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Tópico: How are you getting your gigs? - Page: 2

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A Man and His Music wrote :
Charlie Wilson wrote :
A good DJ get's booked.




Oh snap. That is some kind of Vulcan mind meld shit. Deep, intergalactic, cosmic wisdom. The truth is it is just the opposite. It is really that simple. It has been word of mouth for me since day one. Yes, I have over 100,000 business cards out there. I never give out just one card. My motto is, "It doesn't do me any good if I keep them", so you will get 3 to 5 cards. Some people ask for more. I work very hard, and look to get at least 5 gigs out of every gig I do. If you do not want to pay me what I'm worth, I can't work for you. I have paid my dues. I have set prices, but always give more than I promise. I do not try to work every weekend any more, so I pick and choose my gigs. As Charlie said, it is not just the music that makes you good. Appearance, work ethic, Integrity, professionalism, and experience all play a major role in getting steady work for 40 plus years. Do what works for you. Frank Sinatra did not do hip hop.



To the young up and coming DJ's out there, take heed to words of the GOD FATHER- A Man and His Music,
"Appearance, work ethic, Integrity, professionalism, and experience all play a major role in getting steady work for 40 plus years."
 
Okay this list will be done in a few days and if there is anybody who'd like to add to this forum on how you get your gigs, the time is NOW! I will be giving all those who participated in the conversation their proper credit. Remember this is for us to help us move forward, so all input is welcomed!

THANKS,
DJ COACH K aka THE MIX MONSTER
 
The majority of my gigs have come from word of mouth. I have been in the game for more years than I care to remember.

I pass out business cards to people that ask for a card but I always say to them...
"Do you have your phone with you? You can put my number straight into your phone"

I have my website...
www.CityLifeProductions.net

I use facebook as well.

I have mixes of LIVE shows on soundcloud that can be accessed from the website.

I used to do videos but fell back from that because I do a range of different kinds of shows and if someone watches the video of me at a club but they are looking for a dj to cater to 40 & up, they may pass my by because they may think that I primarily cater to the youngins.

I keep a professional but real down to earth attitude about myself and my business and I don't bullshit people. I'm a straight up kinda dude. People respect that a LOT.

My prices...
I charge by the event or venue. I don't charge by the hour nor do I have a set price. My prices are fair but do not undercut the industry (NO $100 DJ RATES HERE!!!)
Example...
If you are having a house party for 4 hours in your basement and not charging people to get in, i'm bringing 2 powered tops on stands. That would cost you $xxx
If you are having a caberet for 1000 people and you are charging at the door and / or selling tickets... That's gonna cost you $xxxx. I'm bringing tops and bottoms and lights.
Travel time also goes into pricing but thats only if the show is a distance away.
I'm also a club DJ. Heck...I'm mostly a club DJ.

I always follow up with the client after the show to thank them for their business and to let them know that I am available for their future events..

Theres more but i'm gonna save it unless someone has questions...

Good topic Coach
 
djcity wrote :

I pass out business cards to people that ask for a card but I always say to them...
"Do you have your phone with you? You can put my number straight into your phone"

I have my website...
www.CityLifeProductions.net



My prices...
I charge by the event or venue. I don't charge by the hour nor do I have a set price. My prices are fair but do not undercut the industry (NO $100 DJ RATES HERE!!!)


I always follow up with the client after the show to thank them for their business and to let them know that I am available for their future events..




I had to point these out, because people live on the phones these days, plus your website is a must (main reason I am getting a new done as we speak); also this one is very important, because DJ's you not only need to know your worth, but stop lowballing for a gig, If' you're that good like you claim to be, then you need to know your worth!!! It is one thing to negotiate, but lets stop the "I'll do it for a $100" when the going rate for that gig is worth $500!

Finally, follow ups will keep you in business, because, that client will either rehire you or refer you and I believe Superaceman said he follows up on wedding anniversaries with anniversary cards. Don't just think you rocked the house and assume they'll hire you again 2 years down the road, no follow up!
 
That's right Coach! The follow up is HUGE!!! I get 60% of new clients from my anniversary card gimmick. Your past clients won't be able to say enough about how well you performed and how detail oriented you were, even if you didn't rock the house that night. The Bride and Groom are generally too busy to notice any missteps in your performance as they are shaking hands, getting pictures done, Uncle Frank wants to greet the Groom into the family with a cigar outside, etc. But when the dust has settled and they get back to a normal life again, your anniversary card comes in the mail wishing them well and thanking them for the opportunity to have been part of their special day. That will speak volumes to them and you will get a pile of recommendations.

Another little trick (not sure if it's been mentioned yet or not) is to get video testimonials from your clients at the event. It's easy to type something up saying how "amazing" your service was and sign it with a fake name. I've seen that a couple of times. With a video testimonial, there is no doubt that there is a real person saying great things about you and your business! It's easy to do, and as long as you're polite and upfront about what you're doing, you will get more than you need. You'll be surprised how many clients will throw themselves at the opportunity to do this.

Can't wait to see your list Coach! Hope some of my input is useful to the community.

Thanx
AC
 
AC, You hit that one on the button, because I certainly didn't think about it in that way! Especially with all the madness at any wedding, that's a great way to obtain more gigs, because most guess at the wedding won't say much about the DJ after the event, except something like the DJ was good. Mainly the DRUNK relative, who thought they can do a better job than you will more than likely be the one to say anything about you, lol! Honestly while a year may seem like a long time, you've built a long term for a future paying gigs that will only continue, because you built a lead generation system that keeps you in business.

Oh I certainly mentioned the video testimony because of those very facts you stated. Anybody can write up a testimony and pass it off as legit, that's why now I use a flip video for testimonies. Light, compact & easy to use!
 
Great thread. .

Like many others said... once your name gets out there most of your referrals come "word of mouth".

I started my own company in a new market in 2005. I NEVER once did a bridal show or any type of wedding show. They are a waist of time and money. There's nothing you can tell a prospective bride in the 2 minutes that you have her attention that she would want to book you on the spot. . . . or make you stand out among all the other DJ's at the show.

I recommend. . .
1. Networking with Photographers. . . The Photographer is usually one of the first wedding vendors that are booked. . .
2. Networking with the Hall managers. . . The hall is usually the first thing booked for a reception.

Be good at what you do. . . be different than the others in your market. .. nothing worse than blending in with everyone else.


Oh, and get a kick ass website.
www.jeremyganss.com
 
+1 to giving the boot to the bridal shows. It's a waste of a few hundred bucks and your day is shot.

 
Wow, here in NYC is a great place for doing bridal shows. Sure there's a lot of competition, but I always seem to pull out one or two gigs from them, but hey, they're not for everyone, lol!

Jeremy G, I need to work on the hall managers more myself, GREAT TIP! I have a database of photographers, so not a big need for me, but I can never say I have enough of them.
 
I forgot to mention a few things...

NETWORKING!!!!!
Keep up and around working DJ's in the business. Make yourself known to club owners and promoters. Cultivate relationships within the industry. When you are known, you are booked. (provided you are any good).

ALWAYS DO A GREAT JOB!!!!!
Weather the party has 10 people, 100 people or 1000 people....ROCK THAT S**T HOMMIE!!!! You never know who's listening.

DON'T GIVE YOUR SKILLS AWAY FOR FREE!!!!!
It's one thing to do shows for charity but you want to do that after you are very well established as a way of "giving back". Doing free shows or shows for next to nothing will get you pegged as a low budget DJ. Once you fall into that category, you wind up staying in that category. Do $50 shows and you will be known as a $50 DJ. (NO RESPECT IN DA GAME)

BE CONFIDENT BUT BE HUMBLE AS WELL!!!!!
Don't think your the best DJ in the entire world (even if you are). If you do think you are God's gift to DJ'ing, Don't be arrogant about it. Speak up for yourself but let your talent speak louder than you do.

KNOW HOW TO TALK TO PEOPLE AND BE ABLE TO MOVE WITHIN DIFFERENT CIRCLES!!!!!
Be able to speak to people on their level. Business class people vs. Street people vs. Mothers and Fathers. Each of them may be handled differently but remain professional.

There will be more to come as I think on it.
 
djcity wrote :
I forgot to mention a few things...

NETWORKING!!!!!
Keep up and around working DJ's in the business. Make yourself known to club owners and promoters. Cultivate relationships within the industry. When you are known, you are booked. (provided you are any good).

ALWAYS DO A GREAT JOB!!!!!
Weather the party has 10 people, 100 people or 1000 people....ROCK THAT S**T HOMMIE!!!! You never know who's listening.

DON'T GIVE YOUR SKILLS AWAY FOR FREE!!!!!
It's one thing to do shows for charity but you want to do that after you are very well established as a way of "giving back". Doing free shows or shows for next to nothing will get you pegged as a low budget DJ. Once you fall into that category, you wind up staying in that category. Do $50 shows and you will be known as a $50 DJ. (NO RESPECT IN DA GAME)

BE CONFIDENT BUT BE HUMBLE AS WELL!!!!!
Don't think your the best DJ in the entire world (even if you are). If you do think you are God's gift to DJ'ing, Don't be arrogant about it. Speak up for yourself but let your talent speak louder than you do.

KNOW HOW TO TALK TO PEOPLE AND BE ABLE TO MOVE WITHIN DIFFERENT CIRCLES!!!!!
Be able to speak to people on their level. Business class people vs. Street people vs. Mothers and Fathers. Each of them may be handled differently but remain professional.

There will be more to come as I think on it.



MAN...... WOMAN....... BIRTH....... INFINITY...... LOL! On point with all of this one DJ City!


As I always say, in order to increase ones NET-worth, you must go to WORK, NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK!


Fellas, while I'm still creating this marketing list, feel free to continue to add on. I will be glad to put it on the list!
 
One more thing.....

DO YOUR RESEARCH......

When you want to work at a club, find out everything you can about the club, the owners, what type of license the club holds, what kind of music they generally have played, are there any violations that would have the club be shut down...Things like that.

Look up and find out who the managers are, who is responsible for entertainment. Find out their first and last names. FIND OUT THEIR EMAIL ADDRESS!!! They will more than likely have 2 email addresses, a general one for the club and one for them personally. TRY TO FIND THE PERSONAL ONE!!!

You will send out proposals to the individuals you have located. You want to address each person by first and last name. If you have a website, you want to reference your website in your proposal and any links you may have to your demos.
You want to list your experience and what you can bring to that establishment that will GROW BUSINESS!!!!

Don't forget, even though YOU are looking for money, you need to let them know how you can make THE CLUB more money.


More to come as I think about it...
 
How many DJ's keep demo mixtapes/cd's with them? It can open a window of opportunity if you have the right sound on you as well! Just one more thing I suggest keeping with you. Many will say the CD's is a necessary expense, but I disagree, because I see it as an investment. CDR's cost about $20 bucks for a pack of lets 25, where 1 CD lands you a gig, then you made a profit on your investment, but you'll never know, if you don't at least try! You don't need crates of records anymore, so use those extra funds towards building your DJ business!
 
Why not take it a step further and get CD business cards!



Small, convenient and hold 100MB of data. Perfect for a mix tape and shows that you're not messing around. Just google CD business card or b-cards. There are plenty of companies doing this.
 
superaceman wrote :
Why not take it a step further and get CD business cards!



Small, convenient and hold 100MB of data. Perfect for a mix tape and shows that you're not messing around. Just google CD business card or b-cards. There are plenty of companies doing this.


+1 AC!

I will be doing my research today, great marketing tool!
 
A Man and His Music, Can you please show some respect towards other users and not pull their post to pieces slogging off their comments.

In future if you could just put that you disagree with the quote and state why, at least then the board remains professional and not just another place for teenagers slate each other.
 


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