I thought it was wrap your head around, but that sounds better.
Actually, if you can get her to wrap her legs around your head...
Last nights party was a bust!
- Thread starter MIXMASTERMACHOM
- Start date
I thought it was wrap your head around, but that sounds better.
Actually, if you can get her to wrap her legs around your head...
Jimmy I already said it. This party was not my idea at all. I just came along for the ride. I did so because I've had say a birthday party that he has helped me out with and didn't get paid anything. So I didn't want to start an argument.
They did have one successful party and that was it. There were some issues with the place itself and his ego. I'll leave it at that.
This party wasn't a great idea to begin with for these reasons. I know some will say people come out to parties they have done. The problem to begin with was the type of music they had in mind for this party. Only a certain group of people would even know this style of music. That means looking to get a certain age group to come to this party.
Let me give you some of the songs that we would play from that era. Status IV you ain't really down, Marshall Jefferson move your body, Touch love fixation, hall & Oats i can't go for that and other stuff like that. So only certain people would come to such a party and that's those who even remember this type of music from back in the day.
Another issue is the age group that this music is from. By now those who know this type of music if they are still alive are in their 40's and 50's now. Trust me a lot of those people just don't randomly go out to parties. They might go if the spirit hits them, they feel the party will be safe and it's the type of music they want to hear. The big thing is feeling things will be safe. A lot crazy things do happen today that normally just didn't happen when I hung out and partied at the club all the time.
Also like I said with that age group they would need to know either the DJ playing at the party or some of the people coming to the people. Now what I would have looked to do instead of talking them into just having this party there for one night. I would have looked to try to talk them into having it once a month to see how I could build on things to bring a crowd to the place. Actually I like to stay away from such places. I like to play in a place that already has a crowd that comes there and show them what I can do.
That's one of the reasons I like playing in that bar in Orange, NJ. They normally have a crowd that comes there so I don't have to worry about trying to get a crowd to come there. Sometimes I'll post it on FB when I'm going to be playing there and the type of music I'll be playing that night. I'll do this just to see what extra people I can get to come. Now when I'm finished playing there they are glad I was the DJ that night.
Getting back to what I would have done differently here it goes. I would have looked to try to see if I could have either looked to get them to agree to have me come and play there either one day out of the month or one day out of the week. Then I would have had a poster made up to put in the place so that people who come there would know about us and what we're doing there.
Then get post cards made up about what we're doing there to get out to the public. After that put the post card on FB for people that are regulars on FB would see it. There are people I tease about FB. I tell them if they got rid of FB they would commit suicide. That's how addicted they are to FB. They can't go a day without looking on FB to see what is going on.
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That's one of the reasons I like playing in that bar in Orange, NJ. They normally have a crowd that comes there so I don't have to worry about trying to get a crowd to come there. Sometimes I'll post it on FB when I'm going to be playing there and the type of music I'll be playing that night. I'll do this just to see what extra people I can get to come. Now when I'm finished playing there they are glad I was the DJ that night.
So this bar has a crowd already, they don't really need you there, it would appear you are just an added expense. the crowd is there whether or not you are.
So this bar has a crowd already, they don't really need you there, it would appear you are just an added expense. the crowd is there whether or not you are.
Again, do you know many dead people that come out?
And FWIW, 70's and 80's rock appears to be making a comeback .. so H&O is right on the ball. This isn't a selective group as you have labeled it.
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We moved to NJ about 6 months ago. I landed 4 well paying events through my daughter. She just turned 12 a few weeks ago. It makes me proud that she told her science teacher her dad was a DJ when he told the class he was getting married. She mentioned me to the mother of a school friend when she heard about a birthday party the family was putting together. She also promotes me at her swim lessons at the YMCA, which led me to spin the annual pool party and a college graduation party.
I am sharing this information to show that my 12 year old daughter is working her magic for her dad the DJ. But the dream team from East Orange still can't get **** correct with promoting and getting quality events. Hang it up Mix! DJ work is costing you more money than you will ever recoup.
I am sharing this information to show that my 12 year old daughter is working her magic for her dad the DJ. But the dream team from East Orange still can't get **** correct with promoting and getting quality events. Hang it up Mix! DJ work is costing you more money than you will ever recoup.
As it has been stated on more than one occasion perhaps you should consider working with a multi-op in order to gain (1) MONEY and (2) Exposure. Obviously the exposure you seem to be getting is all NEGATIVE. Ditch the associate and his girl friend. You may find out that life on the other hand is greener ($$$).
John trust me I do get work myself. Things aren't dead like you think. I'm glad for you getting the work that you do get. Good skill with what you're doing.
Now they tried something that didn't work out well at all. On August 3rd my partner is playing in a house music festival in Trenton, NJ. He'll be playing first at this festival. That's fine. I'll be there of course. So if you or anybody else have the day off and want to stop by you're welcome. He starts playing I believe at noon.
Now you said your daughter mentioned to people you're a DJ. That's great! After that when they approached you about doing an event you had to sell yourself to them. Then you had to deliver to satisfy them to want you to do other things. Her just mentioning you're a DJ didn't get you the work all by itself.
Now they tried something that didn't work out well at all. On August 3rd my partner is playing in a house music festival in Trenton, NJ. He'll be playing first at this festival. That's fine. I'll be there of course. So if you or anybody else have the day off and want to stop by you're welcome. He starts playing I believe at noon.
Now you said your daughter mentioned to people you're a DJ. That's great! After that when they approached you about doing an event you had to sell yourself to them. Then you had to deliver to satisfy them to want you to do other things. Her just mentioning you're a DJ didn't get you the work all by itself.
Mix you are not busy. How many jobs do you have booked in August? Oh look another thing your partner is doing but not you. So YOU do not get paid anything. Good business right there.
Mix, I don't believe John has to sell himself to anyone. It's word of mouth. He did a gig across the river from me a couple years ago -- I wasn't there, but a couple friends were. I heard nothing but good.
BTW, do you ever talk to any of the forum members on the phone? I've probably talked to 60-70% over the last 7 years, and it's amazing what you can garner from a live conversation, as opposed to online.
Try it sometime...
BTW, do you ever talk to any of the forum members on the phone? I've probably talked to 60-70% over the last 7 years, and it's amazing what you can garner from a live conversation, as opposed to online.
Try it sometime...
So true..and becoming truer (is that a word?) as "technology" continues to take over and separate us all from the real world.
When was the last time anyone here - or anywhere - actually wrote a hand written letter?
My Mon is an exception...writes over a dozen every week, but she's 85.
Ever think of asking people to RSVP?
How about starting a little sooner - say, three months in advance?
You don't need to be involved in the planning - you just need to know that somebody competent actually is. This is especially true if your fee is in any way tied to the turnout.
Let me say this please. I could be super busy if I wanted to be. Here's the issue. Some potential clients who will contact me are looking for a DJ who will come do their event for them for $250.00. Now before you jump up and say that's all they think I'm worth is why they are contacting me and thinking I will do their event, let me say this. There are those out there that this is all they have to spend. They don't have any more to spend. Actually most who are looking for a DJ to do their event for that price are really hoping you'll do it for less.
What I find like I've said in the past they just aren't worth my time today. That's not an ego thing at all. What I've had happen is you can speak to them on the phone or look to have a meeting with them and it won't get you any where. Those types of clients if you do get them to agree to spend more then $250.00. They will want to pay $275.00-$300.00 and give you a hard time with wanting to pay that.
Don't just think that these are the only people that contact me for my services. The real issue is that there are just those out here no matter what you present to them they will only look to spend that much or just a little bit above that. The real deal is that they know they can get someone to do it for that price and some are actually good for that price. I just decided as part of the business plan is to stop doing events for people for such a low price. It hasn't gotten me any where. Oh yes it has gotten me some where. It has got me back to the same place. I could do those things to make myself look busy and brag about how busy I am. It just got to be tired.
Now the truth be told one of the things I would like to do personally is to find a bar that I can play at on Sunday say from 5pm to 10-11pm playing classic soul. That is so that will bring in an older crowd that doesn't get to hear a lot of the music that they used to listen to some years ago. To take them back in time to have a place to come have some drinks and listen to some good old music that they miss hearing. The classic soul I'm talking about would be from James Brown, Sam Cook, Aretha Franklin, Isley Brothers and the like. That would give them a place to come where they wouldn't have to deal with a lot of youngsters coming in the place. They already have enough places around here that feature DJ's who cater to a young crowd. There aren't many places and DJ's around here that can cater to an older crowd.
Now I saw an ad on craigslist where someone was looking for a photographer to take pictures at their wedding for $150.00. Now the reason they are looking for someone next month to shoot their wedding for that price is that the person they had that was going to do it said their camera got broken.
Another person put up on craigslist the real reason why they aren't going to do it is because of how much money they want to pay. Now how many of you would agree that's someone that is just being plain cheap? I'm not available that day but if I was I wouldn't do it. Not just because I'm not a professional photographer but because the price isn't right! What I'm trying to simply say is there has to be a point that when it comes to business and dealing with private events for a client that you don't go below that price point. It's just that simple.
What I find like I've said in the past they just aren't worth my time today. That's not an ego thing at all. What I've had happen is you can speak to them on the phone or look to have a meeting with them and it won't get you any where. Those types of clients if you do get them to agree to spend more then $250.00. They will want to pay $275.00-$300.00 and give you a hard time with wanting to pay that.
Don't just think that these are the only people that contact me for my services. The real issue is that there are just those out here no matter what you present to them they will only look to spend that much or just a little bit above that. The real deal is that they know they can get someone to do it for that price and some are actually good for that price. I just decided as part of the business plan is to stop doing events for people for such a low price. It hasn't gotten me any where. Oh yes it has gotten me some where. It has got me back to the same place. I could do those things to make myself look busy and brag about how busy I am. It just got to be tired.
Now the truth be told one of the things I would like to do personally is to find a bar that I can play at on Sunday say from 5pm to 10-11pm playing classic soul. That is so that will bring in an older crowd that doesn't get to hear a lot of the music that they used to listen to some years ago. To take them back in time to have a place to come have some drinks and listen to some good old music that they miss hearing. The classic soul I'm talking about would be from James Brown, Sam Cook, Aretha Franklin, Isley Brothers and the like. That would give them a place to come where they wouldn't have to deal with a lot of youngsters coming in the place. They already have enough places around here that feature DJ's who cater to a young crowd. There aren't many places and DJ's around here that can cater to an older crowd.
Now I saw an ad on craigslist where someone was looking for a photographer to take pictures at their wedding for $150.00. Now the reason they are looking for someone next month to shoot their wedding for that price is that the person they had that was going to do it said their camera got broken.
Another person put up on craigslist the real reason why they aren't going to do it is because of how much money they want to pay. Now how many of you would agree that's someone that is just being plain cheap? I'm not available that day but if I was I wouldn't do it. Not just because I'm not a professional photographer but because the price isn't right! What I'm trying to simply say is there has to be a point that when it comes to business and dealing with private events for a client that you don't go below that price point. It's just that simple.
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Depends on if you're in season in a given area.
Here, it's non stop during season (summer). Bands 6- 7 nights per week at the places on the river. FL is the same during season (winter).
I know many folks (bartenders, wait staff), that will make the drive up northeast for the summer, if they didn't make enough during season in S. FL.
I've found over the last 37 years or so -- you have to be near water to make good cash flow, and good tips.
I suppose if you're in a vacation spot .. but I'm thinking the Oranges in NJ probably aren't.
Mix, you can't claim a business plan when you don't have one.
All comes back to one thing. You either want to make some money or make no money. If you do the job yourself and ithout anyone else right now on a Sat night for you 250.00 is a good price ebcause otherwise you are getting paid 0. Now if you did a few jobs and people saw you and liked you and if they were having an event you could then raise your price for that person and so on. Instead you just think the people wanting to spend big bucks are going to just call you out of the blue and book you. THAT IS NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN.
As for the bar gig idea. Another thing that will not happen. Bars sell booze which is how they make their money. They do not want 50 - 60 year olds on a sunday night taking up space and not spending alot of money so they can listen to a DJ who has this fantasy of going back to his high school days because he cannot play new music because he is afraid of the "thugs". FYI those backyard parties you do well a "Thug" could show up at anyone of them and cause the same problems, so I am not sure where you head is but it is not on this planet.
As for the bar gig idea. Another thing that will not happen. Bars sell booze which is how they make their money. They do not want 50 - 60 year olds on a sunday night taking up space and not spending alot of money so they can listen to a DJ who has this fantasy of going back to his high school days because he cannot play new music because he is afraid of the "thugs". FYI those backyard parties you do well a "Thug" could show up at anyone of them and cause the same problems, so I am not sure where you head is but it is not on this planet.
That's why you relocate for season. It's a common practice for people in the entertainment industry (and service industry).
It gets stagnate staying in one place too long...