New One

[mick 0]

Hi - Welcome to the forum, lights are a personal thing get out and have look at different types. Avoid the types with expensive high voltage bulbs as although they may be cheap to buy they can be expensive to keep lamped up, Chris will advise I am sure. Main thing to remember when DJ'ing is you can't please everyone so dont worry if you get http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/censored2.gif telling you what to play at gigs.

I am my biggest critic and most DJ's worry too much, anyway its that what makes us do a good job. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/goodjob.gif

Watch the floor and enjoy yourself.

[Kevin Phillips 0]

Hi Leonna

 

I am a teacher - I get worked to death for 39 weeks of the year, then have massive long holidays to recover.

 

Lights: My advice would be to start with a T bar or 2 of coloured spot lights on a 4 channel chaser. These will light up a dance floor with colour and give a reasonable effect. For the younger audience, may be also a light effect with mirrors / gobos etc - I am sure that others will be able to give recommendations.

 

Other advice: Most DJs I know play music in sets - all the chart stuff together, all the slow ones together, all the 70s together, etc. The records within the sets will all be about the same speed - there is nothing like a sudden change of speed to make everyone sit down. The real skill in DJing is 1. putting together your sets, 2. knowing which sets to play when, and 3. knowing how long to make your sets and when to change. Unfortunately, every crowd is different - but you can make very good guesses by looking at your crowd and how they are reacting.

 

Best of luck,

 

 

Kevin

[YourBigEvent 0]

QUOTE

My sister has a friend who DJ's and I was going to try to get together with him, but she hasn't managed to get a hold of him.

 

That can't be good business practise, if she can't contact him how would people wanting a disco do so http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/533.gif

[scotty 0]

lol thats gotta be quote of the year that one - welcome btw http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Leonna 0]

QUOTE (ADS Entertainments @ Oct 5 2004, 09:36 PM)

QUOTE My sister has a friend who DJ's and I was going to try to get together with him, but she hasn't managed to get a hold of him.   That can't be good business practise, if she can't contact him how would people wanting a disco do so http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/533.gif Unfortunatley, my sister does have a life and I don't think she has tried that hard. People must get a hold of him as he is always booked. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif   Thanks again for all your advice re:- lights etc. Having a browse around other threads I am beggining to have my doubts. PLI, PAT Testing, Expensive Van Insurance, a Van (I only have a little Yaris!) , sorting out Tax etc. Is it worth it ?? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/533.gif   It seems like it could be fun, I love music and I love dancing but what if I am rubbish and it all goes pear shaped, that's alot of money to waste.   I think I will go change my music playing, need something more upbeat than some Christina Aguilera moody songs, get me feeling positive again. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/071.gif

[ChrisPointon 0]

One of the main aims of this forum is to try and educate those new to the industry, so that they do not to fall into the category of being labeled as a 'Cowboy'. Sometimes people are given that label purely through not having the experience and advice to help them avoid falling into the pitfalls. In other words if a jobs worth doing, it's better to do it well and 100% legit, rather than struggle with the legalities and cost of the red tape after buying £2000 worth of equipment! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif .

 

There are DJ's around who operate without PLI, and they take a risk, it's not only the risk of running a business whilst un-insured, but also the fact that they may be turned away from a venue because they haven't got the required documentation to prove that they have insurance. Can you imagine your reputation, if a client booked you for a wedding, and you arrived to set up, only to find that the venue won't let you set up because you don't have evidence of your PLI cover. This would be embarrassing for you and also potentially damaging, especially if you were trying to establish a good reputation. Having PLI doesn't make you any better as a DJ, but it is a requirement of running a business.

 

12 months ago, I would have said that the risk of being asked for PLI evidence by a venue would be small. but now, more and more venues, especially national hotel chains and council run halls are asking. I would rather you were aware of this now, rather than come across it later.

 

The cost of this isn't exactly prohibitive. Membership of the Musicians union offers £10m PLI as part of it's membership for £99 a year, plus you get all of the benefits of belonging to a national union. You'll also get a nice little insurance card with the policy number of the MU policy to prove to the venue that you have cover http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif .

 

PAT testing can often be done by a local Electrician and costs around £60 - £80 per year for an average sized disco.

 

So a total outlay of roughly £179 every 12 months will cover your red tape responsibilities!. Even if you charge a fairly modest fee for your roadshow, you should recoup this in your first couple of bookings. All businesses have expenses and these are the first ones which you will come across, after buying your equipment, they are also tax deductable.

 

On the subject of Tax, well, you will be taxed on profit, so if you don't earn anything you won't be taxed anything. Just tell the inland revenue that you are starting a business, and then just keep records of what you spend and receive. You really don't have nothing to lose on this score, since if it doesn't work, and you don't make any profit, then you won't be out of pocket on tax either - just make sure that you keep a record of your expenses and receipts and what you receive the easiest way to do this is to open a bank account purely for your business transactions, and also keep the bank statements from it. Most business make very little profit or even a loss in their first year of trading, however if it got to a point where you were out a few times a week then it will probably be easier to employ the services of an accountant. A good accountant will often save you more in tax than his or her fee http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/thumbup.gif , there is also a DJ on the forum who is also an accountant, and He offers his professional services at a very competitive rate - if the Idea of Tax worries you, then contact Ian Stewart by PM, and I'm sure that he would be happy to offer his services.

 

Your vehicle may be a problem. I've never had to get equipment in a Yaris, but I should imagine that a little creative packing....or a small trailor would be required. Given your age it may be difficult to hire a van for your gigs, and this would be the best solution normally for anybody just starting out. Simply hire a van on the nights when you have gigs, and wave goodbye to buying a van or larger car and the insurance problems and cost of maintanance!. If you started really small, with the basics and just one or two effects, it *May* be possible to get some equipment in. I've managed to pack a Corsa and Fiat Panda with hire gear before now.....and no it didn't have a roof rack http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/221.gif .

 

 

On the point of whether it's worth it, well only you know your level of interest and dedication. Do you think that it is just a passing fad or do you think you could go into it 100% and at least make a go of it?.

 

Before making a decision, why not take up karen's offer of helping out at a gig with her, or with one of the other members?. This way you'll be able to make an informed decision based on what you see, and by watching another DJ at work will give you an idea of what being a DJ actually involves. You have nothing to lose, by at least doing this/ http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/thumbup.gif

[kazzachi 0]

Seeing as youve already bought the gear.... you have to give it a go!......... I know you cant make this weekend - but how about next friday... ive got a school disco!

[YourBigEvent 0]

It may seem daunting to start with, especailly once you have all the equipment, the PLI/PAT, etc and the telephone doesn't ring, don't worry though, and definately do not panic, I remember starting out in the 80's and didn't have many gigs per month, and these were village hall gigs, not big hotels which I wanted, we all started where you are now, and I know that with a little time and effort you will make it, the first 5 years are the hardest. After this time your reputation will help you get gigs, I only started advertising in the YP again last year to see what response it would get me, the result was I was booked every weekend but not via the advert, but via word of mouth, this year I have saved myself £800 !!

 

Take up Karens offer, and talk to other DJ, especailly on here, we are all here to help each other, I get helped out many times, and am still learning 20 + years after my first gig. And if you do holiday in Torquay you can come out with me too http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif but unfortunately I think Gary is the nearest to me, and he is in Basingstoke

[Leonna 0]

Thanks for all the support you guys. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/thumbup.gif

 

Karen, where is your school disco ?

[kazzachi 0]

Its in shepperton... the good thing about this school disco is that you can see how to handle different age groups... 4-6 7-9 and 10-11 year olds - 3 sessions!