A huge part of our training process is allowing DJ trainees to "shadow" or watch my veteran DJs in action, mainly at weddings. By no means is this there only training! We also have days where we set up gear in a local venue, work on MCing, mixing and more. We also have meetings where we just talk about the sales aspects of my company since my guys each meet with their own leads. But shadowing is a crucial component of working in a new DJ. If you aren't doing this, you definitely should be! In fact, I've had DJs that thought they wanted to make the leap from clubs to weddings go out one time, and then we never hear from them again. LOL. They like the idea of that private event money, but don't realize how much hard work goes into prepping for and executing something like a wedding. Make them shadow you or one ... [read more]

One of the biggest components of improving and transforming my company over the past two years has been networking with DJs in my area. I'm not talking about ADJA meetings or get-togethers with large groups of wedding vendors (although those are definitely valuable too). I'm talking about one-on-one, person to person meetings. You and another DJ sitting down for lunch or drinks to learn about each other and ways you can improve can be a huge benefit to your company! When I first arrived in Salt Lake City a little over two years ago I didn't know anyone. My little DJ side business was only making $350-$500 or so per event, and I was stru... [read more]

Josh Yawn is known to MBLV audiences for his popular seminars at Mobile Beat conferences and tours, as well as being the author of the wildly successful book "Hosting For DJs." "Josh's relationship with Mobile Beat has spanned well over a decade, and we've had our eye on him to host for a while now," says Ryan Burger of Mobile Beat. "I began my career as a DJ over 15 years ago learning from Mobile Beat.  To go from that to presenting seminars was amazing, but to now be asked to host is an incredible honor," says Josh. Josh brings along television icon Marc Summers as keynote, known for the smash hits "Double Dare" and "Unwrapped." Marc's incredible career goes beyond hosting and producing, with many experiences and words of wisdom to pass on to the live entertainer.  Marc also wrote the foreword... [read more]

What you'll discover:  There are two ways to get leads: 1. Get hunted by prospects through Pipelines. 2. Go fetch prospects with a Bucket. I call them smart work and hard work. In this 2-part lesson, we'll look at both. Promised Result: You’ll learn what to spend your marketing time on so other people deliver leads to you on autopilot. You'll also discover how to avoid the downside of getting booked at one-hit wonders.   This is a big lesson. The important thing is for you to understand the Pipeline and Buckets principle because when the penny drops and you get that 'Pipeline a-ha moment', I'll be right here on the other side of your screen smiling along with you! Pipelines - Sit at the top of your Marketing Pyramid, are word of mouth enquires, generated by other people, ... [read more]

Everyone is familiar with the basics that we need to pull of a mobile DJ show-a couple of speakers, tripods, cables, and a coffin with a controller or turntables/mixer inside, but what we really need to be thinking about is all of the extras that you should pack to avoid any emergency/panic situations. In this blog post, I'm going to go through some of the essentials that are always going to be in my van as I head out to do each and every gig. Extension Cords. If you don't have a TON of black extension cords in your vehicle as you leave for a show, shame on you. You NEVER know where you are going to be set up or what the power situation is (unless you have been to that venue a lot and seen the room diagram). I have arrived to do a ceremony way out in a field nowhere near the venue before! Luckily I had two... [read more]

One of the key skills of a quality mobile DJ is their ability to handle unexpected situations quickly and efficiently. It follows that there is a general consensus that having backups of the gear we use at our events is essential for a DJ to truly be prepared. But what happens when our backups fail? I found out the answer that question just last night. After arriving at a venue I've performed at many times and beginning my sound check, I noticed one side of my dual wireless microphone receiver was acting up. Pressed for time, I opted to just use the second unit instead of troubleshooting the first and began to sound check with that mic. Within a few minutes, it also started having troubles, and my blood pressure rose ever so slightly. Luckily, even losing two wireless mics wasn't going to spoil this weddin... [read more]

An effective influencer governing the buying decisions of high-paying clients is to offer a money-back guarantee. But of all I teach, this influencer meets with the most resistance. And I totally get it, I know your concerns (if you have any) because there once was a time when I resisted offering a money-back guarantee as well. Actually, that's an understatement, when I first contemplated the idea, I clenched my butt cheeks so tightly, had I been sitting on a lump of coal I would have compressed it into a diamond! But joking aside, the reason I objected was because it is an ADVANCED INFLUENCER that I was not ready... [read more]

I get a lot of questions on speakers. What do I think of this brand, what do I think of that brand, why do I recommend this model over that model? I always have to take people a step back, though, and figure out who they are as a DJ and a performer, and what type of events they're doing before I can even try to even give an opinion on this. So I thought it would be interesting to put together a list of some of the things that I ask people to try to help them make the right decision when it comes to buying new speakers. And this is not going to be a brand specific thing; I'm going to talk about the stuff in general the best I can. I may mention some brands and examples, but that's just from my experience. I have my opinions on what I like and I don't like, most of you know that. But yeah. Today is just kind of... [read more]

This is the age of expressing one’s thoughts more freely than ever before, to the widest possible audience, all with the easy click of a “send” button. Yet, while you may think that your opinions deserve to be aired on social media, take a moment to think about your connections and consider: “Could this be costing me business?” More than likely, the answer is a resounding “yes!” Ever heard the phrase, “birds of a feather, flock together?” Sure you have. Seth Godin, in his book “Tribes” talks about how the internet has eliminated the barriers of geography, cost and time. Society has linked up to create groups, or tribes. A tribe is... [read more]

Recently, my son’s high school robotics club asked me to speak on the essentials of professionalism. To help them remember the essentials, I told them to remember the acronym PLEASE. After delivering this talk to my son’s group, I realized that these essentials apply to many professions, including mobile DJs. PALM-IN-PALM P is a phrase to help a professional remember to shake hands. The handshake, where people connect their palms, is an essential of professionalism because it helps make a firm physical contact with another human. At many worship services, there is a time where the pastor invites the congregation to shake someone’s hand. Whethe... [read more]