1. Don’t ask to be on the list…earn it.
Nobody is going to add you to their vendor list just
because you stopped by their office with a stack of cards. Hard work always pays off.
Be patient.
2. Don’t just be a good DJ, be a good person.
Once you get your foot in the door at an
amazing venue, of course you are going to rock the show, but how did you treat the
banquet captain? The guests? The staff? Did you demand food as if you’re a rock star?
Remember the old saying, “You only have one chance to make a first impression.”
3. Hit the streets.
The other way to get your foot in the door is through networking. Make
plans today to join the next NACE (National Association of Catering and Events) or ILEA
(International Live Events Association) meeting in your area. Don’t just join, actually GO
to the meetings. Meet the influential people, listen, engage!
4. Get Face to Face.
So much business these days is done over email, text and the web.
Never underestimate the power of one on one meetings. Lunch or coffee is always going
to be the best, low key, casual approach to selling what your company does.
5. Show Gratitude. Take time to send fellow vendors thank you cards or birthday cards.
Remember, anyone can write “HBD” on someone’s Facebook wall. If a venue sends you
an extraordinary amount of business one quarter, send them a thank you gift of some
sort.
6. Marketing Matters.
Your branding and marketing are just as important as your mixing
skills, maybe even more so. Take the time to make great social media posts. Create
videos that show the packed dance floors and smiles on people’s faces. Make sure your
branding is consistent across all of your messaging—website, business cards, social
media, etc.
7. Give It Away Now.
Offer your services for free. Yes, FREE! Open houses, grand openings,
food tastings are all great ways to get your foot in the door of a venue. Normally you are going
to be the only DJ there and guess who the people visiting are going to think of first when
needing music for an event? You!
Nobody is going to add you to their vendor list just
because you stopped by their office with a stack of cards. Hard work always pays off.
Be patient.
2. Don’t just be a good DJ, be a good person.
Once you get your foot in the door at an
amazing venue, of course you are going to rock the show, but how did you treat the
banquet captain? The guests? The staff? Did you demand food as if you’re a rock star?
Remember the old saying, “You only have one chance to make a first impression.”
3. Hit the streets.
The other way to get your foot in the door is through networking. Make
plans today to join the next NACE (National Association of Catering and Events) or ILEA
(International Live Events Association) meeting in your area. Don’t just join, actually GO
to the meetings. Meet the influential people, listen, engage!
4. Get Face to Face.
So much business these days is done over email, text and the web.
Never underestimate the power of one on one meetings. Lunch or coffee is always going
to be the best, low key, casual approach to selling what your company does.
5. Show Gratitude. Take time to send fellow vendors thank you cards or birthday cards.
Remember, anyone can write “HBD” on someone’s Facebook wall. If a venue sends you
an extraordinary amount of business one quarter, send them a thank you gift of some
sort.
6. Marketing Matters.
Your branding and marketing are just as important as your mixing
skills, maybe even more so. Take the time to make great social media posts. Create
videos that show the packed dance floors and smiles on people’s faces. Make sure your
branding is consistent across all of your messaging—website, business cards, social
media, etc.
7. Give It Away Now.
Offer your services for free. Yes, FREE! Open houses, grand openings,
food tastings are all great ways to get your foot in the door of a venue. Normally you are going
to be the only DJ there and guess who the people visiting are going to think of first when
needing music for an event? You!
Chic Entertainment January 2024