I had some fun on Craigslist...

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Take a moment to understand how this works, and why the lowest price DJ might not be the best choice. Many here have other jobs, and DJing is a "hobby" to them to make extra money. The time and effort put into "serving" the customer, just isn't there for a hobbyist. Do you want a part time pilot flying your airplane on vacation? Same deal with DJ's. You really do get what you pay for.

Most of the DJ's here are new, young fellows who have "starter" equipment and low skill levels. They know who they are... and their price tells you who they are. Many more here, have multiple listings and different descriptions, hoping one of them will catch your attention. That may be a good marketing tactic, but it's not fair to the customer. I have only this one listing.
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Might not...be the best choice. (nothing wrong with that, it's true)
Most...hobbyists don't put time in with the client. (again, probably true)
Just extra income... (it's true like it or not, most say they're in it for fun)

I see lots of room for the part time dj that delivers quality to not be offended. I am part time. Not offended in the least!

That is, if we have thick skin, and the confidence in our sales abilities to overcome objections raised by someone reading this.

Tyrone, I am laughing my arse off. That is great! :sqlaugh: :rofl:

Goodnight...

I don't know... :help: :dontknow: :tearyeyed:

You really need a bigger dose of confidence in your abilities!
and a large shot of "chill pill"! :eek:ccasion14:
 
GoodKnightDJ said:
Let's substitute part time DJ for hobbyist. After all, that's what you really mean.
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This is where you turned it around to fit your argument. He didn't say part-time, he said "hobbyist".

Quit beating the dead horse, Tom.....
 
We really just need to finally realize we all do things how we do them cause we are in charge of our futures. Having the diversity is what makes for more choice. I myself am happy in my skin and dont allow any in my market to interfere as my clients like me for me regardless of price my attire my ear rings my heavy weight body type. Its what I bring and if a client is looking for my personality or another one in the end they can make the choice. Some will pinch pennies in the DJ search others wont.
 
Greets, Ty.

If it's any help I appreciate the satire. I think it's a hoot. That's coming from a reader who knows the author, of course. I love the way the entire ad focuses on "me". And there's a lot of truth to that in this crazy biz. The truth is pretty funny sometimes.

If we can't laugh at ourselves, at whom can we laugh? :)

Just a guess on my part... I'd wager that DJs who would be most offended would be the newbies ~ the wildcatters. I was one once. Everyone knows that. Had I read that back in '93 I'd quite likely have been ticked off.

The truth would have ticked me off. But I look back at that RS stuff and laugh.

Odd thing about this biz ~ the less experienced we are, the bigger our egos seem to be. The cheaper our business equipment, the harder we try to promote it. Make it through our first wedding or dance party and we think we're experts.

Folks, I honestly don't view this thread as another PT/FT discussion. It's a satire on Craigslist DJ company postings, nothing more. :)
 
Kevin Nichols said:
This is where you turned it around to fit your argument. He didn't say part-time, he said "hobbyist".

Quit beating the dead horse, Tom.....
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"Do you want a part time pilot flying your airplane on vacation? Same deal with DJ's. You really do get what you pay for."

Kevin, he did say part time.. read his analogy.

Tom, you are wound a lil tight, but I can see your point.

However, and this goes to everyone: are you guys that bored that this is still a topic? Maybe you should put all this effort into the betterment of your business rather than worrying about everyone.

There's plenty of market for everyone. If there isn't, you're not doing your job right ;)
 
Flyingdjdan said:
I see lots of room for the part time dj that delivers quality to not be offended.
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That's my whole point of being offended at this. But also, Tyrone did equate hobbyist and part time. As I said, a hobbyist diddles in the bedroom and when he/she does do events they do them for little to no money.

Many part time DJs do deliver quality services. Many of them deliver better service than some so called full time DJs.

Flyingdjdan said:
Goodnight...

I don't know... :help: :dontknow: :tearyeyed:

You really need a bigger dose of confidence in your abilities!
and a large shot of "chill pill"! :eek:ccasion14:
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I do have confidence in my abilities but I also have a passion for the business and don't want to see part time DJs lumped in with the hobbyist. BTW, there is nothing wrong with hobbyists as long as they deliver quality but most do not from my experience.

DJCraziAce said:
"Do you want a part time pilot flying your airplane on vacation? Same deal with DJ's. You really do get what you pay for."

Kevin, he did say part time.. read his analogy.

Tom, you are wound a lil tight, but I can see your point.
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Not wound tight, just passionate.

And Larry, you said you're part time, right? So, does that make you a hobbyist?
 
I've tried to stay out of this one too... In a lot of ways I agree with Tom on this... I know that it was done with tongue in cheek intent... however it was done in a public way....

More people than you think look at craigslist for stuff... heck I've even posted there, just not for DJ stuff.

Look what happened when someone spoofed a listing on a supposed vacant house saying anyone could just come and take what they wanted.... guess what that house wasn't vacant the owner was on vacation. He lost everything...:sqfrown:

People on these types of sites take you seriously... and after all it is on the internet shouldn't it be real and takin as total truth? :sqwink:

I however, do not take the same offense that Tom did/does, I'm thicker skinned than that.

I am a part time DJ and some might classify that as being a hobbiest, fine I can live with that I still make the money I ask for. And I'm not the lowest in my area, heck I might even be in the above average rate catagory for my area, but I'm still part time.
 
I surprised at the contraversy...

This was Craigslist. I didn't expect to get any response from any brides. Especially the ones who are looking for DJ's on Craigslist. I did it as an education to brides that the guys advertising there are not the ones they really want to DJ their receptions, but will probably hire one anyway, and have horror stories to tell afterwords. I wanted them to know there really are "real" DJ's out there.

The point was, if you hire the cheapest DJ on craigslist, then you're getting what you pay for... I guess the point was missed by one or two. And, I really didn't care if it pissed off a few DJ's who advertise there... they are the low ballers who I was spoofing. I really don't think anyone here fits that profile, so I thought most would get a chuckle out of it. That's all.

And, yeah, I'm not offended to be called a hobbyist or part timer (but I am a great pilot).
 
I think this thread was taken WAAAYYYY too seriously.

However,

I think it's a given that anytime someone mentions anything about why it's better to be a full timer or why it's better to be a part timer, someone is going to get ticked off.

I'm a full timer now according to my definition....i've been a part timer. My dedication was no different when i was pt, but i do enjoy the flexibility i have now.

I don't believe that being FT automatically makes someone a better DJ. I can understand the logic, however, that someone doing this full time should be at least decent at it, since it is supporting them....but that someone could have a rich wife or or live in a trailer for next to nothing...who knows.

I also heard Tom say he tells customers that he can charge less that a full timer because a full timer HAS TO CHARGE MORE because they need a livable wage and benefits. I don't believe that either.

I will tell potential clients about what I can offer them and why it's beneficial to go with me. I will never tell them why they shouldn't go with another company because of their full time/part time status because i simply don't believe it.
 
Tyrone Blue said:
This was Craigslist. I didn't expect to get any response from any brides. Especially the ones who are looking for DJ's on Craigslist. I did it as an education to brides that the guys advertising there are not the ones they really want to DJ their receptions, but will probably hire one anyway, and have horror stories to tell afterwords. I wanted them to know there really are "real" DJ's out there.

The point was, if you hire the cheapest DJ on craigslist, then you're getting what you pay for... I guess the point was missed by one or two. And, I really didn't care if it pissed off a few DJ's who advertise there... they are the low ballers who I was spoofing. I really don't think anyone here fits that profile, so I thought most would get a chuckle out of it. That's all.

And, yeah, I'm not offended to be called a hobbyist or part timer (but I am a great pilot).
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Larry:

Here's my point:

Take a moment to understand how this works, and why the lowest price DJ might not be the best choice. Many here have other jobs, and DJing is a "hobby" to them to make extra money. The time and effort put into "serving" the customer, just isn't there for a hobbyist. Do you want a part time pilot flying your airplane on vacation? Same deal with DJ's. You really do get what you pay for.
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You have equated a part time DJ to a hobbyist. That is the same problem I have with Peter Merry's book. A hobbyist will perform for nothing, for beer money, or just in their own home. A hobbyist, for the most part will not give the kind of service a true DJ will.

Even on Craigs List, equating part timers to hobbyists is the wrong message to send.

Larry, you should be offended if they call you a hobbyist.

OK, if you know the difference between the eject button and the landing gear lower button, I guess I'll fly with you.
 
Music happens to be my hobby. I happen to be a Disc Jockey. I do other things to make money, but I'm primarily a DJ. So does that make me a hobbyist?
 
Scott Hanna said:
I also heard Tom say he tells customers that he can charge less that a full timer because a full timer HAS TO CHARGE MORE because they need a livable wage and benefits. I don't believe that either.
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Yes, in the past, when I was really ticked off at Mr. Merry, I did say that. Mr. Merry is in California, I am in Maryland, he is not my competition and really means nothing to me these days.

I have been specifically asked by clients if I am full time or part time. Not that often though. Most really don't care just as long as I give them what they want.

This is what my FAQ says:

Are You Full Time Or Part Time? We have both full time and part time DJs working with us. But honestly, as long as the service can deliver your expectations, it should not matter if they are full time or part time.

We promise that we will meet your expectations and give you quality entertainment at an affordable price.
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Some that have asked have asked me later on why I don't do it full time and that is where I explain that I don't have to and don't want to. I also tell them these days that even if I were able to quit the other career by hitting the MegaMillions, I'd still be a part time DJ.
 
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