Guerrilla Marketing - Fundamentals First

Here are some fundamental marketing rules for living life in the slow (but safe) lane:
Ensure all marketing collateral (web and offline) are in synch - invest sufficient time and resources to ensure there are no discrepancies between them to build a cohesive brand that effectively communicates what you do.

Take time to really evaluate business opportunities, don’t just blast through relationships, meetings or assessments - many times you can build viable partnerships by sitting down and taking a hard look at how third parties complement your business and vice versa.

Use the web for what’s its really meant for - as a highway for communications and commerce, its not the “saving grace” its been touted to be by many companies; 87% of Internet users today utilize the web to research goods and services.

Make time to look at your competitors, whether they are across the road or on the other side of the world - the web has created a commerce model where a competitor is just a click away; so carefully analyze what your competitors are doing.

Communicate with your customers and partners - it doesn’t do much good to build a beautiful web site that does not make it easy for people to contact your company. I’ve seen hundreds of web sites the last year that don’t have e-mail contacts or phone numbers listed prominently - take/make time to build a site that lets people communicate with you.

Hire people with some gray hairs - they may not flash the latest PDA at you or wear the latest trendy clothes, but many of them have years of experience building companies slowly and carefully, by paying attention to business fundamentals. I’ve got nothing against youth, but it seems like many over 40-somethings got left by the wayside in the .com mania and to the detriment of many companies.

Think small when your building a business, the billion dollar days are gone with last year’s PR hyperbole. I get no royalties from E.F. Shumacher, but I really think his “Small is Beautiful As if People Mattered” is a wonderful book and the forward is done by Paul Hawken, a brilliant serial entrepreneur, well known for his landmark PBS (Public Broadcasting Service for global readers) series on “Growing a Business” that inspired many of us to take the entrepreneurial plunge.

For the official Guerrilla Marketing website –
go to: http://www.gmarketing.com
To learn more about The Guerrilla Marketing Association –
go to: http://www.guerrillamarketingassociation.com

Tactics and Strategies for the Online DJ

Chances are, if you’re reading this, you are online and own internet access. Don’t laugh. There are other ways that you could gain access to this information. A friend could print it out and hand it to you. Alternatively, you could view it through someone else’s computer.

The latter scenarios aside, for this article we’ll assume that you own your own internet access. And if you’re not: “Shame on you.” Are you still playing cassettes and spinning 45s too?

I’ve been asked by Mobile Beat to put together a series of articles together for the online edition of the magazine. And seeing the fine series that other writers have done, such as the excellent articles on hiring by the artist formerly known as DJ Mike Walter, I felt that a series wrapped around computers would be appropriate. 

This series seems better suited for the online edition of Mobilebeat, because chances are you are online while you’re reading it.

In the upcoming weeks and months, we’ll cover: music editing and production, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), website design and creation, email marketing, auto responders, and more.

I will cover basic and advanced topics that mobile Djs can benefit from. Having been online for over 15 years, I have accumulated more than a fair amount of experience in the eve changing world of the internet. This includes designing my own website by hand, writing the HTML code because products like Dreamweaver and Frontpage didn’t exist. 

I registered my name as a domain name (which everyone should) and will cover how and why you should in a future article. It amazes me that everyone, not only Djs, doesn’t register their name as a domain name. Here’s one thing to keep in mind until the article is published: Do you have an ex (girlfriend or boyfriend) that you aren’t on the best of terms with? If you answered, “Yes,” imagine what would happen if that ex registered your name as a domain. They could post anything they want on that page.

If your clients did a Google search on your name, chances are that the registered domain would rank the highest. What would your ex put on that page?

Anything he or she wants. Think about it.  

If there is a topic that is computer related that you would like covered in an article, email it to raymardo@yahoo.com with online article in the subject field.

Until next week.

Raymond A. Mardo III (Raymardo) has been in the entertainment field nearly his entire life. As a rookie, he earned awards at top east coast DJ companies where he also provided training. Mardo then published “Making Money As A Mobile Entertainer” and was featured in magazines like Entrepreneur which listed his LGR Entertainment company in their top 500 businesses in the nation. Under the name “Natural Attraction,” Raymardo released “Get Stupid” on Radikal/Popular Records in 15 countries. He now spends his time running online ventures, in film production, and writing. He’s received honors from the film festivals: Austin, Slamdance, and Scriptapalooza and just completed his third novel entitled “Follow The Rabbit.”   

MBLV09 Dates Announced

Much more information to come in late July, early August, but the dates for MBLV09 are February 17-19, 2009!

Gemini Introduces New Line of Professional CD/MP3/USB Players

Edison, NJ - May 1, 2008: Gemini is proud to introduce its new line of Professional CD/MP3/USB Players. The CDMP Series provides the ultimate affordable and reliable digital connection via built-in USB inputs, giving you the flexibility and convenience of CDs and MP3s!
Ideal for mobile DJ rigs or Club/Bar installations and consisting of three models - the CDMP-1300 (2U Single Player), CDMP-2600 (2U Dual Player), and the flagship CDMP-5000 (Dual CD/MP3/USB Mixing Console) are loaded with cutting-edge features such as BPM read out, Anti-Shock^TM using RAM buffer memory, VFD Screen, instant-start and cue with preview and seamless loop with reloop, just to name a few.
Equipped with the ability to play and manipulate songs directly from a USB Key and MP3 player, plus an impressive array of features DJs want and need, these units offer the perfect solution to your CD and MP3 needs!

About Gemini:
A division of GCI Technologies, Gemini’s avant-garde commitment and dedication to pushing the art form of DJing into the forefront with its affordable and functional products was instrumental in transforming the DJ’s conventional role from music manipulator to accredited artist and/or performer. Turntablists, club and mobile DJ’s, nightclubs, recreation facilities, contractors, hobbyist, professional installers and designers throughout the world rely on Gemini products. Flash forward to the present, Gemini continues to add to its countless contributions to the DJ realm by forging ahead into the digital revolution, all the while gracefully preserving the legacy of vinyl.

CHAUVET DMX D-Fi 2.0: Go wireless

The CHAUVET DMX D-Fi 2.0 upgrades the wireless DMX technology that has been in use for just over a year. By utilizing two DMX D-Fi units, programmers can eliminate long cable runs over distances as far as 120 meters.Version 2.0 of the D-Fi features more assignable frequencies, allowing users to run up to 6 separate universes inside one venue, and allowing for additional options when experiencing difficulties in transmission due to signal interference. Multiple units can also be assigned to a single frequency in order to split a signal or cross a vast expanse that would otherwise require long cable runs.

The D-Fi features LED indicators for operating mode (transmitter or receiver), frequency, and DMX signal transmission, key-hole slots for discrete wall mounting, and frequency indicator lights.

 

Tricerasoft: Make Money With Karaoke

TriceraSoft is starting a new program that will put money in your pocket with NO effort on your part.

We call this our Gateway Program.

TriceraSoft is becoming one of the leading sources for LEGAL Downloadable Karaoke MP3+G songs and we would like to share in this, and future success.

If you have your own website, why not make it work for you.

The TriceraSoft Software Engineers have created customized gateways that allow you to sell Karaoke content on your website and be paid for this.

Your customers can purchase with major credit cards or PayPal and you do not have to get involved with this at all. We look after all purchases for you. All you need to do is to place the special customized link that we would provide you onto your website (Usually with an iframe) so that it becomes an integral part of your site and we do the rest.

Each gateway is coded specifically to you so that if someone purchases from your gateway, you are automatically credited for the purchase.

Click Here to see a working Gateway in action.

As technology progresses, more and more professionals and home users are going digital for their entertainment needs. You could become their source and be paid each quarter for doing nothing, or you could promote the fact that you have this on you site and maximize your payments.

About The Product:

All of our Karaoke is in the world standard MP3+G format (Created by us in the 90’s) and are zipped. Manufacturers Include: Zoom, Music Factory, Karaoke Monthly, NuTech, Sunfly, Monster Hits and more. Single purchases or Gift Packs are available at a reduced price. Your gateway will allow for previewing of songs online so that your customers will know what they are purchasing.

We even provide a FREE Karaoke player and song manager called TriKaraoke which can be downloaded from our website.

Click Here to download our FREE Player and Song Manager.

How Can I Get Involved?

Click Here to apply.

After applying, you will receive an email containing your custom gateway link along with a link that you can go to any time to see your account information and how much is owed to you.

How Much Do I Get And How Do I Get Paid?

$ 0.10 Commission per song
All commissions are paid on a quarterly basis.

Who said you don’t get anything for FREE?
We can show you how.

X-Laser: Do It With The Lights On

X-Laser USA announced their new “X-Laser: Do It With The Lights On” video contest. They want to show X-Laser products being used at real events in real venues by really excited X-Laser users. So we have created a new video contest with a HUGE prize.

Send X-Laser USA your event videos of your X-Laser Next Generation Aerial Laser Display System to enter the contest and be eligible for the biggest prize we have ever (or probably will ever) offer. What’s the prize? Glad you asked!

X-Laser has custom built an over-clocked version of their X250G Dual Blaze laser system with TWO 100mW green lasers. That over 200mW of blazing aerial laser power and it will be given to one lucky X-Laser user just for showing us how they use their X-Laser. This wicked over-clocked X250G would normally sell for over $2,000.00 but it can be yours for FREE just for entering the contest. Second and third place prizes will be awarded with second place recieving a new X225G Dual Flare and third place receiving a $100.00 rebate on a new X-Laser system.

How To Enter:

Send X-Laser a video or videos burned onto a DVD or CDR (if you have the space) showing you using your X-Laser systems at a party or special event. Entries will be judged on the following criteria: creativity, party atmosphere, user testimonials, incorporation of X-Laser products in your lighting rig, video quality, and diversity of laser effects. Each user may submit up to a maximum of five videos.

Mail your completed entry to PO BOX 353 Laurel, MD 20725 by December 31st 2008. Videos must be no less than 30 seconds in length (longer is preferred). You do not have to make a new purchase to enter this contest, but you do need to be using X-Laser products as part of your lighting rig. See the X-Laser website, http://www.x-laser.com/videocontest.fwx, for complete details, rules, and restrictions. Winners will be announced by February 15th, 2009 via the X-Laser website.

Hercules RMX Console Released

ercules, the computer DJ entertainment specialist, announces the availability of the new Hercules DJ Console Rmx, a digital audio console designed for Mobile and advanced DJs. The audio console, supplied with a carrying bag for total mobility, retails for $349.00 and is available now at Guitar Center, Sam Ash, Musician’s Friend, American Musical Supply, 8th Street Music and PSSL.com. (www.hercules.com)

The DJ Console Rmx is the most comprehensive digital dual mixing deck in its class. The sleek console includes a number of quality features such as a solid metal casing with non-slip pads guaranteeing perfect stability, broad surface, accessible buttons and knobs, precise and comprehensive controls, a built-in audio interface with 4 inputs, 4 outputs. 
 
“The success of our products has helped spread the Hercules brand throughout the international DJ community. We consulted with over 1300 DJs throughout Europe and US and designed the DJ Console Rmx to their exact expectations,” states François Garet, Development Manager of the DJing solutions range for Hercules. “We are proud to offer this professional solution that provides enhanced performance and precision at an incredible value,” adds Garet.

Elation Unveils Event Panel System

Now you can take your LED colors with you. …anywhere you go, whether you’re stepping outdoors, riding in a vehicle or flying into outer space.  Elation Professional’s amazing new Event Panel System is a revolutionary RGB LED color changing panel that comes with its own battery pack, so it can “power on” wherever you take it, even in places where there’s no electricity available

Equipped with 288 high-output 10mm LEDs (48 red, 120 green, 120 blue), the Event Panel System is ideal for adding brilliant colors to special events and banquets, as well as tricky indoor spaces where electrical outlets are scarce, such as hallways, entry ways and moving scenery.  The unique long-life battery-powered panel also provides an easy way to light up trade show exhibits, runways and retail displays, since you don’t have to worry about connecting to a power source for at least 10 hours of full-power continuous use.  Rental companies, too, will benefit from the Event Panel System, since they’ll be able to offer their customers a totally portable, easy-setup RGB color fixture for applications where it previously would have been difficult – or impractical –to use one.

Not only is the Event Panel System a perfect fit for hard-to-light spaces, it’s also got an array of features that will fit a variety of needs.  It includes 14 built-in programs, a variable strobe effect (1-18 flashes per second) 0-100% dimming, and seamless RGB variable fade rate color mixing.  Featuring flicker-free operation, it’s also ideal for illuminating video and film production sets.

The panel can be controlled remotely from up to 30’ away, using Elation’s ELAR WR Wireless Infrared Controller, which comes included with the Event Panel System.  The ELAR WR Remote gives operators control over the built-in programs, strobing, blackout and RGB mixing, and the IR receiver on the panel itself can be placed by the user into the proper position manually.

As another option, the Event Panel System can be operated with a standard DMX-512 controller, giving users flexibility to create their own programs and conjure up an infinite palette of colors.  The panel can be operated in 2, 3, 4, 7, 14 or 26 DMX channel modes to meet varying user needs. The versatile panel can also be run as a stand-alone unit without a controller in four different modes: Auto Run, which automatically chases through the 14 built-in programs; Programs Mode, which lets you select a program and adjust its different features such as speed and fade time; Sound Active Mode, which chases through the built-in programs to the beat of the music; and Master-Slave, which allows multiple units to be linked and synched together via built-in XLR connectors.

Featuring a 40° beam angle, the Event Panel System has an impressive output distance of 65-85 feet (20-25 meters).  The compact color panel sits on top of a base, which holds its rechargeable battery, and attaches easily via two quarter turn locks. A12V power supply to recharge the battery is included with the system. 

In addition to operating via battery power, the Event Panel System can be connected to an electrical source with an AC cable from 100-240v and can be used independently without the base.  Featuring the energy efficiency of LED lighting, it draws only 36 watts of power.  Another advantage of its LED lamps is their long life – rated at 100,000 hours.

For a fixture with its features and brightness, the Event Panel System is remarkably compact and lightweight, making it easy to use on the go.  The color panel itself weighs only 7.7 lbs and measures 16.7″ L x 10.3″ W x 3.2″ H.  The battery pack base weighs 19.5 lbs. and measures 11.7″ L x 11.6″ W x 4.6″ H.

“The Event Panel System makes RGB LED lighting totally portable,” said Eric Loader, director of sales for Elation Professional. “This battery-powered, go-anywhere system will make it possible to have ultra-bright color mix effects in a whole range of new applications where electricity isn’t readily available.”

Rated at IP20, the Event Panel System is not intended for permanent outdoor installation, extended outdoor use, or operation in rain or inclement weather.

The MSRP of the Event Panel System, including the Panel, Battery Base, and ELAR WR Wireless Infrared Remote Controller, is $1,099.95.

LEDs in Heads! American DJ Adds LED Moving Heads to Accu Series

LOS ANGELES - The LED revolution has come to American DJ’s Accu Series! Two exciting new LED-powered moving heads have been added to this popular, top-of-the-line series of professional club effects: the Accu Spot 250 Hybrid and the Accu LED MH.

True to its name, the Accu Spot 250 Hybrid is based on ADJ’s top-selling Accu Spot 250 DMX moving head, combining the popular fixture’s conventional 250W discharge lamp with 9 1-watt LEDs (3 red, 3 green, 3 blue) - for a totally unique, must-be-seen-to-be-believed fusion effect! The Accu LED MH is an all-new unit that marries ADJ’s advanced high-quality stepper-motor moving-yoke technology with the brightness, sharpness and operational advantages of LEDs, along with other innovative new features like an editing program that allows you to edit and save scenes in the unit’s memory from its control panel.

“American DJ is incorporating LED technology into our Accu Series in innovative ways to bring customers some truly groundbreaking effects,” said Scott Davies, General Manager of the American DJ Group of Companies. “We have added LED lamps to the Accu Spot 250, to create our first hybrid discharge/LED moving head, thereby bringing the ‘best of both worlds’ to our customers.

“With the Accu LED MH,” added Davies, “we have developed an LED moving head that rivals conventional 250W discharge moving head fixtures in output and performance, but draws much less power, has a 100,000-hour lamp life - and offers some extra user bonuses like a built-in editing feature. We are truly thrilled to add these two new LED fixtures to our very popular and successful Accu Series.”

Here’s a closer look at the new Accu Series moving head LED effects:

Accu Spot 250 Hybrid - The original Accu Spot 250 has been one of the mainstays of the Accu Series - and now it’s more exceptional than ever, thanks to the fusion of 9 1-watt LEDs with its 250W discharge lamp. Imagine the Accu Spot 250’s colorful rotating gobos encircled by sharp moving red, green and blue LED beams - for two eye-popping effects in one! Users have 0-100% dimming control over both the discharge lamp and LEDs.

Equipped with 12 DMX channels, the Accu Spot 250 Hybrid features independent gobo and color wheels, with a total of 7 replaceable rotating gobos plus spot (2 dichroic glass gobos) and 9 colors plus white. A Gobo Shake effect, Rainbow Color Scroll effect, Pulse effect and Color Strobing provide plenty of tools for visual excitement. In addition to being operated with a DMX controller, the Accu Spot 250 Hybrid can be run in Sound Active mode to built-in programs for both its discharge and LED lamps. Other features on the Accu Spot 250 Hybrid include: RDMX Remote DMX Addressing, Auto X-Y Repositioning; 360° pan/ 265° tilt; and a 4-button menu system for easy navigation. It has a beam angle of 15°, with optional 18° beam angle available (sold separately).

The Accu Spot 250 Hybrid measures 13.5″L x 14″W x 19.5″H and weighs 39 lbs. The MSRP of the Accu Spot 250 Hybrid is $1,399.95.

Accu LED MH - The 9-DMX channel Accu LED MH is a high-powered moving head with 69 sharp red, green and blue LED beams that produce an output similar to a 250W halogen lamp, at just a fraction of the power consumption — only 30W! Other advantages of its LED technology include an extremely long lamp life rated at 100,000 hours, along with cool operation that helps keep the temperature comfortable and eliminates duty cycles. The Accu LED MH can be turned on at the beginning of the evening and still be lighting the dance floor at last call!

The Accu LED MH includes Pulse and Strobe effects, as well as built-in LED programs for use in Sound Active Mode. One convenient new feature is an editing program that allows you to write lighting scenes directly into the fixture’s built-in memory using the control panel or an external DMX controller. You can easily edit individual scenes from the control board, too, and save them in the unit’s memory.

Other features of the Accu LED MH include: Auto X-Y Repositioning; 360° pan/ 265° tilt; 4-button menu system for easy navigation, and 27.5° beam angle.

The Accu LED MH measures 17″L x 23″W x 19.5″H and weighs 22 lbs. The MSRP of the Accu LED MH is $999.95.

« Previous Page — Next Page »