The slow down began in December of 2007 but didn't really hit until October of 2008 and is estimated to continue to worsen until 2010. Are you prepared?
Continue reading "The Economy is Killing the Wedding Industry! " »
A thread on a DJ chat board brought out the question about giving discounts to get through these tough economic times. Is it good or is it a Bad Idea?
It has only been a couple weeks since the 2008 Disc Jockey News DJ Conference ended and the plans for the 2009 conference have already began.
Day three is now officially over and it was another great three days for the 80+ DJs who attended.
Continue reading "Disc Jockey News DJ Conference is another GREAT SUCCESS!" »
What a great second day of the Disc Jockey News DJ Conference here in beautiful Bloomington Minnesota!
Continue reading "Day 2 of Disc Jockey News Conference is in the books! " »
It is now Midnight and I am reporting on day one of the Midwest DJ Conference.
Continue reading "Day 1 of the Disc Jockey News Conference." »
The Disc Jockey News Conference begins on Sunday evening 10/19/08 will you be there?
How do you handle the slow winter months?
I was asked to open for country group Montgomery Gentry!
Starting on Friday you can go to the movie theatre and watch Mamma Mia and sing Karaoke with it.
This is the wedding to end all weddings and it will be on TV. You don't want to miss it!
I know every DJ will exaggerate a little when you ask them about things like pricing, bookings & service but this guy was just to obvious to overlook.
For about a year now, everywhere you look it's all about the Jonas Brothers. Could they be the next Beatles or the next Hanson? mmmm bop!
Continue reading "Are the Jonas Brothers the next Beatles? " »
On Monday Night I was performing “Game Show Mania” when suddenly one of the contestants drops face first onto the stage!
I caught this new TV show on a cable network called "Rock the Reception" and you may want to have your clients watch this show.
Continue reading "A Fun TV Show For Your Clients To Watch" »
AOL posted a list of 25 items that are slowly vanishing off the face of the earth only to be found in museums, history books, flea markets and on wikipedia.
Continue reading "Vanishing from the face of the earth...." »
I watched this new and very weird show last night and saw the strangest thing….
Continue reading "Have you ever licked your compact discs?" »
These are the top ten traits of an "over achiever" acording to Michael Brassil.
I personnally believe that these are also the top ten traits to a good business owner of a DJ service. What do you think?
If you have never seen the TV show "The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch" then you’re missing out on a lot of great free business information!
Continue reading "Here is a great show to watch to get motivated!" »
In this ever growing difficult economy many companies, big and small are scaling back in order to protect their bottom line and their future.
Continue reading "Scaling back a little may help your bottom line. " »
Here is a little information you might find helpful. With the bad economy, the home forecloses and unemployment rate going up many of the credit card companies are trying to find ways from losing their customers with non payments.
Continue reading "One phone call can lower your interest rates on your Credit Cards " »
This article originally appeared on Yahoo on line informing us of the 1000th hit song to reach the number one slot on the Billboard top 100. I have copied and pasted a portion of the article here for you to enjoy.
Continue reading "Billboard Top 100 has its 1000th Number one hit! " »
Today on Judge Joe Brown a DJ from California was suing his girlfriend’s parents because they tossed all his DJ equipment out on the yard and it was stolen.
Continue reading "A DJ on Judge Joe Brown losses big time!" »
I again watched another one of those “My Super Sweet 16” on TV and it blew me away!
Continue reading "Was your 16th Birthday anything like this? " »
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!
Continue reading "Is this really the public’s perception of a DJ?" »
I came across this article on the web site Entrepreneur.com and had to have a laugh at the misinformation they provided to their readers. (Just my opinion) ???
Continue reading "Entreprneur.com gives some really misguided information about DJs" »
Many DJs all across the states have been affected by tornados, flooding, hail and strong winds that have pounded America.
Continue reading "A heart felt sorrow for those DJs affected by the devastating weather. " »
Everyday I receive e-mails and phone calls for a "Price Quote" as if "One size fits all." Here are two samples I'd like to share.
On the first show of the new season of “Platinum Brides” on the Women’s Entertainment Network (WETV) featured a Bride from Minnesota.
Continue reading "Minnesota Woman on Platinum Brides TV Show" »
In this day of mass media and world wide information sharing, is having a web site a "Must Have?" when it comes to advertising your DJ Business.
My opinion would be a definite YES!
Tonight I heard a story of a DJ who just booked a Wedding for 2011. You're just not going to believe this....
I opened my Best Buy Sunday ad to see that they have a half page dedicated to their entering the DJ industry.
Continue reading "Best Buy is getting into the DJ Industry (Updated 6/2/08)" »
A DJ called "DJ Deviant" goes on the People's Court in order to get paid for a party that he was stiffed by a Party Planner.
Have you ever noticed that when one gas company goes up so do all the others around, and when it goes down the same thing happens. The same thing happens in the DJ industry.
Have you seen the commercials on TV where major businesses are fighting the PRICE WARS to keep the business that they already have?
Continue reading "Bad economy has elevated the PRICE WARS! (Updated 6/13/08)" »
I don’t understand why any DJ would “PAY” to put a “reciprocal” link on their own web site to a DJ locator site with so many of their direct competitors are waiting with baited breath to steal their business.
Continue reading "Are you sending your clients to another DJ?" »
Today on the news it was reported that the price of gas (barrel) and per gallon has hit an ALL TIME high and will continue to go up. How will this affect your DJ business?
Continue reading "The Price Of Gas Has Officially Hit An All Time High! (updated)" »
Starting at the beginning of this year I decided I would no longer be paying for advertising in any type of phone book. Is this a good idea or a really bad one?
Continue reading "Is advertising in the phone book doing you any good? " »
I was watching the show “Rich Bride, Poor Bride” and once again the media shows DJs in a bad image.
Continue reading "Another unfortunate showing of a DJ on TV." »
I came across an ad on craigslist: "Do it Yourself" DJ Service Saves You Hundreds. then I had a little chuckle. Here is the actual ad, what do you think?
I was reading a thread on a DJ chat site that asked if a DJ should work an event for much less than their standard rate just to have a booking or to pass on it and just stay home for the night.
It’s that time of year again, are you ready for all the changes in the tax laws concerning businesses like yours?
The cost of gas has risen 16 cents per gallon in the last two weeks and is being reported to continue to rise all summer long. Have you planned for this huge price hike?
I have been trying to find new clients by listing my business on "craigslist" here in MN since December and the biggest obstacle I came up against was another DJ!
I get calls and e-mails all the time asking me what it is like to DJ a "High End" Wedding Reception. Here is how you can see an example of them first hand.
Continue reading "Want to see what a "High End" Wedding is like?" »
Here is a listing from Craigslist.....What do you think?
Continue reading "Important information about Disc Jockeys - A listing on Craigslist " »
I have been in the entertainment industry for over 25 years and have seen a real change in Brides from 1988 to the Brides of 2008.
Continue reading "The Difference between a Bride of 1988 and the Bride of 2008." »
Valentines Day, February 14th is the number one day of the year chosen by gentlemen to propose to their special ladies. What does this mean for Disc Jockeys? Your phone should be ringing off the hook over the next few weeks with excited Brides looking to hire entertainment for their big wedding day!
Continue reading "Disc Jockeys - Valentines Day brings rings to your phone" »
We are now just one year away (Feb.2009) from one of the biggest technology changes since the evolution of black and white to color television.
This morning when I turned on my computer this was the first thing that I saw on the front page of Yahoo. A very sad story of a Bride who died in the arms of her new husband. (This article was copied from the front page of Yahoo on 2/11/08)
Not Carlos Santana, I’m talking about Baseball Pitcher Johan Santana.
Continue reading "Santana should be an inspiration to all DJs everywhere! " »
If you have not seen this, you have to tune in and watch "My Redneck Wedding" on the CMT cable network.
Here is a funny little story from my local Newspaper web site.....
DJs and their low- low rates are killing their own business.
Continue reading "Service – Quality - Professionalism = Rate " »
This weekend was the coldest weather in a very long time across much of the upper Midwest. This kind of brutal weather can really make loading in and out a real difficult task.
Many of the Disc Jockey News readers have been calling to ask me questions about their business and to thank me for sharing all the information in my monthly articles.
If you have never heard of "A DJ Christmas" as created by Mark Ferrell? Here is another chance to get a little inspiration for the New Year.
Continue reading "Need a little inspiration to start 2008?" »
The focus of the Disc Jockey industry is changing, are you?
I got schooled by some high school students on the value of crape paper and confetti.
I was watching one of those "Bridezilla" shows when they flashed a very interesting factoid about engagements.
On YouTube I watched a video of a DJ from Texas who was a “no show” for a wedding. The strangest thing was that had the nerve to file a countersuit against the Bride & Groom.
Thank you for reading the Disc Jockey News.
Why do DJ's, especially in the northern colder portion of the U.S. lower their rates in the winter months?
Continue reading "The temperature has fallen, did your rates?" »
How can you learn from a Chief on how to run a DJ business?
Continue reading "Do you want to really learn about running a business?" »
The holidays are upon us and the New Year is just around the corner. Have you made any plans on how your business will be successful in 2008?
Continue reading "Are you planning to be successful in 2008? " »
I was watching one of those wedding shows when the host/planner wanted to drop the DJ because he charged too much (in his opinion) and use the money on decorations!
Are you and your vehicles ready for the winter months?
The Northern DJ Conference is Oct. 28th to the 30th at the Holiday Inn Select in Bloomington MN, just minutes away from the Airport and the Mall of America.
Here is a good lesson for those DJs who download music off illegal web sites for their business. Taken from today’s headlines.
If you have never heard Mark speak, then this is the perfect time to catch the Farrell Fever!
Continue reading "Mark Farrell is coming to Minneapolis for "FREE"" »
In the summer/fall issue of Premier Bride for the Minneapolis Twin Cities area, I have had a "top songs played at wedding receptions" list published.
The 24th annual National Night Out Was Last night (Tuesday August 07, 2007) and it was a "HOT!" night for me.
If you're proud of who you are and what you do, then you should offer your clients a "Money Back Guarantee" to prove it.
Continue reading "Are you proud of your service to clients? " »
In my August article of "Starting From Scratch" I'm going to introduce you to a young man that I think we can all learn a lesson from.
Continue reading "The August Article of Starting From Scratch" »
What was estimated to be the biggest day of the century to get married is now over, how lucky were you?
It looks as if something is about to happen over at DJA Radio!
Have you begun the planning stages of your National Night Out Event?
Continue reading "Tuesday August 7th is National Night Out" »
Here is a great example of how DJ Associations and the networking amongst the members in an organization can really help your bottom line.
Continue reading "Netwroking with other DJ's really works! " »
Have you ever been asked to do a performance for free to help an organization? Did you do it or just say no?
Continue reading "Doing good for others will be good for you. " »
It happened again; a DJ is taken to the Peoples Court and gives all of us a big Black eye!
How important is your image to your bottom line? Is your image everything? What does your image say to potential clients?
Here we go again... Can a DJ in a small town earn as much as a comparable Big City DJ?
The debate over the rates a DJ in a big city can charge vs. the rates a similar DJ in a small town can charge is a never ending battle. Here is what I have heard from all around the U.S. from many DJ's and experienced myself.
Have you ever wondered why Disc Jockeys have an innate fear of change?
"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.
How much are you willing to risk in order to be successful? The answer should be EVERYTHING!
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 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.
Continue reading "5 Suggestions for getting a raise in your rates" »
Jeff Richards Reviews “The Best Wedding Reception…Ever!” by Peter Merry
There are a couple of TV shows that I enjoy watching and I believe all Disc Jockeys should also take some time to watch.
Here is my response to some negative remarks on DJ Chat sites and on the DJA Radio blogs made about DJA Radio and it's Pod Cast Personalities
Are you like me and having withdrawals from not being able to hear new DAJ Radio Pod Casts?
If nothing else will convince you why you shouldn't eat at your next event, maybe this will.....
Continue reading "The BEST reason ever not to eat at an event!" »
Can the "Wedding Guild" be exactly what higher quality professional Disc Jockeys are looking for?
Have you ever noticed when a new business appears in your neighborhood and it’s new and exciting, then before you know it there is one on every street corner?
Continue reading "Building a DJ Business in an economy that can't support it. " »
Do you still hang signage for your business at events?
You just got back from the DJ convention, how can you make this expense and experience pay for itself?
Continue reading "Getting Your Moneys Worth From A Convention" »
How much would you pay for a beverage at a restaurant? Milk. Pop, Coffee, Beer?
Continue reading "Charging A Price That represents Your Quality " »
Putting the letter "A" in front of your business name could be "A" marketing mistake.
Arguing among DJs escalates when it comes to the Price you charge.
Checking out the music charts and how things have changed with them.
Top Ten Worst ways to advertise your DJ Business
You can't miss out on this opitunity, it's an offer you can't refuse.
If you are not a member of the Todd Mitchem e-mail newsletter here is something you should know.
It's that time again are you ready?
Is this the latest craze in advertising for Disc Jockeys?
It seems I just can't stop talking about my BOSE P.A.S. B1 l1 sound system.
Pod Cast Personalities of DJA Radio Take a Holiday.
Here is a wonderful Christmas story for & about Disc Jockeys.
Continue reading "The Night Before Christmas as read by Mark Ferrell" »
I just wanted to say "Thank You!" to the readers of "Starting From Scratch"
2007 is coming up fast and it's time to think about your New Year's Resolutions list and your business.
Continue reading "What's on your New Year's Resolutions list?" »
I have spoken with many DJ's who all say this years Holiday season is very slow compared to past seasons.
Continue reading "How is your holiday season wrapping up? " »
A new year is quickly racing towards us, are you ready?
Could it be that the Election has already had an effect on the future of our business?
I recently saw what I would have to describe as the greatest advertising campaign ever!
My personal review of the Northern DJ Conference.
Here is a great Web site for those of you who still use Vinyl to DJ.
An exciting breakout session for the Northern Disc Jockey Convention Oct. 22nd to the 24th.
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!
I couldn’t believe what I was reading, and it came from a member of the DJ Industry.
On the "Perfect Host" on DJA Radio, the subject of DJs "missing out" because of working on the weekends seems to be a common thread. I wrote to Jim Cerone on his blog about how people who work 9 to 5 are the real people "missing out"
Continue reading "Workin' 9 to 5 - What a way to make a living?" »
It was the biggest set of speakers I have ever seen.
They call, make an appointment then leave you hangin' on!
Sound quality in High Definition.
What Kind of Disc Jockey are you?
Do you start sounding like a broken record? Do you play the same songs over and over? What can you do?
Sometimes guest can be so ignorant and abusive to us entertainers.
Continue reading "It's Midnight and they want to hear a POLKA! " »
Here is a new twist on a old scam. Beware!
A turd by any other name is still a turd!
The new BOSE P.A.S. B1 L1 sound system BLOWS everyone else out of the water!
Pioneer Press tells Brides not to hire a Band or DJ, just load up an ipod
You wouldn't believe what other Wedding Vendors think about Disc Jockeys and what we do!
Continue reading "What do other Wedding Vendors think about us?" »
It seems that the word "DJ" is a bad word to use to describe what we do. Now some what to invent a whole new word to let the world know we're not "Bottom Feeders"
What qualifies you as a "Professional" Disc Jockey?