Fast Food DJ's

Welcome fellow DJ brothers and sisters! We do not know each other but in a way we are bound together. We can be incredibly happy or incredibly sad but most always continue the good fight and move forward together. You do not loose to the competition because they are better than you. You loose when you give up and quit. Seek guidance and comfort with those in the same boat as you. DJ's that own a single mobile system are your best bet.

I honestly have always preached never bad mouth another company or person so I will not. Really I have gotten in verbal arguments with DJ allies at bridal shows defending DJ' companies I can't stand. I teach my kids this too. Ignore the trouble it will take care of itself. I of course would rather waste your time bragging why I am the best DJ. (: 

My philosophy is that 90% of my business comes from satisfied customers. The few fast food DJ's that do good work will not suffer because their customers sell future jobs for them no matter what I say. That is my disclaimer and apology for the legitimate shots I am about to take on franchise/multi system DJ companies.

I never really cared before if someone did not choose me. I have a folder I put these "not definite" customers in and if they don't call me back, oh well. Most customers choose me because of my high level of quality service. They know my work and trust me. Often they are ready to hire me before I know who they are. 

The older I get (I am not that old) the more I notice my surroundings outside of my universe. I remember one show I did in a banquet hall that has room for 3 banquets. The owner of the banquet hall frantically approached me saying the DJ downstairs did not have the Bride and Grooms first dance song. Do you have "Remember me this way" from the Casper sound track. But of course I do! I went down stairs and delivered the CD to the DJ. I was escorted downstairs like the president with body guards (it was really weird) In the corner this little kid sat hunched in a chair next to a 2 foot square table. He had a laptop and one police siren light. That was it! Perhaps he was in shock (and in the fetal position) but he did not say hello, good bye or most importantly to no thank you. After my show I went downstairs to retrieve my CD before it left and once again no hello, good bye or thank you. 

I was taught better than that and I teach my kids better than that. How pathetic. If this is how he treats people that help him how does he treat the bride and groom paying him? I don't know for sure but I have a good guess. Peoples behavior mostly is inescapably consistent. The opposite of this scenario is the advantage a DJ company owner has over the fast food DJ.

How can you fight their massive marketing budget? The key is to realize that this powerful media machine has false relevance.  I have to admit I here commercials and see advertisement and think wow if they deliver that image they portray I want to hire them. Look - here is their Achilles tendon. This mass advertisement actually reveals their weakness. They rely on customers that don't know them or their company and attempt to convince them through  mass marketing high dollar advertisement. Just like phone sales at supper time and those junk e-mails they are so desperate to steel your business quickly before the customer knows your service is better. Just sign here and quick please!  

Remember this: Ignore it. Negative criticism to your potential customer is a free commercial for your competition. Always focus on what you have to offer and they don't. Your superior service and care that is impossible for their subordinates to deliver. Strike at their Achilles tendon with force. It is so easy to represent how your company offers a service far superior and is not possible for those part timer fast food DJ's to deliver. 

I have done extensive research on potential customers and their experiences with fast food DJ's and their gauntlet of advertising harassment and propaganda. I am fortunate to have loyal customers and they tell me I have earned their respect. They are very handy to have! 

Almost always these potential customers have not been to or seen a show that these fast food DJ's have performed. They do not know their work but are aware of the companies existence. Then the marketing bombardment begins. They will send you customer satisfaction surveys to prove you can trust them. I asked, oops, I mean I know of a customer that asked for a list of the unsatisfied customers instead but they said they wouldn't produce it. I think these surveys are great for a new un-established DJ starting out but if you are not a new DJ company what is your reputation? Why would a fast food DJ company all ready established have to try and prove their reputation? Is it that their business relies on high turn over inexperienced help? Once again this demonstrates their weakness. ( :

Really their is is a field day of obvious advantages the private owner of a single operator DJ company has over fast food. The majority of your customers should come from people seeking you from their witnessing of the great shows you have performed or referred to you by witnesses who enthusiastically sing your praise of good work!  Good luck! Dave