Client Meet

[vokf 0]

I was going to put this in the Marketing and Business area, but its also chatting about what we did today.

 

Well, today we got up extra special early @9:30am lol... and met a couple to discuss their wedding.

 

The wedding is at the end of June - its been booked for a few months, but as they live in Wembley, and the venue is fairly close to us AND they have to visit the church (also nearby), we agreed to meet today.

 

I'll go into a bit of detail - not everyone does face-to-face meetings, but its a good way to meet the client in a relaxed atmosphere, and also helps to ensure you can offer the best service.

Not many of my local competition do this, and most couples are delighted at the idea.

 

 

Ok, we arrived on time, I'd previously described myself (slim, full head of hair etc..lol), and they spotted me quickly.

After introductions, we grabbed a coffee and I just confirmed times. We discovered that there was probably only a 30-min window for set-up.

We've agreed to loan a wireless mic for speeches.

 

Next, onto music. They have supplied a hand-written list- the first few songs are in a specific order, then a reasonable list of indie/rock/90s (order is our choice and we can add/remove songs), with the final songs listed in order.

 

Lots of good stuff in the list - not sure how well it will go with their guests. I have managed to agree a "cheese - get out of jail" card! lol

I asked what I should do if anyone requested anything too cheesy. They are happy for a few, and some of the songs of their list are also typical party songs (500 miles, Queen etc).

 

We then chatted about other things - how they met, and what they did for their work. She is a Doctor, he is a Nurse. This fitted in well with Carmens job as a Scientist at the Health Protection Agency - so a bit of small "shop" talk.

My job went straight over their heads, so not much to chat about there.

 

Whilst chatting to the Groom, we handed the Bride our photo album. She was flicking through, seeing past gigs and set-ups. I very good thing

 

With coffees over, we gained access to the Marquee.

Its a semi-permanent one, with Bar and glass doors etc.

 

The guy showing us around said we needed to use their sound system. This was for noise problems.

I was shown a rather battered wheeled 19" rack containing a Mixer, battered AMP, CD player, and a home-made patch panel for 2 RCA's in and a XLR for a MIC.

I almost expected to see a limiter in there, but nope - just basic stuff.

The speakers are in the ceiling above the dancefloor. I was told it won't go very loud and will distort..

Its also run in Mono. :hurt:

 

Grrr!

 

As the system is not going to fill the room, I'll take a single Mackie and a stand for speeches.

I'll also take a spare AMP, they do not have a spare.

 

 

Anyway, I tried to keep positive, and took a few photos.

 

 

We left off thinking, the sound quality is going to be really bad :-( If we were getting married there, I'll be livid - the rack is rusty and dented.

 

Anyway, otherwise the meeting went very well.

 

 

We said our goodbyes and went for Sunday Lunch

 

If you're not currently offering meetings, and take mainly local gigs - its worth considering.

 

We offer this pre-booking, and most of my local bookings have been due to spending 40-60mins drinking coffee and chatting. Not exactly hard work, and will raise you above some of your local competitors!

[MintyDave 0]

Thanks for that Jason, one or to ideas for me as i have only managed 1 client meets so far due to lack of necessity.

 

Hmmmm supermarket sound system - nice!

[vokf 0]

Hi Dave,

I've quickly found that most locals (forums member excluded!) don't offer a meeting. Its difficult to justify if you have a day job and they are too far away, but for local gigs - it really helps. You've got a neat set-up and some good gig pics... get them printed at tescos and take them with you.

I'd recommend bringing Mrs Minty - if you can.

 

Yes... I'll post photos.. Its akin to what you'd find an a grubby club.

I also found out the PAT is 2 months out of date.. A lesser DJ would insist this was done prior to the wedding! lol

I'll point this out to the wedding co-ordinator who needed my PAT+PLI details...

 

 

Busy day!

Jason

[MintyDave 0]

Hi Dave,

I've quickly found that most locals (forums member excluded!) don't offer a meeting. Its difficult to justify if you have a day job and they are too far away, but for local gigs - it really helps. You've got a neat set-up and some good gig pics... get them printed at tescos and take them with you.

I'd recommend bringing Mrs Minty - if you can.

 

Yes... I'll post photos.. Its akin to what you'd find an a grubby club.

I also found out the PAT is 2 months out of date.. A lesser DJ would insist this was done prior to the wedding! lol

I'll point this out to the wedding co-ordinator who needed my PAT+PLI details...

Busy day!

Jason

 

I offer they just dont value the service that much. have had a few better enquiries lately so its on the cards.

 

Take the Mrs - Mrs Minty, although i love her to bits, is a flaming liability! in her day job she is extremely proficient, socially she can be a proper halfwit and knows nothing about dj'ing. I posted in my early days about a right old night. To cut along story short i had 2 gigs, travelled 100+ miles to get everything setup and knocked down and made a Tenner due to her 'negotiating skills'.

 

I took a laptop to my other meet but a little photo album / portfolio would have done.

 

Cheers

 

Dave

 

 

 

[wizard 0]

Mine generally go similar to yours jason. I take a folder with client feedback photos etc and it is usually a very informal chat. I find it is very useful as you get to meett the Bride & groom prior to wedding and you then feel you know them on the big day...so I think it works both ways.

[Paul The Party DJ 0]

Great post Jason, exactly what a good client meet is all about.

 

Anyone reading who doesn't hold client meets and doesn't visit a venue in advance if they've not played there before - can you imagine playing a venue like that without knowing what you were going to find?

 

I've had two incidents in the last year when I've been told I have to play through the venues amp and speakers - they've both been terrible. At one I was told (at 10:30) I could bring my system in - I would have, but I didn't take it because I didn't want to leave it in the car park all night! I had done a visit in advance but hadn't turned the gear on to test it - in the future I intend to always have something in the car to run a test!

 

Time spent in planning any event is never wasted.

 

Cheers, Paul

[Teez 0]

It does go to show how important fact finding is.

 

I'd just add two comments

 

 

1. As part of your research use Google Street Map. You can zoom right into the picture of the venue both from above and from the side. It gives you an idea of the area, parking, access etc.

 

2. If it's a 'budget' job, I probably will just do desk/telephone research on the venue including speaking to the venue. The pay on these is pretty poor in the first place (Quote divided by hours from when you leave home to return home). Once you've added the fact you've been there twice, travel costs etc it crosses over from the business category to hobby category.

I know that may be controversial and I am aware of the risks but a strong contract document should cover any surprises. I'm sure some will disagree, but do any agree?

 

:joe:

[vokf 0]

Hi Teez,

I don't provide face-to-face for every gig - for this one, the client actually lives in Wembley, so too far from our home (but not so bad from our workplaces). If they are too far I would suggest we meet 1/2 way.

I also don't provide it for children's parties, "not getting out of bed twice for £xxx applies here! lol" Obviously cravats to this- and if they really want a meet and its very local, I'll probably do it.

 

So - price and distance have a bearing on what is financially viable.

The visit on Sunday was approx 40miles (total), so an approx cost of £16 (based on £0.40/mile), total time was about 2hrs, 1hr travelling total, and 1hr with client at venue.

As it was a nice day, we stopped off and had a nice pub lunch and a short walk.

The clients know our names and faces, know we work together and we also had a really good chat about music and bands. Its now a personal service, than simply using a faceless company at the end of the phone.

 

 

Many of my gigs are much more local, so clients are only 2 miles away.

 

I would say that if possible, I would like to meet the client, ideally at the venue.

Perhaps its just me, but phone calls will be shortish and the personal touch is lost. Its hard to make small talk when you're on the phone to a stranger, but whilst we're sitting, sipping a coffee, it's suddenly much easier.

 

You can try to have a tight contract (checked by a qualified legal person?), but this won't save your reputation if you cannot set-up due to height/space restrictions, or your start is delayed due to a long trek to the car-park.

what - you don't have 10M speaker Cables??!!!

what do you mean, you need 7' minimum for your overhead lights?!!

 

I do sleep easier knowing that I've seen the venue, and if its not been possible, then I'm bit nervous...

At a recent wedding in Hampshire, it was too far to visit. I did speak to the venue management, and got a few more photos, but the layout wasn't clear.

Luckily, we did arrive in good time, and everything was overrunning anyway (we were setup on time).

 

 

I also use Google/MSN Maps as an initial check, and it's invaluable. There are also details of some venues here in the forum.

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/index.php?showforum=55

I try to provide details that would help other DJ's - and it would be nice if more members did the same.

 

 

I guess my point was that its a way of separating you from other DJs that really want to manage things over the phone.

If the client is local- suggest you meet before they book if they are unsure. If they agree - you should be able to secure the booking.

 

I'm lucky to have lots of venues very close to where I live. If most gigs were 1hr away then I'd have to look at how much I was charging.

 

Thinking about this a little more, meeting in the clients home can speed up collection of the booking fee. Some write a cheque there and then, others hand over cash.

You also know where they live... if the gig turned bad (damage/assault etc), at least you have a known good address to claim against!

 

 

 

 

[Thats entertainment 0]

I was shown a rather battered wheeled 19" rack containing a Mixer, battered AMP, CD player, and a home-made patch panel for 2 RCA's in and a XLR for a MIC.

I almost expected to see a limiter in there, but nope - just basic stuff.

The speakers are in the ceiling above the dancefloor. I was told it won't go very loud and will distort

 

That sounds very much like a Hotel in Hemel that i did a wedding gig last year :bloodyhell:

 

Good luck if its the same place

:Thumbup:

[vokf 0]

PM Sent ...!

[Raymilkybarkid 0]

99% of the time I will do client meets.

This can aid you with you sales pitch for extras (Uplighting etc) by showing before and after photo's.

 

As some of you are aware the type of show that I do need a lot of planning not only with the client but also the venues as rigging can take us up to 8 - 12 hours. So it is critical that the functions set up runs smoothly and we are not getting in the way of the venue setting up or other suppliers.

 

We charge for site visits over a 10 mile radius to venues that we have not been to before.

Site visits can be a useful took especially as you get to meet the management beforehand and explain what you are going to be doing.

We have found that we can generate additional work from the venue by explaining and working with them from the first point of contact. In most cases the venue has never experienced or seen before some of the shows that we supply.

 

One particular venue that I have been back to many times was against us using Dry Ice as they said another DJ used it and it set off the smoke alarms. We took along the Dry Ice machine and dry ice (£35 per bag) to show them what Dry Ice was and how it was used. To this day we are the only company that they have allowed to use Dry Ice since, this is because we took the time to explain and demonstrate the product.

 

We have found Client meeting a valuable way of getting the correct information and building a friendship with the clients.

 

[hellbound1972 0]

That sounds very much like a Hotel in Hemel that i did a wedding gig last year :bloodyhell:

 

Good luck if its the same place

:Thumbup:

 

I have a feeling I know the exact venue, did one there a few months back and took all my gear anyway as my light tower is part of my speakers.

 

 

Then after rigging into their system (which sounded like a swarm of bumblebees) I switched off and set the rest up leaving Amp in the car

 

A while later I hear a clicking sound which turned out to be the hotel amp switching on and off.

 

Lucky I packed all my system!