Meeting at a potential client's home?

[djrox]

The evil monsters under the staircase... :sqerr: ...

HA!

You are so stupid. Monsters live in closets, I saw a documentary titled, "Monsters Inc." and unless the closet was under a staircase, there were ZERO Monsters under any staircases. Sheesh.

Due to the fact that I work out of my home I meet people at their houses all the time . The only minor problem I have had was when the couples young kids were there. It was hard to talk and plan out the order of events because the kids kept interrupting because they were bored. Not a big deal but when you are trying to plan everything out so all goes smoothly it was kind of annoying

Children are both a gift and a test...from God. Being impatient with children or treating them like an annoyance is like getting an "F."

 

[DJ Freddy]

I like to meet all my clients at my office but if I see that they insist on me going to them and I really want to play their event, I will agree but other than that is either my office or I will pass.

 

[SoftJock Rick]

I like to meet all my clients at my office but if I see that they insist on me going to them and I really want to play their event, I will agree but other than that is either my office or I will pass.

That's cool with me Freddy -- but how many DJs have an office...

That's probably one of the biggest perception problems DJs have -- most don't have an office. They want to meet you at Applebees or something... :sqerr:

 

[ittigger]

Have you done that? I just got my first request to do so for this Tuesday evening. I think it will feel rather strange sitting at their kitchen table.... I hardly ever meet anyway, so this will seem different.

I do it quite often.

 

[Chuck The DJ]

So if they live low end, do you charge accoprdingly, or just say: F8ck it....they aren't my type of client?

yes and I drive away and call and cancel later....

 

[Papa Deuce]

I just started moving into my new home today. We ordered a spectacular desk for it, and the room has French doors on it, so it will look pretty classy. And the office is right inside the front door, so I am thinking about inviting clients to my home office when I get all settled in. Not sure the wife will like that so much. Not sure I will either.

EDIT: I created a separate thread for opinions on that.

 

[DjDennis]

i'll meet at thier home (also tells me how much $$$$ they have to spend)

 

[ittigger]

Monsters live in closets, I saw a documentary titled, "Monsters Inc." and unless the closet was under a staircase, there were ZERO Monsters under any staircases.

And according to said documentary, now they're not even scary - they make you laugh.

=)

 

[Bill Kexel]

i'll meet at thier home (also tells me how much $$$$ they have to spend)

They may not have any big $ to spend on a DJ...they spent it all on the house.

 

[SemiRetired DJ]

So if they live low end, do you charge accoprdingly, or just say: F8ck it....they aren't my type of client?

Actually, yeah.

I had my share of trailer park clients as well. I also brought up what they did for a living in the interview and that also helped with pricing.

 

[Hank Davidson]

I did it all the time if I could. As has been said, it gave a better connection to the couple.

A few other factors to consider:
1. You'll see their house. If it is in a wealthy neighborhood, charge accordingly.
2. You'll see their cars (unless they are in a garage). If they are high-end, charge accordingly.
3. Note the accommodations. If there are lots of pictures of family and friends then they value this. Use that in your show. It also would not hurt to mention that in your interview; something like, "I see you have lots of pictures of family and friends. Family and friends are very important. Is there anything special that you want me to do in your reception for them like, maybe, a special friends dance?"

Let their home work for you.

Sizing someone up and soaking them because they can afford it is just plain wrong. Charging accordingly means the job is the same price no matter who is hiring you.

That's cool with me Freddy -- but how many DJs have an office...

That's probably one of the biggest perception problems DJs have -- most don't have an office. They want to meet you at Applebees or something... :sqerr:

I would question anyone wanting to meet at public place. It feels very impersonal and this is a very personal business. It also feels like someone has something to hide. If you have no office and your home is a potentially offensive place to meet, you may not want to be in the "people" business.

 

[DJ J Mac]

I would question anyone wanting to meet at public place. It feels very impersonal and this is a very personal business. It also feels like someone has something to hide. If you have no office and your home is a potentially offensive place to meet, you may not want to be in the "people" business.

I'll take issue with this statement Hank. First of all, it's highly recommended that when meeting a stranger for the first time (especially if the bride is alone) that it be in a public place for safety's sake.

I don't have an office because I don't feel that I need to pay for one and if I have to start paying for one, well that cost gets passed right along to the client. Currently my home is being remodeled so there's no way I'd being a client in there. Even if it weren't we have pets and I'm not going to risk someone with severe allergies walking into the house and immediately reaching for their epi-pen. I don't care what your vacuum says or anything else you do...the pet dander will be in the air. But all of those reasons aside, my home is my private life and the DJ business is part of my public life.

 

[Scott Hanna]

I did it all the time if I could. As has been said, it gave a better connection to the couple.

A few other factors to consider:
1. You'll see their house. If it is in a wealthy neighborhood, charge accordingly.
2. You'll see their cars (unless they are in a garage). If they are high-end, charge accordingly.
3. Note the accommodations. If there are lots of pictures of family and friends then they value this. Use that in your show. It also would not hurt to mention that in your interview; something like, "I see you have lots of pictures of family and friends. Family and friends are very important. Is there anything special that you want me to do in your reception for them like, maybe, a special friends dance?"

Let their home work for you.

I have had meetings in client's homes many times. Yes, someone's house can tell you things and help you sell. While I may suggest some things in a wealthy person's home that I may not suggest in a lower income family home, I don't just change the prices because they can afford it.

If they truly are wealthy, they probably are better business people that don't let themselves get overcharged for things.


Maybe we could make an excel spreadsheet that would help us price things out using the above strategy. All you would have to do is just check off boxes and the spread sheet will tell you what to charge.

Cars
BMW +$75
Bently +$150
Used Ford -$25
Yugo -$200


House
Big +$250
Medium + $50
Shoebox -$75

Neighborhood
Like Greenwich Village, CT +400
Like Queens, NY +0
Like East LA -$200

 

[Hank Davidson]

I'll take issue with this statement Hank. First of all, it's highly recommended that when meeting a stranger for the first time (especially if the bride is alone) that it be in a public place for safety's sake.

I don't have an office because I don't feel that I need to pay for one and if I have to start paying for one, well that cost gets passed right along to the client. Currently my home is being remodeled so there's no way I'd being a client in there. Even if it weren't we have pets and I'm not going to risk someone with severe allergies walking into the house and immediately reaching for their epi-pen. I don't care what your vacuum says or anything else you do...the pet dander will be in the air. But all of those reasons aside, my home is my private life and the DJ business is part of my public life.

We all have our practices and opinions Mac and that's cool.

I'll agree to the pet thing. I always ask. I'll also agree that there may be preventive circumstances like your remodeling and such, but I refuse to wrap my head around the safety thing. I have never heard of or had a bride do anything related to the wedding "alone" (what are the odds really?) and until someone is raped or murdered during a DJ consult, I'll leave that scenario to Steven King.

All I know is that if I need to hire someone for something as important as my wedding, I'm not doing it at Starbucks.

"NOT THAT THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT." :triwink:

 

[djrox]

Maybe we could make an excel spreadsheet that would help us price things out using the above strategy. All you would have to do is just check off boxes and the spread sheet will tell you what to charge.

Cars
BMW +$75
Bently +$150
Used Ford -$25
Yugo -$200


House
Big +$250
Medium + $50
Shoebox -$75

Neighborhood
Like Greenwich Village, CT +400
Like Queens, NY +0
Like East LA -$200

Lets keep this going:

Refrigerators:
Sub Zero + $100
Kenmore +/- $0
Igloo w/ broken lid -$50

HVAC Systems:
Trane/Bryant Central HVAC +$150
LG Window Unit +/- $0
Beer Cans - $150
Natural Light Beer Cans "Sorry, Already Booked"

Beer:
Guinness +100
Budweiser +/- 0
PBR "Hi Rick"

 

[DjDennis]

They may not have any big $ to spend on a DJ...they spent it all on the house.

aaahhh But Bill - I know what areas are the richer ones
plus I will know just by the phone call when I suggest that I come see them as well

now I have caught out many that have so tight @sses that I say to them
well the Dj costs this but thats all you will get if you need gear it will cost slightly more

its how you know how to sell at times

but I havent needed to go see anyone like that - I will know if thats a true booking
by the original call and if I will accept it or just pass it on!

I am doing a lot of referrals now days just to get a few $ while I am repairing computers and driving busses

I need a break from djing for now - but its my past clients I get asked to dj more than anything so thats when I know if I need to do it or still pass it on (I normally do it to have them return again and again)

so going to a suburb like say Dalkeith (your hollywords rich area) I know they have lots of money or they wouldnt be living there!!

have a nice day

 

[SoftJock Rick]

Bathroom:

Has heat in bathroom: - $500 (indicates female in home, and we feel sorry)
Has cleaned toilet this year: - $1000 (indicates more than one female in home - we feel sorrier)

Toilet seat up, and TP roll comes over the top: + $2000 (if combined with above, indicates man is still in charge, and makes big bucks)

 

[bestdjinfl]

I actually do it all the time. It is just another added value service I provide...

 

[SoftJock Rick]

I actually do it all the time. It is just another added value service I provide...

Value added, would imply that you charge extra to do so. Is that the case...?



@Rox: BTW, The only original closet in this building, is under a staircase... Faith sleeps outside it, to keep the evil monsters in there...:sqerr:

 

[djrox]

@Rox: BTW, The only original closet in this building, is under a staircase... Faith sleeps outside it, to keep the evil monsters in there...:sqerr:

Little does faith realize that she is actually keeping the Monster out of the closet.