Weddings I'm no Peter Merry

Scott:

Now that I have closed the door on the business maybe I can let it go. I am working on repositioning my focus on what I can do to help other DJs build their business based on my own experience. Maybe that will help me be more objective about Peter.

I do recognize that Peter is successful and that he does get what he says he gets. I also recognize that the WED may be useful to some folks and I encourage them to check it out and if it is, take the plunge.

Some of the activities Peter does are not suited for some DJs and I was in that group. I will say that they are cheesy but that is my opinion.

Forgiveness is a two way street. It has been offered by me but not accepted. The reason stated was that he did not believe that I could forgive him. I can but can he forgive me?

Now I'll move on.

May be we can save a few people some money on therapy by putting things in their proper perspective and noting that P Merry is neither villain or hero.

M Ferrell once pointed out that I could work one job a week and gross $60,000 per year. Unfortunately, I was already grossing 4 times that amount. So, I didn't find his ideas particularly interesting. (Not incorrect - just not very intellignet, complete or attractive.)

Fom my vantage point, Ferrell was correct about many DJs under-pricing themselves. On the other hand, he was wrong and inadequately prepared to explain why that is, or to demonstrate how any given individual might correct that.

To properly understand the storm around P Merry - you have to appreciate the vacuum created by Ferrell's contentions: where DJs begin searching for solutions to a problem labelled but not understood. This was also happening at a time and place where the once "undiscovered country" of mobile DJs was becoming a fast growing retail sector gaining some recognition and catering from music industry sellers and manufacturers.

What follows is trial and error, and for people like P Merry who tend to write press releases at the inception of an idea rather than it's fruition - it gets really messy among peers. Granted, Merry invited the firestorm by trying to qualify the business of other DJs rather than the interests of target customers. But, what DJ isn't looking for attention? It would have been smarter not to float his trial balloons in the peer public.

A good way to get a very high price is to get your name and picture on the cover of a book. It's all fine and good to say you're a leader in your feild - but a book, a title (President ADJA), magazine articles, radio tv spots, etc. are what it takes to back up such a claim. P Merry did that. So, whether or not you believe his price the fact remains he did what would be necessary to qualify it.

It's no secret - you can find this "profile" strategy outlined in any number of marketing books. Whether you value the titles and books is irrelevent. They are not created to serve your interest - they are created to further his. For example, I have no real issue with part time DJs or hobbyists - but, every time I've written an article I imply that full-time DJs are better - beacuse, I want people to hire me instead.

It's also irrelevent whether or not you like this particular plan because, there are any number of other ways to do even better. You can even counter or undermine it where you have such a direct competitor.

Such is business.

I guess this is a topic we will never all agree on. Some do not like Merry or Farrel, while others are inspired by them. Same goes for other DJs.

I have read where some DJs praise or in awe of a couple DJs "Big Daddy" or Jon Roz. I was totally turned off & embarrassed for them & didn't want to even be considered in the same line of work as them. I just didn't get it.

But I chose to ignore them & move on in my own direction.

Let's just say we agree to disagree.

It's my understanding that Peter tried to post here but was denied access by the admin here at ODJT.

Too bad the man can't defend himself on a thread with his name on it.