DJGold

Carlo · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 4:46 pm Post subject: Change of location

Good new and bad news:

BAD. Just when I was getting the ball rolling I have to establish my business in a different state, Louisiana.

GOOD. I'm proud to say that yesterday I accepted a position with a family medicine residency program in Louisiana to start as an intern in July, 2006.

Although I'm ecstatic of my new position, since this has been my lifelong goal, I want to keep on DJing and the change of location is going to slow things down. I'll have to stop the little advertising that I'm doing and try to establish myself there.

Has anyone else had a change of location? Should I just keep the same website and just change the location? Change my identity? What is a good way to notify the post July booked Texas clients that I will not be able to do their weddings? I would appreciate any ideas. Thanks.

Your new Cajun DJ,
Carlo
"Lessez le bon temps roulet!" :D

jimmiem · Joined: April 17th, 2005 Posts: 81 Location: Apalachin, NY

How much $ do you have contracted past July? If your business has any value, you should sell it and the contracts along with it.

dokai · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 6:51 pm Post subject:

Congrats on your new position!

Ditto what jimmiem said: sell the contracts if possible. At a minimum, you should arrange for another DJ to cover for you.

Good luck with the new job!

jwg · Joined: September 15th, 2004 Posts: 1089 Location: Erie, PA

Yes, congratulations on your move!

Nobody has mentioned it yet, but NOW is the time to redo your website and start tweaking it with keywords and content for your new area in Louisinana. This will also let any potential clients in Texas know you are making the move.

Carlo · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 3:03 am Post subject:

Thanks for the congrats Mr. Gallagher and Dokai.
:)
jimmiem wrote: How much $ do you have contracted past July? If your business has any value, you should sell it and the contracts along with it.

I have booked 6 weddings past July, 2 in Nov. As for selling the contracts, I'm not trying to question you, but you think that would pi$$ off the clients? I don't know what value my business has. If you correlate it's value with how well it ranks in Google, well I guess it's not so valuable. For Galveston Texas I have nice rankings in Yahoo, which is how most find me or Wedj.com. It did take me many many study breaks to make my web site. I'm starting to think that if I sold it I would not get much and it would take me forever to make a new "Cajun Country DJ" website. Hmmmm...

dokai wrote: At a minimum, you should arrange for another DJ to cover for you.

I'm not trying to play devil's advocate, and appreciate the comment, but how would it sound if I said, "Ms. Wannamarrynow, DJ XYZ is your new DJ for your wedding." Should I ask them first? What I am concenered about is the other djs around here might not take a gig for under $1000, for example, while I might have charged slightly less than that. You know what I'm saying? And....I don't know the local DJs. You guys are the only collaboration I have. These are good ideas though.

jwg wrote: Nobody has mentioned it yet, but NOW is the time to redo your website and start tweaking it with keywords and content for your new area in Louisinana. This will also let any potential clients in Texas know you are making the move. So keep the website? This is sounding good to me. I may not have time to make another. As mentioned, it took me forever. I don't know if I'm making any sense or if I'm way off base. Those are all good ideas, appreciated, and I will keep on digesting them. Thanks!

len · Joined: July 2nd, 2005 Posts: 105

extremepartydj.com wrote: I have booked 6 weddings past July, 2 in Nov. As for selling the contracts, I'm not trying to question you, but you think that would pi$$ off the clients?

I don't know what your contract said when you signed these clients, nor do I know what you told them already. But if I signed up with someone who had even a notion about moving and not doing my event, I'd be pi$$ed. I'd want a full refund since you're backing out.

dokai · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 9:05 am Post subject:

I'll assume that you'll give back any money, based on your contract. I'd also offer to help them find someone else to cover their events, if at all possible. I know you said you don't know any of your local DJs, but you probably know a little OF them, such as their reputations. Whatever you do, let the clients know as soon as possible! They may need ALL of the available time to arrange for someone else. Good luck!

jimmiem · Joined: April 17th, 2005 Posts: 81 Location: Apalachin, NY

Quote: I have booked 6 weddings past July, 2 in Nov. As for selling the contracts, I'm not trying to question you, but you think that would pi$$ off the clients? I don't know what value my business has. If you correlate it's value with how well it ranks in Google, well I guess it's not so valuable. For Galveston Texas I have nice rankings in Yahoo, which is how most find me or Wedj.com. It did take me many many study breaks to make my web site. I'm starting to think that if I sold it I would not get much and it would take me forever to make a new "Cajun Country DJ" website. Hmmmm...

If you inform a client that you are selling thier contract, then yeah, it would probably not please them. If you let them know you have sold your business and will be leaving the area, the news is a little easier to swallow.

Just remember, this is a business. You deserve some compensation for the work you've done to get those jobs. What do you think happens when a large business is sold? All contracts become null and void? What you have is an unfortunate situation. They are going to have to find other DJs no matter what. Wouldn't it be better if you left them with their weddings covered and a little extra $ in your pocket?

TheBartman47 · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 9:55 am Post subject:

Tell them you're being bought out in a hostile takeover to use "big business" terminology. :o

djmc · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 11:18 am Post subject:

It all hinges on whether or not the contract allows for a Replacement DJ.

If the clients expect "Carlo"....they will not be pleased with a Substitute.

Then again, if you're leaving town........and won't be back.......hehehe.

Seriously though.....find someone who's reputable to take your place, and get them to pay you a finders fee. (If the contract allows you to provide a replacement performer)

jwg · Joined: September 15th, 2004 Posts: 1089 Location: Erie, PA

The other option is to come back to Texas those weekends you are already booked and:

1) Fly in and rent gear for the event

2) Drive in with your own gear

The last thing you want to do is put un-necessary stress on your clients' shoulder's. They have enough planning their wedding or event. Definitely some thinking to do on your part. I think if you don't wanna come back to do the events or can't, then meet individually over a casual dinner or coffee and introduce them to their DJ who you've already arranged to be there. The clients will respect you and truly understand if you are moving to a different state. Still, now is the time to get the website ready.

One person I know of to ask or contact is Jim Weisz from TM Century (Prime Cuts). He moved successfully from Chicago to Dallas. I think he even wrote an article in a Mobile Beat a year or two ago about moving your DJ business and important points to consider. Besides working at TM Century, he is a successful mobile DJ in Dallas.

Carlo · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 2:47 pm Post subject:

len wrote: I don't know what your contract said when you signed these clients, nor do I know what you told them already. But if I signed up with someone who had even a notion about moving and not doing my event, I'd be pi$$ed. I'd want a full refund since you're backing out
Seriously Len, I had no idea in the world that I would end up in Louisiana. There was no doubt in my mind that I was going to stay in the Houston/Galveston area for my residency when I booked these weddings. Though, after interviewing in Louisiana I could not turn down such a terrific program with relaxed and friendly people. I was blessed to get this and I didn't have to think twice about it. My clients are very important, but this was a career decision that I had to base on what was truly best for me.

I understand I would have to convey this to my clients and will have to approach this very carefully and professionally. That's why I'm asking you guys, the pros, right? :D It's not my style to leave anyone hanging. I would never do that. I would hate myself.

jwg wrote: The other option is to come back to Texas those weekends you are already booked and:

1) Fly in and rent gear for the event

2) Drive in with your own gear
I'm on call every 4th or 5th night, any day of the week, and I will not know my schedule. We get a monthly schedule a few days before the first of the month. The houston residencies have their schedules biannually allowing me more time to find replacements for me so that I can DJ. I guess my DJing will be limited and last minute bookings in Louisiana. In addition, every client has a different style and has different expectations of their DJ. Since I do not know the other DJs I don't know their style or reputations. Yes, the contract allows for a replacement. Maybe I should give them a choice between me arranging for a replacement DJ or if they would like to do it and of course refund the deposit?

djmc wrote: If the clients expect "Carlo"....they will not be pleased with a Substitute.

They are expecting me and they would not be pleased. Agree.

Compensations sounds good jimmiem but right now I don't care if I lost time or money I just want to do what's best for them and not do something that I feel shi$$y about.

Hostile takeover!? :lol: Mafia style! Bartman, your nuts! Your not serious, right?

aaggghhh.....I don't know. :?

dokai · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 3:31 pm Post subject:

extremepartydj.com wrote: Maybe I should give them a choice between me arranging for a replacement DJ or if they would like to do it and of course refund the deposit?

I think that's probably your best bet. Offer to help and see what they prefer.

TheBartman47 · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 4:39 pm Post subject:

extremepartydj.com wrote: Hostile takeover!? :lol: Mafia style! Bartman, your nuts! Your not serious, right?
right, just joking. Someone mentioned how "big business" does things, so I just threw a bone in for a "big business" approach just for grins.

jwg · Joined: September 15th, 2004 Posts: 1089 Location: Erie, PA

One you get your site up and running keyed to your new Louisiana clients the phone will start ringing in your new location. Like I said, Jim Weisz went from a successful DJ business in Chicago while he was still in college to Dallas, working at TM Century and beginning a successful DJ business in Dallas. He proved like so many others it can be done.

Carlo · Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 6:55 am Post subject: Re: Change of location

jwg wrote:

One person I know of to ask or contact is Jim Weisz from TM Century (Prime Cuts). He moved successfully from Chicago to Dallas. I think he even wrote an article in a Mobile Beat a year or two ago about moving your DJ business and important points to consider.

I really appreciate the information Mr. Gallagher. I'm going to contact Mr Weisz via TM Century. Maybe he/we can post his article or any advice he may give. That would be very helpful.

Good idea! I'm going to slowly change the web page information and modify the keywords and such but I'll definitely contact people before I do this. For now I'll just cancel any advertising.

I'm sure that the information and advice posted here will be helpful to others changing locations. It certainly has been for me. Thanks guys.

djmc · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:04 am Post subject:

good luck with your new gig!

jwg · Joined: September 15th, 2004 Posts: 1089 Location: Erie, PA

Even before you arrive in your new area, start scoping out fellow DJ entertainers. I'm sure you'll find a few willing to network with you, and even better, pass along some events your way. Even if you have to pay a referral fee, it's not a bad way to get started!

Bryan Durio · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 9:11 am Post subject: Re: Change of location

extremepartydj.com wrote: "Lessez le bon temps roulet!" :D
I don't mean to rain on your parade, but the phrase is, "Laissez le bon temps rouler"! 8)

Carlo · Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 2:46 am Post subject:

djmc wrote: good luck with your new gig! Much appreciated. Thank you. I'm ready for the transition.

jwg wrote: Even before you arrive in your new area, start scoping out fellow DJ entertainers. I'm sure you'll find a few willing to network with you, and even better, pass along some events your way. :nod:
Definitely; I'm thinking of possibly stopping by the LA chapter of the ADJA, if they have one. I'm not a member because I never had the opportunity to attend the Houston meetings. This will definitely allow for some networking. I wouldn't mind collaborating with a DJ there and helping at a wedding just so that I can learn the culture, learn how they party. Am I going to have to learn zydeco music? I don't know the first thing about it.

I have one more wedding to do before the move then I will be in limbo for a good while, not a problem. I'm going to get settled in Louisiana and double check on my new schedule before I make any decisions. As far as the TX brides booked post-july, they didn't wan't me to get a replacement for them but just make recommendations. They were disappointed, but not pi$$ed, and understood my situation after I explained it. I'm glad that so far I have not had the bridezilla type, knock on wood.

Bryan Durio wrote: I don't mean to rain on your parade, but the phrase is, "Laissez le bon temps rouler"!
Aaahhh, Oui merci mon ami! "Laissez le bon temps rouler." AAyyyeeee!!! (Zydeco music in the background) Lol. I felt something was wrong with that. Throw me in Paris and I'd be able to survive since I can communicate all the important things, you know, food, eat, sleep, drink, eat, . I took French in high school, way back. Au revoir mon amis. Je suis tres fatigue et je voudrais dormi :sleepin: (waiting for Mr. Durio to take out the red grading pen). :D