Hey guys. Well I finally have my van ready and waiting, with my kit waiting for my first booking.

I have 500 business cards on the way, and a website which people can visit using the link printed on the card, complete with my prices (£60-80 at present...might change it to £80-100).

My plan is to go around all my local pubs once the cards get here, and see if they need a DJ any time soon... or over xmas. I'm also thinking of popping some cards in local shop windows and those card dispensers you get in 'tesco' and the like.

I'm just a bit nervous, as once I start advertising... it should just be a matter of time before I get a booking..

Would you guys say, customers care greatly about the kit you have? I know compared to many others on here... mine is very minimalist as I am just starting up. I currently have:

* Laptop
* Dual CD-Player/Mixer
* Pre-Amp/Equaliser
* 200w Amp
* 400w Amp
* Two speakers
* Two lights
* T bar stand for the lights
* Smoke Machine
* Small strobe

I just don't think it will have the 'wow' factor of loads of speakers and lights. I know once I get my first few bookings, that I want to invest in another two speakers. So, two speakers per amplifier.

Would you guys say I have enough kit to start-up and get going? I just don't want to turn up to my first gig and have someone say along the lines of 'is that all you got?'.

A few things.......

First the price £60-£80 is a fair reflection on the fact that you are new and the kit you carry, you will be able to increase your prices as your experience and kit grows.

I would think you may be better getting a few more lights when you can afford them (have a look on ebay and in Cash Generators or such).

I've looked at your site and have a couple of comments......
Your wedding prices £150-£300 would be ok but I would advise against taking a wedding on until you have more experience.
You have pluralised your kit, smoke machines strobes etc. also smoke and strobes are not a particularly good selling point as most venues wont allow smoke machines and strobes are not very good for the infirm and epileptics.

On the website you have a link to a photographers site, he has a heading there saying he is your official photographer (quite good!) but then it gets BAD. He states that he can only do outside work because his flash is broke, any person who is the slightest bit intrested in photography would replace a broken flash gun instantly, also the bottom picture in his gallery is a picture of you sticking your fingers up, would you book a DJ that has a picture of that as publicity?

Jim

Thanks Jim.

I agree with you on the weddings, I really want to just start small and go from there :-)

I have had a chat with my friend and will get that joke image removed. I'll also mention to him about the flash.

He is recommending me, and vice versa which is helpful as he tends to get a fair bit of work.

I do intend to get some more lights, Apart from 'getting to gig' costs, I imagine I'll end up spending pretty much everything made on the first few gigs upgrading the lights.

Thanks again Jim. I'll be sure to let everyone know once I get the first gig, I can tell already that I will probably end up scheduling everything for that night just to make the chance of anything going wrong as small as possible

I couldn't find your site, so can't comment, but as Jim said, I certainly wouldn't put yourself about as a wedding DJ just yet, at any price, as these events are just too important for a newbie, too easy to foul up, and as many of the guests are there against their wishes, these nights can on occasions be really difficult to get through with only a little experience.

I'd say your starting prices are fine for the moment - you can't hope to command decent money unless you can offer something above and beyond the run-of-the-mill disco.

I would say by far the best way to get started is to 'suggest' that friends and relatives hold perties for themselves - maybe with you doing the disco for £20 of so; There's no profit in it, but that initial experience you'll gain is priceless.

Good luck, but don't go out of your depth yet - not until you are sure you can swim well.

It's at the bottom of his post.

Jim

Hi Craig
i have to totally agree with Jims comments above.
now none of us are trying to knock you with the comments on here but we can all remember (only just) when we first started out djing and it was a great buzz for a new dj just getting started and we couldnt wait to get out on the road. the best advice i can give is take your time and dont rush into things.

looking at your site you say that no event is too big or too small. lets say for example you get a booking for 150-200 people. do you have access to any other equipment ie. speakers as i dont think 2 speakers would be enough for that amount of people. a pair of speaker stands will help slightly as this will help the sound travel over peoples heads and not get lost if they were just placed on the floor.

are you CIB registered? i think you will need this if you are offering events for childrens partys.

as Jim stated, a couple more lights would help a great deal. best place to look is right here on DJU for gear that is being sold. LOOK HERE


also have a read through this
Getting Started. The DJU Bible


i think your friend the photographer needs to delete a couple of pictures off his site. firstly as Jim pointed out the one with you sticking your fingers up and more importantly the second entry in his guestbook witch includes a picture on the homepage link and is very rude and offensive to certain people.

apart from that your website looks quite good.
dont take any of the above comments to heart as we are all here to try and help all you new djs out.
good luck with your first gig and dont forget to let us know how you got on.
Jim

hi mate better site than mine, i aint got one.

but check your spelling and grammar. i noticed a double L where not needed and resource was spelt wrong.

needs to be right for the web site, not so important in a forum.

As well as what the other guys have said, i'll add my two penneth, which is simply to HAVE FUN!

Obviously you have to provide the professional and quality service that you have mentioned on your site, but that doesn't stop you enjoying the evening too.

My first ever gig was a freebie for a mate. That aside, it was still a room full of people I didn't know, and we set up in a corner, with a tiny powered mixer off of ebay for a tenner, 2 unbranded £60 speakers, some hi-fi seperate CD players and a case of CDs we'd mustered up between us. Your initial setup is far superior to what we had, and you've got more lighting!

Now, just over 2 years on, we're about to do our second new year gig for nearly £700, and have just bought an overhead light bar to house our new 4 light and 2 laser light show on...plus after new year we're loking to upgrade to the new Numark (forgoten the model!) hard drive controller.

However smal you start off, if you have a blast on your first night and enjoy it, then give it a few months and you'll be like a duck in water! :)

Quote Jim:
"It's at the bottom of his post."

Thanks Jim - presumably it's in his sig, and as I have sigs turned off I didn't see it.

OK - Woohoo! Someone who is cheaper than me!!
Sorry.

Nice basic page, but a bit too wide perhaps. I feel it would sit better on the screen if the main content was centred rather than being shoved left.

Other than that, not a bad start.
I'll have a closer look later.

Im not plugging my kit too much but......
Just one word of advice before you start....
I would really see if their is a local forum member who would be willing to let you tag along with them to a gig of theirs, I did that when I first started and it really does help a lot.

I will have shortly a complete disco setup and trailer to lug it all round in, could be just what your looking for and it will be going at a really good price.

I cant remember all the kit off the top of my head but....
some of the kit included will be this.

4x Datamoons + Simple DMX Control
4x Mad Scans + Simple DMX Control
4x Par Cans
1x LED Light screens
2x Truss Stands
1x 3m BiTruss with IEC Sockets on the truss and pre-wired bar
1x 4ft Girarfe Stand

Plus loads and loads of other bits which I aint got round to listing just yet, I should be doing a complete inventory of equipment included very soon.

Its pretty much the setup that can be seen in my avatar photo (with the exception of my speakers) and if you would like to view more photos of the complete setup then have a look at the Galary section of my website.

Let me know if your interested mate, cheers

I hope I am not speaking out of turn here but there is a monthly meeting of the Wales branch of NADJ either first Monday or first Tuesday of the month and its usually in South Wales and very accessible.

There are plenty of DJs of all levels of age and experience there and they would be very happy to help in any way they can.

Perhaps send me a PM and I will find out details for you.

Their you go Craig....

Phils just invited you to a Welsh NADJ meeting....great way to meet local DJs and discuss ideas for setups and the best way to do everything DJ related......
And Im trying to flog you some gear....

Your sorted fella LOL

There is lots of good advice above which I am sure will help you. I would agree with the fact that it is your lighting that needs some money spending on it before you look at multiple sets of speakers. I also agree with the fact that weddings are best not undertaken at the start, see if you can get yourself a night or two at a local pub and/or shadow another local dj for a couple of nights. Finally, I notice on your website that you seem to have only listed a mobile number. Giving customers the option of a landline is often advisable.

Hope this helps. Good Luck.