Hugmaster
-
Content Count
1,458 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Calendar
Posts posted by Hugmaster
-
-
Hi folks
I don't actually do any DJing any more, but I do have a DJ that works for me.
Sadly, he's been put on long term sick and is unable to work for some time.
I need cover for a Wedding near Daventry Northampton this Saturday.
The gig is 7.30 till 11.30 with background music from 6 till 7.30.
I'm especially anxious to get cover for this one as it's a venue that has put a lot of work our way and i really don't want anyone to look stupid or the bride and groom to have to worry.
Please either call me on 01327 706648 or contact me via my contact form at
http://www.bigmixentertainment.co.uk/contact-us.html
There could be more work following if a good job is done, which I'm sure it will be.
Thanks in advance.
Darren H
-
Hi
I remember doing an 80s night in the very late 90s at a local pub when I lived in Birmingham.
the pub was packed week in week out.
I knew the regulars, they knew me, they'd even stop me in the street to ask if was going to be there next week etc.
A DJ, a good one at least, knows how to sequence his music so it creates the right tone, a bloody jukebox, whatever the format can't do that.
the world's gone mad.
Darren
-
Hi
Simple, he hadn't paid us, it was the brides family that had paid us.
The bride had already said to ignore him because he was totally hammered.
When we ask for requests from clients and guests, we're very clear that they are requests, not demands. We compromised and played 20 minutes of beatles, after the first 3 songs, the dancefloor was empty.
The customer isn't always right, even if they do pay, especially drunk customers.
Darren
-
Hi all
I'm not going to get into the age old price war thing again, but I really do find it odd that in Daventry where I'm based, where the DJs here are charging on average £150, how come I can charge a minimum of £250 and still have a fuller diary than i've ever had.
The reason is, I don't accept the typical yellow Pages bookings where they're just after the cheapest they can find, they can get a quote and if they don't like it, they can get stuffed.
I've also got a clause in the booking agreement that says any mistreatment of DJs roadie and/or equipment will result in the end of the party.
Never had to put it into practise as yet and only introduced it as a result of a bride groom threatening to trash our car and equipment, and all because we wouldn't play an hour's worth of beatles songs.
the work would be great if it weren't for people.
Darren
-
Hi
I've got the original 12" version on vynal and on Classic Cuts.
In the Midlands it's Monkeyhouse and Tin Tin's Kiss me, and the original not the too synthetic 1985 Dr Calculus mix.
Fine tracks both
Darren
-
Hi
Here's my top five most requested of last year...
1. queenn, Don't Stop me Now.
2. Sizza sisters, don't feel like dancin'
3. Pussycat Dolls, Dontchya.
4. Take That, Relight my fire.
5. girls Aloud, love machine.
For kids parties, the number one request is Green Day, American Idiot, by a country mile.
Darren
-
Hi
OK, here's what tends to work it's way into my list more often than others...
60s...
Monkeez, I'm a believer
Beatles, she loves you
rolling Stones, honkey tonk woman.
70s...
Earth Wind and fire, September/boogie wonderland
Wild Cherry, Play that funky music
blondie, heart of Glass
80s...
KC and the Sunshine Band, Give it up.
Jermain Stewart, We don't have to.
Adam Ant, Goody two shoes
Kenny Logins, Footloose.
90s...
Livin' Joy, Dreamer.
Bucketheads, The bomb.
Take That, relight my fire/never forget.
Steps, Tragedy.
I like to swap and change a lot though because I think if you're fed up with the msuic you play week in week out, that affects your attitude whether you like it or not.
Darren
-
Hi all
Been a while...
how do you define a good DJ/mobile disco company.
At the end of the night, if the venue or the customer comes and say, thanks, everyone's been saying how much they've enjoyed themselves tonight.
If the customer says they would recommend you to others.
That obviously means you either met or exceeded their expectations.
Regardless of how big or small your rig is, it was spot on for that occasion.
Most people tend to fail because they don't realise they are there to serve the customer, they are in the business of customer service, not DJing.
Obviously you need the expertise and personality to do the job, but aside from that, if they like you, you're good, regardless of what anyone else thinks.
I also don't think a measure of a good DJ can be gaged by how busy a dance floor is, that's at least half the job of a crowd.
I've had many occasions where the dancefloor was pretty empty, on and off most the night, but still had plenty of comments about the music selection, sometimes, folks just ain't in the mood, or they aren't that kind of crowd.
if you're friendly, reliable, likeable, know your music and how to present it, you're a good DJ.
I also don't think that because you're getting lots of requests that you're doing anything wrong. In fact, I tend to find I get the most requests when the dancefloor is the busiest.
And so the debate rattles on.
Darren
-
Hi
I love it when I hear this type of thing about going for cheaper options.
doesn't it just remind you of going for cheaper DJ's?
Having cheap web hosting is a little bit like buying cheap amps, it'll do the job, but it'll have a lot of limitations.
Why do we expect customers to pay top dollar for our services but when it comes to paying top dollar for services we need, we get all scroogish.
Mysteries of the mind.
Darren
-
Hi all
Cheers for the responses.
Ironic isn't it that yes the actual DJ work is really busy, never been better, I've just lost all my enthusiasm and passion for it, and I promised myself that I'd never do anything I wasn't passionate about, and it's now more about getting the money than DJing.
Regarding the contest...
I had over 200 entries so that's quite a list to shortlist, so I sent the list to several of my friends and a couple of marketing people and asked them to send me their 10 favourite names.
That got it down the a final 18, it was then just a case of contacting them again a shortlisting.
To be honest, I might not use the winner, I may well come up with something of my own, but it seemed like a great way of letting people know that this service was coming so they're already aware when it happens.
If you've voted, many thanks, if you haven't get to it!
Cheers
Darren
-
Hi all
As some of you will know, I've been running a contest from my web site, web address in my signature.
I've now shortlisted 5 finalists for a public vote.
I'd really apreciate you popping over and placing a vote for your favourite as I really want the best one to win.
the domain will be used to set up a site for a new venture I'm working on.
I'll be offering a service whereby individuals and organisations will be able to build their own site for a specific event, eg. Wedding, school reunion, family get together etc.
the idea is that all friends, family, colleagues etc will be able to join in and contribute.
This is part of my phasing out DJ work as I've just about had enough of it.
But I'd still like to be involved in a similar industry.
Thanks in advance.
Darren H
-
Hi
Anything by Oasis.
Sorry I think they're well overrated.
Darren
-
Hi
james Blunt, naaa sorry doesn't do it for me.
Over rated and over played.
As are cold Play.
For some real heart pounding sturring stuff try Within Temptation or Nightwish.
alternatively, if you like more mellow oriented stuff try Rufus Wainright, absolutely masterful song writing.
Darren
-
Hi
god almighty!
tit for tat, grow up people!
If you spent more time investing in your business, and that mean studying marketing rather than slagging off those that have done the studying, you'd probably understand why some of these marketing techniques are so damn obvious you wished you'd seen them presented ages ago.
Personally I think Richard Mills has it spot on, anything that is slightly american is seen as somehow "not what we do over here" mentality.
In the last 3 years or so i've made some very slight but very profound changes in how I present my services to Wedding clients, nothing earth shattering or ground breaking, just 10% more effort so I can charge 100% of what I was charging before.
it's not that I over charge, I now feel that I understand much better what my clients want and can articulate it to them so they understand exactly what they get for their money.
those DJs on here that are "going for the money" are probably doing so because it's their full time income, if they don't earn the money they and their families will bloody well starve.
That's one hell of a motivator for offering a damn good service.
I'd likely charge double what I charge now if I were DJing full time and was relying on the income, but I'd still have to up my game a notch or two.
the overall view of DJs by the general public is that we stand there and press a few buttons. I now get so many customers come to me both before and after functions say we didn't realise you worked so hard, the last DJ we saw was awful.
I was worried that if I put my prices up my bookings would drop off, and for a few months they did, but I read some more books and improve my message, and now I'm booked well towards the end of next year.
There are no new marketing principles out there and anyone who tells you there are is telling porkies, but most business people don't even know how to use the old fundamentals let alone anything new.
Most of you guys know how to drive a car, you've likely been doing it for years, but how many of you would pass your test now...
Same principle here, most of us know how to market, most of us know how to DJ, but it doesn't hurt to take a refresher course.
And I thought the comment about Amway was way out of line and totally irelevant.
Rant over
Darren
-
LOVE changes everything - Michael Ball.
i'm trying to come up with the most ugly songs I can think of.
Darren
-
Hi
In the last 12 months or so, I've only taken 1 new booking over the telephone, every other call has been a cheap DJ shopper.
All my new bookings come via the website and the vast majority say they booked me based on the information and attention to detail covered on the site, inshort, what I've always said if you've read any of my website related posts, it's trust and likeability.
it seems hard to believe that only 18 months ago or so I was only charging £175 per gig, now the average charge for a Wedding is £350.
And all I've really had to do is improve my message and target my audience. I didn't have to improve the service greatly because I felt I was worth that in the first place, I just didn't know how to convince people.
Now I think I've got it just about right.
So, yes be pesonal, don't just reply to an email say Hi it'll cost £350. thank them for writing, give them some advice about what to look for in a DJ should they not choose you etc.
Darren
-
take that look off your FACE - marty Webb
yuck!
Darren
-
Oh yeah what a track!!
ok...
Kids in America - Kim WILDE
Darren
-
Go WILD in the country - Bow Wow Wow
Darren
-
my baby shot me down - nancy sinatra.
so, next...
Everybody's trying to be my BABY - Beatles
Darren
-
Hi
I tend to reply along the lines of..
Dear (insert name here)
Many thanks for contacting me regarding your upcoming function.
however, it isn't possible to give you an accurate quote without further details as our disco packages are customised to suit your needs, we do not offer a one size fits all service.
please visit our website where you can check our availability, get an instant online quote, book and pay your reservation fee all with a few clicks.
Please feel free to call me on (telephone number) if you require any further assistance.
Best regards
Darren H
-
HOLDING on for you - Liberty X
God I love that song.
Darren
-
Hi
That my friends will be one hell of a kickass film!
Darren
-
Hero - mariah Carey
I must get a life!
Darren
Music Collection For Sale
in Disco Equipment For Sale & Wants Area
Posted
Hi all
I've jacked in the DJing and sold all my gear.
Now it's time to sell my music.
I've got almost 5 complete case logic cases of CDs holding up to 100 per case.
This would be a great buy for a newby.
It would take forever to list exactly what's in there, but I can do it upon request.
The collection covers music from the 40s up to about 2006.
One box is just dedicated to 70s and 80s.
I've got most of the now that's what I call music collection from Now 11 to 57.
i've got mastermix Prodisc 29 to about 70.
You can contact me either by e-mail from this form, or from my contact form at...
http://www.bigmixentertainment.co.uk/contact-us.html
would like a quick sale as I'm moving house in a couple of weeks.
This collection has taken nearly 18 years to compile
and it's a real wrench getting rid, but I just don't need them any more.
I have a price in mind that I wouldn't want to sell for less than, so make me an offer.
Cheers
Darren