Many DJs make great entertainers, but when it comes to understanding their trade or selling their services, they sometimes miss out on opportunities to convert an enquiry into a booking.  Cries of working in the trade for decades and inadvertently turning complacent (and without knowing it) can sometimes hinder the chances of enhancing the way DJs operate.

  Since joining the NADJ, I have utilised the experience, knowledge and skills of my fellow members to develop and expand my own business.  I have taken full advantage of the networking and abilities of other professional operators to diversify and turn a job I thoroughly enjoy into a success story.

  However, I have set myself a target of not getting complacent and I am always on the look-out to develop my skills.  It is for this reason that I signed up to the ‘Wedding Marketing for DJs’ workshop.

  The all-day events are hosted by Derek Pengelly and the first batch took place in three areas of the UK: The North West, Wales and the Midlands.  They have proved to be so popular that further workshops are planned for a town near you (Maidstone, Bristol, Leeds and Darlington).

  I attended the nearest event to me at the Holiday Inn in Newport, Gwent on Monday 22nd November 2010.  Joining me were eight other NADJ members from the area, showing that I am not the only DJ who wants to pick up some new tips and tricks.

  As a member of a recognised Association, we were entitled to a £10 discount and I hope that this offer will be available to other DJs for the next four workshops that have just been announced.

  Before I signed up to the event, I had a small amount of trepidation as to how much I would be able to take on-board and how much I could use to take my business forward.  I did wonder if the workshop was going to be worth it.  Now, I would never claim to know everything about DJing or running a business, but if there was one suggestion that I could take away from the course to enhance my business, it would be well worth the small outlay.

  I found the workshop to be incredibly informative and educational.  It covered many topics such as ways to improve your performance, selling your services and ways to increase your fees.  The workshop went into all aspects of the wedding market and the part the DJ can play in such a memorable and special occasion.

  I know that a lot of DJs will see the £89 or £99 fee as a stumbling block and I know that some operators would 

rather spend that on a new LED lighting effect than go to an event that aims to improve the way DJs operate

 their business.  I would say to each of those DJs that they must see past the cost and think about how they can use the advice and information given at the workshop to improve the way they deal with customers and run their company.  If they do that, they have a good chance of the information paying dividends, but it won’t come without putting the effort in.

  As a part of the fee, refreshments were provided and there were a maximum of twelve spaces at each event.  The courses start at 9.30am each day and last until 5.30pm.

  In my honest opinion, everyone who attended came away with many ideas from Derek’s workshop and I feel that the £89 was money well spent.

 

  By Justin Banwell  

For more details, please visit: www.weddingmarketingfordjs.co.uk