all know my favorite floating bar is less than 3/4 mile from my house, but I generally don't go down there on a regular basis. I check out their MySpace page, to find out what bands are playing on what nights. Very handy
Anyway, in this day and age, it seems sorta silly not to have one, since most people are on the net, and it's a very inexpensive way to keep your present/potential clients informed, give them tools, etc.
I'm sure many survive just fine without one, but why not go that extra mile, and show your clients you care
Like Rick said, I don't get much business from it, but it is an essential part of generating an interest in my services. These days, most people don't want to call and speak to you until they're pretty much already sold. I honestly don't think a referral or business card would be enough for me. I get about 3% non email contacts. Most often, I'll schedule a meeting without ever speaking to the client.
A website enables a client to have all their questions answered without the discomfort of a salesperson present.
A website enables a client to have all their questions answered without the discomfort of a salesperson present.
I can't vote since my option isn't there.
I would have voted...
No, but really would like to get one.
On average....I spend at least 20 minutes over the phone explaining to my new potential clients what they will get if they hire my dj service, and how it typically compares to most typical dj services. And since I have found a unique niche in the market, it has been working to my advantage quite well.
I think a website would be nice...but even so, I would keep talking to my clients as long as it takes to make sure they are 100% completely comfortable in their decision to hire us!
Would it be nice to talk less on the phone...absolutely, but honestly those conversations have helped set a basis on which both me and my clients can start using my business strategy to the fullest....friends first, then your djs.
What would be nice about a website in my case would be...people could actually go to the site, see the pictures of being having a blast, read through many referrals, which would easily help them decide if we are a right fit for their event.
I would have voted...
No, but really would like to get one.
On average....I spend at least 20 minutes over the phone explaining to my new potential clients what they will get if they hire my dj service, and how it typically compares to most typical dj services. And since I have found a unique niche in the market, it has been working to my advantage quite well.
I think a website would be nice...but even so, I would keep talking to my clients as long as it takes to make sure they are 100% completely comfortable in their decision to hire us!
Would it be nice to talk less on the phone...absolutely, but honestly those conversations have helped set a basis on which both me and my clients can start using my business strategy to the fullest....friends first, then your djs.
What would be nice about a website in my case would be...people could actually go to the site, see the pictures of being having a blast, read through many referrals, which would easily help them decide if we are a right fit for their event.
I get quite a few customers who tell me that I was on top of the google search so they called me. A lot of my business is WOM referrals too. All my wedding clients love the DJ Intelligence tools on the site though. They like being able to plan any time they want.
young...
young...
Wait a minute! Earlier on today there was a guy in a an aquamarine suit with a deep tan that quoted the same as the above! Y'all know each other or something?
We get a few jobs here and there from the site but the majority of our gigs are from preferred vendors lists and word of mouth.
I have had my web site for over 10 years now, and it is a main source of both new customer inquiry, as well as a major outlet for my marketing efforts.
My site gets over 50 unique visitors daily.
Going forward, the internet web sites will be the number one place fpr consumers to validate businesses.
The internet is putting the Yellow Pages out of business.
My site gets over 50 unique visitors daily.
Going forward, the internet web sites will be the number one place fpr consumers to validate businesses.
The internet is putting the Yellow Pages out of business.
My answer is that I survive without one- EASILY. Had one for awhile, and found it a waste of my time.
People who don't know me will just surf through a bunch of my competition's sites before finding me, assuming that they do. Those who know me either have already seen my work, or have been referred to me, or have my card, and can contact me when need be.
However, this doesn't mean that I don't have a web presence- my ads are everywhere, and they produce results. It's just that a dedicated site didn't do half as well as all of the free ads that I've placed, for reasons stated above...
People who don't know me will just surf through a bunch of my competition's sites before finding me, assuming that they do. Those who know me either have already seen my work, or have been referred to me, or have my card, and can contact me when need be.
However, this doesn't mean that I don't have a web presence- my ads are everywhere, and they produce results. It's just that a dedicated site didn't do half as well as all of the free ads that I've placed, for reasons stated above...
Like Joe I've placed a free ad on just about any site related to DJ'n and anyother listing sites I can find that might produce a lead for me... but, I take it one step further and provide link backs to my website where ever I can... this along with good site design and SEO work on it have produce outstanding results...
just google this phrase "wedding dj in elkhart indiana" take a look at the very first page... not hard to find me is it?
just google this phrase "wedding dj in elkhart indiana" take a look at the very first page... not hard to find me is it?
Depends on where you are at.
By my survey the Yelow pages are still very popular here.
Early this year I contacted a web designer to redevelop my site but it never came through. I put it on the backburner again for now and when I get more time over the winter we will look at it again.
I believe you can survive without a website and in alot of cases without a web presence but it sure helps
I think that a web site is like a resume. If you don't have one, you only exist to the small circle of people who know you. While a good one drives business, a bad one loses business. Minimally you want to a simple one that entices people to call you. If that's the plan, keep it simple and don't put anything on there with dates. While a couple of positive comments from customers and a listing of upcoming events is great, having them all dated 3 years ago would be a negative.
If you have the time, energy and knowledge, a great web site will collect business for you. If you have money, you might want to hire someone (after checking their references) to build & possibly maintain it for you. The simple things like color coordination, photo editing, fonts, wording, etc. can make a HUGE difference! They trigger emotions. Done correctly they make someone feel happy and drive expectations that they will have a good time if they select you as their DJ. When done poorly, the person will just go back to Google and select the next web site in the list and may not even know why they didn't like your website.
Who is your target audience? Weddings? Private parties? Massive ballroom events? Young kids parties? Teenage dances? Do you want to have individual sections dedicated to each so you can show that you understand the differences? Or do you want to keep it generic and simple by just listing that you do those kinds of events?
You should probably have a few pictures and it may be best to show people dancing and having a good time. (While on this topic showing an attractive person smiling and obviously having fun fits the profile, but having a provocatively barely dressed person may upset some people so why chance it?) A wide angle shot of how clean your wedding setup looks or how packed the dance floor is in front of you with your lights blazing could work well. But who is the customer that wants to see high-res gear pix (and read your gear list)? Your fellow DJ's and competitors probably do, but do customers really care? Does that add confusion? Will you using, or not using a certain brand attract or repel more customers than not providing that information?
Scott
P.S. I'm not criticizing anyone's web site. I'm just trying to pass on knowledge that I have acquired working with web and marketing professionals in my day job. I don't have a web site. My DJ work is purposefully limited to friends, kids and charity events.
If you have the time, energy and knowledge, a great web site will collect business for you. If you have money, you might want to hire someone (after checking their references) to build & possibly maintain it for you. The simple things like color coordination, photo editing, fonts, wording, etc. can make a HUGE difference! They trigger emotions. Done correctly they make someone feel happy and drive expectations that they will have a good time if they select you as their DJ. When done poorly, the person will just go back to Google and select the next web site in the list and may not even know why they didn't like your website.
Who is your target audience? Weddings? Private parties? Massive ballroom events? Young kids parties? Teenage dances? Do you want to have individual sections dedicated to each so you can show that you understand the differences? Or do you want to keep it generic and simple by just listing that you do those kinds of events?
You should probably have a few pictures and it may be best to show people dancing and having a good time. (While on this topic showing an attractive person smiling and obviously having fun fits the profile, but having a provocatively barely dressed person may upset some people so why chance it?) A wide angle shot of how clean your wedding setup looks or how packed the dance floor is in front of you with your lights blazing could work well. But who is the customer that wants to see high-res gear pix (and read your gear list)? Your fellow DJ's and competitors probably do, but do customers really care? Does that add confusion? Will you using, or not using a certain brand attract or repel more customers than not providing that information?
Scott
P.S. I'm not criticizing anyone's web site. I'm just trying to pass on knowledge that I have acquired working with web and marketing professionals in my day job. I don't have a web site. My DJ work is purposefully limited to friends, kids and charity events.
When I had a site, I broughtr in a few client, but my businees is merely WOM, this is pretty good around December
Study our competition, do they have websites, most of them do, so if we dont do they think we are fly by night, a craiglister, just a thought
my clients can email me call or text whichever they wish, this is the day of instant communication, so we need to go with it,,,,
my clients can email me call or text whichever they wish, this is the day of instant communication, so we need to go with it,,,,