The January Rush

[Revelationroadshow 0]

Typically (or historically), January has been the time when we fill the remaining dates for the coming year, and certainly all the Fridays and Saturdays. January 3rd, phone starts ringing and stops around the 30th.

 

So I checked our google ranking was ok

 

I checked the web sites had been updated

 

I made sure email and office phone worked

 

and on the 3rd Jan..... nothing!

 

We have taken bookings this month, but nothing like the last three years in January.

 

Don't get me wrong, when we went into the Chrimbo silly season, year on year, we were way up on bookings at the same point the previous year, but the January thing doesn't seem to have happened - yet? or isn't it going to?

 

Is it just me, or are the rest of you not seeing the usual upsurge we get in January?

[McCardle 1]

No, you aren't alone, its totally dead. Two dj's who I also know and speak to locally have reported that their site stats are as much as 60% lower than normal during Nov and Dec compared to last year despite having the same S.E rankings and one has also joined several directories during the last 12 months, which he has already branded a complete waste of money. In fairness and on the 8th of the month Its pretty early to be writing off January, but to all intents and purposes they are concerned that it is going to be following the same pattern. I certainly am still seeing a drop in enquiries, and have no problem admitting it.

 

People are facing an uncertain future, they have just spent a fortune over Xmas and are probably now wondering whether they will have a Job left by the end of the month to pay off the debt left by December on their cards.

 

Society is also on a natural downer, especially as they see household names closing all around them, and the last thing people want to do if they have their P45 in their hand is go out and throw a big party to celebrate, as it won't only be a hangover they have to contend with, but the bill.

 

In short, there isn't much happiness around at the moment, so what is there to celebrate?. I've done several retirements, but i've never been asked to do a redundancy party, shame, as there would be a huge demand around about now.

 

The high street in general saw a drop in sales and a reluctance to spend. I don't think that we can be granted immunity from the far reaching effects of a global recession either.

 

I reckon we'll see a huge drop in marriages this year, people waiting that extra year or so longer to see how the economy pans out

Edited January 8, 2009 by McCardle

[Revelationroadshow 0]

No, you aren't alone, its totally dead. Two dj's who I also know and speak to locally have reported that their site stats are as much as 60% lower than normal during Nov and Dec compared to last year despite having the same S.E rankings and one has also joined several directories during the last 12 months, which he has already branded a complete waste of money. In fairness and on the 8th of the month Its pretty early to be writing off January, but to all intents and purposes they are concerned that it is going to be following the same pattern. I certainly am still seeing a drop in enquiries, and have no problem admitting it.

 

People are facing an uncertain future, they have just spent a fortune over Xmas and are probably now wondering whether they will have a Job left by the end of the month to pay off the debt left by December on their cards.

 

Society is also on a natural downer, especially as they see household names closing all around them, and the last thing people want to do if they have their P45 in their hand is go out and throw a big party to celebrate, as it won't only be a hangover they have to contend with, but the bill.

 

In short, there isn't much happiness around at the moment, so what is there to celebrate?. I've done several retirements, but i've never been asked to do a redundancy party, shame, as there would be a huge demand around about now.

 

I reckon we'll see a huge drop in marriages this year, people waiting that extra year or so longer to see how the economy pans out

 

It's becoming a really odd time now.

 

Have a huge corporate christmas party booked for saturday and they are spending a small fortune on it - Me, uplighting, one of the most expensive venues in town and a full stage show magician - and as you say, with huge names like Woolies closing down....

 

But back on topic, I had until now really believed that wedding entertainment wouldn't be effected by the financial hardship. I mean if you're going to get married, you're going to get married. It's the biggest day of your life (or should be) and I honestly thought that people would carry on saving as normal and would want to spend what they had saved to have the great day regardless.

 

STILL not getting price hunters or enquirers asking if I can do it cheeper, just not seeing the phone ring as much as I had expected.

 

Having said that I believe on of my local collegues picked up 6 dates day before yesterday.

 

We will see

 

[TonyB 0]

Oh, just going through my busiest time ever. Sent out three contracts yesterday and another two today. One wedding I quoted on before Christmas and they have just come back and confirmed the booking today. Only months I don't have any bookings are October and November but fingers crossed, if it is anything like last year, they will fill up closer to the time.

 

Not sure why, if I new the secret I would share it smile icon . Website hits and enquiries are up on last year(unique hits average per day up from 13.19 to 16.12 this year).

[Dukesy 0]

The busiest month for wedding enquiries received (email) was November. December enquiries dropped considerably but enquiries have started to pick up.

I've received 20 email enquiries in January so far and will be concentrating more on trying to establish business in the local area which will hopefully pick up. smile icon

[Bouncy Dancefloor 0]

december as usual was very quiet for new enquiries, however January is promising so far, but mainly for the next 3 months, january feb march all booking up nicely (thank god) but only one booking or enquiry beyond march! Maybe its a local thing though as most DJ's seem to get booked up on average 1-2 months ahead of a date

[biggav 0]

Karaoke- Nothing

Disco's - Ticking over

Band- could play 8 times a week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

We played a set for free at a christmas ball and got 3 weddings for this year (people bringing weddings foreward as they already have the money and don't want to change their minds on what to spend it on next year!!) I also did an email to every licenced music venue and got a huge response for the band... will do the same again with disco and Karaoke.

 

Future's bright!

[YourBigEvent 0]

So far this month (8 days) I have done 11 quotes, of which 10 have already confirmed.

 

So quite busy really.

[Dukesy 0]

[am.entertainment 0]

It's becoming a really odd time now.

 

Have a huge corporate christmas party booked for saturday and they are spending a small fortune on it - Me, uplighting, one of the most expensive venues in town and a full stage show magician - and as you say, with huge names like Woolies closing down....

 

But back on topic, I had until now really believed that wedding entertainment wouldn't be effected by the financial hardship. I mean if you're going to get married, you're going to get married. It's the biggest day of your life (or should be) and I honestly thought that people would carry on saving as normal and would want to spend what they had saved to have the great day regardless.

 

STILL not getting price hunters or enquirers asking if I can do it cheeper, just not seeing the phone ring as much as I had expected.

 

Having said that I believe on of my local collegues picked up 6 dates day before yesterday.

 

We will see

 

 

i know 3 people that have pulled the plug on there wedding me being one of them!! the money that we had saved had to be used to get by on. job losses etc... you carn't save if the money doesent come in.

Also whats more important looking after you children,partner,rent etc.... or blowing a few grand on a party?

 

no contest really.

 

if you think your jobs hanging in the balance you don't risk your own money.

[biggav 0]

if you think your jobs hanging in the balance you don't risk your own money.

 

this is how everyone is looking at everything at the moment, it's the uncertainty which has stopped the flow of money, even those with job security have tightened up on spending.

 

I'm a plumber specialising in Kitchen and bathroom installation and my phone has stopped ringing.. had 2 enquiries for work since mid December!!! Luckily i have a lot of sub contract work through my brother thought the pay is nowhere near my usuall amount.

 

 

[YourBigEvent 0]

The 11th one has just confirmed, a thursday in April so 2009 is at 100% conversion rate at the moment.

[Ian Stewart 0]

Andy,

 

It's the same for me, I have confirmed 6 this week, at the moment 2009 is gonna be a very busy year for me

[YourBigEvent 0]

One was 2010.

 

I have just confirmed my 12th booking this year, unfortunately it is also in 2010, and a freebie, its my daughters wedding, although I have a very good offer from a friend (Thanks Scouse !)

[Revelationroadshow 0]

I actually managed to tot up the bookings for 2009 already booked and contracted - including the one I have just booked in today, 33 in total, so actually quite promising However STILL not seeing the calls coming in this month as we did this time last year

[McCardle 1]

33 is an excellent start, but as I seem to remember that you are 'full time', so even if you are charging £300+ then I can understand your fears and the requirement for more work - £9900 even before deducting business expenses would barely cover my mortgage for 12 months

 

But don't give up, its early days.

Edited January 9, 2009 by McCardle

[biggav 0]

I've been really pushing the band since new year and it seems that anyone with an entertainment licence is trying to out do the competition by putting on bigger and better bands all the time... we used to be happy with £400 a night since the going rate in a pub was around £200... now seems people are paying silly money, had 2 weddings booked at £1200 each (including disco)

[Revelationroadshow 0]

33 is an excellent start, but as I seem to remember that you are 'full time', so even if you are charging £300+ then I can understand your fears and the requirement for more work - £9900 even before deducting business expenses would barely cover my mortgage for 12 months

 

But don't give up, its early days.

 

You are spot on.

 

However, it is early days and this time last year we had less than half that number booked in. It's also worth reminding you all that DJing is only part of the business. We also have about 12 chocolate fountains booked, two cheese wedding cakes, a few sweet shops, ice cream factories and candy floss / popcorn hires.

 

I also haven't included any of the Christmas work into that either and there is deffinately 5 or 6 nights already in discussion and one of our NYE have been confirmed.

 

Just need more!

 

Just stare at the phone and will it to ring - still have first of the seasons wedding shows a week Sunday, maybe that'll help?

[Norfolk DJ 0]

 

very quiet start to the new year.

 

A few bookings, but I've lowered my prices by 10% to attract a few more bookings.

[Slimboy Fat 0]

very quiet start to the new year.

 

A few bookings, but I've lowered my prices by 10% to attract a few more bookings.

 

A sign of the times unfortunately.....especially being at a time when you could probably do with *raising* your prices by 10%.

[biggav 0]

got a nice one at the end of this month, Sainsbury's christmas party.... having just packed all the Xmas CD's away in the box with the decorations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Norfolk DJ 0]

A sign of the times unfortunately.....especially being at a time when you could probably do with *raising* your prices by 10%.

 

true. Happy to offer a discounted price rather than not work.