Howm much should you spend to be a part of a bridal show?

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MIXMASTERMACHOM

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Oct 16, 2011
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I got another mailing from Bridal Expo. They are having a bunch of bridal shows coming up this year. Just wanted to see if you were to become a part of one of these bridal shows what's the most you would spend and why?

Please don't look at this as I'm automatically going to do one of the bridal shows and just looking at what I should spend. Keep an open mind and consider this to be for all and not just about me.
 
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There are alot of variables....How many brides are you going to be in front of? How many other DJ's are there? What is the area the show is in like as in income level?

The shows I used to do were based on the promoters performance. They charged by bride coming through the door ($2.50/Bride IIRC) and they were costing me in the range of $500 to $600 per show but my understanding is most are flat rate

BTW I lways did very well at these shows I had exclusive in those days I gave it up when they wanted to add other DJ's to the show
 
I look at it 2 ways:

1. No matter what it costs, if don't expect to bill 3x -5x what it costs, I don't attend ( well, I don't do weddings anymore, but I used to )
2. If I don't sign anybody up, how bad does that 'hurt" me, financially?

Most of the places that have called me are $2000 and up. And I mean UP UP UP...... One near me is close to 10K for a weekend. I have also seen them in shopping malls for $1000 for a weekend.

Back in the early 1990's I was the AV manager for a pretty big convention center. I remember that even back then, that place was $5000 for a weekend. Because of connections, and people owing me some favors, I got a free booth one time..... I think they said 20,000 people attended..... I booked absolutely ZERO events. But Mix, guess what? Looking back, I had no idea what the hell I was doing. I spent my time trying to book based on music and gear instead of trying to book me, and what I could offer to make their day special.

If you do decide to do a show, try to book "YOU" and what "YOU" can do for them. No need to even have music at your booth, but if you do, make it subtle, and keep the gear minimal.
 
I look at it 2 ways:

1. No matter what it costs, if don't expect to bill 3x -5x what it costs, I don't attend ( well, I don't do weddings anymore, but I used to )
2. If I don't sign anybody up, how bad does that 'hurt" me, financially?

Most of the places that have called me are $2000 and up. And I mean UP UP UP...... One near me is close to 10K for a weekend. I have also seen them in shopping malls for $1000 for a weekend.

Back in the early 1990's I was the AV manager for a pretty big convention center. I remember that even back then, that place was $5000 for a weekend. Because of connections, and people owing me some favors, I got a free booth one time..... I think they said 20,000 people attended..... I booked absolutely ZERO events. But Mix, guess what? Looking back, I had no idea what the hell I was doing. I spent my time trying to book based on music and gear instead of trying to book me, and what I could offer to make their day special.

If you do decide to do a show, try to book "YOU" and what "YOU" can do for them. No need to even have music at your booth, but if you do, make it subtle, and keep the gear minimal.
If I did bring some music it would be simply my Sony machine that has a built in radio and Ipod docking station that I would simply just use my Iphone and play music from that. These shows are for one day and I think the starting price is $350.00 for a booth. I think the highest price is $750.00. Not bad. I just want to know what $350.00 will get you. If we were to book at least 2 weddings then it would be worth it. Thanks for the tip about selling me and not gear or music. Gear only means something to people who know what you're working with. Most don't know and don't care. I care because I'm a DJ and that's why I do care.
 
Mix, I think you missed some of the point OR you have a different idea of "worth it "than I do.

I have no idea what you charge, but from your posts that I have read, you are not on the higher end of pricing. So let's go with the following:

1. You pay the minimum of $350. You spend anywhere from 7 - 13 hours involved with the show for one day.

2. Let's say you book 2 weddings at $600 each, which require a total of 12 - 18 hours.

You have now spent 19 - 31 hours, and maybe even more.... for $1200 in income..... That is far less than $100 an hour, and you haven't even taken out expenses yet.... Take out $350. Take out gas... take out all expenses.... maybe you gross $800....... damn that is a lot of hours for $800, or less. And it gets much worse if you pay more than $350.

If my numbers are way off on what you charge, I apologize. But I am just trying to make a point.
 
Mix, I think you missed some of the point OR you have a different idea of "worth it "than I do.

I have no idea what you charge, but from your posts that I have read, you are not on the higher end of pricing. So let's go with the following:

1. You pay the minimum of $350. You spend anywhere from 7 - 13 hours involved with the show for one day.

2. Let's say you book 2 weddings at $600 each, which require a total of 12 - 18 hours.

You have now spent 19 - 31 hours, and maybe even more.... for $1200 in income..... That is far less than $100 an hour, and you haven't even taken out expenses yet.... Take out $350. Take out gas... take out all expenses.... maybe you gross $800....... damn that is a lot of hours for $800, or less. And it gets much worse if you pay more than $350.

If my numbers are way off on what you charge, I apologize. But I am just trying to make a point.
Thanks for your help sir. Great stuff. Just need to get a good push to get to where I want things to be instead of just sitting around doing nothing. Just waiting for things to happen.
 
The bigger the show, the more brides you meet, so the bigger the cost.
But Jeff brings up a very good point...if you are going to be just one of a DOZEN DJ's in the show...
you're not going to get as much attention. (and you need to have a better presentation to stand out)
Sometimes, the smaller shows work out better.
They cost less, there is less competition between like-vendors, and although you meet less brides,
you have a much better opportunity to talk to them, connect with them, and BOOK them!
And if you have never done a bridal show before, there is less pressure.
 
BTW, Mix, to do it right, your booth has to look great..... usually flowers, framed photos, maybe a giveaway or two....... all that takes away from your being "worth it".
 
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How much does a car cost?

Some are worth nothing. Some are a bargain at $25k.

Bridal shows have values ranging from zero to thousands as well.
 
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I haven't done one, but I've heard (up here) it's between $1000-$1200, and then there is a minimum amount you have to contribute towards a prize!

GJ
 
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I don't really mess with bridal shows. If I did I guess it would be because I was going to raise my rates and needed to reach out to get the higher end brides. I'm assuming $1000 tops would be my budget? ALSO if I was a multi-op I'd be more inclined to go.

Not sure if this adds to the conversation...but there ya go
 
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Being a preferred professional at this particular venue, it's a no brainer...got to be there. Did show in February ($325). Plenty of Brides. A week or so later I booked a bride for that venue for later this year...$1500...but that included short Ceremony, minimal up-lighting, DJ for 4 hours. Truth of the matter is one cannot guarantee that they will get a single booking. I don't like those odds and that's why I prefer to NOT do Bridal shows.
 
Truth of the matter is one cannot guarantee that they will get a single booking. I don't like those odds and that's why I prefer to NOT do Bridal shows.

The same can be said for any form of advertising Art that's why you have to do the ones that have the odds at least close to your favour
 
As a follow up. I just attended a bridal show for the multi op I work with...held at a wedding venue.
It was their first attempt, and they REALLY dropped the ball.
The vendors were inside and outside in a tent. Outside people had limited electric (we had NONE). They had no limit on vendor types, and in some cases, they put video people right next to video people. They forced all vendors to park in a field far away, and they weren't even nice about it.
Worst part was, they had David Tutera, so tickets were $40 a person (including your guests). Right before his show, they made all the brides LEAVE the inside venue and go out into the tent. That was the only time we had a decent amount of brides, and not one of them wanted to talk to any vendor, they only wanted to be ready when their "number" was called to get a seat inside. They demanded that no vendor leave until AFTER all the shows were over...but most of the people in the tent (including me) were outta there early. Since we didn't have electric, we didn't have anything to break down!
Total cost for a booth in this fiasco.... $400.
Total number of brides at the show... 250.
Total number of brides we actually talked to... 75 (ish)
 
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Bridal shows are advertising not real estate. You should not be paying for a booth - you should be buying leads.
Never commit money to a bridal show until they can demonstrate by past performance (not future estimates) their ability to generate qualified leads.

Shows put on by a venue are typically least effective. It serves only to showcase their facility and most attendees are people with their events already fully staffed. You are sold a booth to become little more than wallpaper for the event. If you're lucky you'll get interest from the bridesmaid of someone who's already booked at that venue. Not a very good source of leads.

Organizations that specialize in generating leads, (Expo companies, magazines, etc.) are far more reliable (and expensive). These people specialize on advertising and they can usually produce reliable past results for performance. Their larger metropolitan shows are not generally tied to a given venue. They hold them in the largest spaces they can find - big hotels, convention centers and retail malls. They are heavily promoted and generate both real leads and a certain percentage of "professional brides" (people who never get married but, run the circuit repeatedly looking for prizes and free stuff.)

A bridal show is not NAMM or some technical trade show floor. The key to these shows is how approachable you are. A booth with places to sit down, coffee, and cookies is 200% more effective than anything you could do with your gear and signage. :)