Maybe he’s like you, ask for suggestions then listen to none of them and do something completely wrong
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A cancellation, HOORAY!
- Thread starter rickryan.com
- Start date
Speaking of bookings.............2 tours this morning, both of them booked (verbal). I'll send paperwork tomorrow. Let's see if they pony up. One thing that I think helped was to put fresh linens on all tables and I decorated 3 tables in various place settings and centerpieces. Oh yeah, the last tour today had 18 people attending. Wow.
Any thought of taking an on the spot deposit of a small “non refundable” amount to hold the date while they take 24-48 hours to think about it??
Tunes4046 you said a great thing. I learned from a presenter at a meeting to seal the deal right then. So that way they won't go looking elsewhere.
Im not sure it’s just idea. A venue deposit is far different than a DJ deposit,
Plus I really don’t value your opinion you rarely use a contract, and your way of doing business as you post on here is completely backwards from what most do
I've never pressed people for a deposit on the spot. I don't know any professional who actually does. It doesn't inspire confidence and the result is customers who are more difficult to please because they never really arrived at the decision with full conviction and a collaborative intention.
I give people a contract and if they deceide to go forward they have 30 days to perfect it and pay the deposit. This provides them the time they need to check references and arrive at the decision entirely on their own. The result is a client who is fully invested in the choice and is easier to please. No one who booked me in this manner has ever nick-picked my performance - not even when I've made very obvious mistakes.
If they haven't actually declined the offer during the 30 day period I will call them should a conflicting request arise. I've rarely had to do that, because most people will call within days to let me know their intentions,
They can take longer to decide if they want - but after 30 days I would no longer follow up with them regarding competing interest in that date. I can obviously accept the booking after 30 days but the obligation is no longer there if I've already movend onto another customer.
I've also NEVER used a follow up to fraudulently pressure someone into booking (pretending there's another customer when in fact there's none.) This would simply undermine the whole basis for having giving them space.
I give people a contract and if they deceide to go forward they have 30 days to perfect it and pay the deposit. This provides them the time they need to check references and arrive at the decision entirely on their own. The result is a client who is fully invested in the choice and is easier to please. No one who booked me in this manner has ever nick-picked my performance - not even when I've made very obvious mistakes.
If they haven't actually declined the offer during the 30 day period I will call them should a conflicting request arise. I've rarely had to do that, because most people will call within days to let me know their intentions,
They can take longer to decide if they want - but after 30 days I would no longer follow up with them regarding competing interest in that date. I can obviously accept the booking after 30 days but the obligation is no longer there if I've already movend onto another customer.
I've also NEVER used a follow up to fraudulently pressure someone into booking (pretending there's another customer when in fact there's none.) This would simply undermine the whole basis for having giving them space.
So what if another person wants to sign the contract and pay the retainer on the spot for the same day? Do you contact the other person and tell them what's going on? Why did you give a potential client upto 30 days to decide if they want to book you or not? Why should it take that long to decide if they want you or not? Anytime someone wants to pay the retainer is fine with me. If they want to meet in person and ready to sign the contract with the retainer, I don't have no problem with that.
Honestly how many of your gigs do you get retainers on or even contracts for that matter, you speak like you do this all the time but we all know from your post never of rarely do
If I am the specific DJ they want then, Yes - the other party has a right of first refusal.
Because I can.
It probably doesn't, but for many people they're planning is just getting started.
So it might take 30+ days for my clients to finally sign, and pay a deposit from the time their inquiry came to me, but that is rare - maybe once every 2 years. No way I am letting my agreement hang in limbo that long while I hold a date for them. The digital agreement I send clients expires in 7 days, and I tell them to sign and pay in 7 days or less. Generally speaking if I have not scheduled a phone call with a prospect within 3 weeks of their inquiry and after I have already followed up with a single email, I move on completely. I used to do multiple responses years ago, but I realized after many years of practicing follow ups that way, that the multiple follow ups were a big waste of time. If they want to book, they will reach out to me and be proactive.
No, it's just a right of first refusal - for the indicated DJ.
It's not first come first serve, it's just first option to close.
The 30 days is just a reasonable time to presume the sale is not going to happen and effectively rescind the offer. The offer/contract is essentailly a promise being extended for acceptance - such a document needs to have an expiration date.
I don't chase people. I give them everything they need to hire me and then wait for their response. I don't call people unsolicited, and I would only follow-up with a prospect in respect to a question that couldn't be answered in our initial meeting or call.
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That's really just a result of the digital age, and the speed or ease with which we can send/recieve documents. While my contract/offer is no longer sent by mail - the terms haven't changed. There's no need to change them.
The 30 days is irrelvant because I can usually tell in the very first call if the person intends to hire me or not. The term is just a legal requirement, not a sales tactic. Often times they are not the sole decision maker - so, sharing the proposal is necessary before they can commit,
We don’t hold dates. People can take as much time as they need. If we are still available when they are ready, we will be glad to help.
I made the mistake years ago to keep contacting a potential client about doing their wedding. They finally decided to gather more money and look for another DJ to do their wedding.
Sounds rather caustic. Hope you have a better way of saying that to actual prospects.
No need to say that to prospective customers, I’ve had many call back later and I’m no longer available.
Then it’s simply I’m sorry but another client has booked that date,