Is this really the public’s perception of a DJ?
I decided to try out a new advertising idea to see how well or not it works and what I found out about the public’s concept of a DJ was frightening!
About a month ago I get an e-mail from a web site called djslastminute.com that explains that they are a web site for people looking for a DJ with less than 90 days prior to an event.
The idea is that a person with a sudden need for entertainment would put in their information and a bid for what they are willing to pay for that service. The web site sends this information to the DJs who have signed up and then they can decide weather to accept the bid or to decline it.
This is a free service to DJs and to the clients looking for a DJ. For the free service you are only allowed to post on the site the minimum amount of business info. Name, the number of years in business and a 250 character description of your business. You are not allowed phone numbers, e-mail or web site addresses.
If you are willing to pay a rather large price you can “Upgrade” your listing and have those items included into your business description. Let’s face it, these clients are looking for the lowest price that they can find so why would you pay the extra amount to “Upgrade” your profile when the clients are not willing to pay a reasonable rate for your talent and skills.
I thought this might be a way to fill a few empty dates at the last minute that might have been left open otherwise. Depending on the details of the event if it was something that would work for me and still be able to turn a profit, I thought I might be able to perform a few events a year at a slightly lower rate.
To tell you the truth it has been one EYE OPENING process for me. Here is just one example:
A Bride was looking for a DJ in the very northern section of the twin cities. I work/live in the very southern section of the twin cities. This would have been an almost 50 mile trip ONE WAY to do this event.
She wanted a DJ from 3:00 in the afternoon until 12:30 in the morning. This would have been a nine and one half hour day of entertainment (not including the set up/tear down)
Here is the most shocking part: Her BID that she wanted to pay for her wedding entertainment………$275.00
Is this is what the general public thinks a DJ is only worth? I wanted to tell this woman off and inform her that I have charged $275 or more per hour for a wedding and yet she wanted to pay $275 for a nine and a half hour event!
I of course clicked on the automated button to send her a decline message that her bid was to low. I wish I could have sent her my own e-mail telling her how ridiculous she was to think anyone would work that event for so little.
The sad part is that some so called “DJ” will say yes to her bid and then probably ruin her wedding day because anyone who would accept this bid would have to be an incompetent, inexperienced talent less idiot! (Just my opinion)
Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions