Getting An Upgrade
- Thread starter nextgen1
- Start date
Why are you so combative? I was just throwing a number out there. My point was that there was a time when no DJ could offer uplighting, video or intelligent lighting. No moving heads or anything close to that. Things have evolved over the years as to what a DJ can offer today.
Not every DJ can offer such things, know how to sell it or present it so people go wow. Some simply just can't afford such things.
I didn't know all the work involved in doing video at an event. A lot more work than I imagined. At least to get it done right and not take the cheap way out.
You could call it irony. But sometimes we think we're investing in something that will increase revenue but that something doesn't work out as planned. i.e Years ago, I "invested" over $1000 on uplighting but never sold it as an upsell. The fixtures are now worth 25% (or less) than what I paid for them. Get it? got it - good.
no risk, no reward. there are no sure bets!
tonight I shot a wedding..the dj had interesting gear...yorkville 55 tops (12") over ev 12" subs (elx) and 2 remote behringer speakers, 8" maybe 10. (alto stealth wireless). Big room, 320 guests so I guess he felt the need for the satellite speakers. Not bad for dinner but sounded like crap later. Overall sound wasn't clear - muddy would be my description of it.
He was good on the mic, bounced to the music behind his setup (no facade but no messy wires either), good at mixing.
LIghting was a weather system/bar and a swarm5fx on sound active. Yuk. From his angle with all the room lights very low it wasn't bad..but from any other angle there was no lighting...nothign on the walls, a touch on the ceiling, nothing on teh floor, nothing at his position or on the wall behind him.
So...he's good as a DJ but his setup, lighting, gear could be much improved. Probably the opposite of me at this point.
That's the challenge of a small (very small) business - we don't have teams of experts in design, marketing, branding, etc to advise us on what to do, what to charge, how to present ourselves, etc.
If you've ever gone to Disney, well, to one of their educational workshops, you'd see how much 'science' there is behind the 'art'. Everything is designed with a reason behind it.
Adn they dont' make many mistakes - unlike Jas and his uplights or trump and his university.
tonight I shot a wedding..the dj had interesting gear...yorkville 55 tops (12") over ev 12" subs (elx) and 2 remote behringer speakers, 8" maybe 10. (alto stealth wireless). Big room, 320 guests so I guess he felt the need for the satellite speakers. Not bad for dinner but sounded like crap later. Overall sound wasn't clear - muddy would be my description of it.
He was good on the mic, bounced to the music behind his setup (no facade but no messy wires either), good at mixing.
LIghting was a weather system/bar and a swarm5fx on sound active. Yuk. From his angle with all the room lights very low it wasn't bad..but from any other angle there was no lighting...nothign on the walls, a touch on the ceiling, nothing on teh floor, nothing at his position or on the wall behind him.
So...he's good as a DJ but his setup, lighting, gear could be much improved. Probably the opposite of me at this point.
That's the challenge of a small (very small) business - we don't have teams of experts in design, marketing, branding, etc to advise us on what to do, what to charge, how to present ourselves, etc.
If you've ever gone to Disney, well, to one of their educational workshops, you'd see how much 'science' there is behind the 'art'. Everything is designed with a reason behind it.
Adn they dont' make many mistakes - unlike Jas and his uplights or trump and his university.
Let's keep it simple. Some see that purchase as a nice tough and they would buy it. Others don't see the big deal. It's all in your perception and what you feel is important to you. Also not to mention some of such decisions depends on what you can afford. I upgraded from a Numark mixer to the Denon X 500 mixer when I could afford it. The salesmen wanted me to get it when he wanted me to but I had to wait till I could buy it. It made a hell of a big difference in the sound for sure. It's long gone now as I only use a controller.
I can easily obsess over a thing but just because I want it doesn't mean I need it.
I can easily obsess over a thing but just because I want it doesn't mean I need it.
I invest in my gear for personal reasons. I like quality and I like the security of knowing my client will be served with reliable products. I bought my facades to enhance my overall look. Just like Dave did. It's not to charge more money. My prices are set where I am comfortable and it will make me a profit from each event. This year I invested about 5k into my business which was made back already. My goal was set and achieved.
Thanks John, this is my exact reason. I would say that at the end of the year we will have put about the same amount in. Investing in the facade and 3 mic systems changing out all of our mics. And getting out of the FCC race for good. And just to let you folks know I have and love these systems in this video. Three of these full systems will have given us 6 mics all together.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uikkQgA_K5Y
Speaker gear doesn't really mean anything appearance wise as long as the rat fur isn't all ripped or the grill isn't all covered in stains as the client and guests do not care as long as it sounds good. Facades and lighting however are "appearance gear" and definitely add to that "professional" look imo, be it table topper or full length.
Facade lighting and behind the booth wall/ambience lighting go along way to achieving that overall professional look and I wholeheartedly disagree with those that say it won't allow you to command more money.
Just google "lighted dj facade" or "dj setups" and then tell me as a non industry consumer which ones you think they would like to see setup at their events.
This is of course assuming that you are a competent dj to begin with and everything else being equal. It is all about branding and image.
Facade lighting and behind the booth wall/ambience lighting go along way to achieving that overall professional look and I wholeheartedly disagree with those that say it won't allow you to command more money.
Just google "lighted dj facade" or "dj setups" and then tell me as a non industry consumer which ones you think they would like to see setup at their events.
This is of course assuming that you are a competent dj to begin with and everything else being equal. It is all about branding and image.
As I said originally, I work for a company that has spent millions on branding an image. If I have learned one thing i the 31 years that I have been there. Its about branding and image, raise the bar and raise your rates. )
I see it this way. It has to do with the price you normally charge to do an event if such a thing will gather more money then your normal price. Some are at the top of their tier and this item won't make a difference in them making more money. Again like I said a DJ buying a facade that cost that much is not the DJ that's getting paid $500 or less to do events.
Again for us its not about making more money but about presentation of a good product. Can it lead to more money? Its all about who is there and what they think and feel.
Analogy, It's a service but in branding and image it's also a product that we sell. For instance Bose is a brand of speaker used for reproducing sound. Do people buy it because its "just" a speaker? Or is there a perception of value based upon image and branding?
There are many things out here today that people see a name and just buy it because of the name. Some DJ's will buy a MacBook just because of the name and the symbol is easily recognized. Are there other computers that are just as good but cost less? Sure there are. Just that some see the name MacBook and they are stuck. The big thing is how that company has marketed itself so many people will buy their products leaving people with the feeling no need to look any further.
Branding and image still doesn't make a service a product does it?
Branding a service vs. branding a product | Davron Marketing
Branding a service is very different from branding a product for a variety of reasons, such as:
- Products are made where services are delivered
- Products are used where services are experienced
- Products are tangible where services are emotional
Wow I just wanted to show you guys my facade. Every thing around here has to become a debate. I will just continue to successfully do what I do and thanks all for the comments
Is BP or marathon or shell a product or a service?
Gas is gas..right? So what you're buying is a service more than a product,right?
So you buy on price or convenience more than the product.
To OUR prospects it's much the same, isn't it? We'll both play cha cha slide, announce the bridal party and have dance lighting and work 5 hours.
So they'll buy on price and convenience (you answered the phone vs the other dj that let it go to vm).
OK, so you're at a gig and suck - music sounds like crap, too loud, pops and cracks, the wireless mic died, etc. Referrals? no likely.
YOu did OK, sounded OK, announced OK, looked OK. No complaints, maybe referrals, but you look/sound like every other Dj they've seen.
So what makes YOU unique, memorable and worth hiring over all other DJ's out there?
THAT is what you need to figure out and MARKET THAT.
BK's 'flame broiled' burgers, wendy's 'always fresh' are two examples that the've been using forever to set themselves apart from all other hamburger joints.
Gas is gas..right? So what you're buying is a service more than a product,right?
So you buy on price or convenience more than the product.
To OUR prospects it's much the same, isn't it? We'll both play cha cha slide, announce the bridal party and have dance lighting and work 5 hours.
So they'll buy on price and convenience (you answered the phone vs the other dj that let it go to vm).
OK, so you're at a gig and suck - music sounds like crap, too loud, pops and cracks, the wireless mic died, etc. Referrals? no likely.
YOu did OK, sounded OK, announced OK, looked OK. No complaints, maybe referrals, but you look/sound like every other Dj they've seen.
So what makes YOU unique, memorable and worth hiring over all other DJ's out there?
THAT is what you need to figure out and MARKET THAT.
BK's 'flame broiled' burgers, wendy's 'always fresh' are two examples that the've been using forever to set themselves apart from all other hamburger joints.
Didn't mean to be offensive Dave. You have a lot more experience in marketing than I do and I respect that. I'm looking forward to seeing some photos of your facade with the rest of your setup. I'm sure your clients will love the look too.