what's peoples opinions on receiving text requests, I've read on here about DJ's having it as an option and just wondered if it was a success or not.??

Ive not tryed it and it sounds like a good idea but i would rather a seperate number for this purpose though

I unfortunately have been unlucky enough to experience txt requests and i can assure you its not funny getting 10 txt messages for the same song from the same person.

I use this, and at the right function it can work. I use a seperate PAYG sim card for this though which has a seperate number from my main business ones and I only switch this sim in when I have a gig (Twin sim holders for Mobile Phones are a great invention! ). This idea only really works with High School gigs, 18th's, pubs etc - basically young crowds but it does give you an edge.

I also put the "Text your request to the D.J on....." onto the bottom of all my request slips so its there if anybody wants to use it.

OOOOoooooooo I couldnt be bothered,
Do you keep your mobiles in your pocket on vibrate then? cause I sure wouldnt hear mine if I was to receive a text..........mind you I dont even hear it now when it rings


Could you imagine if I done a karaoke like that!!! it would drive me insane,

Text, oh no no no no
Tried it didn't work as I would like so sacked it off

Okay thats cool, I guess it's a no no then. It is a bit of a pain having to check your mobile every so often to see if anybody's text you.
Thanks for the replies!

I'll go and type up my next post!

Hey wait.... Me, me, me...

I've been using text requests for about 3 years now, and not only am I finding it successful, but also it gets work in... especially when fully exploited...

I seriously believe in requests making the night alot smoother. and also helping to break the ice. I've used paper request slips since the beginning of my DJ'ing career and ANY way of making it easier/novel for a person to request a tune is another "right!".

My paper request slips introduce me, invite the reader to jot down three requests that they'd like to DANCE to....not just "tapping their foot to", then a space with "Requested by....". The slip also has my mobile number on it for SMS's.

Heres the clever bits...on the back of the paper requests, I write the table number, or location of where the request slip was put..eg: Table 6, The bar, Table 24, top table etc..etc...this way, when I play their request, I can say "and this goes out to all on TABLE 24, lets see everyone on that table come up and dance..." even if the "Requested by..." was left blank.

SMS requests however, prove to be useful, not only on the night...but afterwards. Heres why. Unlike mobile phone VOICE calls, there is no way of hiding/withholding your mobile number on an outgoing SMS from the handset... at the end of each night I therefore have a list of mobile numbers of some of the people who attended "Steve & Sarahs do on the 5th May", or the "Daves 19th Birthday"...

I then send SMS mailshots to the groups of people eg:

"Hi there... It looked like everyone enjoyed the music at Steve & Sarahs Wedding on the 5th of May, should you require a disco for any occasion in the future, please call me. Thanks Gary, (Steve & Sarahs DJ)."

Out of the three years I've been taking SMS requests, only the last 2 years have really caught on with SMS requests, probably due to more people moving onto tariffs with "so many" Txt's free per month. However, I have had around half a dozen bookings from the txt mailshots.

Good it works for you Gary,but i would hasten to add that i play requests and believe in requests making a smoother gig,but txt requests backfired terribly on me.
Never again

I was honestly going to try it this weekend for the first time at a younger wedding, was going to get a PAYG though, may still try it and let you know the outcome

This sounds like a sound idea!! something to think about but more & more people are buying mobile phones at it seems like the in thing. But do people really want to waste 10p or 12p on a txt when the DJ is 7 or 8yards away?? something for me to try!!!

Older people think like that youngests seem to text people standing next to them, ask (or text any 13 year old, my daughter once had a text conversation of 43 messages)

I use uboot.com to send text messages via the PC, since my phone tariff is an old one with 0 free texts but plenty of free minutes which suits me better . I also think it's pointless and time consuming fiddling about with a tiny phone keypad when you can type and send them from the PC in seconds!.

Uboot isn't free anymore, but I get 200 free txt's per month for a £9.99 subscription every 6 Months. So 1200 text messages for £9.99 isn't bad considering that at the standard rate of 12p per text, it would cost me £144 to send the same amount from my mobile - a Saving of £134.01. Not a bad deal.

I no what your saying at i agree with you. But my brother is 14 he has a mobile and he hardley uses it but maybe hes the odd one who doesn't but it will be interesting for me to try it in one of my next young ish gigs to see what kind of responce i get.

I also use texts, and have my number displayed on my moving sign on the gantry. Ok a lot of people won't text requests, but I find there are a heck of a lot who will because they are too shy/lazy/pis**d to come up to the stage! It is good for repeat bookings too as Gary said.

Works for me!

Spin

Text requests - not for me.... I dont wanna be robo -dj! No matter what the business, customers will always prefer the "personal touch" (oo er missus!). I often go round each table at the beginning of a function and introduce myself and spend a couple of minutes chatting to the guests before I do the formal announcements. Whilst I am sure that text requests do have some benefits, I just think that it is another way of giving a dj that "unapproachable" image.
My mic is used to encourage requests.... and if people are seriously going to book you because they have enjoyed themselves then you are going to get that repeat booking anyway... they will ask you for a card or their mate for your number.
I can only imagine doing text requests for some of the schools that I do..... some of the kids would use the opportunity - but not for requests!

Aha! slight mis-understanding here perhaps... I offer text requests as an addition to paper requests, requests in person, requests as they visit me, requests as I go around tables (handing out request slips and pencils), requests as I go to the bar..etc..etc..

So, I still give them the personal touch, but I always wash my hands afterwards...

Yep Kazzi Wazzi Woo, I'm with Gary on this one. My Text Number is printed on the bottom of my printed request slips which are distributed around the tables and left on the bar etc. I always use the mic, to let the audience know that we do take requests. I just see the Text Option as being just that....an OPTION, rather than a must

Fair dos! I just see it as an option for the idiots to abuse it - the lilly livered cowards are more likely to send an insulting text as they are to come up to you in person and insult you face to face! Im not against the idea... its just not for me.