Mobile Beat Las Vegas 23 is less than a week away. Time to start packing and finalizing all your travel details. At my house we all sit down and make a travel list before we leave on any vacation. I'm one of those people that start packing two weeks early. My wife and daughter usually wait until the night before, which always means last minute runs to Walmart to get something before we go. Hopefully you enjoyed my article in the January issue of Mobile Beat Magazine for first time attendees. Here is a quick packing and planning list to help get you on your way. Travel documents, hotel reservation, Plane tickets, boarding passes, confirmation numbers Credit cards, drivers license, cash ( large and small bills) TSA approved carry on bag and items Rental car reservation and copy of your personal ca... [read more]

All right. DJ tip in under 60 seconds, one minute. This is duct tape. This is what you use when working on heating and cooling ducts, d-u-c-t. This is Gaff tape. It says right inside: Gaff. This is what you use when you're a professional DJ, because it doesn't leave residues, it won't mark up the floor, it won't markup marble, it won't markup wood and it won't stick or leave anything behind. I've probably done four weddings this year where I've been told before they saw the tape, we only allow Gaff tape, can't use duct tape, it sticks and leaves residue. When I was first starting out, yes, I used duct tape, then I became pro and I talked to the right people and they guided me and said, no, use Gaff tape, it's good for cables, won't leave residue. So DJ tips in under a minute, use real Gaff tape. Thank you. ... [read more]

Seems like New Years Eve was only a week ago. March has just begun and I wonder how many of you are have already forsaken those resolutions and goals you set for 2019? Did you just stop trying? Has life got you side tracked? Don't let it get you down. The fact is 90% of us don't follow through with the majority of New Years resolutions anyway. Why? Basically because they lack real commitment and planning. One of the main culprits is expectations. We live in a "Now" society. We expect big results in little time. I stopped eating donuts and ice cream for a week; how come I haven't lost forty pounds yet? Accomplishing goals takes a lot of planning and serious... [read more]

We are always looking for ways to take our DJ business to the next level.  Adding services, production, investing in photobooth, upgrading gear, etc.  But what about adding more value in the entertainment and the way you engage with your audience that leaves a lasting impression which will make them go hashtag crazy on their social media posts they share with friends making you the buzz!? Mr. Rob Ferre is back at MBLV for the 2nd time with a new and fun seminar called, Gamification Nation.  “I do an interactive game show which inspire other DJs to think outside the box when it comes to doing games shows. No need to confine yourself to games people know. Create and collaborate and be unique,” says Ferre. Ferre drew his inspiration for the seminar by game shows and hosts who do it differently like Marc... [read more]

Mobile Beat Las Vegas may seem like a perfect guys week get away. Each year has seen an increase in the number of spouses attending the conference. It is really is a great place to have fun, learn and see the sights. The perfect mix of business and pleasure. Besides award winning entertainment and top notch casinos, Las Vegas hosts some beautiful nature parks and remarkable architecture on and off the strip. I've taken my wife many times to Mobile Beat and we've always tried to experience something new and still visit our favorite spots. Here's a list of ideas comprised from some of the experiences my wife and I have enjoyed while at MBLV. My Top Th... [read more]

MOBILE BEAT #203 - FEBRUARY 2019 MBLV23 in the Spotlight While we have been including material by or about Mobile Beat Las Vegas presenters in last few mags, this final issue before the event features an extra helping of MBLV23 goodness. Also, some gear news in the form of a NAMM report (part 1 of 2) and a look behind the scenes at the development of Denon DJ's Prime 4. See you in Las Vegas! ~ Dan Walsh, Editor-in-Chief ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PLAYLIST: SPOTLIGHT ON MBLV23 How to Social Media in 2019 - Vanessa Joy Phil Morse of Digital DJ Tips - Ryan Burger and Dan Walsh The Truth About DJ Prices - Matt Martindale “Ask Ben Stowe... [read more]

Uplighting and wireless uplighting has been around for a little while now. There are the big name companies that charge a lot for their uplights and the quality is great, as we expect them to be. Then, you have numerous small or unheard of companies that are much cheaper on Amazon, but the quality is so-so. I've taken a chance and bought a few of those over the years. I've learned my lesson and will happily pay more for a quality product. We provide Austin & San Antonio DJs, Austin & San Antonio photo booth rentals, lighting, uplighting, and much more, for our Austin/central Texas area weddings and... [read more]

For the last decade social media marketing has steadily replaced traditional forms of advertising like print media, postal mailings and cold calling. Over the years the algorithm for what works has changed almost as much. Ten years ago all you had to worry about was Facebook and My Space. Now there’s Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter, Pinterest, Linked In and many others to contend with. How do you know which content to add to which site that will get you bookings? It’s seems like one big crap shoot. I reached out to Andrea Eppolito, owner of Andrea Eppolito Events in Las Vegas (A luxury wedding planning and event service) for insight. She is presenting a must see seminar at MBLV23 titled “Social Stature and Selling”. Andrea’s seminar is going to discuss the most widely used platforms for each segment of ... [read more]

DJ tips in under a minute. Here we go, I'm at a wedding. I'm up here where the wedding will take place. So as you know, looking out, this is the groom's side, that's the bride's side. We're going to switch that today. We're going to have the bride's parents sit here on what would be my left side and the groom's parents sit here on what would be my right side. Why? Because that way the groom's parents will see the groom, the bride's parents will see the bride. Try this at your next wedding. Tips in under a minute, bringing you redoing the wedding setup. So again, put the bride's parents at the front of the groom's section and the groom's parents at the front of the bride's section. You end up with the fact that now they're looking at the face of their loved ones and not at their backs. So we're going to try it... [read more]

In the first part of this blog I touched on how Millennial's interact and make connections. They value authenticity and like to follow people's "stories". Millennial's follow You Tubers more than TV shows. A big part of making a connection with them is personality and how you tell your story. Millennial's want to be part of your journey. Recently, I took part in a webinar series from my Alma Mater Johnson & Wales University. The webinar focused on the importance of personal branding and changes in how companies hire and fire personnel. Your online presence will count more than your physical resume in the near future. The webinar broke dow... [read more]