A different opinion from the outside looking in!!!

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eddieyourdj

Mac Daddy DJ
Aug 13, 2006
2,276
115
63
Jonesboro, Arkansas
www.djeddiefite.com
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My biased opinion of the conference goes something like this:

After the opening session on Tuesday, I got the feeling that this was a time each year for a handful of people, to whom I have never heard of before, praise each other and massage each others ego! To be honest, I have never seen any of these people before and I didn't even know that there was a Mobilebeat Hall of Fame! Most of the seminars were not of any interest to me. As a part time hobbyist, who knows my local, rural market was not impressed with the market strategies of the seminar! They all seemed to be geared towards large, multi-ops that operate out of major market areas. Being a small solo business owner, I cannot comprehend purchasing, charging a client, and being cost-effective with a mega light, mega turntable, extravaganza of a setup for school sytems and brides to be that simply are not in the same social economical level that was being portrayed and MBLV.
I also noticed two different marketing strategies in the exhibit halls; FIRST was for the typical mobile DJ that could purchase lighting, trusses, spreakers, gameshow(which I still can't grasp why I would use that at a function), music subscription services, etc. SECONDLY was geared toward the DJ that isn't even a "mobile" DJ at all. I saw so many different, expensive digital turntable setups that I gasped for breath. Probably very few, and I mean very few, typical mobile DJs will have a need for those digital TTs. I actually thought that they were freakin' awesome because I come from a club DJ background and was in awe of them, but would never fork out the dough just to play around with them!
Overall, my best experience was the hallway networking, meeting some of the board members that I have been chatting with for years, seeing Coolio & The Sugar Hill Gang, listening to Don Piper, and watching a few people walk around with their egos in full bloom just laughing at what I observed!
So you think that you can run a major multi-op where I am from and charge $$$ just to pay for your ego and your setup; enjoy your beans and rice my friend...

BTW...I will probably be retuning again to meet/greet with friends and watch the stroke sessions....it was fun in a weird sort of way!!!
 
Just from my small experience with the Chicago show and hearing from many others, the hallway talk and dinner/lunch/breakfast meetings tend to be where the most information is shared openly.

I did find some of the seminars in Chicago very informative, but I wonder how many new things can be discussed year after year at each show. I'm sure the newcomers and first time show goers enjoy them, but for the guys that go year after year, I'd imagine that they don't get as much out of them.

I've debated going to Vegas the past two years, but I gather lots of great information and strategy from the boards and private messages or phone calls via members. Going to a show would just be about getting away from the day-to-day life and having fun with a group of guys that I've met online and enjoying their company and conversation.

That's why I'm looking forward to the Midwest Meet-n-Greet that is coming up in March. Just a group of people (ODJT members) who are going to come together, share some stories, have some laughs, enjoy themselves and without all the hussle of a full blown show.
 
I can see where the ego stroking may be a turn off. As far as marketing and charging what is needed to make a profit vs what one thinks the public may want to pay....the perception is usually different from a hobbyist's point of view vs a DJ that goes gigs for a living.
Good gear costs high $$$$, whatever the brand! When one enters into the DJ business as a means of income (Full time or Part time), it becomes a business, plain and simple. Costs have to be recouped over a period of time, improvements in gear and service skills have to be constantly updated. Taking these things into consideration, any astute business person has to look at the market and either increase revenue by volume contracts or by price increases (Skill and quality of gear will play a major role here).

If one enters in the DJ business with an attitude of "I'll take whatever I can get, some $$$ is better than no $$$$, then it sets precedents that can be dangerous to other career DJs in the industry.

Multi ops have a more difficult task. Their business name and reputation is always at risk of being tarnished if one of their operators is less than stellar at a performance. They have higher overheads that have to addressed because they are in business to make not loose money!

The tooting of one's own horn is something that even though construed as egotistical, is in reality sometimes a display of confidence. It is part of the sales process...... maybe practiced too much among peers, which amounts to preaching to the choir!

I was not present at the conference but I have attended many like conferences from different industries to know that they tend to all follow similar paths.
 
DJ Ducky said:
Besides which, guys like to stroke each other's egos! :sqerr: :sqlaugh: :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

surprised you didn't put a big ole' space before the word EGOS!
:sqeek:

okay, that was tastless and un-called-for! I apologize, Ducky.

as much as I dont like watching people gushing over how great they are, or how great someone else is...I do know that EGO is what drives me into my next gig with a positive atittude. so it does have it's place!
as for how much to spend on my business. well, it costs money to make money, so how much you spend HAS to be in porportion to how much you make. and vice-versa. but like many of the NON full timers, and many of the jocks who live in smaller areas...spending more money on my gear will NOT get me more gigs, and will NOT get me more money.

I would have loved to go to Vegas...
but as mentioned above...mainly for the idle chit-chat in the hallways!

and where the heck is the info on the Meet and Greet!
 
DJ Ducky said:
Besides which, guys like to stroke each other's egos! :sqerr: :sqlaugh: :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

As long as its only each others egos thay are stroking......:sqlaugh:
 
Ausumm said:
surprised you didn't put a big ole' space before the word EGOS!
:sqeek:

okay, that was tastless and un-called-for! I apologize, Ducky.

as much as I dont like watching people gushing over how great they are, or how great someone else is...I do know that EGO is what drives me into my next gig with a positive atittude. so it does have it's place!
as for how much to spend on my business. well, it costs money to make money, so how much you spend HAS to be in porportion to how much you make. and vice-versa. but like many of the NON full timers, and many of the jocks who live in smaller areas...spending more money on my gear will NOT get me more gigs, and will NOT get me more money.

I would have loved to go to Vegas...
but as mentioned above...mainly for the idle chit-chat in the hallways!

and where the heck is the info on the Meet and Greet!
Click to expand...

Tasteless is what I was going for! :sqeek:

I've heard similar reviews from the Mobile Beat conferences - huge ego show and irrelevant seminars, but the gear exhibitions and shop talk in the halls are worth it. The J Mac and I are thinking about saving up for a trip in a couple years anyway. :)

Midwest Meet-n-Greet info: http://www.ourdjtalk.com/group.php?groupid=13
 
talk about bad timing...
I was at a Haiti benefit the Saturday before the LV show
and my wife won a trip to Las Vegas...
too late to use it for the show, tho

thanks for understanding Ducky
not knowing you personally, I was worried about how you'd react.
but I guess if you're on here with the rest of us...
you already have some thick skin!

:sqlaugh:
 
Ausumm said:
talk about bad timing...
I was at a Haiti benefit the Saturday before the LV show
and my wife won a trip to Las Vegas...
too late to use it for the show, tho

thanks for understanding Ducky
not knowing you personally, I was worried about how you'd react.
but I guess if you're on here with the rest of us...
you already have some thick skin!

:sqlaugh:
Click to expand...

She is a DJ and used to handling situations. If you offend her then I think the J Mac may come calling on you! Thats what hubby's are for, thats what hubby's do! :sqlaugh:
 
You catch Ducky on the right day, and her mind is far in the gutter that nobody...and i mean nobody on this site can come close...
 
Ausumm said:
talk about bad timing...
I was at a Haiti benefit the Saturday before the LV show
and my wife won a trip to Las Vegas...
too late to use it for the show, tho

thanks for understanding Ducky
not knowing you personally, I was worried about how you'd react.
but I guess if you're on here with the rest of us...
you already have some thick skin!

:sqlaugh:
Click to expand...

I have an extremely dirty mind and the ability to make many conversations go down into the gutter immediately. I think the J Mac finds that to be one of my most attractive qualities, LOL! :sqlaugh::sqlaugh::sqlaugh::sqerr:
 
DJ Ducky said:
I have an extremely dirty mind and the ability to make many conversations go down into the gutter immediately. I think the J Mac finds that to be one of my most attractive qualities, LOL! :sqlaugh::sqlaugh::sqlaugh::sqerr:
Click to expand...

We are creating a Dossier on you by your own admissions. ODJT is having a wild Christmas Party this coming Winter and you will be voted "The lady most likely to........? LOLOL :sqlaugh:
 
Good review Eddie :)

I don't do shows anymore, because they put roulette tables in front of me. I have a tough time resisting them...


I would enjoy hanging out with folks for a bit, but I'm not gonna shell out a few thou for that -- come to Gully's if ya wanna hang out and party :)
 
Well....great candid responses.

I'm surprised at the outlook and the condemnation of "ego's" being stroked, etc. I was thinking about offering a seminar next year, but not so sure now. Worried that some would consider me an "ego" also.

Perhaps the discussion would be elevated by being SPECIFIC about what is being discussed? You know, who, what, when, where and why.

Really. We should just invite everyone here because there appears to be nothing left to learn at the major seminars (other than learning about people's tolerance for alcohol)

Peace.

Dave
 
I got a similar impression my last time at the show.

Even though seminars are said to not be selling a product they definatly were. I feel they were all "Buy my book" or "Join my Website" or "join our assoation"

Ben and The NLFX team offered the only non-weighted seminars in my opinion. They hosted a large group of lectures that were not a big sales pitch. Ben showed he is very knowledgable and is willing to educate any potential customer even if they have no intention of buying anything at the show.
 
Let me try and parse why Ben and NFLX don't have the same image as a "speaker" at MBLV. Ben is selling tangible products. You buy them, you hold them. The technology is sexy and able to be seen. It will make you immediately better. Ben is a great guy. Don't for ONE MOMENT think that Ben is not selling all the time. He is. He's one of the best.

Someone speaking about making YOU 1% better is actually selling you something that will also have an immediate impact. It's knowledge that you may not have. The difference is you are not buying a tangible asset that you can hold in your hand. It's different. You have to apply the acquired asset and make it work. It won't work without your blood, sweat and tears.

Just a thought.

Dave
 
I keep an open mind, remain teachable and take what I need. That has always included speakers products like DVds and books. For me it's the cost of doing business. Others can have their own opinion and that' fine by me. I don't work for them.

I would enjoy a seminar by you Dave!
 
I think the problem is based on what Dave was saying...
the DJ business is ENTIRELY about ego.
and that's not a put-down, that's a good thing!

we need our ego to push us into doing a better job at the next gig
we need an ego to help sell our services to potential clients
etc.

so when you gather a bunch of ego-based DJ's in the same room
and stick ONE guy up front to tell them how they can be better...
the only ego being stroked is the guy yapping!
everyone listening probably gets the "I know what I'm doing" attitude...
because we all have our OWN way of doing it.

If I get out to a DJ seminar, I would go for the new gear, great deals, and innovative products.
(and of course, the hallway chit-chat and the drinking)
 
hiredpower said:
I keep an open mind, remain teachable and take what I need. That has always included speakers products like DVds and books. For me it's the cost of doing business. Others can have their own opinion and that' fine by me. I don't work for them.

I would enjoy a seminar by you Dave!
Click to expand...

I agree...And I can and do buy the DVD's and books without having to fork out dough for airfare,hotel,expensive meals,and registration...I am presently viewing the 1% Solution DVD's and think they are well worth the expense. I also purchased Robb Smith's FAME DVD's,passed the final exam and am now FAME certified.
 
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