Your DJ Info

School is starting, and so are the school dances and Homecomings. You don’t want to be slowing down with business just because graduation parties and weddings slow down.

Keep your business running strong all winter by getting involved in the school systems.

Go out this month to all the schools in the area.

Dress Professional

Appearance is important

Introduce yourself and let them know you have a DJ company and your services are better than the DJ’s they have used in the past.

Give a brief resume of:
How long you have been DJ’ing for
How long you have had your company
How many parties you DJ a year
What kind of parties you DJ
What makes you a better DJ than other DJ’s
And…. Why they should book you

Give them your business card and contract, also refer them to your website so they can see everything you offer plus the photos and videos you have.

Ensure them you are trustworthy and will perform to optimum levels all the time. Tell them the games you will have, or any special things you do that will separate you from every other DJ.

You want to stand out as a great performer, not just another DJ looking for money.

Ask them what they usually pay for their DJ’s and try to offer them a price that is lower than what they usually use, if possible.

Give an Irresistible Offer

Tell them you are willing to give them a half price discount for the first event they book you for. By giving them this great discount they will most likely give you a try because of the savings they will get.

Then after they use you once, they will see how good you are and will continue booking you in the future.

Long Term Contracts

For schools and companies try offering a long-term contract for a year or multiple years. You will probably have to DJ a job once so they see your performance before they book long-term.

But after you book your half price offer, see if they are willing to sign a long-term contract. This will make them have to book you for all of their events, unless you are unavailable.

This is a great way to always have gigs all the time. If you get in a few school systems you will have more than enough business all winter long.

If They Are Under Contract Already

Your only problem will be if they are currently under a long-term contract.

If this is the case, create a spreadsheet of all the schools you visit and note when their contracts end. A few months prior to the contract ending, go back to the school and ask again.

Don’t Give Up

If all the schools you visit are under long-term contracts, don’t give up. Just wait until their contracts are over and go back.

By taking the time to get into the school districts it will pay off, since many of the kids will see you, and will want you to DJ their sweet 16’s, birthdays, graduations, and other parties.

This will prove to be a gold mine for your business.

-Brian-

This past week, Aug. 11-14 the Atlantic City DJ Expo was held in the Trump Taj Mahal.

Most of the Major DJ companies made an appearance to show off all the new 2009 gear.  There was some new stuff from last years show.

The Lighting

Has transformed to almost on L.E.D. lighting, which is definitely the wave of the future. Using multiples less electric and have lifetime long lights in them, L.E.D. lighting has proved it is the only way to go for DJ lighting.

The Audio/ Video

More and more VJ’in (Video DJ’ing) was shown, that is also the new wave of business, there were incredible shows by some of the top DJ’s in the Pioneer and Denon booth’s.

Many of the new cd players have built in hard drives to relieve the clutter of cd’s.

All the shows were excellent!!!!

Computer Programs

They had even more programs than last year. These new programs can control light shows, produce music, and double over as you cd players and mixers.

These programs make DJ’ing much easier, without lowering quality of the performance.

The developers have made them extremely reliable and have included everything a DJ would want. It is highly recommended to invest in one of these programs if you are a mobile DJ.

I use Numark’s Cue program and it is incredible.

Promo Only

Had a large booth to present the new versions of there top hit music cd’s and dvd video’s. Promo only is the industries leader in DJ copy music. The offer music hits CD’s for almost every genre.

Seminars

The show included many seminars to help all types of DJ’s. Seminars included everthing from remixing to finnacial success tips, to dances and games. Everything a DJ could look for help with.

Taking these seminars will definately help to increase your business.

These Seminars are the most important part of the DJ Expo.

If you are looking to increase your business quickly and steadily, at the next convention take time to visit these seminars and work shops.

Make it short and Simple

Most People usually do not want to hear the DJ talk all night or add extra announcements they they do not really care to hear.

So elliminate what you can.

Usually I will first announce just before the last song, that this will be the last song of the evening. If it is a slow song I will say “I would like to bring our couples out for one last dance, as this will be the last song of the evening.”

Prepare the Crowd for the Closing Song

You do not want to just stop playing music all of a sudden, or after your last song, make the closing announcements.

People are in the mood to dance and they will get up set if you all of a sudden end the gig.

So give them that little preparation, they definitely will appreciate it. Now they have that opportunity to choose, weather or not to come out for the last song.

Remember they are not getting paid by the hour, so usuualy they don’t pay attention to the time, unlike you as a DJ you may have somewere else you need to go to, or you just feel that when your contract ends you should leave.

So this is a nice way to update them that the party is over but you will play them one last song.

Closing Announcement

As the last song begins to fade out is when you should start your final announcement.

I usually say “Thank you for being such a great crowd, my name is Brian and I am here with ShoreTime Entertainment (my company name), I hope everyone enjoyed their evening and has a safe trip home.”

Understand as a DJ each event is a little different so you will need to change a little according to the type of event, but this is a nice basic closing.

You don’t want to oversell yourself, but a nice little reminder of who you are and your company name may pick up a few more gigs.

Make them feel that you really enjoyed being their DJ and you care about them, hence the comment about driving safe.

This is the best way I have found to close out an event. Please feel free to add comments on how you close your events out

-Brian-

Importance of Reading the Crowd

As a DJ you need to be able to read the crowd to be able to better understand what music to play. This is one of the most important aspects of being a great DJ.

First

I start with music that I think the crowd may like. Usually when booking an event I ask on my contracts what music the would like played. This Helps to get your first idea of what music to begin with.

Next

Play something Hot in that Genre. See how the crowd reacts.

Normally no one will just get up and start dancing unless they really like the music but there are signs to look for.

Watch Their body Movements

Watching their body movements is one of the best ways to read a crowd.

Are they starting to dance in their seats? If so this is a good sign you are heading in the right direction. Normally you will find the women or girls start moving to the music first.

They are just feeling the music out at this point.

If no one changes the body movements, keep trying new genres or types of songs within the requested genre.

If they start moving in there seats…

Keep doing what you are doing.Play another hot song in that same genre next. Does this keep their intrest? If so very shortly you will have every one up dancing and having a great time.

Watching to see if people are signing or lip signing the lyrics

This will identify again the people that like this type of music as the know the words. They may also think the type of song you are playing is a fun song, AKA dancing song.

This is another great sign to begin with.

After You have the Crowd Dancing……

Pay attention to the majority of the crowd. Remember you can’t always please every single person at the same time. When people start sitting down they are either tired of dancing or more likely not liking the direction of were the music is going.

That is a sign to switch up the music.

Get a New Crowd Out There

If you were playing hip hop before for a younger crowd, or a section of the crowd that primarily liked hip hop, they may be tired..

So open the floor up to the older crowd that might want oldies, or people that may enjoy another genre such as Techno or Rock.

You want to be constantly rotating your crowds at events, people get tired, so give them a break after a while.

This will get you the overall satisfaction of the entire crowd.

Switching Your Music

If when switching your music genres, you can’t find a way to flow into the next genre easily, such as going from a fast music to a slow set of music. You can always bring down the volume and make a nice suttle anouncement.

Such as, I would like to slow the music down and bring out our couples for a few slow songs.

Then you have the pause that does not make the switch so harsh.

Follow These Steps

and you will be on your way to better identifying the best music for the entire crowd and how to satisfy everyone.

-Brian-

What I like most about my job as a DJ

Being a DJ is one of the Best Jobs in the world to me. It is a lot of fun I get to listen to the music I love and I get to meet a lot of really great people. Many times who I get to do future business with and some have become good friends.

I have made many friends as a DJ. I don’t know any job that could even compare.

You make a lot of money to have fun and be the main attraction at an event. You can control what 1,000’s of people are doing at large events and you get everyone up and having fun.

I have been extremely busy in the past couple months with events and I have not had any time to devote to the site, but I am changing my schedule around to get on the site again a few times a week to post new stuff.

So, get ready for some new and exciting DJ ideas and Tips

-Brian-

As a DJ you may be wondering what some fun games are to play with the kids, or anyone in that matter. Here is a list of games that I like to use at my events.

Huggy Bear

Everyone starts dancing. When music stops, the emcee calls out a number, and everyone must get in groups of that number. Becomes creative when: everyone in group must wear one shoe, have one person in group with braces, etc.

Scavenger Hunt

The DJ will call out miscellaneous items that each child must go out into the crowd or facility and find, and return to the dance floor. The first one to return with item wins that round. You can send them to get a man’s belt, woman’s shoe, straw, hat, etc.

Hula Hoop

 Have you “hooped” lately? Variations can be done such as several hoops at once, hands in the air, one foot, etc.

“Coke/Pepsi”

Each team consists of 2 players, at opposite sides of dance floor, facing each other. “Coke” or “Pepsi” is called, and one member of team runs to other and sits on partner’s knee. Many variations of this game are played and instructed by the DJ.

Mummy Wrap

Usually a fun diversion for the guest of honor. This can be a competition to include several teams. The rules are—there are no rules. How creative can you and your team get? You just have to cover a designated person head to toe in toilet paper.

Musical Chairs Contest

Always a classic at any type of party. Add some variation to this; have them put thier hands on their head, go counter-clockwise, hop, spin, etc.

Bubble-Gum Blowing

The only question here is: regular or sugarless? Not ideal with large groups of kids with braces.

Limbo

“…let’s limbo some more.” How low can you go?

One of my favorites to play is the scavenger hunt. The kids love it and it gets the parents involved, which is what you really want to do at most events.

When the parents are involved they are being entertained too, so why not play this game and make every one happy.

There are so many more games that you can play as well. If you have any more games that you like add them in the comment section. Just add a short description on how they are played.

-Brian-