Disc Jockey News

Arguing among DJs escalates when it comes to the Price you charge.

Anyone in our industry are not only DJs, but also entertainers, coordinators, sound & lighting technicians plus so much more, but most importantly we are business owners.

Then why is what a person charges become such a war of words when talked about in person or on a chat site?

Even what I have to say here will touch some people and possible trigger angry banter between DJs.

What is the reason for these hostile feelings among the members of the DJ induststry?

The majority of DJs are just not business people with schooling or experience in operating a business. They got into this industry for a multitude of reasons (fun, ego, money, a love for entertaining or music, etc…etc…etc...) but never realized what kind of work it takes to be a successful business person.

I know I had to learn the hard way and looking back now wish I had taken business classes in school years ago. I never thought of what I did as a business, just something fun I did on the weekends.

That kind of thinking was alright for a while but the longer I was in the DJ entertainment field the more serious I had to become with the business matters in order to keep the business going and being successful.

In my February 2007 Starting From Scratch article I will share with you a simple question about pricing that turned into several very long threads arguing about what is too much and what isn't enough to charge for ones service.

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 05:27 PM | Permalink

Checking out the music charts and how things have changed with them.

On the last inside page of the Disc Jockey News are the monthly music charts. I read them and try to keep abreast of what is hot and what is not. The top recordings change so fast that sometimes it can be hard to keep up with it.

Try this, take the last six issues and open them all to that last page and lay them out on a table top, one next to the other so that you can see the chart listings directly next to each other.

It amazes me how many songs will be appear on one maybe two of the chart lists and then just disappear off the face of the earth.

There are a few that will be in the top ten for a few months and disappear and only a select few that will be on those charts for all six months.

Back when I was young some songs (albums) would not only stay on the top ten charts for a long time, but actually stay in the number one position for months at a time. Remember Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album, Pink Floyd’s “The Wall”.

Most recording artists today are lucky if they spend a couple of weeks on the charts before disappearing into oblivion. They may release a second song but that one typically will not do as well as the first. By the third song the radio stations have given up and won’t play their songs.

In the late 50’s and early 60’s artists like Elvis Presley and the Beatles would have multiple songs at the exact same time filling up the charts battling against their own songs for the number one slot.

Artists would release two or more albums in a one year period. In 1964 & 1966 the Beatles released three albums in each year. Today’s artists will produce a single album and sometimes won’t be heard from for one to three years, some never again.

It is very important to have the music your clients want to hear. The younger couples tend to want what is on the radio right now, the older clients like to listen to music that takes them back to another time.

If you’re like me, you know that Tuesday is “New Music Tuesday”. This is when the new CDs are released. Every Sunday I start my day by checking the sale ads to see what will be released and then on Tuesday make my weekly trek to the music store to pick up the latest tunes to be played.

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 12:27 PM | Permalink

Top Ten Worst ways to advertise your DJ Business

10) Hire a Clown and a Organ Grinder with a Monkey to advertise your business at the local park.

9) Wear a sandwich board advertising you business while standing outside of Starbucks.

8) Hire the Crypts gang to "mark" buildings with your business name.

7) Put your business card in a bottle and throw it into the ocean.

6) Write your ad on the bathroom stall wall. "For a good time call"...

5) Hold a garage sale and set up your gear with a sign that reads “Make me an offer”

4) Set up a card table with a crayon sign on the front yard and yell out at passing cars “DJ for sale, get your really crappy DJ here!”

3) Hold a “Starving Disc Jockey” sale in the basement of the V.F.W. where all the DJs will sell their services for “Pennies on the dollar” EVERYTHING MUST GO!

2) Staple flyer's advertising DJ service on telephone poles all around town. “No Talent DJ's” call 976-loser.

1) Stand on the corner of a busy intersection with a card board box sign that reads: “Will work for Beer money”

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 09:18 AM | Permalink

You can't miss out on this opitunity, it's an offer you can't refuse.

Greetings!

"This is Todd Mitchem and I have been busy preparing something new for anyone who wants to rid their lives of stressful thought! It is the $5 "Use It" download. It works and it is now affordable for everyone!"

Todd Mitchem’s $5 download that will change your stress filled life!

How many times have you “Lost it” so far in 2007? No really, how many times have yelled at someone, felt angry in traffic, or agitated at something? Have you uttered the words, “You are making me mad.” to someone?

How many situations in your life have already caused you to “Lose It?” When your stressful situations cause you to lose it what can you do to stop the stress from taking over your life? You've read all those "how to relief stress" articles; advice like take up a hobby, take a relaxing bath, get some time to yourself'. How does that work in the real world? Take up a hobby?

After working late (again) and dealing with rush hour traffic, and then gulping a take out meal down, and maybe getting to bed early--when would you have time for a hobby??? A relaxing bath?--with 3 kids screaming in the background and lunches to pack and dishes to do and the work you brought home still needing to be done-- right.... Time to yourself—you haven’t had time to yourself since you were in junior high school!

What about the stress then? Why not learn how to deal with the stress AS IT'S HAPPENING. Stress is all around us, every day, all the time and we need to deal with it NOW, not wait for some mythical future point in time to make it all go away. Corporate trainer and life coach Todd Mitchem has developed a strategy called the “Use It” mentality which can help.

With “Use It” you'll learn how to deal with the stress as it's actually happening, relieving the stress when it's most important--NOW. “Use It” won't make your stressful situations go away, but it will teach you how to deal with those situations in a positive way--and can relieve your stress NOW, not when you get time for that relaxing bath. This simple way of thinking changes the way you interact with others and brings fun back to your life and work. As Todd puts it, “Use It” is your life only better!”

What is the “Use It” mentality? “Use It” is a process to train yourself to use your own thoughts and actions in every situation, especially negative ones, to relieve stress rather than cause stress. “Use It” helps you find the comedy in, and the stress-free path through, the situations that cause frustration and breakdown of communication in the workplace as well as personal relationships. You will find ways to make new choices that create an enjoyable life, without having to change the situations that cause stress. The five “Use It” elements are foundational building blocks to a powerful life.

Understand the Big Picture: What is the big picture in this moment?

Say, “My Attitude Dictates my Experience”

Ego: I do not need to win!

I make no assumptions about anything or anyone

Take Nothing Personally

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Order your DOWNLOAD now!

email: useit@useitworks.com
web: http://www.useitworks.com

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions
http://PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 10:12 AM | Permalink

If you are not a member of the Todd Mitchem e-mail newsletter here is something you should know.

Mitchem Interactive
January 10, 2007
Greetings!

Todd Mitchem here. Yesterday my office sent out an email promo for our latest DVD "Let's Get Interactive." What that email did not mention was that after over 7 years as a DJ educator I am finally saying good bye.

It has not been easy to decide.Over the last few months things have progressed in my main business which is to teach the "Use It" mentality to as many people as possible.

Because of this worldwide pursuit I feel that all my effort must go in that direction. I will truly miss the industry where I spent so many wonderful years.

Thank you all for your support in Mitchem Interactive, and in me. In the time we have worked together I hope that I was able to provide you with training which grew your business, improved your performance and made your life better.

The video "Let's Get Interactive" will be our last DVD and I have decided not to go on tour again this year in workshop or convention capacity so this will truly be your only opportunity to purchase any of our DVDs. Soon the Mitchem Interactive site for DJs will be closed.

Order your DVDs now!
Please forward this message to any DJ you know who would like to use the Free Information which will only be up on our site for a short time.

Remember, that you only have this moment to make your life and work truly awesome! You can decide to be the best right now. I hope you do that. Best of luck to you all.

Warmest Regards,

Todd Mitchem
Mitchem Interactive

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

email: todd@mitcheminteractive.com
web: http://www.mitcheminteractive.com

I ordered mine, If you want a lot of great USEFUL information I would suggest ordering yours a.s.a.p.

Jeff Richards:Party Time Productions.

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Executive VP of MAPDJ.

Posted by Jeff Richards at 04:25 PM | Permalink

It's that time again are you ready?

My column, "Starting from Scratch" in the January issue will talk about the importance of paying your taxes and running an ethical business.

I will give you some hints and tips on preparing your taxes and also on ways to plan ahead for the 2008 tax day.

Please remember to speak over these hints and tips with your Business accountant (CPA) before applying them to you. The laws may be different in your neck of the woods.

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimePorductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 10:29 PM | Permalink