I hate this the most...
They inquire and give you everything you need. You give them a quote, they agree, they wanna meet with you. We all meet. Then they are still shopping around :sqconfused:...
Or they say "Well, you're the first DJ we've met and we have an apppointment with others, can you give us a week" :sqconfused:
Now, first all. The price quote I offered was in your budget. Why not book? Maybe we didn't click?
I prefer not to be the first they meet with. Rather 3 or 4th.
Advice?
I hate this the most...
They inquire and give you everything you need. You give them a quote, they agree, they wanna meet with you. We all meet. Then they are still shopping around :sqconfused:...
Or they say "Well, you're the first DJ we've met and we have an apppointment with others, can you give us a week" :sqconfused:
Now, first all. The price quote I offered was in your budget. Why not book? Maybe we didn't click?
I prefer not to be the first they meet with. Rather 3 or 4th.
Advice?
I've never asked for a sale, and my closing ratio is about as good as it gets. I have no problem letting them go to meet with other guys.
If they don't go with you in the end, there's only two possibilities:
1) They were shopping on price alone and went with someone lower. You don't want them as a client anyway, and you didn't stand a chance, so don't sweat it.
and/or
2) You didn't communicate your value well-enough.
Since I don't mind losing based on price, and since I know I excel at communicating my value for my price, I have nothing to worry about in letting them go. If they're right for me, they'll be back!
I suppose there really is a 3rd option/scenario, but I'm assuming you have all your teeth and don't smell funny.
And this is just in general, but a quote is nothing more than words on a piece of paper. Those words are only as good as the person giving them. So why wouldn't a couple want to meet their potential DJ first before signing?
There is a 3rd option: You just don't click with them. It could be a personality difference, age, or something else. That something else is the indescribable part. I called up some DJs recently in helping a good friend of mine find one for her wedding. (I'm just such a nice bridesmaid.) There was one DJ who just didn't click with me over the phone. His rates and equipment were on par with the others, but we just didn't click. It happens.
Now THAT I can TOTALLY agree with.
Brides will want to see their venue before booking it...right?
Brides will want to see examples of a photographer's portfolio before booking them in most cases, yes?
Brides will surely try on their gown before buying it...correct?
Here's the difference....Those are all tangible items that the bride gets to have or view or experience BEFORE their wedding day.
She can't TRY ON her entertainment/DJ ahead of time. We provide an intangible service.
I encourage ANY bride who calls me to at least see video footage of the prospective DJ performing at an event ahead of time and to have a face to face with them IF entertainment is important to them. Some brides it is...and some brides it's not. That's OK.
If having a fun and memorable reception is important to them then we need to meet. If it's not as important then they probably aren't my client and that's OK too.
Thanks for the thread Jim! Great insight!
There is a 3rd option: You just don't click with them. It could be a personality difference, age, or something else. That something else is the indescribable part. I called up some DJs recently in helping a good friend of mine find one for her wedding. (I'm just such a nice bridesmaid.) There was one DJ who just didn't click with me over the phone. His rates and equipment were on par with the others, but we just didn't click. It happens.