What Happens At A Client Meeting?

After I have been contacted by a client on the telephone or by email one or several times, we usually arrange to meet. This is a great time to come face to face and discuss what a potential client's needs are. By getting together, we can go over every aspect of that client's upcoming function. For example, we can pull together a basic blueprint as to how a wedding reception is to proceed. This entails breaking the evening down and mapping out how each portion will play out. This is important because it provides me with a heads up as to what I need to be doing next. Even more importantly, it allows the bride and groom to plan in advance so that their celebration is cohesive, relaxed and fun. I do supply a questionnaire (there is also one online too), which gets bridal couples thinking about what they would like included - or excluded - in their reception. Sometimes contracts are reviewed and signed. Other times, clients will think about what we have discussed and get back to me later. In any event, the purpose of the sit down is never to coerce a potential client to sign "on the dotted line" then and there. The most important aspect of the meeting is to get to know each other so that we can begin working as a team to make that reception, party, etc. tasteful, memorable and entertaining. Although I have planned affairs via the telephone exclusively for clients who were out of state and were coming into town for just that occasion, getting together in person is really the best way to go. Additionally, with reference to wedding receptions, I usually will have a second sit down about four or five weeks prior to the reception. Sometimes things or circumstances have changed which warrant a modified itinerary. It's ok and these things happen all the time. Of course, I am available anytime to answer questions via telephone or email. I once had a bride who called me two hours before her wedding to change a song! No problem!

The Informed Consumer

A tire kicker is one who shops and makes a financial decision based solely on cost. I do receive calls like that all the time - how much do you charge for, let's say, five hours? It's a very logical question, but it is asked at the wrong time and for the wrong reason at the beginning of the conversation, instead at the end. Selecting a disc jockey for your wedding reception or party is not the same as walking into the local hardware store and asking for a gallon of paint. Why? Because shopping solely for price is a disservice to you! Tire kickers haven't given much thought to what that disc jockey will mean in terms of the overall success of their affair. Yes, pricing is important. Disc jockeys will vary in terms of their fees. That's more because of the nature of their business model, availability, staffing and a host of other factors concerning their business. That does not necessarily translate into a benefit to you! I like clients who tell me about their needs and what they are looking for. When they ask about me and what I have to offer, I am more than happy to explain. By having such a dialog, we both can build upon a relationship with your event in mind. I can't do that if the first and only question is "How much do you charge?" Pricing, then, should figure in near the end of the conversation. Remember, if you don't like what you are being quoted, you make the decision as to what you want to do. But you do so knowing a lot more than what you knew in the beginning. And that new found information makes you a better consumer. So, don't be a tire kicker! It can really cost you more than you think in the end!

When Should I Use A Disc Jockey?

Let's say you are planning an event. You're not sure about whether to have a mobile disc jockey. Sometimes, you don't need one! If your occasion is a small, informal gathering and the flow and timing of the evening are not an issue, you may be better off without one. But if your event requires the coordinated efforts of a professional disc jockey, it is money well invested. Wedding receptions, for example, are not for the faint at heart. They are the end result of months of planning. It takes considerable expertise for a mobile disc jockey to fully master a reception from start to finish. That's why you will see a wedding questionnaire on this website. Those are just some of the questions that come to mind. Often there are more, for example, when a couple chooses to marry and have their reception at the same locale. Will your professional disc jockey be a part of the ceremony? I have been asked may times to participate. There is much to consider. A professional disc jockey will also work with your other vendors - the hall staff, the photographer, videographer, live musicians, etc. Is that disc jockey a team player? After all, your wedding reception is a team effort. By having someone coordinate between you and your vendors, your reception can run seamlessly without you having to be interrupted on the day you should be having the time of your life. Do you think an Ipod can do all of this? Lastly, most people are surprised to learn their professional disc jockey is one of their LEAST expensive cash outlays in terms of the total cost of their wedding reception. In fact, independent surveys have shown that most brides, when asked what was the one thing they would have done differently regarding their reception planning, their response was that they would have spent more time choosing their entertainment AND would have spent more money!

My Rates

As a rule, I do not post my rates. You will find most mobile disc jockeys or DJ companies don't either. There are several reasons. First, no two affairs are the same. They will vary in preparation time, travel, length of the event and a host of additional factors which I can only ascertain by discussing what your needs are. Second, I don't need other disc jockeys trying to undercut me. They visit my website regularly. I have been at this long enough not to get caught up in a pricing battle. Third, although a typical event contracted is four hours, some clients may need more or less of a commitment. By having set rates, the flexibility disappears - and that does not benefit my customers. Fourth, I do not offer "packages" or other online "gimmicks" or "discounts." That practice may be fine for the big disc jockey companies, but since I do all of my own work, my clients receive 150% of what I have to offer. I just couldn't have it any other way. Lastly, by assessing your needs, we can arrive at a price which is fair so then I can move on to more important things - like working with you to make your dream affair the very best!

On the radio...

On Friday and Saturday night I play "the legends and icons of rock n' roll." I salute on WBCB (1490 AM), or on the web @ www.wbcb1490.com, the greatest songs of all time mostly from the '50's and '60's. There are two reasons. First, my love of the music of that time period - rock n' roll, r & b, soul, girl groups and much more. I am not talking about the recycled stuff you hear on oldie stations - but the artists and groups that made radio dynamic and exciting. Second, there is a very receptive audience. If one were to go up and down the commercial radio dial, the legends and icons of rock n' roll are simply not being played. They are being lost to time. I want to keep that memory alive.

Sometimes, though, clients will confuse what I play on the radio with what I would feature at their events. What I play on the radio, or the format, is different from what I would do at your event. Although my radio experience is invaluable, mobile sound system performances are somewhat different. My song selection spans the 1920's to today's block buster hits. It's all about the music and good times when I host your affair. So, don't be afraid to ask. Although I work in two mediums, I am very capable of adjusting to either being on the air or at your wedding reception or corporate event. I have close to 30,000 song titles. I love music from just about any era. My versatility becomes your asset!

My Email Address

Just a reminder that I can be reached @ brookssaintives@AOL.com and I stand ready to help you make your next wedding, party or whatever the very best!

What Is This Blog All About?

I am launching this blog as a way of reaching out to my listeners and clients. This blog will serve as a great way of providing you with information regarding my services - and how I may be an asset to you when you are planning your next special event. I have plenty of experience in both the broadcasting and mobile disc jockey fields. Instead of posting generic pages on my website as to why you should contract with me, this blog will address your questions directly and honestly. Even if you decide not to have me host your next important affair, you will have at least gone away knowing something you may not have been aware of before. This will be quite an experience, and I am really looking forward to it!