I just got something crazy in the mail to me the other day.

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

The other day i got some mail about an upcoming 2 day bridal show at a mall. They had all different types prices for a different setup in the mall. They even had something where you pay them to pass out postcards in this mall.

They tried to sell you on a bunch of people that will be visiting this mall. I remember one price was $700.00. I can't remember all the prices but just that one. They also had something else where you pay them to be listed on their site. I can't remember what the name of the site or who was the sponser of this bridal show. I can't see a bunch of people interested in trying to hire a DJ or other professional to come do their wedding in a shopping mall. A catering hall i can understand but not a shopping mall. I don't have $700.00 to spend right now and if i did i would look to put it to better use then a bridal show at a mall for advertising our services. What are your thoughts on this?

 

[B-Sharp]

Mix, open your eyes. If you can't see a bunch of people interested in trying to hire a DJ at a bridal show, then it's time to get an eye exam. Then again, you don't have $700 to spend on advertising right now, so everything below this line is a moot point. Still, here are my thoughts:

A 2-day show for $700 in a high-traffic location? Sign me up TODAY. I want to be there.

If this show is marketing to brides as hard as they're marketing to DJs (because let's face it, even YOU got something in the mail about it), it could be a very good show. The location doesn't matter - brides love to shop, so why wouldn't they go to this show? Additionally, by doing this show you've got a chance to introduce yourself to other people - the regular mall shoppers who aren't planning weddings but may have a birthday, anniversary or graduation party coming up in the next 12 months.

Considering that you rant about your friend who can't get 20 people in the door at a boxing gym, I'm surprised that you don't recognize a good promotional opportunity when it comes your way. If you're not there, I guarantee you that your competition will be.

 

[DJ J Mac]

I've been to a bridal show in a mall before (looking for a friend who was coming back home to get married) and it was nothing special. The trick would be is how well advertised is the show and are there any other shows in the area.

In general bridal shows can give a great return, not only by booking clients, but the networking with other vendors...the question it all comes down to is how good of a show is it. From the sounds of what you've said, this seems to be a straight up money grab by some company disguised as a bridal show.

 

[ahoustondj]

I have never gone to a Bridal Show but have participated in other Trade Shows where I showcased my two businesses, DJ and Art Business. The objective is to be VERY personable (This will highlight your MC skills of interacting with the crowd) and to close sales. Your goal should be to leave with signed bookings, that day!!! You have to find that "hot button" real fast as you won't have the luxury of time on your side. Yeah, one may take some orders, thats good too but is leaving things to chance.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

Mix, open your eyes. If you can't see a bunch of people interested in trying to hire a DJ at a bridal show, then it's time to get an eye exam. Then again, you don't have $700 to spend on advertising right now, so everything below this line is a moot point. Still, here are my thoughts:

A 2-day show for $700 in a high-traffic location? Sign me up TODAY. I want to be there.

If this show is marketing to brides as hard as they're marketing to DJs (because let's face it, even YOU got something in the mail about it), it could be a very good show. The location doesn't matter - brides love to shop, so why wouldn't they go to this show? Additionally, by doing this show you've got a chance to introduce yourself to other people - the regular mall shoppers who aren't planning weddings but may have a birthday, anniversary or graduation party coming up in the next 12 months.

Considering that you rant about your friend who can't get 20 people in the door at a boxing gym, I'm surprised that you don't recognize a good promotional opportunity when it comes your way. If you're not there, I guarantee you that your competition will be.

Sorry but you got it wrong about the boxing thing. It wasn't my partners event. It was the people that invited him there. He was just coming there to play. That's it.

As for the mall deal i think if i saw a DJ at a mall trying to convince me to book his or her for my wedding, i would say this DJ must be desperate for work. I can see a bridal show at a nice hall but a mall. Who do you know if they were told that there was going to be a bridal show at a mall would show up? It just seems to me someone who would fall for this are hard up to get some work.

Well i shouldn't talk. I've been to a few bridal shows but was never a vendor there. What's the most anyone here would pay to be in a bridal show and why?

Now do remember ti says bridal show. So that says to me your focus should be on brides mainly. If something else comes along fine. Just tell me how many people would you expect would sign a contract with you right then and there and pay you a retainers fee in a mall?

What i would do is walk around the mall parking lot where the bridal show is to be and put postcards on cars. That would be a way for me to advertise my business without having to pay them to do this inside the mall.

 

[ahoustondj]

What i would do is walk around the mall parking lot where the bridal show is to be and put postcards on cars. That would be a way for me to advertise my business without having to pay them to do this inside the mall.

Mix, Pardon me if this offends you as it is not a personal attack, ok. With that being said, if I was to see someone doing that at somebody else's Show I would think that the person is a Low Down, No Class, Scumbag who I would then report for Littering and hope they get prosecuted. That shows a total lack of Professionalism. Even the DJs on Craigslist are many levels above that kind of activity!

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

Mix, Pardon me if this offends you as it is not a personal attack, ok. With that being said, if I was to see someone doing that at somebody else's Show I would think that the person is a Low Down, No Class, Scumbag who I would then report for Littering and hope they get prosecuted. That shows a total lack of Professionalism. Even the DJs on Craigslist are many levels above that kind of activity!

Sorry you feel that way but i certainly wouldn't pay to stand in a mall around a bridal show and hand out postcards. Why not just go to different venues and ask can you leave some postcards in their place? All they can do is say yes or no.

 

[shanefrom302]

As for the mall deal i think if i saw a DJ at a mall trying to convince me to book his or her for my wedding, i would say this DJ must be desperate for work. I can see a bridal show at a nice hall but a mall. Who do you know if they were told that there was going to be a bridal show at a mall would show up? It just seems to me someone who would fall for this are hard up to get some work.

C'mon Mix think about it...... Most women are going shopping at the mall anyway or had plans to go shopping after the bridal show, so now they can knock both out with a single trip. The ladies can spend the day shopping at the mall and taking care of finding vendors for thier upcoming day. There would also be more traffic since there would be people there who are'nt there just for the bridal show, now your company can be seen by a larger audience. Passing out flyers in the parking lot or placing under wipers is a horrible ideal, don't do it!!!!

 

[B-Sharp]

Why not just go to different venues and ask can you leave some postcards in their place? All they can do is say yes or no.

Why not? Because every low-life hack DJ does that. Here's a little secret: By the time you walk back to your car, your postcards are in the trash. Most venues will only promote your services if you're doing something for them in return. In a lot of places, especially in your area, "doing something for them in return" means that you're slipping them some cash each time they refer you. That's just how they roll. Fortunately, the venues that recommend me don't want or expect a kickback. So why do they recommend me? Because they see me at a number of bridal shows, they know that I'm serious about my business, we've become friends over the years and I've never asked to leave business cards or postcards all over their lobby. I respect their business and I'm always sure to thank them whenever they recommend me to their clients.

To answer your question about how much I'd pay to be in a bridal show: $1195 plus $200 for electricity at a seven-hour show. That particular show is the best in the area, attracting close to a thousand brides.

 

[Patrick]

Your goal should be to leave with signed bookings, that day!!!

Could not disagree more. If it is a high traffic area, you do not want to spend 20 minutes trying to sign the bride.

You want to get your information in their hands, have them call / email you to discuss setting up a meeting for booking. You do not want to be trying to sell a bride for 20 wants while 50 others walk by you miss.

 

[Jon Tuck]

I have to agree with PAtrick. Plant a solid seed and they will come in droves. Im currently fielding 3-4 calls a day from this past show and also locking in meetings daily from the list of ballots we received for the show. We signed zero on the spot it takes too much time missing multiple possible leads. We actually also signed a contract with a bridal shop at this show to highlight us on the exclusive vendor program. We are in baby!!! They do 4 million a yr on dresses alone at this shop. They also sold the same way we did and are tops in their chain which includes over 300 stores in the USA and Canada. I even hate seeing a row full of people knowing I chatted momentarily with a small percentage of them as they passed wondering if the ones I couldnt talk to may have been premium clients. I do however know that what I do is working and this yr will be our best yr since doing the company.

Mix your opinion on what works or doesnt is your biggest handicap and worst enemy. YOur clueless cause you havent experienced and your opinions need to be kept to yourself I would hate for a newbie to read your comments as if you knew what you are talking about. No offense but your have no proof or cred to show success in this business. Sorry if that hurts your feelings but it must be shared. You have been given countless tidbits and advice and thre them by the wayside like a piece of shiz flyer you woulf put on someones wiper blade. How classless and Craigslist like mentality suggesting such. A mall show is not stupid or an act of DJ trying to scrape bottom. Many are as well attended and sold as venue shows. We do big, small, and mall ones if they did them here. We are entering one at one of our preffered Golf clubs we are the only DJ and maybe 20 to 30 brides will show. I will keep you posted on how many we sign.

 

[ahoustondj]

A Bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. When I used to do trade Shows I used to use a certain drawing card with a few questions on it, not just name, phone and address. Those cards pre qualified those who I would later call. I am not afraid of sales or selling and a face in front of me is much better than a telephone call to someone who may not remember me. Granted, it is a quicker presentation but in order of Priority this is how it went.
1. Sales At The Show.
2. Appointments made at the Show.
3. Qualified Leads (Hot)
4. Leads (Warm)

 

[Kirby Ball]

What i would do is walk around the mall parking lot where the bridal show is to be and put postcards on cars. That would be a way for me to advertise my business without having to pay them to do this inside the mall.

That would more than likely get you ejected from the property (or worse) as almost every mall that I've ever been around does not allow unapproved solicitation. That would look real good to a potential client or other vendors to see the mall cops detaining you.

If you are not going to be a paid vendor then you have no business soliciting for business at a trade show of any kind.

 

[DJCC]

Mix, PLEASE do not do any bridal shows!! I don't want people getting the wrong perception of DJs.

We do a bridal show every year at a local mall. Our cost is $200, and it PACKS the mall. we get plenty of leads that turn into bookings, and not only for wedding.

 

[Jon Tuck]

Canute I would challenge you to bring that method here and try it. In California I made 5-10 on site sales but here it doesnt work that way and it also depends on which show we are at. The Fall show are window shoppers mostly and make their final cuts from the four January shows they attend. We make on site sales at that January show every yr and turn a nice return on bookings upon follow up as well. Times have changed as well in the industry. It aint like it was back in your hay day and one has to move with the changes and adapt and adjust to benefit. I can proudly say we gain more than most of our competitors at each show we enter with our methods. Just the past show vendors were complaining the show was dead. We already have 10 bookings with several more to come in for consult. I havent contact 1/2 of the client base yet one time much less follow ups. I feel this show is going to reveal best results yet in this companies existence and Im proud to have been a big part of the success thus far.

 

[Jeff Romard]

Mix might not be completly wrong on this one....

I know what a Bridal Show goes for in my area I can get in the top end one for $500-$600 and that gives me exclusive rights in the DJ category. According to Brendan in his area the top end one is about $1400 so I am going to assume that Mixes area would be in that range also. I would be skeptical of a half price Bridal Show in a mall.

Before I signed I would look at a couple of things

Is this a high end mall or a "grub" mall? Are all vendors going to be grouped in an area of the mall or spread out through the mall? How well are they marketing the show? What is the Demographic for the area within a 20 minute drive of that mall?

If you do your homework and everything is good it could be a gold mine if not it could be a $700 disaster

 

[Jon Tuck]

well that goes without question Jeff research on any marketing idea is always a safer method than jumping in wityh both feet and planting flyers on parked cars in a security covered private parking lot.

 

[Jeff Romard]

well that goes without question Jeff research on any marketing idea is always a safer method than jumping in wityh both feet and planting flyers on parked cars in a security covered private parking lot.

For you and I and some others it does Jon but sometimes the unquestionable needs to be questioned...

 

[DJ SVO]

[video=youtube;OH6RMA3gvq4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH6RMA3gvq4[/video]

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

Mix, PLEASE do not do any bridal shows!! I don't want people getting the wrong perception of DJs.

We do a bridal show every year at a local mall. Our cost is $200, and it PACKS the mall. we get plenty of leads that turn into bookings, and not only for wedding.

Trust me they wouldn't get the wrong idea of us DJ's. I haven't done a bridal show but wouldn't mind doing one. That works great for you in a mall for $200.00. I'm happy for you. I could see me spending $200.00 for bridal show in a mall. I wouldn't mind taking that risk. Not a $700.00 risk to do a bridal show in a mall.

Quite frankly i would need mre pictures of classy events we've done. I have some but i just don't feel enough. I do have some pictures in the past before i bought this DSLR i have now. The problem is some of those pictures are not very good. What i like are DJ's that i've seen who have a dvd to hand out to potential clients. Some are great while i think some are not so great.

The other thing for me is that it does say a bridal show. So i would expect that a potential client would be looking for a DJ that knows how to properly do a wedding. That being said i know some DJ's that just to get a gig and say they can make some money they would do the gig even though they aren't right for the job. I know some DJ's that say a DJ should know how to do any event and have all types of music. What i find is that some are better at certain events then others. It's called knowing your limitations. All some can see is dollar signs and not that in the long run it can hurt and not help their business.