Disc Jockey News

Have you ever wondered why Disc Jockeys have an innate fear of change?

Why Disc Jockeys would rather continue to work a job they hate then to improve their side job that they love and turn it into a full time career?

Why Disc Jockeys continue to make the same simple mistakes in running their DJ business over and over?

Why Disc Jockeys still think the same, act the same and still charge the same rate as they did in 1997, 1987, and even 1977?

I started as a DJ as a young child putting on little “Shows” for the kids in the neighborhood. After graduation I began Djing as a fun thing to do, later in life I began to DJ as a way to earn some extra money. Eventually I decided to make it my full time business and I love what I do.

My first event was a wedding for a sister of a friend of mine and I was paid $200.00.

I, like everyone at the time (late 80's - early 90's) struggled to make a little more and a little more every year or two. By 1997 you were lucky if you made $400 to $500 dollars for what sometimes was an all day event.

It is now ten years later (2007) and there are many Disc Jockeys still charging the same rate as DJ’s charged in 1997.

There are still DJ’s charging the same rates as DJ’s did back in 1987.

I know of one company that was once at the top of the DJ industry, a company that everyone tried to be like and copy. Now almost twenty years later they are charging almost the exact same rate as they did when they were number one, but now they are a less then desirable business to work for or to hire for their service.

WHY?

The fear of change!

They are afraid that if they raise their rates clients won’t pay it.

They are afraid that if they raise their rates they will lose one or two events to a guy with a lower in price.

They are afraid that if they raise their rates they will have to work harder and actually produce a quality service.

They are proud that their rates have only increased by less then $100 over the last twenty years and think it is a great marketing strategy

Unfortunate for them, without the proper rate increases they can’t pay their employees a proper salary so they have a tendency to have a huge turn over. They can’t keep any employees for long.

Without the proper rate increases they can’t afford to buy updated equipment and have problems with breakdowns at events.

Without the proper rate increases they can’t afford to properly train employees to the latest and in demand items clients are looking for.

Without the proper rate increases they can’t afford the advertising as they once did (Half page three color ad in phone book) Now their whole marketing plan is to just add the letter “A” to their already established name to get it closer to the front of the DJ alphabet listings.

Without the proper rate increases over the years they can’t afford to now raise their rates to the amount needed to get them back into the mix to improve their image and quality and restore their reputation in the DJ industry.

Fear is the biggest factor to everything we do, OR DON’T DO.

If you let fear control you it will eventually consume you.

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” FDR – First inaugural address.

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 03:01 PM | Permalink

"The Knot" - world famous for its advice to Brides & Grooms on the planning of their Wedding Day has a TV program that continues their education in style and elegance for all to see.

Sunday afternoon while still recuperating from Saturday night’s wonderful wedding reception, I came across a show entitled "My Celebrity Wedding with The Knot."

The concept of this program is that "The Knot" helps a Bridal Couple create a beautiful Wedding Day in the style of a celebrity Wedding Day that the couple wishes to duplicate.

The show I viewed, a couple wanted to have a wedding day in the style of Christina Aguilera and her music producer husbands.

"The Knot" went all out to give this couple a beautiful event that was very similar to the Reception that Christina and her husband had. The hired the best flouriest, room decorator, caterer, and the best cake designer to recreate the perfect reception.

The program was one hour long where they went into great dept to what it takes to pull together this event for the couple except when it came to the Entertainment portion of the night.

They didn't show anything of how they picked the Entertainment or the importance of choosing the best Entertainment to also help create special moments during the reception.

At any event like this the Entertainment, be it a DJ or a Band is one of the most important portions to creating and enjoying a elegant, sophisticated, romantic, memorable and successful celebration.

It won’t matter how beautiful the room looks, or how delicious the menu or the cake was if the entertainment is less then desirable.

Your Entertainment is really in control of approximately eighty percent of the entire day. They create a schedule for the event that will dictate the flow, atmosphere and elegance of the event. They will make very important introductions, announcements and of course playing the appropriate music to inspire all your guests to laugh, dance and really have a fun time.

“The Knot”, like most Bridal magazines, TV shows and other periodicals designed for Bridal couples focus on the importance of the food, cake, flowers and decorations which for the most part have very little to do with the over all success of the event.

Here is an example from the show I was watching. They went to great lengths to plan the “Look” and “Feel” of the room for the event to make it a duplicate of Christina Aguilera’s but they didn’t even plan to have the Bride and Groom arrive to the Ceremony/Reception in style.

They showed the Bride in her beautiful, very expensive dress get into a New York City cab to go to the Ceremony/Reception. If you have ever been in a cab, it is the last place you want to be sitting while wearing a $10,000 Wedding Dress.

In one year from the reception will anyone really remember the flowers or the decorations? Probably not, but they will remember the Entertainment be it good or bad.

A wedding reception by nature is a “party” and the guests expect to have fun and dance the night away. You need to choose the best qualified entertainer that you can. This may require reorganizing your budget to allocate more of the budget funds to the entertainment and less to the items that are important but not as important to the success of your event as the Entertainment is.

I hope that in the future “The Knot” will take into consideration the importance of the Entertainment to the true success of a joyous occasion.

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 11:25 AM | Permalink

How much are you willing to risk in order to be successful? The answer should be EVERYTHING!

Yesterday I did sound reinforcement for my local chamber of commerce for a seminar by a gentlemen named of Bob Clement.
He was speaking to the group of business owners about customer retention and ways to keep your customers and keep them selling you to others.

The portion that really caught my attention was when he spoke about successful business owners must take a risk in order to learn, grow and be really successful.

Here is an example that he gave....

He asked a member of the group to pull out a quarter, flip it in the air, catch it and palm it on the table top without looking at the coin. No one knew weather it landed heads up or down.

He then made an offer to the group.

Will you be willing to bet with him on the outcome of the flip? He would pay you $100,000 if it landed tails up but you would have to pay him $1000.00 if it landed heads up.

Raise you hand if you would take this bet! Myself and only one other person were willing to make that bet.

Will you be willing to bet with him on the outcome of the flip? He would pay you $10,000 if it landed tails up but you would have to pay him $100.00 if it landed heads up.

Raise you hand if you would take this bet! Myself and three people were willing to take that bet.

He then asked the group, who would be willing to bet on the coin flip if he paid you $1000.00 if it landed tails up but you would have to pay him $10.00 if it landed heads up.

Raise your hands if you would take this bet! The number of hands raised increased greatly.

He then asked the group who would be willing to bet on the coin flip if he paid you $100.00 if it landed tails up but you would have to pay him $1.00 if it landed heads up.

Every hand in the place went up!

He asked the group why so many were willing to take that bet but not the others? The response from the group was "less risk" of losing their money.

He then pointed out that the risk never changed....The risk was always 50/50 a fifty percent chance you would win, a fifty percent chance you would loose.

The amount of the pay off was always (x) 100
Loss --- Winnings
$1.00 --- $100.00
$10.00 --- $1000.00
$100.00 --- $10,000.00
$1000.00 --- $100,000.00

The risk was not a reality but in fact a perception. The group was basing their Risk not of the payoff but instead on the amount of their loss. A successful business person will base their risk perception on the WINNINGS and not the LOSS.

Yes, you could of lost $1000.00 but at 50/50 you also could of won $100,000.000. The chance (risk) is the exact same.

Now lets apply this to your DJ business.

Lets say you are a DJ who also holds a full time day job and DJ on the weekends. You don't rely on your DJ business as a means of a living, health insurance, paying your mortgage or other bills but more as an extra fun job that brings in some "extra" money for fun and excitement.

Almost every DJ that falls into this category charges an "average" to low or even lower price then the other DJs in their area and are much lower then those DJs who do this full time and charges a premium price (1 1/2, 2 to 3 times the "average" rate)

These are the DJs who say (complain) that they can't charge the same rate as those premium DJ rates because of the other "average" DJs or because of their location or economic situation of the area they reside in.

They believe that it is too much of a risk to charge the higher rate. They think they will lose to much of the business to lower priced DJs. They believe that they will risk not being able to book events at the higher rate. They are concentrating on the possible loss 50% and not the possible gain 50%

This risk is ALL perception and not based on any reality. Here is why.....

Right now they are working the DJ job as more of an extra side gig and not their means of making a living. If the business should begin to lose clients based on their price, they still have the full time job still providing them with everything they need. No real loss evolved except the meager earnings of "extra" cash they were making and the loss of time away from their family & friends by not working.

If the raise in rates works, then they will now be making considerably more money then they were prior to the change for doing the same thing they were doing before the increase.

The risk was all perception....no real loss evolved but the chance of possibly making a means of a living by being a DJ has increased greatly if it worked.

The reality of it all is that those DJs who do this as a side or extra job should be charging as much or even more then the DJs who do this as a living because they have very little to no REAL loss evolved. After all it's just for FUN!

Jeff Richards

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 10:50 AM | Permalink

For my last seminar at the Northern Wedding Vendor Conference in Oct. of 2006 I did a lot of research speaking with non DJ wedding vendors and asked them some hard hitting questions about what they thought of DJs and the DJ industry as a whole. Here is a little of the feedback that I received.

I sent out by e-mail and snail mail a questionnaire along with speaking to the vendors at the locations I was about to perform at (before my event started) asking them what they thought about DJs. To my surprise it was a response that really said a lot about our industry and those who partake in it.

When asked about “Professional” DJs the simple response was a big NO! They did not see many they would call a “Professional” DJ. Every now and then a photographer or a hotel banquet manager said that they have only worked with one or two that they would consider a “Professional”

So I then asked them what their definition of a “Professional” DJ was.

Their idea of a “Professional DJ” was one who…

Showed up hours (not minutes or show up late) ahead of time to set up and prepare.
Would meet with them or speak on the phone prior to the event day.
Was smiling, very friendly and more then willing to work closely with them.
Made all the guests feel warm, welcomed and involved.
Dressed in a manner of a professional business person.
Their equipment was clean, well kept and not obnoxious or intruding.
Followed the rules of loading/unloading the location site had.
Their talent and skills as an Emcee and Entertainer was excellent.
Had a copy of a schedule of events for all the vendors.

This list was quite extensive but exactly what all DJs should always do as part of their business. Each vendor had particular ideas in accordance to their own business to have the DJ help them in the best way. Example:

Location Site: Set Up early.
Caterer: Announce when the meal is ready to go.
Photographer: Schedule of “special moments” to take pictures.
Videographer: Additional lighting for “special dances.”
Bar Tender: Announce last call.
Wait staff: Allow them to clear before starting the dance.

Each person involved in the reception has a need to be filled by the DJ but most vendors said they couldn’t find many DJs to assist them with their needs so that they could also provide the best service possible to the client.

Many of the replies I received had complaints about DJs and the things that went wrong at the event because of them.

At one event I did the two Bar tenders said that they didn’t need a clock because they knew exactly what time it was when the DJ performed certain songs or “special moments”. They claimed that we are all the exact same.

Because I had taken time to plan a schedule with the client who wanted all their “special moments” finished before 9:00 p.m. (the bartenders said they knew it was 10:00 p.m. when the DJ started the Dollar Dance) we had finished all the things the Bar Tenders used as a clock long before other DJs first begin.

The biggest complaint I received from EVERY vendor was the LOUD music. They all wanted to know why DJs all play the music so loud it hurts and people leave. I tried to give them a short version of how the music is loud because of the room size, transfer of sound waves, people need to feel and hear the beat….etc… but then I assured them that tonight they won’t have that problem and the people will be dancing and having fun.

I use the BOSE P.A.S. L1 B1 system. At the end of the night they all said that it was great being able to hold a conversation without screaming over the music and the people did get up and dance.
I then explained to them that the music was actually at or about the same decibel level as any other DJ but the new BOSE system is an all new way of hearing music without the ear bleeding, head pounding effect the standard sound system has.

To say the least other Wedding Vendors did not have a good perception of who we are or what we do because of the multitudes of less then desirable DJs out there giving us all a black eye.

If this is how the other Wedding Vendors see us, then this must be how the majority of the general public must view us.

This is part of the reason why so many DJs complain that they can’t charge more for events.

Not because of the other bad DJs out there, it’s because maybe they are one of those bad DJs!

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 05:23 PM | Permalink

Music-products maker Peavey Electronics has challenged the stars of TLC's hit reality show "American Chopper" to a custom-shop duel to celebrate the launch of its new online guitar custom shop, PeaveyCustomShop.com.

The "Battle of the Builders" that pits Hartley Peavey and his designers against Team Teutul — Paul Sr., Paulie and Mikey Teutul and the Orange County Choppers crew — will unfold during two episodes of "American Chopper," April 12 and 19. The shows will chronicle the design process behind the Peavey Custom Shop OCC guitar and a Peavey-themed chopper that incorporates a working amplifier that really cranks.

"We knew there would be surprises when Paulie and Mikey came to Peavey, and as you'll see on the show, there were plenty," said Hartley Peavey, founder and CEO of Peavey Electronics, one of the world's largest musical-instrument and sound-equipment manufacturers. "Rock & roll and motorcycle culture have always drawn from the same primal power, so you could say that we had a lot of common ground to draw from. I think the attitude and expertise we brought to the table came through on this custom guitar and chopper."

In fact, the idea for the custom-shop matchup began the way so many rock & roll dreams do: in a garage crammed full of Peavey amplifiers. Only in this case, it wasn't a typical garage. "We started a band with a few guys in the shop basement to blow off steam and have fun," said OCC executive vice president Steve Moreau. "We already used a lot of Peavey gear, so as the band concept grew, we approached Peavey about a full sponsorship."

Soon after, OCC The Band released its debut CD and both companies realized the similarities between Hartley Peavey and Paul Teutul Sr, and how putting together such strong personalities would be fun — if not yield some killer designs.

"Paul and I are both very driven individuals with clear visions of what we want, so there are a lot of parallels between Peavey and OCC," said Peavey. "Peavey has become what it is by always pushing the boundaries of convention and daring to be different. I've always maintained that you can't be better unless you're different. I can't think of another guy who mirrors that more than Paul Sr."

Added Paul Teutul Sr., "With all of the amplifiers, guitars and sound systems they make, it's impossible to not know Peavey. After working with Hartley and his team, I can see why musicians have stuck with Peavey for 42 years. I'm proud to have the Orange County Choppers name on a custom Peavey guitar. I can't wait to walk into a guitar shop and see that hanging on the wall."

When Peavey revolutionized guitar making in the 1970s with its T-60™, the first guitar made using CNC computer-controlled machinery, he bridged the gap between the vintage and modern eras in guitar making. The new online Peavey Custom Shop, www.peaveycustomshop.com, continues that tradition of innovation. Customers can not only choose the features on their Peavey guitar, but also dial in virtually any color and watch their instrument change in real time. Through a proprietary process, customers can dial up more than 16 million color options. In response to the surge in online shopping, Peavey allows customers to submit their orders directly to the Custom Shop.

Tune into The Learning Channel on April 12 and 19 at 9 p.m. ET to watch the drama unfold and see the new Peavey Custom Shop OCC guitar and OCC Peavey-themed chopper.

Peavey.com :: Peavey Cranks Up Guitar Custom Shop With Orange County Choppers

Posted by John Young at 10:03 AM | Permalink

Complete Line Of Audio And DMX Cables

The American DJ Group of Companies is providing a “missing link” to professional audio and DMX lighting users, with the introduction of a major new line of cables. Sold under the Accu-Cable brand name, the new cable line is designed to fill a gap in the market for high-quality, affordable audio and DMX cables and extension cords in a wide range of lengths and connector-types.

Included in the Accu-Cable line are mic, patch, speaker and DMX cables and connectors, as well as AC extension cords. An extremely large product selection is offered within each of these categories. For example, in speaker cables alone, the Accu-Cable line includes lengths ranging from 5’ to 100’ and 12- 14- and 16- gauge, in a wide variety of connector types..

“We developed the Accu-Cable line to provide a complete cable solution – a one-stop source where audio and lighting dealers and end-users could pick up all of their cable and cord needs,” said Scott Davies, General Manager of the American DJ Group of Companies. “We were hearing from our customers that it wasn’t always easy to find good, quality affordable cables in the lengths they needed.”

This lack of availability has been a particular problem in the category of DMX cables. As a result, many people who couldn’t find DMX cables have been using XLR mic cables to link up their DMX lights and controllers, noted Davies.

“But XLRs are a poor substitute, because they don’t adequately support the DMX data rate, so they can make your lights give a ‘spotty,’ poor performance.” Davies said. “People who do use DMX cables often have to spend more money and buy longer cables than they need, because they haven’t been able to find ones that meet their size requirements.”

The Accu-Cable line offers a solution to these problems by featuring a complete spectrum of DMX cable lengths, all at very affordable prices. Accu-Cable DMX cables are currently available in 5’, 10,’ 25’, 50’ and 100’ lengths with either 3-pin or 5-pin connectors. Additionally, for larger users such as installers and productions, the company is offering DMX cable in 300’ spools (connectors sold separately), which can be cut into desired lengths.

Similarly broad selections are available in other cable categories. For example, Accu-Cable’s mic cables range from 3’-100’. AC extension cords range from 6’-100’ and are available in both black and light gray. The patch cable selection includes Dual RCA to Dual RCA, Dual RCA to Dual ¼”, Mini-plug to Dual RCA, and Mini-plug to Dual ¼” in various lengths. Midi cable is also available.

“Accu-Cable offers something for every type of pro audio and DMX lighting user – from large concert halls and stage productions, to nightclubs and DJs,” said Davies. “It’s a very complete product line.”

With its launching of Accu-Cable, the company is aiming to bring the same “quality at an affordable price” to cables that it did with lighting, said Davies. Accu-Cable products offer high-performance and reliability at extremely attractive prices.

“We are hoping to revolutionize the cable market, just as our American DJ division did with DJ/club lighting in the ’80s, and our Elation Professional division did with professional lighting products in the ’90s,” Davies commented.

The MSRPs of Accu-Cable DMX cables range from $7.95 for a 5’ cable with a 3-pin connector to $99.95 for a 100’ cable with a 5-pin connector. Speaker cables range from $4.95 to $124.95 MSRP. Mic cables range from $3.95 to $32.95 MSRP. Patch cables range from $3.95 to $9.95 MSRP.

For more information about Accu-Cable, or to obtain a complete product/price list, call 800-322-6337, or visit www.americandj.com or www.elationlighting.com .

Posted by John Young at 10:31 AM | Permalink

I found this interesting article on the front page of Yahoo about getting a raise at your job. (9 to 5) I thought it also had great suggestions that can be tranferred to the DJ industry. The five from the orginal writer is listed as printed on the web site. The numbers followed by the letter A are the way to apply the suggestion to a DJ.

Posted on Wednesday, April 4th, 2007 Yahoo front page

Five Sure Ways to Get a Raise
By Penelope Trunk

More money is good, right? You're going to be doing your job anyway, so you might as well ask to get paid more for doing it. But you actually have to do a lot of preparation in order to ask for a raise effectively.

Here are five other things you can do to get a salary increase:

1. Understand your boss's perspective.

This is not a moment of truth; it's a moment of negotiation. You convince your boss you're worth more and your boss convinces you he or she is fair, and you reach some sort of compromise that makes everyone happy.
So be reasonable in your approach. You don't deserve a raise just because you've been doing your job well for x number of months. It's your job to do your job well -- that's why you were hired. You need to show that you're doing more than you were hired to do, or that you're doing different work that's typically paid at a higher rate.
Gather as much information about your boss's perspective as possible in order to form your strongest negotiating position.

1A) Applying to a DJs raise in rates: Understand that your clients expect more for their reception then the “average” typical DJ. They want a DJ with skills, talent, experience and service to create a reception better then they have ever seen before. You need to show your perspective clients why you are different, superior and the right DJ for them and deserve a higher pay scale.

2. Expand your job duties.

Get really good at your job immediately so that you can take on more responsibility in another job, in another capacity. Look around for something more to do, and figure out how to do it. Then tell your boss you're doing more than one job and you want to be paid extra for doing the other job you've already been doing.
If you think your boss will balk at the idea of you taking on more responsibility, start looking like your current job is under control. One way to do this is to have a completely clean desk. A clean desk says, "I'm totally on top of my workload. Please give me more." A cluttered desk says, "Help. I'm drowning."

2A) Applying to a DJs raise in rates: Attend classes, seminars & conventions to expand your DJ services and skills. Do more then just hand them a questionnaire to fill out. Do more then just have them select a few songs for their event. Give them more personal service then you presently give. Everything you can do to improve your service, techniques, skills and talents will and can demand for higher rates. If you don’t have the skills you can’t ask for the Bills!

3. Consistently over-deliver.

Even during a salary freeze there's always more money for superstars, because losing a superstar costs a company a lot of money. So getting a raise is about conveying to the office that you're a superstar. This could be in the form of taking on more areas of responsibility, but it could also be in the form of exceeding expectations in a very obvious way.

Exceeding expectations is something that must be announced. If you finish your project, that's what people will understand. If you finish your project with incredible results, you need to remind everyone what the expectations were and what you delivered. If you don't toot your horn, no one else will. A hallmark of a superstar is they know how to toot their horn with out being annoying.
Superstars aren't overnight sensations -- they work at it. So start performing like a superstar six months before you want to ask for a raise.

3A) Applying to a DJs raise in rates: Even in hard economic times clients are willing to pay more for and receive what they consider a better value, service or experience. . When you deliver more then what they expected it gives your clients a warm fuzzy feeling inside. Give all your clients more then they expected and they will refer you on to others. If you have won awards, did special community service events or other items that make you unique when compared to others let your potential clients know about it. Place pictures of your awards on your web site and display them in your office. If you have articles written about you or have testimonials from previous clients, let everyone know.

4. Get a mentor.

Employees who have mentors are twice as likely to be promoted as those who don't, according to Ellen Fagenson Eland, a professor at George Mason University. A mentor can help you position yourself, time and again, to receive a raise.

An effective mentor helps you see your path in a way that maximizes your talents and stays consistent with your goals for life. This isn't small task, and almost all successful people say they have more than one mentor. But start with one, because that will significantly increase the likelihood that you'll get the raise you're going to ask for.
Unfortunately, for some people finding a mentor is almost as difficult as asking for a raise.

4A) Applying to a DJs raise in rates: A mentor can be another DJ who you wish to be more like. A DJ who you feel has more skills, talents, experience or higher rates then yourself and you wish to reach those levels. Start first with your local DJ Associations for a member in your close proximity or try working with a nationally know DJ who you look up to. Choose a DJ that you truly respect and won’t get upset with if they give you negative feedback or suggestions that you don’t agree with.

5. Think in non-financial terms.

If more money isn't happening for you, try asking for something else. Telecommuting, a job for your spouse, extra vacation time, training, even relocation to a company branch in a city with a lower cost of living -- these are all things that are worth a lot of money to you, but look a lot less expensive than a salary increase in a company's budget. So non-financial rewards are a good place to compromise in salary negotiations.

Also, you can turn these benefits to cash next time you change jobs. When you negotiate salary at your next company and they ask you how much you made in your last job, add up all the benefits and include them in the number you give. Some people's benefits total up to 30 percent of their salary.

If the shy ones among you are thinking this isn't a fair negotiating tactic, get that thought out of your head. Even CareerHub, a group blog of career coaches, recommends that you include benefits in the total calculation of your salary next time you negotiate.

5A) Applying to a DJs raise in rates: You can do what is called “Bartering” for business. This is where you work with another person/business and instead of full payment your offer your services in exchange for services with them. Perform an event in exchange for a business building you a web site, logos placed on your vehicles, your taxes being done, what ever service they offer that you may be in need of. You can exchange your service for a partial, reduced rate or free depending on your rate and the price that they would charge for that particular service.

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 04:52 PM | Permalink

Jeff Richards Reviews “The Best Wedding Reception…Ever!” by Peter Merry

When I first heard that Peter Merry was going to write a book for Brides about planning the best wedding reception ever I was excited and waiting with great anticipation.

Since the first time I heard Peter speak to a crowd of DJs back in 2001 I was mesmerized and wanted to learn everything I could from this man.

Over the past six years I have attended his seminars, listened to his radio program on DJA Radio and have established a friendship with him while all the time trying to emulate Peter and a few other superior Professional Disc Jockeys I have come acquainted with.

The knowledge he has shared with me has changed my business as well as my personal life and I knew that if he could pass on his this information to Brides he would have a hit on his hands.

I purchased my copy and immediately began to dig in and absorb the hints, tips and prudent information to plan their once in a life time occasion.

Cover to cover this book is a cornucopia of absolute treasures that all brides will want to be knowledgeable about to design, plan and accomplish the best wedding reception ever!

Being in the DJ/Entertainment industry for over 25 years I'm always looking for a different or better way. After reading this book I was able to see things from a new point of view (The Bride & other Vendors) and learn new and exciting ways to create a wonderful celebration.

Peter discusses every portion of planning your special day from the date & time you select to the honeymoon planning and everything in between. He will give you helpful suggestions with your flowers, decorations and ceremony preparations.

There is more to producing a successful reception then most new Brides realize. Peter gives you ideas, hints, tips and alternative selections to every aspect of the celebration. Have you ever dreamed your reception could be personalized to you the Bridal couple? Not just the special moment songs, but the entire reception from the first guest arriving to the very end of the night.

He tells you in an honest, forthright and from an experienced point of view what you should expect, demand and receive from all your Wedding Vendors. From the Event site staff to the caterer, photographer, videographer and DJ or Band Entertainment. He will make suggestions of what to look for and what to avoid when it comes to choosing the correct wedding professionals to make your dreams come true.

What he has to say may step on the toes of a few of these wedding vendors. In reality it all makes perfect sense and are important items Bridal Couples need to be completely aware of before spending thousands of dollars on vendors who may not follow your dream and provide you with the best service possible.

The knowledge you will receive as a Bride from this book is well worth much more than the cost of the book and it will defiantly make a huge impact on the success of your event!

If you follow Peter’s advice you will have The Best Wedding Reception…EVER!

Jeff Richards: Party TIme Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 01:34 PM | Permalink

There are a couple of TV shows that I enjoy watching and I believe all Disc Jockeys should also take some time to watch.

If you have never watched the TV shows "Whose Wedding is it Anyway?" or the show "Bridezillas" then you are missing out on what could be another step in your continuing DJ education.

The majority of Disc Jockeys in America are male with an increasing number of females entering the industry. When it comes to the Brides point of view and all the mixed emotions of planning and being the Bride, most male DJs just don't have a fix on the female perspective.

These two shows both focus on the Brides emotions, thoughts and dreams of her wedding day that she has probably been planning since she was a little girl.

As a DJ you typically don't see much of what goes on behind the scenes of the planning and execution of a wedding other then the portion that you are entertaining for.

Take some time and watch these shows so that you can get a true feeling for what is really going on. It's not just another "wedding" it is an emotional as well as financial investment by the bridal couple. After watching several of these programs you will see why it is so important that you as their entertainment do more than just show up and play music.

They seldom show much of the wedding reception and very little of the entertainment other then maybe the introduction announcements and the first dance together as husband and wife, but you will get a glimpse of how other DJs can sometime lack in the proper procedure and execution of a truly wonderful moment such as the introduction of the Bridal couple.

You sometimes will also get a peek at the unattractive equipment set ups and poor wardrobe worn by the entertainment. It can also show when the DJ did not take a big enough interest in the couple to help plan the entertainment portion of the evening. There has been a few times where the couple or the wedding planner has really been upset with the DJs.

On one show a few seasons ago The Actress Leah Remini from the TV show “King Of Queens” was extremely upset with her DJs and got into several verbal arguments with them including at the reception when they pronounced her name incorrectly and played the music she specifically asked them not to.

The most important thing you should take away from theses TV shows is the importance of the planning of the event and the importance of what you can do for the couple for their very special day after all the struggles they have faced to get to this day.

Watching these programs should help the realization that these two people are loving human beings who wish to share the rest of their lives together and that you are an important part to the beginning of their new union with one another. Please don’t treat this as just another “GIG”.

“Whose Wedding is it Anyways” and Bridezillas can be seen on many different cable networks. Check your local listings for the time and channels.

There is another NEW show called "Wedding Bells" which is a one hour comedy about wedding planning and the behind the scenes of a wedding planners life. This show is just fun to watch and loosely based on actual events. The writer and producer of this program is David E. Kelly who over the last 20 plus years has had multiple award winning shows.

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 12:47 PM | Permalink