Category Archives: Building A Better Business

Business Smarts Begin with Big Hearts

By Frank Smith:

“Due to COVID-19 I need to…” We all know what comes next in that dreaded email. One of two words that no event professional wants to hear. “Reschedule.” Or even worse. “CANCEL!”

Event professionals all over are hearing from their clients that have events scheduled during their state’s restrictions. Some are even hearing this for events scheduled way after their state restrictions are set to end. Due to their fears. Due to the safety of their guests traveling from out of town. Due to guest count limitations. Regardless of your opinion of COVID-19, these are concerns that we should all empathize with.

Then the internal debate rages on. Should I allow them to reschedule? Charge them a fee? Give them a refund? Can I afford to give them a refund? There are two goals here: to be as accommodating to the client as possible without giving away the house and keeping your business afloat during this time. Work with your client as much as possible and collaborate to come to a conclusion that makes sense for everyone. Here is what I am doing with my bookings. The policies I created came after speaking with a large group of event professionals to figure out what others in the industry were doing.

“Due to COVID-19 I want to reschedule.” 

The client that wants to reschedule while your state’s government restrictions are in place: I am going to allow them to reschedule. I have determined the timeframe for the reschedule to happen is one year from the original date of the event. What am I doing to keep some cash flow moving into my business for expenses in lieu of these rescheduled events? I am requiring that client’s pay 25% of their fee on their original payment due date and the other 75% of their fee is moved to a new due date based on their new event date.

More challenging is what to do for a client that wants to reschedule after your state’s restrictions are set to end. Whether you will allow these clients to reschedule is up to you. My clients in this category have two options. They can either reschedule prior to the beginning of the 2021 peak wedding season on any day or on any Friday/Sunday during peak wedding season but still within a year of their original date. These clients are then subject to the 25/75 breakdown mentioned above to keep the cashflow needed to pay my operating expenses. The next option is if they choose a peak wedding season Saturday that is also within a year of their original date, they incur a rescheduling fee. I have spoken with multiple clients about this and they have been very understanding. This fee potentially turns into a credit towards their original fee if the date ends up becoming unserviceable due to restrictions in my state.

“Due to COVID-19 I want to cancel.” 

What do you do for the client that wants to cancel and their date falls during your state’s government restrictions? I am allowing them to cancel and providing the client a full refund, deposit included. I made the decision for my business based on my ability to sleep at night and will take a hit to my pocket. Everyone is going through the same thing and no one caused this issue. I completely understand some businesses will make a different decision. I would suggest that you have your contract reviewed by your attorney before making any decisions because your contract may make this decision for you.

If the couple wants to outright cancel and their event falls after the state restrictions have been lifted, I review with them what my regular cancellation policy states, inform them that without an extension of the state restrictions that the policy stands and they are held liable to the agreement from the originally signed contract.

You will have to determine the dates, timeframes, percentages and fees based on your state’s restrictions and the businesses expense projections.

Other factors to consider when making your COVID-19 policy is to consider the venues and vendors. See what they are doing and if you can align your policy with them. Especially with what the venues are doing. Attempt to minimize your business expenses so you can sustain your business longer. Reassess your pricing and readjust your deposit breakdowns. Have your attorney review and update your contract to make sure you are protected in the future.

The key is to remember that our clients don’t want to be stuck rescheduling or cancelling, just as much as we don’t want them to. Work with your client to make the best of this situation and to protect your business for the future!

Frank Smith is the founder of Prime Time Event Group serving the Central Virginia area since 2012. As a premier Event Host and DJ, Frank has been a part of over 350 events during the company’s 9 years in business. Find us online at PTEventGroup.com or on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @PTEventGroup.

Separating the winners from the losers

By: Ben Stowe, CTS

The current global COVID-19 (SARS-2-CoV) situation will undoubtedly reshape our world.  As has happened at every reshaping point in history, there will be winners and there will be losers.  Some of the most powerful companies of our time were either formed during these moments, or they survived them.  Whether you will be a winner or a loser will largely depend on your actions.

There are several ways you can lose in a situation like this.  Obviously one way is to spend foolishly, but thats not to say that you shouldnt spend at all.  One of the other ways you can lose is to spend too little.  Companies that hunker down” can disappear from their marketplace and have a hard time recovering when business returns to normal levels.  They can also put off necessary upgrades and maintenance and find themselves woefully prepared for the future.

This brings us to the winners. The winners will have a strategic plan and will proceed with it.  Warren Buffet said, “The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.”.  What you do with your entertainment business is no different.

If you are patient and are prepared for prosperity, you will be a winner.  Improve your marketing.  Update and upgrade your equipment.  Perform maintenance.  Improve your knowledge.  Its been said that you should dress for the job you want, and this isnt much different.  Dress your business for success.

Because we know cash flow is a challenge for many of our customers right now, were doing what we can to help.  Were offering 24 months 0% interest financing AND some special pricing.  Part of our strategy is to help you win.  The result of that is that our customers are the winners.

 

Were in this together.

 

About Ben Stowe:

As an award-winning and nationally recognized dealer of audio, video, and lighting integration services, Ben prides himself on the quality of the 300 top manufacturers NLFX Professional represents almost as much as the customer-first approach his elite staff of professionals bring to every purchase. For more info visit https://www.nlfxpro.com/contact-us/

THE “DJ DIET”? Do you need one?

By DJ Rachel Lynch

NAMM 2020 means the most prominent manufacturers have cooked up new tech tools that have the industry salivating. Social media has been on fire with “delectable” innovations like the DENON 6000/6000M, Prime GO/Prime 2, Pioneer DJMV10, Chauvet GigBar MOVE, RANE Seventy, and the Electro-Voice EVOLVE 30M. In response to the release of this technological buffet, the internet has been seasoned generously with sneak peeks, reviews, blogs, and attractive advertising.  DJs are known to have an insatiable appetite for buying new gear, but maybe it’s time for a “DJ diet”?

 

  1. Is this purchase focused on the customer?

Most agree the only people who REALLY care about gear and specs are other industry professionals. In truth, clients don’t care about the “ingredients” (brands); all they want is the finished product to “taste good” (overall outcome). Before binging on new gear, focus on upgrading elements that genuinely enhance the guest experience. If your current setup is tidy, professional, and producing happy customers, consider holding off for something more meaningful like pizza or investments that uniquely elevate your “wow factor.”

 

  1. Have you REALLY outgrown your current gear?

I often encourage DJs to invest in things that make their job safer, faster, or more profitable. To help determine if an upgrade is necessary versus a “nice to have,” evaluate if you’re meeting the client’s expectations and how easy is it for you to accomplish those expectations? If you find yourself frequently turning down work because you cannot accommodate a request or are struggling to execute a task with the gear you currently use, then it may be time to upgrade or invest in something new. Otherwise, it may be a new toy rather than a vital tool.

 

  1. Have you mastered what you currently use?

That shift key on your controller unlocks another layer of features. If you didn’t know that, this paragraph is for you is for you! Mastering DJ hardware and software takes time and practice. With that said, professionals should develop the technical know-how to maximize the full potential of their gear. It is not uncommon for DJs to prematurely upgrade because they didn’t understand what they purchased in the first place or did not take the time to explore all the existing options. Before reaching into your wallet, make sure you intimately understand all available features with your current setup. Get comfortable with the strengths and limitations to determine if this would be an actual upgrade or a lateral move to something similar you’re already using; new doesn’t always mean better or different.

 

  1. Upgrading won’t make you a better DJ.

Buying new stuff often feels like the quickest way to improve, and while there may be some truth to having extra features and tools to attain a professional edge, it’s not going to ensure your stardom as a music festival headliner. The truth is that new speakers won’t mask poor music choice or the inability to read a crowd. Experience is the best teacher, not expensive gear. Upgrading may be a temporary motivator to put in additional time behind decks, but buying new tech won’t fix fundamental shortcomings. Learning and progressing as a DJ can be done on almost anything. Want to be a better entertainer? Focus on the basics and expand your creativity through experimentation.

 

  1. Have you budgeted for this expense?

Budget means spending with a purpose. Understanding the purpose of a budget gives more freedom and flexibility to purchase what you NEED when you actually NEED it. Make sure your budget doesn’t turn into a fad diet, meaning you have good intentions that fade away with every temptation that crosses your path. Proper finance management is essential for good business, and it is easy to do if you set realist goals and stick to them.  If you have unexpected equipment failure and haven’t explicitly set aside funds for anticipated upgrades, consider de-cluttering and offsetting some of the cost by selling older gear that’s collecting dust. Prioritize expenses and goals to eliminate frivolous purchases.

 

Technology is evolving faster than ever. This progress is a big win for the DJ industry; however, it can be overwhelming and confusing to know when to purchase the next best thing. With the constant pressure to streamline our workflow, maximize convenience, and blur the boundaries between DJing and producing, upgrading often seems like the right thing to do.

 

It’s easy to get caught up with the tech whirlwind and obsess over insecurities of not having the newest gear available. However, before opening up your wallet, I suggest an honest self-check to help determine if this upgrade is worth spending your hard-earned money or mere indulgence.

 

Fun, creative, and ambitious, DJ Rachel is making her mark as one of the top mobile DJs in the tri-state area. Her diversity as a DJ allows her to play at events that include MetLife Stadium (for the New York Jets) and serve as opening act for George Clinton Parliament Funkadelic and Gloria Gaynor. For more info visit: facebook.com/DJRachelRLynch

Would you play here?

By Tony Fernandez

The premise: Would you DJ at a venue that had everything laid out for you? All you have to bring is your headphones and your skills.  Gear is in the booth.  Computer is in the booth. Drinks are in the booth.  You get it.  However, there’s a catch (there’s always a catch) — you can ONLY play from the club-provided library.  You can NOT incorporate any of your music.  NO jump drives, no external drives, no streaming.  You play with what they give you.

On the surface, I get it. It does sound accommodating.  It sounds simple enough.  Even challenging.  And most DJs do like a good challenge.  A lot of DJs are of the opinion that this experiment wouldn’t be a big deal.  It would even be fun.

Can you tell where I’m going with this?  I have been in this exact scenario. I was not a fan.  I didn’t last long in the venue that had this system in place.  (More on that later…)

The largest problem with this setup is that you have no control over the most important piece of the puzzle:  the music library.  We all have our own way of organizing tracks.  We all have mixes and remixes that complement our “normal” tracks.  More importantly, we all know WHERE those choice mixes are on our drives.  If you walk into a construct like this, it’s a VERY tight sandbox.  Sure it can work for a night or three.  However, after time, it’s going to be suffocating because if the library isn’t keeping up with the demands of the night, well, to be redundant, it’s going to be suffocating.

What’s (kind of) is that I keep seeing scenarios creeping into the DJ world where alternatives are being developed to make the aspect of DJing “easier.” Not easier for the DJ, but easier for the people who have to deal with/hire the DJ.  So not only are there venues that are setting themselves up with complete turnkey systems and libraries  — did you know there is a company that is marketing a system to bars and clubs where a projector shoots an image of a DJ and the club can stream a mix from a library? In the end you get a projected DJ “playing” a set.

You don’t have to worry about AI taking the job from DJs some day in the future, it’s happening now.

So what can you do about it?  Be yourself.  KNOW your music.  Know your crowds. Know how to put those three things together and you’ll have a job that no one will take away from you because no one else or nothing else can be like you.

Okay, it’s later… So I was hired at a local club.  I was covering for other DJ’s nights off.  Things went well.  I was asked to become a regular.  I said yes. After about three months of filling in and regular residency I was presented with the “system.” Play ONLY from the club’s library.  I didn’t. The club’s library was, like, three months behind and guess what people were asking for — new stuff!  I kept bringing my library in to complement the club’s library.  After about three weeks of being insubordinate, I was fired. Rightfully so, may I add.  I did my job quite well but they didn’t like the fact that I was doing it with outside tools.

Fast forward three weeks: I get a call from the manager that fired me.  They needed a fill in.  I said sure. No hard feelings.  I come in and as I’m getting ready in the booth the manager proceeds to tell me that he heard about my night last week.  I did a 15-year anniversary party for a venue a block away. Ended up being on the outside patio. It was as great night.  Still can’t believe the cops weren’t called because I was BLARING the sound rig.  350 people on a patio that held 250.  Manager tells me that on Monday (after the patio party) the owner tells the bar staff that they should hire the DJ that was at the patio on Saturday.  Manager tells the owner… that’s the DJ you fired for bringing in the outside library.  You already had him here.

Moral of the story? I knew my job better than the guy that was paying me. I have no regrets about being fired.  Yes, I’d do it again.  I know my job. I won’t put myself in a scenario where I’m micro-managed to ONLY play THIS.  Being a DJ is fluid and non-linear.  If others can’t see that, I’ll keep on looking for those who can.

I’m going to keep stuffing my library with what works for me.  Hope you do the same.

Keep ‘em spinning.

Based out of Richmond, VA, DJ Tony Fernandez has been a DJ, Remixer, Producer, Musical Soothsayer and Audio Gear Oracle since 1980. Find him on Facebook. Email djtonytf@gmail.com

The ABCs of a successful website

by Lou Paris

Unless you have been under a rock you are more than aware of the juggernaut that is social media. And while Instagram and Facebook dominate the landscape there are of course a litany of other platforms out there, all vying for peoples eyeballs and clicks. But in this era of social media one should not lose focus on the most important presence one has in their arsenal, your website. 

Your website is your interactive business card, a platform for which you have complete control of, a source where you can shape your message and image like no other platform can. Social platforms or other properties like Wedding Wire or The Knot have a very specific design to adhere to making your presence at these locations very generic and ordinary.

With your own website you are presented an opportunity to wow your audience with amazing visuals, unique layouts, and engaging content. 

Now don’t get me wrong, social media is extremely important and you would be foolish not to have claimed at least your business name for each one, even the obscure ones. But these social outlets should be leveraged at the beginning of your sales funnel. You should reach out to your clients with engaging short content and images through these properties and lead them to your website where they can poke around and read the wealth of quality information that you can have on it. 

(I go into much greater detail on sales funnels and how to manage each aspect here) 

There are some professionals that to this day do not have a website and I can say with certainty they are missing out on opportunities. Survey after survey, poll after poll, people are looking to research and validate their choices.

If you lack a website presence some will simply
turn to the next vendor that does.
 

And if you do already have a site but have not tended to it over the months and years, it could bring more harm than good. Outdated designs, mobile compliance, even pictures that look dated could signal to a potential client that you are not keeping up with the times and could leave your business to slowly wither making you wonder why business has dried up. 

So what can you do? The good news is with the right amount of effort you can have a stunning website. There are a ton of beautiful pre-designed templates out there that can start you off on the good foot. It’s time to take the following steps to get your web presence in the modern age: 

a) If you have no website at all, and you don’t know where to start, hire a professional. Just as you feel a client should hire a DJ for their experience one should seek a professional web designer to establish a great web presence. If you have an existing site and it looks like it was made in 1998 and you feel overwhelmed I advise taking the same advice. 

b) If you don’t understand terms like SEO, see bullet point a. Just having a website is one thing, but ensuring that it can perform well in organic searches is paramount. It would be akin to having a new sporty car in your driveway but never taking it out for a spin. 

c) Sell on your services, not on your equipment. I see this repeated time and time again. Do not chat up about the specific model of equipment you have, or that you have millions of songs, or that you have moving heads. Clients do not care about this (for the most part). They are looking for an experience. They are looking to see how you set yourself apart from the crowd and how you will make their event extraordinary. Sell on your services. Sell on your quality. Sell you. 

d) Produce quality content. Sites will become stale if you are not nurturing what you have established. Pen the occasional article that will speak to your audience on a more personal level. Create reasons for people to come to your website, 

Realize the opportunities that you have to promote your business with a quality web presence. More than ever, it’s the most important tool in your arsenal. 

About: Lou Paris started his DJ career in 1988 and also a successful IT career in 1996 with stints at the DOJ & the FBI. He is the owner of Paris Creative, a solo wedding DJ operation in the Hudson Valley area of NY and founder of eCUEity, building the next generation event-planning platform. Email:  lou@pariscreative.com 

Remixes or Nah?

By Tony Fernandez

Alright Chil’dren, gather round now. It’s time for a dose of straight talk.  This time ‘round, let’s talk about remixes.

It occurs to me that remixes in the DJ community live in this weird universe.  DJs love ‘em. DJ’s hate them.  DJ’s live by them or die by them. Some DJ’s are all about them, some DJ’s have no use for them.

Guess where we’re going with this….

For those who know me or for those who have seen my play logs, it’s no mystery I’m a fan of the remix. But the “secret” to the remix game (if you will) is playing the RIGHT remix.

Keep up with me…

Let’s back up for a second here, I do realize that not EVERY event or EVERY song calls for a remix to be played or a remix to be made.  There are songs that are fantastic on their own merit.  There are events that do not warrant the programming of remixes.  I get it.  However… instead of looking at things you can’t do, let’s take the approach of what you CAN do.

Remixes are your friends.  When you pick the right remix and program it accordingly, you can really create a magical moment.  Picking the right remix is like choosing the right wine with your meal.  It can make or break the moment.  Remixes should not be played just because there is a remix. Trust me, there are just as many BAD remixes as there are good remixes.  Probably more bad ones than good ones.  While good is subjective, there is the right remix of the right song, for the right moment.

Think about this… As DJs, we all pretty much have access to the same music.  It doesn’t matter what record pool or subscription service you’re enrolled in. And this isn’t being said to be disparaging to pools and services.  The reality is we ALL have access to the same content.  As such, we need to be able to stand out and be different; that’s where the remix comes in.

Now I’m not going to tell you what remixes to play, nor the how or the when to play them.  I have my hands full taking care of my dance floor.  But I will suggest that you stretch out your pallet.  Increase the toys in your sand box.  On one hand you don’t need to figure out how to play the future progressive gabber trap remix of that 90’s track.  On the other hand, having a fun new remix that holds true to the original, can breathe some new life into a track, into a set.  And that’s a win for everyone.

Now I gotta go digging for my unreleased, bootleg ,white label, limited release, can only get from the producer remixes.  Go get your own.

Keep ‘em spinning.

Based out of Richmond, VA, DJ Tony Fernandez has been a DJ, Remixer, Producer, Musical Soothsayer and Audio Gear Oracle since 1980. Find him on Facebook. Email djtonytf@gmail.com

 

Are you sending your clients to VoiceJail?

By Mitch Taylor

Let’s face it… voicemail should be called voiceJAIL.  Why?  Because that’s the feeling most clients get when they call and get sent to your voicemail.  They feel stuck, and often don’t know how to respond or where to go from there.  Why? Because your voicemail probably sucks. Don’t tell me about how you need to stay professional or how you put on your best DJ voice and tell people that their call is important to you. Um… hello? If their call is that important to you, you would answer the phone!

People don’t want to “leave a message after the tone” — they want to talk with you.

We are in the fun business, not the DJ business.  We need to keep every part of our interaction with today’s clients as upbeat as possible.  How can you do that?  It begins by providing clients everything they need to know about you in your voicemail.

Let’s break this down.

Make it fun: Showcase your humor if you’re funny, if you’re not, forget it.  Tell a (very) brief story.  Keep it upbeat and interesting and throw a curveball whenever you can.  People are expecting the same lame “leave a message after the tone”.  Don’t give it to them.  Give them something different and get creative.

Keep it brief:  It today’s world, people don’t have time to spare.  Give them the information they need without droning on about your physical address, where you are across from or spouting out the “www” in your web address (here’s a clue: you DON’T need to say the “www” anymore).

Be Friendly: This is NOT the time to show off your resonant DJ voice.  Actually speak like you speak to your significant other or your best friend.  Fake is out — especially when you’re trying to make a good first impression and connect with the human on the other end of the phone.

Voicemail is often your first point of contact. Make it different, keep it short, be upbeat and watch your connections soar just by being you and a little bit weird!

Mitch Taylor has worked in the Mobile Disc Jockey industry for over two decades, first cutting his teeth as an on-board club DJ for Carnival Cruise Lines. In addition to owning and operating Taylored Weddings in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, he is a sought-after speaker and Gitomer Certified Advisor whose sales training, books, coaching and workshops are in high demand all over the country. 

 

 

 

Rock Music At Weddings?

By Brian Buonassissi

Recently, a wedding industry pro asked me, “What Rock N Roll songs are you playing at weddings these days?” The question needs a bit of clarifying as that is such a broad genre – is this 50s rock, classic rock, current rock, etc.? It turns out the question was supposed to be broad.  This got me thinking about which ones are popular and which ones I still use. I really do try to keep my programming as fresh as possible and lean towards more current music. Also, being a destination-based DJ, the programming varies much more than a local market DJ.  However, they are some rock classics that, for the moment, always seem to find their way into my wedding sets. Because they are truly “classics” (in my opinion, this is due to their sing-a-long quality), I really don’t think they need a remix. In fact, remixes can hurt these tracks more than they help. I would never play all these songs in one event (usually I’ll use 1-3 max) but here’s a few that still work well:

*You Shook Me All Night Long – ACDC
*Back In Black – ACDC
*Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard
*We Will Rock You – Queen
*I Love Rock N Roll – Joan Jett (yes, I’d qualify this as Rock – has it right in the title)
*Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
*Living On A Prayer – Bon Jovi (Jersey crowds for sure)
*Take Me Home Tonight – Eddie Money

Then there are some classics that when mashed with a current song’s beat or done with a redrum (modern drumbeat) work extremely well because the hooks of the song are so recognizable.  Here’s a few that I tend to use (again not all done at one wedding – a selection of 2-3 per wedding is usually just the right amount):

*Carry On My Wayward Son – Kansas
*Sweet Child O Mine – Guns N Roses
*Jump – Van Halen
*Peace Of Mind – Boston
*Mr. Jones – Counting Crows
*Edge Of Seventeen – Stevie Nicks
*Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen

Where Rock where lives right now with the Millennial generation of brides and grooms (which is the bulk of most of our clients) is in the 90s-2000s era.  Rock songs from that time period that you’d never play during their heyday absolutely crush at weddings right now. In a lot of cases, the originals suffice just fine (though I have a ton of mashups with the hooks of these tracks). I play on average about 6-7 of these type songs per wedding – whereas maybe 5 years ago, hip hop classics or pop hits would make up the bulk of my wedding dance song selections.  The crazy part is that lyrically these songs are probably the furthest from true wedding content that you’d want but nobody seems to care now.  A good song is a good song.  Here’s a sampling of some that work super well for me (the key is when and HOW you mix them in).

*Mr. Brightside – The Killers
*The Middle – Jimmy Eat World
*I Write Sins Not Tragedies – Panic At The Disco
*My Own Worst Enemy – Lit
*Crazy Bitch – Buckcherry
*Stacy’s Mom – Fountains Of Wayne

So that leaves us with today’s alternative rock songs. I have to be honest – this genre has been dormant for at least the last several years as far as wedding dance floor fillers. There might be 1-2 tracks a year that seem to gain a bit of traction, but they never tend to last long and most are not for prime time dancing. There are some electronic rock or indie rock songs that work well for me during cocktail hour and/or dinner.  Here’s a few that may get used at a wedding of mine:

*High Hopes – Panic At The Disco (probably will fade out shortly)
*Broken – lovelytheband (also will fade out as it falls off the charts)
*Handclap – Fitz & The Tantrums
*Feel It Still – Portgual. The Man
*Heartlines – Broods
*Kangaroo Court – Capital Cities
*Let It Go – James Bay
*Take The World – JOHNNYSWIM
*What You Know – Two Door Cinema

DJs: What are you using these days in the rock category? Any that seem to get a great response?  Any outliers? Send me a note and let me know.

Based out of NYC, DJ Brian Buonassissi is a successful internationally traveling DJ/MC specializing in luxury destination private events.  He runs a multi-city mobile DJ/event business with satellite offices in Southern California, Scottsdale, AZ Destin, FL, Tallahassee, FL and New York City.  You can connect with him at brian@djbrianbofficial.com.

The REAL job of DJing

By DJ Rachel Lynch

With technology at the forefront of our industry, the term “button-pusher” DJ has become quite the buzzword. While some may feel that technology has cheapened the art of being a DJ, I say being a button pusher has little to do with using the sync button or available technology. What separates a button-pusher DJ from a great DJ is understanding the “why” behind pushing play.

Music is an extremely personal and powerful thing. It is how we communicate, reminisce, pay tribute, cope, grieve, show love, have fun and connect with others. Humans are naturally social creatures, and our purpose as a DJ is to create meaningful interactions that link these experiences. Truthfully, our job has more to do with being a social scientist than being a DJ. Fundamentally, we aren’t in the business of music; we are in the business of people. This is true for sales, marketing, and our dancefloor.

In our search to become a “great DJ,” we often focus on gear, technology, scratching, and software. However, hype dancefloors and amazing parties are not created by just dropping bangers, mixing by ear or infusing technical scratch patterns into our sets. They are created by intelligently and consciously using tempo, volume, timing, mood, and social science to entice the audience.

The goal? Create a shared experience: Understanding why and how people are influenced by sound is what is going to set you apart from the button pushers. A successful event is not just about what you played; it’s about why you played it. The purpose of this piece is to encourage DJs to be more conscious of their music soundscapes and changeup predicable formula driven sets.

It has been scientifically proven that music can change how fast we walk, influence what we buy or drink, dictate how long we hang around, alter our general attitude, and how we interact in groups. When a DJ is conscious of how their soundscape is affecting the emotional and physical actions of their audience they have tapped into the social science of being a DJ. Some may call it “reading a crowd,” but it is much deeper than that. You may look at the audience and gauge what to play based on their age, gender, or common stereotypes, but this is only scratching the surface to creating a compelling set.

A skill I developed to be more influential with music is to focus less on recipe based elements of mixing like BPM, key signature, and genre and focus more on creating anticipation with the mood and overall vibe of my track selection. A song might technically fit the current style being played or blend well with the BPM and key signature, but the spirit can be entirely off base and trash the dancefloor.

Experienced DJs will not just stick to technically compatible songs in their sets but will rather focus on influencing what the audience will do and feel. Does this song sound aggressive? Soulful? Happy? Romantic? Sad? Sexual? Is this making it easier to socialize? Will people feel energized by hearing this?

This strategy is about creating thoughtful arcs of energy. I have found greater success in pushing and pulling my audience by motivating with mood instead of being locked into recipe-like based elements such as BPM, key signature, and genre. I’m not dismissing these fundamentals but rather permitting myself to deviate from technically based sets to be more unique and creative.

Being a button pusher DJ is not defined with or without the use of the sync button. It’s about the ability to adapt, observe and yes, understand the social psychology of your audience. Ultimately this is why great DJs will not be replaced by streaming apps or “intelligent” automix programs anytime soon. There are too many considerations that artificial intelligence isn’t capable of processing.

Good DJs are experts of empathy. The next time you play, do so with purpose, intent, and temptation.

Fun, creative, and ambitious, DJ Rachel is making her mark as one of the top mobile DJs in the tri-state area. Her diversity as a DJ allows her to play at events that include MetLife Stadium (for the New York Jets) and serve as opening act for George Clinton Parliament Funkadelic and Gloria Gaynor. For more info visit: facebook.com/DJRachelRLynch

Drip, Drip, Drip…

By Eric Wenning

I hoping I have your attention now, considering that my title sounds like the chorus of a Trap Song!

Do you have a proper Email Drip Delay Sequence setup for your follow ups? Did you just scratch your head, asking “What is an Email Drip Delay Sequence?”

I thought you’d never ask!

An Email Drip Delay Sequence is an automated series of emails sent out over a series of specific days to help gradually build rapport with your leads. For example, after speaking with a lead, you would enter their info into an email sequence that will automatically follow up with them on the days you select, for example on days 3, 5, 7, etc.

You get the idea.

This is crucial nowadays with Millennials loving to email and text, and allows you to build trust by providing a steady drip of information to guide them towards choosing your company — without doing any work, other than your initial setup of the sequence!

As I teach my students all the time: You have to be creative with your copy to gain their attention. Even more importantly is the subject line! Most DJs have no clue how to use something as simple as a compelling subject line to get a better open rate.

Here are a few examples to help you: 

  • Adding Custom Symbols, First Names and Hashtags
  • Adding Emojis to your Subject Line
  • Adding ‘Blank Space’ before your Subject Line provides an indent
  • [Adding Brackets]
  • Ask a Question?

Just think how many junk emails you get in one day. More than you can count right? You need to make your emails stand out from everything else. Get creative; give crazy weird stats to pique curiosity; engage with them to build report.

“Did you know 67% of Brides forget Deodorant on their Wedding Day?” See, now I have you curious wondering if that many Brides actually are “un-Sure.”

If you want to increase your closing ratio, set up an email drip delay and execute better subject lines to get your prospects to open your emails and engage with you more.

P.S. 89% of people that read a 400-word article only retain 150 words!

In addition to his highly successful multi-op business in Pittsburgh, PA, Eric has degrees in Graphic Design and Marketing and also owns a full ad agency that specializes in Social Media Advertising for many different types of companies. For more info or to contact Eric visit www.wenningmethod.com