How do I market my business NOW? by Steven Parry

Since the age of the “dot com bomb” we have seen a change in the way marketing is done. From calling people out of the phone book to finding out what cool business owner had a fancy fax line. Then it came down between car phones and email, followed up by if you don’t have a website how do you expect to stay in business. Now the tables have turned again, everyone wants to know “are you on Facebook, please like our page” or “make sure you follow us on Twitter” so the question poses itself. Is your business on these mediums? If so are you doing well? Are you using your time effectively and not planting that crop on your virtual farm? This is a start of a new blog series being hosted by Mobile Beat with Ryan Burger,Justin Williams and myself Steve Parry the owners of a social media management and coaching company called SociallyXcepted. Together with Ryan and his staff, we have develop a program that will help your business move forward with anonline marketing plan. For some business owners this will be a new venture all together and for others this maybe a walk in the park, either way we hope to be able to help you learn and move forward.

In this blog series on social media you will learn how marketing has changed and what you will need to do to make it in today’s business online world. In the process of learning you will also be introduced to tools, techniques, and the new process of marketing and how to successfully market your business online. The overall blog series is a part of a smaller program that will be a video series with downloadable videos that will guide you step by step using Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The main program will have an initial package with follow up videos, online books, and updates. Not only will wecover what is important within these site but how to use them effectively with personalities, using the DISC theory and The Five Love Languages. Now you may be asking yourself why would you need those in running a mobile disc jockey business and the answer is everything. Business’s are built on relationships, if you learn how to use them and build them effectively you will be more profitable with more success. Our goal is so that you understand, learn and use them to your advantage.

Using social media has changed the RULES of the game within marketing. The first step starts now. Many of you have been coming to the Mobile Beat Las Vegas show for years, some of you this is your first time. For the young and old this all applies now, for some of you it will be harder to do than others but this is the start. Getting your thinking in the right place is key. Did you read or skim over that last sentence? Here it is again, the first rule is getting your thinking in the right place. As you have been in business for yourself you have come across many different people from clients to vendors to other guest at events. When you go out again and plan another wedding and you ask your bride and groom how the search for the right photographer (florist, cater, ect) is coming and their expression is concern or worry what do you do. Naturally you have the thought of “I know someone” comes to mind. Stop!!!Let’s get on their same page and think like them for a second before we just throw some business cards at them. Ask them what kind of pictures they are looking for, narrow it down. From your experience in this field you know a little bit about your other vendors you have worked with and their style and know someone that is going to be right for them. You then tell them about Jack and his photo company because you have worked with them in the past, you know think that this would be a perfect match. You have a team a select few people that will help the event as a whole move in the right direction, your job at the wedding is not just another gig at a wedding but it is the event of a lifetime for this couple.

You already know this and are asking yourself what does this have to do with social media and using it for my business? Everything, do you see what I did, got you thinking in the place where you would understand it. Now I’m going to say that the “old rules” that you will learn about the next post vs.the “new rules” and how they have changed and how you are going to have to think like the clients to be able to find new and have old ones come back using your online networks. If you get the right thinking, with the right marketing plan, throwing out the old marketing plan (if you actually had one), then you will figure out how to have personal relationships grow not only for business but with family and friends. This series will help you to expand to new levels. So here is the old saying “back to the drawing board” comes into play. Let’s have fun, learn a lot and we will see you on the next post.

CHAUVET Wants to Get Social: $3K in Prizes

SUNRISE, Fla. – CHAUVET®, a leading manufacturer of professional lighting, announces a new contest, using social media sites, called: “$3K Social: We have $3K that says you’ll like us.” Contestants enter by liking (http://www.facebook.com/chauvetlighting), subscribing (http://www.youtube.com/chauvetlighting) or following (http://twitter.com/chauvetlighting) one of the manufacturer’s social media sites. Or they can do all three to triple their chances.

$3K in Prizes
Contestants are eligible to win $3,000 in prizes. There will be 50 winners in all, but only one grand prize winner will be chosen. The grand prize winner will receive $1000 in lighting gear. Winners will be announced on August 11, 2011, at 2 p.m. on CHAUVET®’s social sites.

Official Rules
Contest only available for North/South America and European residents. Contestants do not have to purchase a product to participate in this contest. If potential contestant is already a fan, follower or subscriber and still would like to enter the contest, they can read more here – http://www.chauvetlighting.com/3k_social_contest/page2.html.

Totally Paperless DJ?

Totally Paperless DJ?

SAVING PAPER IS GREAT, BUT GOING VIRTUAL ULTIMATELY DEPENDS ON WHAT THE CLIENT NEEDS

BY RYAN BURGER

The year was 2001: The Internet was strong and growing very quickly. I had launched the ProDJ.Com web portal 6 years earlier; and my own mobile DJ service was doing well and enabling me to spend more time developing my online business.

At that point, I used a software program called InfoManager by Customware Systems to manage my entire mobile DJ service. It was a Windows-based database program that would keep track of the details related to events for single or multi-op DJ services.

But the next wave in DJ management technology was already on its way, in the form of services like WeDJ, DJ Intelligence, DJWebmin and DJ Event Planner. The basic idea was that you would store all your information in servers on the “Information Super Highway” as the Internet was often called–what is now known as “The Cloud.” You could access your booking and scheduling information from anywhere, and the client could now interact with you by way of website tools or modules right on your website. We’ll talk more about those specific technologies below.

But what about the idea of “The Completely Paperless DJ?” Well, as far as the technology has come, and as much as being “green” has gained in popularity, I feel that a “completely” electronic scenario is really an impossibility anytime in the next 10 years.

It all comes down to how the customer wants to work with you. No matter how much technology you use in contracting the gig, planning the gig and actually performing at the gig, you need to remember customer service. If a bride wants to fill out a paper contract, sign it and send you a check instead of paying an online contract by credit card, that’s the way you need to do it. If a bride wants to manually fill in her paperwork by writing out the list of songs, you need to do it.

The technology needs to be seen as an assistant to you in the operation of your business and performance of the event, and needs to be available to the client to help them out—if they want it to. Yes, online planning software is great and I’m a major fan of it (running with it for 10 years myself) but nothing beats personal attention, and that often involves not being “paperless.” I still find myself printing out most of the online paperwork that the brides fill out, because in the end, if my iPhone, which also has copies of their planning forms easily accessible, doesn’t have enough power or signal (if I’m pulling it live from the net), it can’t stop me from doing their event.

On the other hand, I have become completely “virtual” in other areas. I can remember the last couple of CDs I bought at the store, because it doesn’t happen that often. I use my monthly subscription CDs, even though there are places that I can download the tracks easily and affordably, because I like the format. I still use very basic lighting (no DMX) because I just do weddings and don’t need to go far. As most people know, I’m a very geeky guy, very into tech and gadgets, but I only take the steps I need to take after planning and research. So, on the topic of going paperless, I say you should use technology to your advantage, but don’t let it become a disadvantage by forcing people to work ONLY within the methods you choose.

DJ Intelligence expands unlimited 24×7 technical support

In the relentless pursuit to provide the very finest customer service in the industry, DJ Intelligence has again expanded its technical support staff to meet the needs of its growing subscriber base. Those who have done business with DJ Intelligence know that first class customer support is one of the hallmarks of the service. All support is handled online 24×7 by live representatives who provide prompt, detailed answers to virtually any type of question.

Facebook Business Basics by Jim Weisz

Facebook Business Basics

LIKE ANY TOOL, FACEBOOK REQUIRES CARE TO BE USED SAFELY

BY JIM WEISZ

The world is changing before our eyes. Social media is everywhere, and as small business owners, many DJs are embracing the still somewhat new technology. As a result, there’s a lot to be learned about social media and how to use it.

For this column, I will focus on Facebook, since it is by far the most-used social media platform. Facebook has over 500 million active users (as of July 2010), while Twitter has over 100 million users. Both obviously have impressive statistics, but the additional 400 million users on Facebook, coupled with the additional capabilities of Facebook make for a good resource for DJ companies.

FACEBOOK OVERVIEW

According to the statistics page on Facebook.com, Facebook launched in February of 2004 and by December 2004 they had nearly 1 million active users. That means more than 500 million people have jumped on the Facebook bandwagon in the last six years—and it’s just going to keep getting bigger. Facebook users are loyal—50% of Facebook’s active users log on to Facebook in a given day. There are also more than 150 million users who access Facebook through their mobile deviceS.

Every Facebook user has a “wall,” which is almost like a personal homepage on the website. It’s a place where friends can see your status updates, pictures, links, and anything else you choose to post. It also shows anything that anyone else has posted to your wall too. In regards to all of that, there are privacy options that allow you to choose what content your friends and Facebook users who are not friends can see.

REGARDING PRIVACY

Facebook has a plethora of privacy options in regards to the various ways you use the website. There are options for applications, friends, pictures, ads and more. One feature that pertains to privacy is the option to separate the various members of your Facebook friends via lists. The lists tool is useful because you can make a list for any category you’d like. For example, you could make a list for friends and family, another for DJs you network with, and one for clients .

The benefit of this feature is that it allows you to designate what each group can see from your profile. This is particularly important if you have other wedding professionals or clients as friends. Why is that important? Let’s say for example you’re particularly biased on a certain political issue. You get fired up on a topic and post about it. If you don’t use lists, all of your Facebook friends see what you posted in their newsfeed. A local photographer who enjoys working with you and refers you often is offended. Now what happens? Maybe nothing. Or maybe they stop referring you because they were offended. Why risk the chance of tarnishing your businesses reputation for something you post online?

SEPARATING BUSINESS AND PERSONAL

More than likely you already have a personal Facebook page, but do you have a separate page for your business? If not, add that to your to-do list. Your personal page should be primarily for that—your personal life, while your business page is where you can post DJ-related content. Now does that mean you should never post DJ content on your personal page? Of course not. But if you’re using your personal account to peddle your DJ business, eventually your real friends might get annoyed and hide you (meaning they won’t see your posts in their newsfeed).

I’m friends with a lot of DJs on Facebook. I don’t know their privacy settings and how they have their lists set up, but by the looks of it, many don’t use that feature. As a result, I see tons of DJs who make multiple posts everyday that are only about their DJ business. Of course work is part of our personal life, so the fact that you’re talking about work (DJing) isn’t the problem—it’s the fact that most people won’t have the slightest clue what you’re talking about. For example: “Status update: Just realized I forgot to bring extra XLR cables for the wedding tonight” or “Status update: Meeting with John Smith and Jane Doe about their wedding reception.”

Concerning a lot of what people post on Facebook, someone might say “who cares,” since there is so much mundane content. But there’s a difference between mundane posts and posts that have little to no relevance to most of your friends. Do you see your friends who work in an office post about the TPS report they forgot to put a cover sheet on? Or your friend who is a realtor post updates about showing houses to clients? If so, and it’s on a regular basis, I would bet that gets old to you too.

So, what’s the solution? Use your business page for your business updates. Go ahead and post that you’re meeting a bride and groom for a consultation, or that you’re excited about a new piece of gear you’re showcasing at an event this weekend. It’s even OK to occasionally make those types of posts on your personal page, but remember that unless you’re using lists so only your DJ friends will see it, most of your friends won’t care.

FRIENDING CLIENTS?

I see a lot of DJs posting updates from their personal account where they’ve linked to a clients name (using the @ sign before their name to link to their page). You can only link to someone you are friends with so that means these DJs are friends with these clients. I personally am only friends on Facebook with a couple clients, as I wait for them to send me a friend request. Why? Well, I don’t want them to feel obligated to accept my friend request just because I am their DJ.

I recently asked some other DJs about how they handle friending clients. Some said they take it on a case-by-case basis. For clients they feel that they have a good connection with, they send a friend request. Others wait for the client to initiate the contact. My personal opinion is that since I wouldn’t want my doctor, lawyer, dentist, insurance guy, pool guy, etc. to ask to be my friend on Facebook, what makes me think a client wants to be my friend on Facebook? So, I let my clients know I have a business page that they can join to get updates about my business. If they also chose to friend me on Facebook, I would accept the request. But I am not going to initiate the friend request, so I don’t put them in a weird place about how to handle it.

POLISHING YOUR BIZ PAGE

A page for your business on Facebook can be a great resource for new leads. One way a lot of DJs are using their business page is to post pictures from recent events. Then they will send an e-mail to the client to let them know the pictures have been posted and send them a link to their page. The best-case scenario is that the client will go through and tag the pictures of their guests. So now all those people who have been tagged are heading to your Facebook business page to see the pictures from the wedding.

In addition to pictures, under Notes you can also post articles that visitors to your page may find useful. Or, if you have a blog, you can post a link to a new blog article. Either option depends on you creating interesting content that will engage the reader. You can also post links to relevant wedding-related websites or pages of interest to your clients or prospective clients.

As far as getting people to “like” your Facebook page (using FB’s virtual thumbs-up feature), be sure to link to it from your website. You can also send out invites to any of your Facebook friends as well as send an e-mail to all past clients asking them to join your page. You may be surprised at how many will like your page and post a nice comment, which is good for prospective clients to see.

In addition to posting news, pictures and various business updates, you can also use it as a resource to fill dates. You can offer special discounts on particular dates or let everyone know that you offer a gift card for referrals. If you do post offers, be sure that the people who like your business page are relevant to your offers. For example, I’ve visited numerous DJ business pages that I can see I am one of about 200 DJs who like the page. The page has a total of 250 people who like it. If the business owner posts a promotional offer, it’s really only relevant to the 50 people who aren’t DJs. It’s for that reason I personally recommend not inviting other DJs to become a fan of your page.

The world of online social media is ever-evolving. While it provides a great new tool for DJs to build relationships and build business, it requires awareness of how website features work, and some common-sense thinking about how to approach making those connections with clients

Jim Weisz is a DJ who has primarily served the wedding and school dance markets since 1999. In 2003. Jim relocated to Dallas from Chicago to take a position at TM Studios (formerly TM Century and JonesTM). Over the last ten years, Jim has spoken at DJ conventions about websites and has been a regular writer for Mobile Beat magazine about websites, marketing and a variety of other topics. Jim can be reached at jim@discoverydjs.com.

Facebook Business Page Tip

Once your page has 25 “likes” you can create a custom URL for it. Meaning, you can name your business Facebook page something like www.facebook.com/xyzdjservice, giving you a better option for linking from your website and in any emails you might send.

Mobile Beat Digital Edition – Basic Usage and Intro – SMARTPHONE and TABLET

The New Mobile Beat Digital Edition made it’s debut as version 2 earlier this summer and this is a basic video on how to use it on MOBILE DEVICES. This is the full Mobile Beat print magazine with great new features, embedded videos, links out and more. Back issues going back to #100 (March 2006) are also available. Current issues hit approximately 10 days before they show up in your mailbox.

Check out this video for more information!

Mobile Beat Digital Edition For Desktops Video

The New Mobile Beat Digital Edition made it’s debut as version 2 earlier this summer and this is a basic video on how to use it.  This is the full Mobile Beat print magazine with great new features, embedded videos, links out and more.  Back issues going back to #100 (March 2006) are also available.  Current issues hit approximately 10 days before they show up in your mailbox.  Separate video for smart phones and devices coming soon.

Check out this video for more information!

DJ Intelligence: by DJs, for DJs… The story behind the service

Over the past 8 years, DJ Intelligence has traveled to over two dozen national tradeshows and met literally thousands of DJs in person. One of the most popular questions we are asked is “How did DJ Intelligence get started?” In case your future travel plans do not include a trip to a national trade show, here’s the story behind the service that has forever transformed the DJ industry.

The first version of the DJ Intelligence software was actually developed in 1998 by one of Chicago’s largest and most respected DJ entertainment companies. Many are surprised to learn that the code itself was written by DJs, not programmers or engineers. Who better to understand the true needs of a mobile DJ than a group of seasoned DJs with decades of experience entertaining at weddings and parties?

The original version of the software was an immediate success. Clients loved the ability to book and plan their event online, especially the ability to make a request list. At the time, most DJs were still mailing out hard copies of their music list. The ability to search a music library online and make requests in real time was cutting edge. Clients were amazed and prospective clients were impressed. Business prospered!

Over the years, the Chicago DJ company was inundated with emails and phone calls from other DJ companies, sometimes three or four a week, asking if they would be willing to sell the software. Of course the answer was always “not at this time” because the DJ company was enjoying an unmatched competitive advantage. But finally in late 2001, after the volume of requests became overwhelming, the decision was made to offer the software to the general public.

In the months that followed, the software was re-developed from the ground up to offer greater flexibility for the unique needs of different types of DJ companies. In early 2002, the new version was complete and ready for launch. Few recall that the original name of the software was Music Intelligence because most of the early features were designed around the music tools. But within a few short months Music Intelligence expanded to become DJ Intelligence, a name that today is one of the most recognizable brands in the industry.

By early 2003 the co-founders and co-developers of DJ Intelligence decided it was time to sell the DJ business so they could focus their efforts on DJ Intelligence. Owning one of Chicago’s largest DJ companies, they did not feel it was appropriate and was a conflict of interest to be offering a service to DJs who in many cases were their local competitors. The business was quickly sold and these entertainers permanently changed their resume from “DJ” to “former DJ.” The Chicago DJ company continues to operate to date under its new ownership.

Over the years DJ Intelligence has grown beyond expectations. Today DJ Intelligence services thousands of DJs in two dozen countries worldwide. But one thing has never changed: DJ Intelligence is by DJs, for DJs. Only today, the community of contributing DJs is far larger than it was in 2002. DJ Intelligence’s full time staff consists of former DJs, entertainers, and professional service providers with decades of experience in the weddings & special events industries. Improvements and enhancements to the software come directly from the ideas that are submitted from professional DJs who use DJ Intelligence.

DJ Intelligence is your software and we are committed to developing new features and tools that better fit the needs of your company. We’re one of the few services in this industry to offer live 24×7 support from a team of professionals who not only understand the software, but also understand your business. And while the past has certainly been exciting, the future holds even greater promise. Some major upgrades and improvements are currently in development, based purely on your ideas and suggestions. We’re glad to have you along for the ride!

$600 GIVEAWAY from DJ Intelligence, enter by August 13th

$600 GIVEAWAY! In 420 characters or less, tell us how DJ Intelligence has helped your business or why you can’t live without it. Write your story directly on the DJ Intelligence wall at http://www.facebook.com/djintelligence as a new post. The story with the most “Likes” as of August 13th at Noon (CST) will win the $600 valued prize pack from DJ Intelligence, Party Blast, and TM Studios. Encourage your friends and colleagues to read your post and “Like” it!

$600 GIVEAWAY PRIZES INCLUDE: 6 Month Private Label Subscription to DJ Intelligence ($100 VALUE), 6 Month Platinum Listing at Party Blast ($200 VALUE), and 6 Month PrimeCuts Weekly MP3 Music Subscription from TM Studios ($300 VALUE). If you already have any of these services, they will be extended by 6 months.

And The Winner From Chauvet Is….

AND THE WINNER IS…
CHAUVET ENDS 2^ND ANNUAL DJ PRODUCT REVIEW CONTEST

SUNRISE, Fla. – CHAUVET®, a leading manufacturer of professional lighting, announced the end of their second annual DJ Product Review Contest [link: http://www.youtube.com/user/chauvetlighting#p/a/u/2/1w9_Qrs6tEo]. The contest yielded two winners in what became a tight race for victory. Both DJ Wicked Jester and DJ Omega80 were named grand prize winners, and official YouTube product reviewers for CHAUVET®, receiving products to review in the coming year.

Originally the contest was to have one grand prize winner and one first place winner, but the entries from DJ Wicked Jester, who reviewed the Scorpion™ Storm FX [link: FX http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-FUWN8OIbU], and DJ Omega80, who reviewed the COLORstrip™ [link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9paeZ1axE8], were considered by the judging committee to be the most informative and creative product reviews. It was a close competition which yielded two grand prize winners for this year’s contest.

“The review for the Scorpion Storm FX exhibited great product knowledge and really shared an understanding of the fixture,” said Allan Reiss, product manager for club/DJ line at CHAUVET®. “But the creativity delivered for the COLORstrip was just another galaxy away from the other reviews.”

The top 15 finalists will receive a special edition CHAUVET® T-shirt. They are listed here by their YouTube name: BigShowMobileEnt, bigshowmobile, clarkfrank123, DJRockinRob, keithdivel, djboentertainment, ChadAlanEvents, DJJoey100, DJAdvise, DjwickedJester, DJMIKEYB1000, crankupthevolume1517, DJOmega80, atakid920, and MikeLtheDJ. And the top 25 finalists will receive a CHAUVET® road case sticker.

The DJ Product Review Contest was the second for this annual event. All submitted contest entries were posted on YouTube. The goal of the contest was to find the most creative and informative review of one of the fixtures from the extensive line of club/DJ products from CHAUVET®.

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