Disc Jockey News

It looks as if something is about to happen over at DJA Radio!

If you’re not familiar with what DJA Radio is, then I don't know where you have been hiding the last couple years. DJA Radio is the Disc Jockey America pod casts that you can subscribe to on iTunes.

For about one year several top notch Disc Jockeys from all across America and Canada put together and produced many pod casts dedicated to educating, elevating and entertaining DJ's like you and I.

At Christmas of 2006 they decided to go on a vacation with the idea of returning after the new year. Unfortunate for all of us regular listeners, DJA radio did not return. Producing the radio show takes a lot of time, talent and most of all MONEY!

The show needs paid advertising from business in order to produce the fine programming they were doing. Advertisers require a listener base and assurance that the items they are advertising will sell. To get advertisers the radio show needs a minimum of 10,000 regular listeners to prove to the paid advertisers that it is worth their hard earned cash.

Recently Mark Farrell, the owner/operator and a great Disc Jockey Entertainer revamped the look and feel of the web site. He has also posted a few messages to the loyal listeners about what we can do to assist them in getting the show back on the internet.

Take a look at http://www.djaradio.com and see what you can do to help bring back the best DJ related informational pod cast show available.

It has a whole new look and feel to the site. You can buy the DVD's and CD's of "Getting What Your Worth" and the "Roast of Peter Merry " right there on the site.

I for one am excited to see what will happen next!

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 11:08 AM | Permalink

Have you begun the planning stages of your National Night Out Event?

This year is the 24th Annual National Night Out on Tuesday August 7th.

For those who may not know, the first Tuesday of August has been proclaimed National Night Out all across America. The event was started 24 years ago as a way to get people to come out of their homes, meet the neighbors and to learn ways to help keep their families safe from crime.

It has turned into a national holiday where the politicians, police, fire and rescue departments will stop by and hand out information to help saves lives and fight crime.

It can be a huge street party with games, food, fun and excitement for all. In my city of Lakeville MN, last year 75 separate neighborhoods held events to share in the fun.

As a DJ I will be the entertainment and coordinator for the NNO in my neighborhood providing music, entertainment and games to hand out prizes.

If you’re not already on the NNO list, speak with your local Police Department to receive information about putting on the event and forming a committee to create a fun time for all.

Most neighborhoods do not have money to spend on a DJ, but it is a great way to volunteer and get your business name out to your community. Take a picture of the event and have it publicized in your local newspaper.

Now is the time to begin planning your National Night Out Event!

visit http://www.nationalnightout.org for the official NNO 2007 promotional products.

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 03:15 PM | Permalink

Here is a great example of how DJ Associations and the networking amongst the members in an organization can really help your bottom line.

I received an e-mail from a couple looking for an entertainer for their wedding. They mentioned in their e-mail that they were referred to me by another DJ who is in the Association that I belong to, and a gentleman that I respect and have been personally inspired by.

He was already booked up for the date (May 2008) Even though he was booked he still took the time to speak in great detail about our industry and answers all their questions about hiring an entertainer.

He educated them about the importance of hiring a great professional DJ with the skills and talents to make their dreams some true. He went into great detail about what a DJ can/should do for them and the price range of an entertainer who will give them superior entertainment value.

He then gave this couple the names of three DJ companies that could deliverer everything they wanted and more and the web address of our Association. My name was on their list along with two other DJ's that I personally know and also refer business to.

Being a full time DJ I was able to respond to their e-mail within thirty minutes after they sent it to me. I then waited one hour to give them a chance to read it over and take a look at my web site before making the sales call.

They were very excited that I still had the date opened, loved what they saw and heard on my web site and arranged to have a consultation the very next day.

I met with this wonderful couple and they decided to hire me on the spot. We inked the deal that was for my largest wedding reception to this date at just over $2000.00

I truly believe that all the great detailed explanation and the referral from the other DJ made it exceptionally easy to have this couple sign an agreement for this price.

If everyone in their Association were to take the time to work with clients like this on the phone, even though they are booked and then refer them to fellow members that they know will provide the client with what they are looking for, it would add to everyone’s bottom line.

Thank you to Mike Anderson of Crystal Entertainment located in Mankato Mn.

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

UP DATE: Since writting this blog I have signed several more $2000 plus events. I could not have done it without the influence, inspiration and examples set by people like Mark Farrel, Peter Merry & Mike Anderson!!!!

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Posted by Jeff Richards at 01:22 PM | Permalink

Have you ever been asked to do a performance for free to help an organization? Did you do it or just say no?

As a business owner I get asked several times a year to donate my DJ services to a non profit or other fund raising organization to help others in need.

As a single person operation I can't give away all my time, but at least twice a year I do take the time to donate my DJ service to two separate organizations that can really use my talents and skills to help their cause.

One group is a church that has a "Harvest Ball" to raise money to help out the children in the area that are in need of many simple everyday things that you and I just take for granted.

The second is the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) this year will be the second time putting on the dance for the kids at summer camp.

I found it very sad last year after the MDA dance when one of the councilors said that what I did was nothing like the others DJ's before me.

It is unfortunate that the previous DJ's were less then happy to be there working for nothing, didn't bother to bring in their light shows or other fun extra's and really didn't seem to care about the kids. It was like they were just there because "They had to".

I gave these kids everything I would for a huge expensive wedding reception and then some. I brought them gifts and fun toys to take home with them. I found many others who were willing to donate money, prizes and candy for the kids so everyone had something special to remember the dance by.

I treated these young people with the respect and the love that they deserved!

From helping others in need I have received back many thanks, referrals for paying events and have helped bring smiles to young children who are growing up in a world much tougher then it should be.

The next time you get a call to help out an organization for "Free" take a moment and think about those who have so much less then yourself and reach out to them.

Jeff Richards

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 02:10 AM | Permalink