Agents

[liquidtrax 0]

answers to your questions:-

 

1. What Do I Get For My £9.99

 

Listed on our website, we will then use the money to promote our website and make it popular. This results in people booking DJ's like yourself. Also we have monthly fees to pay i.e website, staff etc.. £9.99 also helps to pay our phone bills for when we contact clubs and venues on your behalf.

 

2. Is This a one of payment, or is there an annual charge

 

One off

3. will you also be charging me a commission for all work found

 

Yes, how much depends on your pay amount

 

4. will i be able to include my own contact details on the web page

 

No otherwise it would be pointless

 

5. Are there any guarentees that I will be offered work

 

I can't guarantee you anything. If I die tomorrow you may not get any work..

 

6. If I am not offered any work, will my fee be refunded

 

We do not have that scheme in place, however I will call BT and ask them if they will refund my calls if someone doesn't want to hire one of my DJ's

 

 

[ChrisPointon 0]

[RANT]

 

I'm currently on a Sabbatical from this forum for a Week or so, but the volume of emailed complaints and report this post links has now reached a stage where I have to make one post. Rest assured, this will be my only post, I am not going to allow some attitudes to ruin an otherwise perfect and stressless week, I don't like you all THAT much http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/tongue.gif .

 

First of all, before ANY agency advertises here, I make some background checks. These checks are not exhaustive, and neither should they be taken as any form of guarantee, but they are often extend to having the agencies private contact details on file, and these details are cross refered elsewhere.

 

I can tell you now, that if I didn't give a damn about the integrity of those with commercial interests who post here, then you would have around one agency every 2 days advertising in the gig section, recently I have contacted a member who made a post canvassing for DJ's to work in Spain and Greece, I contacted him to request his contact details and nothing was heard from him, needless to say the post didn't go 'live', and this is one of the reasons why we have the Mod Queue. If I didn't give a toss, as some of you are making out, then I wouldn't invest the time or the effort to do the background research, after all what is in it for me??.

 

Whether, you are reading a forum or a newspaper advert there is always going to be some empathsis on 'Buyer Beware', I am not your GrandMother, and I am not cleaning behind your ears for you. Everybody here is capable of deciding whether something is a good investment, and asking questions to allow them to determine the facts. If it isn't for you, then don't sign up - the same applies to this forum.

 

When liquidtrax joined the forum he was aware that he was going to face some pretty tough questions, but there is a difference between being rude and asking questions.

 

Most of you know, that I would never personally pay an agent a subscription, I've gone on record many many times to state this, I am sure that even Liquidtrax would be the first to confirm that we have had this conversation. However unlike the 99% of the other agents posts and SPAM which would have otherwise appeared in the Gig Request section, he has been forthcoming with his contact information, and he is not operating from a hotmail or yahoo address. This however should never be taken as the gold key to the crapper, or my personal recommendation towards an external site, and the empathsis remains on drawing your own conclusions to anything which requires payment upfront.

 

I do believe that Liquidtrax needs to take note of some of the suggestions which have been made here, and not all of the posts are aimed at belittling your idea, some are very valid and have been made from DJ's who I can vouch have been business for many years and it is a minefield out there.

 

On the Advertising front, again i've had many complaints regarding adverts appearing in general posts, but I hardly think that one retailer and one pinned topic constitutes a level of advertising comparable to SKY TV do you?.

 

New rules are being drafted as we speak, which will cover blatant and an unacceptable level of self or business promotion. This forum will always remain a private community, and the rules look out for both mine and the forums interests and are not debateable. However I can assure you that I would be the last person to allow this forum to become a spamfest. If you are not happy with the way things are run, or the 'landlord' then what are you doing here?. However if you give things a chance to settle down, then I am sure that you'll find that things won't be changing all that much.

 

Right, I'm not allowing this matter to intrude any further into my week off. Perhaps this time would be better spent advising Liquidtrax of the features that you would like to see in his idea, then perhaps we can all benefit from it?.

 

my own advice, is very simlilar to what has already been mentioned an that personally I would prefer for the subscription to be waived in favour of a fairer, more conventional commission based system. If you don't get the work, you don't get the payment!. If Liquidtrax does have the desire to make his venture a success then he'll be more than happy to take your suggestions on board, so lets continue the topic on the basis of friendly and professional advice. [/Rant]

 

Laters

[liquidtrax 0]

by the way, you don't have to call me liquid, my name is Dave http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thumbup.gif

[Dukesy 0]

Have read the thread closely - would echo Karen's comments above.

 

If you would like some ideas to incorporate into your venture to make it better/ more competitive or to iron-out little probs - you're in the right place.

 

Best wishes

 

Dan

[liquidtrax 0]

I agree Chris and enjoy the rest of your week off

[YourBigEvent 0]

Giving him a hard time, but thats business.

Like I say I have put my trust in him, for a tenner.I will go out tonight and spend more than that in the pub and think nothing of it, so I'm giving him a chance.

If I don't get any work within 4 months than I may be slating him here but I am willing to give the guys a chance.

I don't normally work for any agents but I will try and help any new business venture if I can, especailly if they give some work back.

I know if I paid a trenner for every e.mail of this sort I would be bankrupt within a few weeks, but Richard Branson once told me Speculate to accumpulate

 

Worth £10 of my money I think

 

Will be back in 4 months time either way.

[liquidtrax 0]

The one thing that conserns me, is that if I make it free to join, I will be plastered with orders and will have 100s of DJ's signing up. This is a lot of work for our staff to manage! Anyone have any comments to this query?

[liquidtrax 0]

QUOTE (ADS Entertainments @ Mar 2 2005, 03:23 PM)

Giving him a hard time, but thats business. Like I say I have put my trust in him, for a tenner.I will go out tonight and spend more than that in the pub and think nothing of it, so I'm giving him a chance. If I don't get any work within 4 months than I may be slating him here but I am willing to give the guys a chance. I don't normally work for any agents but I will try and help any new business venture if I can, especailly if they give some work back. I know if I paid a trenner for every e.mail of this sort I would be bankrupt within a few weeks, but Richard Branson once told me Speculate to accumpulate Worth £10 of my money I think Will be back in 4 months time either way.

This is how I thought most DJ's would think. But the reaction I got was that if they lost £10 it was the end of the world!

 

This may be down to my inexperience in the DJ world

[FDDJ 0]

All I want to say is good luck to you with your new business, it's not my cup of tea so I won't be signing up, but take heed of some of the advice given, it may help you refine your idea in the long run http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/533.gif

 

If I were you I may have taken a bit more time preparing my proposition before launch, but then what do I know! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/wacko.gif

[kazzachi 0]

Im not knocking dave.... Good luck to him in his business.... but if I were in his shoes I would possibly reconsider the signing up fee... as has already been pointed out, is illegal when acting as an agent, and I would adopt andys mates (richard Bransons) addage - speculate to accumulate..... Of course you have to earn to sustain the business, but how about waiving the fee and as with most agents, make your profit out of the commission you get by providing the djs with bookings. Obviously, you have to get out to see these djs in the first place to make sure that you can recommend them to your customers and know that these djs are going to give you and your clients a really good service.

My advice would be to use the forum to your advantage.... you have a wide variety of djs on here who can contact you/or you them once you have secured bookings. Its a bit of a chicken and egg situation..... you have to get the work before you can realistically ask anybody to sign up and pay on a promise that you might get some contracts.

Dave please take this as advice NOT a poo-pooing of your service. Im sure if you take on board what some of the members are saying then you only stand to gain.

[Kingy 0]

QUOTE (liquidtrax @ Mar 2 2005, 03:23 PM)

The one thing that conserns me, is that if I make it free to join, I will be plastered with orders and will have 100s of DJ's signing up. This is a lot of work for our staff to manage! Anyone have any comments to this query?

There is no point in having 100 djs if you have no work for them.

 

I would be interested to see exactly what work you have available for the guys on your books. Looking on the web site, there is really very little information on your site to make any potential employers "jump" to your agency over any other that they may be using.

 

But; and its a big but, you really need to register with the Dof E as you are totally illegal. Ignorance or simply saying that "we have only just begun" is no excuse.

 

I am sorry if you feel my posts a little harsh, but sooooooooo many people have tried a "get rich quick" scheme like this before, expecting clients to just materialise from thin air. In this industry it simply does not happen. It wont simply by ringing round either.

 

As a business, if I were you, I would re-think the way that you have approached this venture. Many good points have been raised above, dont expect an easy ride, because I promise you, you just wont get it in the entertainment world!

[Ian Stewart 0]

Dave,

 

Good luck with your business, but I will not be giving you £9.99 of my money,

 

I have cointacted the DTI and you are trading illegally.

 

on another point, every new business has costs when starting up, if you need capital for your venture may I suggest a bank loan, and not ask prospective clients to bank roll you.

 

as a suggestion, perhaps set up a limited company and sell shares in the company at £9.99 each, that way the investors may see a return for their money rather then promises.

[kazzachi 0]

Wow Hot topic!... DAVE..... golden business opportunity for you here mate!..... Research into your business..............Ask people what they want/expect from you... ask them what they do or dont like about agencies... ask them why they join up or dont join up..... this is just one way you can make sure that your agency is going to be a cut above the rest because you took the time and trouble to listen to your prospective contractors and by doing so, will be able to offer more to both clients and contractors.

 

One other bit of advice..... Many of your prospective clients will ask you how you recruit your DJs...... Maybe by telling them clients that your djs simply pay you a fee and that gets them on your books in not the best selling point.... The only agents I ever worked for came out to see me working on 3/4 occasions so that they would be able to give an honest opinion to clients as to my suitability. Food for thought.

Edited March 2, 2005 by kazzachi

[DiscoStudio 0]

Hi Dave,

 

I completely support you in what you are doing as I know how hard it can be starting a business.

 

I am with your idea of charging the £10 joinng fee as that's not a lot of money and I would spend more than that in the pub, so to spend a tenner with the prospect of gaining extra work oput of it seems like a good deal on the outset.

 

However, I do think that maybe that £10 should be more seen as a security deposit, because as you say, you would otherwise have every tom, dick and harry wanting to sign up!

 

Maybe you could offer the £10 back by way of a credit off the first and second gig, maybe this way your DJs may feel more comfortable giving you the £10 from the outset, and essentially you don't loose any money.

 

If your policies have now been put into place then it would be unfair to change them, but if not maybe it's something to consider.

 

Just my twopece worth, and I wish you all the success. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thumbup.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif

[liquidtrax 0]

Thank you for all your advice, I have arranged a meeting with my business partners. I will be taking into acount everything mentioned in this forum, and if you keep on posting they will all be read. I will be posting updates about our plans on the websites over the next few days.

 

Once again thanks for all your feedback and support

[Ian Stewart 0]

Any fancy putting their name on my web site, i may get you some work, or I may not all for the bargain price of £7.50

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif

[liquidtrax 0]

QUOTE (DiscoStudio @ Mar 2 2005, 03:56 PM)

Hi Dave, I completely support you in what you are doing as I know how hard it can be starting a business. I am with your idea of charging the £10 joinng fee as that's not a lot of money and I would spend more than that in the pub, so to spend a tenner with the prospect of gaining extra work oput of it seems like a good deal on the outset. However, I do think that maybe that £10 should be more seen as a security deposit, because as you say, you would otherwise have every tom, dick and harry wanting to sign up! Maybe you could offer the £10 back by way of a credit off the first and second gig, maybe this way your DJs may feel more comfortable giving you the £10 from the outset, and essentially you don't loose any money. If your policies have now been put into place then it would be unfair to change them, but if not maybe it's something to consider. Just my twopece worth, and I wish you all the success. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thumbup.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif

Yes, I am going to be looking into making the fee better value for money. I should have some news over the next few days on how it is going to be improved.

 

Anyone else have any comments about how I can make the fee better value for money?

[liquidtrax 0]

QUOTE (Ian Stewart @ Mar 2 2005, 04:03 PM)

Any fancy putting their name on my web site, i may get you some work, or I may not all for the bargain price of £7.50 http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif

That is how advertising works, you think I get a guarante that DJ's will sign up and pay when I pay for my banner to be put on forums? NO

[FDDJ 0]

QUOTE (liquidtrax @ Mar 2 2005, 04:08 PM)

QUOTE (DiscoStudio @ Mar 2 2005, 03:56 PM) Hi Dave, I completely support you in what you are doing as I know how hard it can be starting a business. I am with your idea of charging the £10 joinng fee as that's not a lot of money and I would spend more than that in the pub, so to spend a tenner with the prospect of gaining extra work oput of it seems like a good deal on the outset. However, I do think that maybe that £10 should be more seen as a security deposit, because as you say, you would otherwise have every tom, dick and harry wanting to sign up! Maybe you could offer the £10 back by way of a credit off the first and second gig, maybe this way your DJs may feel more comfortable giving you the £10 from the outset, and essentially you don't loose any money. If your policies have now been put into place then it would be unfair to change them, but if not maybe it's something to consider. Just my twopece worth, and I wish you all the success.  http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif  http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thumbup.gif  http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif Yes, I am going to be looking into making the fee better value for money. I should have some news over the next few days on how it is going to be improved.   Anyone else have any comments about how I can make the fee better value for money? Don't have one? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/533.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/tongue.gif

Edited March 2, 2005 by StevJam

[liquidtrax 0]

Everyone is quick to criticise but not to quick to offer alternatives http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Ian Stewart 0]

The alternative is that if you wish to start a new business make sure that you are funded correctly, don't expect your customers (The DJ's) to bank roll you

 

either run an agency or run a listings site, don't try & combine the 2

[liquidtrax 0]

We do have fuding, we plan to spent it on getting DJ's gigs. I still think the listing fee is a good idea, but I need to work something out so everyone else thinks its a good idea as well. So its better value for money

[High Fidelity 0]

Hi Dave

 

I think the alternative to the joing fee would be to rely on the commision from work that the DJ's get.

 

I think that it is the joining fee that is at the root of most of the posts that have been made in reply, so I think this could be your biggest stumbling block and worth a serious reconsideration.

[Ian Stewart 0]

QUOTE (liquidtrax @ Mar 2 2005, 05:19 PM)

We do have fuding, we plan to spent it on getting DJ's gigs. I still think the listing fee is a good idea, but I need to work something out so everyone else thinks its a good idea as well. So its better value for money

thats not the question, its a question of legality, what you are doing is illegal

 

if I were you i'd take a commission on all work arranged

[liquidtrax 0]

What would you say, if I made the fee £4.99 and was guaranteed to be refunded after 6 months if the DJ got no gigs?