2014: A Big Year

2014 is finally here and I can say, this year is a big year for myself as a DJ/MC. It's a year that I'm looking really forward too.

With workshops from Bill Hermann and Jason Jones with their "The Entertainment Experience - Seminars and Workshops" in a couple of weeks and then Mark and Rebecca Ferrell with "The MarBecca Method" in October, it couldn't get any better. But wait, it does... This year is also the year where I'm hoping to become a member of the DJ Alliance Australia.

I would like to take this opportunity to say a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who used my DJ services along the years and those DJs who are willing to network and help one another because if it wasn't for all of you, I wouldn't be where I am today.

THANK YOU ALL and all the best for 2014!!!

How much do you charge? - The million dollar question!!!

99.9%, I can guarantee this is the first question that comes to your head when you contact a DJ to hire their services, right? From my experience nearly all enquiries start like this.

How much does a DJ charge?

OK here's a simple answer, DJs charge from less than a $100 to thousands of dollars. That is probably not the answer you wanted to hear, so I will go into a bit of detail of what's the difference between a $100 DJ and a more 'expensive' DJ service. I suggest you continue reading.

Now before I go further, I am NOT the best DJ on the planet and I don't pretend to be but I DO KNOW that I love what I do. I know my limitations and how far I can go. I've got a tremendous respect for every single Disc Jockey out there, I'm willing to share ideas with everyone and help wherever I can. I see other DJs as my colleagues and NOT my competition. I only compete with one person and that is myself, to better my services.

I started DJing as a hobby, my bedroom was loaded with records and cassette tapes - Do you remember them? and a load of speakers, turntables & tape decks. Then I DJed on a Radio Station and got a few gigs from there too. After a few years I went on to Nightclubs and a few Mobile Gigs as a part time, this time it was records and CDs. Now I am a full time Disc Jockey. After my family, this is what I live, breathe and focus on, on a daily basis. Oh!!! and I carry mp3s and fewer CDs nowadays.

What am I trying to say?

Would you have trusted me with your Wedding over 20 years ago when I was still a Bedroom DJ at a $100? Probably NOT. I couldn't even get a small Pub or Club gig back then, let alone MC or DJ a Wedding.

There's probably nothing wrong with a $100 DJ and you can probably find a $400 Wedding DJ who does an excellent job. So what is the difference?

From years of experience, networking and courses I've done all over the years, this is what I can tell about myself. I've always charged for the value I offer. When I started years ago, the value I offered was only worth a $100 - $200. 5 years ago I charged $500 - $600 for a Wedding when today $500 is my minimum deposit. Why? Because I could only offer $500 - $600 worth of value. Because I did not know what I know today. I did not know how to care. I did not know how to fulfil someone's dream and create a special memorable day for them. I did not know how to give my clients peace of mind and STRESS FREE entertainment. I did not offer customer care 24 hours a day. I did not sit down listen and discuss and go into a great detail of what the client want to achieve on their special day.

Today I get excited when I have meetings with my clients. It feels like they draw a sketch of their ideas and then together we paint and colour it on canvas.

I CARE, I really do and all the DJs I know who charge more than average is because they feel the same way as I do. We want to build friendship and TRUST with our clients.

So next time you need a DJ's service, ask yourself a few questions about how you envision your special day or event. Is a cheaper DJ going to fulfil your dreams or do you need the services of someone who will give you peace of mind? Nothing wrong with either. It's your choice.

Choose wisely!!!

Genuine vs fake emotion.

The only thing worse than going to buy something and the person behind the counter doesn't even say "Hi" is a person behind the counter trying to sell you something you don't want to buy or even worse when they're telling you that the dress or suit you're trying on is perfect for you when you can see for yourself it's not.

How many times does that happen to you? I can guarantee that you will never go back to that shop or store not because of their product but the customer care and service.

Are you getting the right customer care when planning your wedding or special event? Are you 'clicking' with the person you're dealing with? Are you going out of a planning meeting with peace of mind or are you still questioning whether you made the right decisions or not? Is your supplier keeping contact with you during your wedding preparations to update you with progress on the planning of your Special Day? Is he/she ready to listen to your concerns? Is their emotion fake or genuine?

Fortunately a lot of wedding suppliers are genuine and passionate about what they do. They're the REAL professionals in the industry. They're the ones who wake up happy every morning because they're happy to go to work and help their clients fulfil their dreams. Go with your instinct and hire wedding suppliers who you really like to be around, the ones who want to work for you, the ones who understand you and most importantly the ones who REALLY care for you.

Choose wisely!!!