OK i have admitted I've made some mistakes in the past and looking to correct such mistakes. So things can get better instead of staying the same. Hey all thanks for those who suggested I get that book. I certainly will.
I'm a little fustrated right now with business.
- Thread starter MIXMASTERMACHOM
- Start date
Mix I've been reading this thread since you started it 2 days ago and I kept telling myself to save the frustration and stay out of it but here I am.....
What you are saying is the same thing you were saying a year ago, two years ago, and 5 years ago over at DJchat. It all has one common denominator you had no plan then and you still have no plan you have been spinning your wheels
I offered last year to write you a business plan but that didn't work out so here you go a basic template for a business plan fill in the blanks and be honest
http://www.thefinanceresource.com/free_business_plans/free_dj_service_business_plan.aspx
Now heres what I see....
You have NO IDEA what to charge or how to market yourself or your service. Every time you post about a price it's different. I understand different events require different prices but $200-$1000 is a very wide spread. If you can't book gigs you either aren't selling yourself well or you are marketing to the wrong people
Before you set a price for your services you have to know what it costs you to do business. You take that number and decide how much profit you want and there is your price.
Never mind reading DJ books they are written with an agenda. Read Guerrilla Marketing bu Jay Conrad Levison you can pick it up at any library. It will give you alot of free and low cost ideas on how to better market your business.
When I started there was no internet to help me market and read about marketing I did it by guess and by gosh and made alot of mistakes along the way you have a good opportunity the info is there use it
Take advantage of ANY free advertising. Even if you get more tire kickers you will get some solid leads. You miss every shot you don't take. The more people you talk to the ,ore you will book and at your price
What you are saying is the same thing you were saying a year ago, two years ago, and 5 years ago over at DJchat. It all has one common denominator you had no plan then and you still have no plan you have been spinning your wheels
I offered last year to write you a business plan but that didn't work out so here you go a basic template for a business plan fill in the blanks and be honest
http://www.thefinanceresource.com/free_business_plans/free_dj_service_business_plan.aspx
Now heres what I see....
You have NO IDEA what to charge or how to market yourself or your service. Every time you post about a price it's different. I understand different events require different prices but $200-$1000 is a very wide spread. If you can't book gigs you either aren't selling yourself well or you are marketing to the wrong people
Before you set a price for your services you have to know what it costs you to do business. You take that number and decide how much profit you want and there is your price.
Never mind reading DJ books they are written with an agenda. Read Guerrilla Marketing bu Jay Conrad Levison you can pick it up at any library. It will give you alot of free and low cost ideas on how to better market your business.
When I started there was no internet to help me market and read about marketing I did it by guess and by gosh and made alot of mistakes along the way you have a good opportunity the info is there use it
Take advantage of ANY free advertising. Even if you get more tire kickers you will get some solid leads. You miss every shot you don't take. The more people you talk to the ,ore you will book and at your price
You said a mouth full there and you're 100% correct! I can't get mad at what you said one bit and thank you.
DjDennis
RIP- My Dad (2011), Sister (2013) and Mum (2017)
Thanks for all that were willing to help. Great advice. I'm in the process of getting with Steve to add more pictures to the site. I was just feeling like I'm caught between a rock and a hard place. Damned if I do and damned if I don't. I felt $650.00 was good price and the bride wouldn't bite. So do I cut the price or stick to my guns? Actually when I got the phone call I was just waking up. I should have tried to see about trying to setup a meeting with that bride. I got to remember to try to do that if it's possible. Also if possible have the meeting in the venue the reception is going to be in.
That way I get to kill several birds with one stone. I get to check out the place where the event is to take place to see what will be needed to cover the event. Meet the client and pass along a business card to a staff member.
That way I get to kill several birds with one stone. I get to check out the place where the event is to take place to see what will be needed to cover the event. Meet the client and pass along a business card to a staff member.
Mix,
This is an honest question, with no ill will intended.
I am not trying to set you up, so I can rip apart your reply.
In fact, if you'd rather not answer it, feel free to ignore it,
and I won't pester you for a response.
But what exactly does your "partner" do for your business?
What does he contribute?
Does he pursue leads and handle promoting the business?
Does he spin the music during the events, or just help you load in?
Does he buy, or own any of the gear you use?
From the outside, it appears you do most of work, but you need to check with before you do anything.
This is an honest question, with no ill will intended.
I am not trying to set you up, so I can rip apart your reply.
In fact, if you'd rather not answer it, feel free to ignore it,
and I won't pester you for a response.
But what exactly does your "partner" do for your business?
What does he contribute?
Does he pursue leads and handle promoting the business?
Does he spin the music during the events, or just help you load in?
Does he buy, or own any of the gear you use?
From the outside, it appears you do most of work, but you need to check with before you do anything.
He helps out with leads. The issue with that is that with both us the leads we get are very sicking for the most part. They are looking for a cheap DJ to come do their event. To be honest a lot of that is our fault. Doing gigs for say $200.00-$350.00 in the past. We both have a ton of equipment. He has 2 laptops at least with 2 controllers. Now to be honest the one thing he has I don't like is those Mackie Thumps. He has a pair of 15" speakers and I just hate them.
We both play at gigs. It's not just one or the other. Now we have a gig on Saturday. It's a sweet 16. He's going to play the music since he's better with knowing what type of music to play for such an event. I'll be there taking pictures of the event. I hope I get some good pictures that can get added to the website.
Myself I have the Denon 6000, laptop, Yamaha DSR tops and subs. Also a pair of Yamaha S215 speakers and QSC 2450 amp. Not to mention right now 5 lights we use. Looking to add more in time and get the lighted facade.
That was kinda my thought, too.
Some of those lower paying gigs wouldn't hurt so much if only ONE person was getting paid.
Do enough lower paying gigs at the start, and you can build a base to get better paying jobs.
I'm not trying to tell you what to do, it just seems from your posts that you are not 100% happy with his contributions.
But I am only assuming. It could be me mis-reading what you write.
Mix, I'm starting to think there's hope for you yet. As for your $650 pitch, no, that's not too much money.........but it might well be for where you are and the proof you currently have of being able to do a $650 job. It's my contention that, if you're trying to jump straight from $250 to $650, then you'd better have plenty of pics, vids, website and reviews to back you up. I'm willing to bet you have none. That being the case, your close rate will be pitifully low and you'll find yourself frustrated and ready to go back to cheap gigs.
I think you're on the right track, and yes you need to ditch the "partner" crutch and do these on your own. Given your missing credentials, you may be better served to pitch the first few gigs (weddings) at say $400-$450. Take lots of pics of these, get your credentials in order, then bump your rates another $50-$100 by fall or next Spring. To put it simply, you can't sell a $650 gig if you can't prove that you regularly produce $650 gigs.
I think you're on the right track, and yes you need to ditch the "partner" crutch and do these on your own. Given your missing credentials, you may be better served to pitch the first few gigs (weddings) at say $400-$450. Take lots of pics of these, get your credentials in order, then bump your rates another $50-$100 by fall or next Spring. To put it simply, you can't sell a $650 gig if you can't prove that you regularly produce $650 gigs.
Mix, at one point in my life, I had a friend that wanted to be a partner and operated similar to what you describe. I knew from the git go that this arrangement was not going to work on many levels. So I told him that I was not interested in partnering. My business is my business and his is his. Plain and simple.
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Just to set the record straight...
I am not suggesting you kick your partner to the curb if that is not in your best interest.
I worked with a guy for many years, and it was GREAT having someone to share the load.
I am suggesting that you put a lot of thought into whether he is helping you, or holding you back.
I am not suggesting you kick your partner to the curb if that is not in your best interest.
I worked with a guy for many years, and it was GREAT having someone to share the load.
I am suggesting that you put a lot of thought into whether he is helping you, or holding you back.
As has been explained to you previously, I think your 'partners' are holding you back from whatever the future holds for you. I also agree that for the price, there's no need for 2 of you there. Doing simple math ($200 / 2 = 100: $350 / 2 = 175).
I also hope that taking pictures was not part of the contract for the sweet 16 - if it was, that means even less money for the amount of work. Additionally - as has been discussed here many times - without written consent (from the people in the pictures), you cannot put anyone's picture on any commercial website / media / handouts.
I'm also not suggesting you kick you partners to the curb. Like Mike (Ausumm), I am suggesting that you take a good look at what you give and receive from the relationship.
I have many friends that if needed, I can call on, and I know they will cover me (and vice versa). Some of them are on this forum. Having said that, we maintain our own businesses and our own clients. We call on each other if needed.
I also hope that taking pictures was not part of the contract for the sweet 16 - if it was, that means even less money for the amount of work. Additionally - as has been discussed here many times - without written consent (from the people in the pictures), you cannot put anyone's picture on any commercial website / media / handouts.
I'm also not suggesting you kick you partners to the curb. Like Mike (Ausumm), I am suggesting that you take a good look at what you give and receive from the relationship.
I have many friends that if needed, I can call on, and I know they will cover me (and vice versa). Some of them are on this forum. Having said that, we maintain our own businesses and our own clients. We call on each other if needed.
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DjDennis
RIP- My Dad (2011), Sister (2013) and Mum (2017)
Ok last time I'll be doing anything this USEFUL for Mix - he just NEVER listens
How to write a Business plan
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9B3Ubl61CM
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cza0FIZmppA
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN1wgKosS8A
4. http://www.myownbusiness.org/s2/ (website)
also go to Amazon.com and buy this book
How To Write A Business Plan, 7 Edition
2005 | ISBN: 1413300928 | 256 pages
and
search for more on amazon!
you can SEARCH on this as well
https://www.google.com/search?q=How...Plan&aqs=chrome.0.57&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
the words to use are
---- HOW TO WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN ----
now if you cant read all this and keep asking about your business, prices, and other things to do with a business
then go do another job...................
have a nice day
How to write a Business plan
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9B3Ubl61CM
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cza0FIZmppA
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN1wgKosS8A
4. http://www.myownbusiness.org/s2/ (website)
also go to Amazon.com and buy this book
How To Write A Business Plan, 7 Edition
2005 | ISBN: 1413300928 | 256 pages
and
search for more on amazon!
you can SEARCH on this as well
https://www.google.com/search?q=How...Plan&aqs=chrome.0.57&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
the words to use are
---- HOW TO WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN ----
now if you cant read all this and keep asking about your business, prices, and other things to do with a business
then go do another job...................
have a nice day