Alliances - Helpful or Hurtful?

[goodknightdj]

My thoughts on all of this...

I have met Ryan Burger and like the man. I have met Sid Vanderpool and like the man. I have met Dr. Draxx and like the man. If they see forming a conglomerate as a way to pay their bills and they are successful at it, more power to them. If they can make improvements, more power to them. If it puts some more money in my pocket at the end of the day, more power to them.

The tools that DJ Intelligence and DJ Webmin sell has helped my business. The leads form WeDJ have helped my business. The leads form FDJA has helped my business. It is what it is and it is what you make of it.

There is only one serviced around that I can truly say I don't like and the man that runs that service is an absolute idiot in my book. Those of you on this board who know who I am also know which service I am talking about. Fred, it was the guy that kept calling your cell phone and you had to pull over to tal to.

Tom Ohlendorf, President
Good Knight Entertainment

[Ron]

Stay tuned, it's about to get even better. :lovesic

[Professor Jam]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>I support any individual and/or company making positive advancements within our industry… I have friends that belong to the ADJA, NAME, ODJA, CDJA and others; I have friends that network on a variety of forums, some of which I personally don’t participate… Some spin vinyl, others CD many via computer, without alienation I do not label individuals based on affiliations or the tools they mix.. A DJ is a DJ – A valued Vendor is a Vendor – My views and personal opinions are not based on the opinions of individuals whose support is self-serving or finical arrangement.[/b][/quote]

Tom,

I'm not against anyone making money.... It's the under-towing politics and power-strugles that tear down the hard works of individuals like my friend Dr. Drax and other that I'm not a fan of...


You scare me Ron lol

[DJKoolSkip]

<span style="font-size:36pt;line-height:100%">Hi, Everybody !!</span>

Just joined and wanted to say hello. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

I have BRIEFLY skimmed this thread, not enough to make a comment on it, but I'll be weiging in from time to time (as I always do on the other boards).

Good to see so many familiar faces here. I look forward to reading and sharing and seeing what this board is all about.

Gotta run for now. :banger

DJSkip [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif[/img]

[Jim Casey]

Skip...
It's been too long my New England friend.

Todd...
Thank you for the surprising plug. Yes, I do have my personal favorites, but I try never to let it cloud my judgement or stop me from questioning motives.

This is the line that prompted this thread from the ProDj news release:

"ADJA, DJ Intelligence, ProDJ.com, & DiscJockeys.com Join Forces to Better the Industry"

Let's be real...this does nothing more than divide our industry into an us vs. them mentality.

I have no problem with them making any money off this either. It is what we are in this business for.

Let's not do this in the guise of bettering the industry.

In the end, we will have two strong and competitive camps. Sounds an awful lot like our current government structure.

Do we think the two party system is beneficial to us now?

[rexpert]

Isn’t it wonderful to live in America? One can choose to buy a product or move to another. One can sit on the couch and eat one’s self to death or become productive and help others to be more productive. The business balance (supply and demand) has always ruled who are the haves from the haves not. We vote in this country because we can. We also vote with our wallets, those that can. In the end it’s those whom made the right choices that will benefit. I for one, choose to be a part of group larger than myself. If that group chooses to join other assembly’s of similar interests, it’s for the same reason. Again, if one does not like to be a part of a gaggle of professionals then move on. Some other group is waiting to greet you with open arms. God bless America! :usa

Rexpert

[Jim Casey]

Out of curiosity rexpert...what group do you choose to be a part of?

I guess my problem is that if someone were to become a member of NAME, they would be pressured to stay away from say the ProDJ Cruise or if a member of the ADJA, would be pressured to stay away from the WeDJ Cruise.

I guess that is my even bigger issue with all of this.

It has already led to hard feelings and a resignation in our industry.

[Free DJ America]

Originally posted by Jim Casey@Aug 18 2005, 06:27 AM
Let's be real...this does nothing more than divide our industry into an us vs. them mentality.

Hi Jim, As for the plug - I try to keep it real... Hope you don't mind, lastnight I sent out an email promoting this topic on your board and you'll find a plug at: http://freedjamerica.com/DJ_News_Industry_...ent_Events.html

Us & Them - Pink Floyd Song about the Civil War!

When there's 2 sides one always wants to be stronger. It's a matter of survival. It's only when there's enough indpendent parties with similar yet different interests that things seem to keep equal footing. Imagine if in the 80's Europe had decided to join the US and China had decided to become part of Russia...

Actually I didn't realize that there are "two camps". I'm trying to figure out what those two camps are and does it help to be with one or the other. I have my own ideas and I'll try to use the K.I.S.S. principle to explain my point of view:

1) While I know all of these organizations and companies exapand into the brick and mortar world, the common denominator and the primary source of revenue and growth is the Internet.

2) In 2002 when I launched my site, there were a handful of DJ directory type sites. Today there are gobs of them.

3) Because of the competition on the Internet, it's tough for an individual site to remain strong in membership and remain effective for it's members. By co-branding and "joining forces" these sites have a better chance of staying in the game and producing revenue. (notice that there is always a DJ Directory involved with the conglomo). DJ Directories provide the "strength in numbers" and can effectively pitch the benefits of Club organizations to the other __% of DJs who don't currently belong to clubs. The __% who do belong to clubs can cross promote the directories. It's really a sweet deal for the directory and the club... Now throw in a value added service (like a nifty software tool or affiliate store) and it becomes more appealing and appears to have a "You in Mind" structure.

4) Take away all the politics and glitz and what are you left with? That's my question... I know that over 50% of DJs utilizing these sites and services are technically Part Time, (they do something else to pay the bills). If things are so tough for 50% of Internet DJ Population, why force feed them stuff to buy or subscribe to which they probably can't afford anyway? How is that helping them?

5) Does all of this matter anyway... Will it help or hurt the industry? Only time will tell. I don't think it will cause any harm and it will evolve naturally. Several years from now things will be as different as they were three years ago. I have some plans of my own to grow, but they don't include jumping on board with other companies or clubs. I do not believe this strategy is the long term key to survival. I think the only sure fire key to success is to serve those who support you. Give people what they need at a fair price and they'll keep coming back!

[DJBob]

Originally posted by Professor Jam@Aug 15 2005, 12:36 PM
Not Without Limitations!!!

Why?

The DJ industry is too political and critical towards individuals who do not march to the rhythm of a specific drum beat...

I also agree with this. I do not trust conglomerates, and I am becoming very disallusioned with the ADJA lately. While growth is good, monopolizing the industry is not, and IMO the ADJA is becoming more interested in themselves than anything else. I am sceptical of the "branding" campaign they are embarking on , and feel they are starting to lose focus on the real reason they began, to help local DJs be better DJs.

Jim Casey wrote: I guess my problem is that if someone were to become a member of NAME, they would be pressured to stay away from say the ProDJ Cruise or if a member of the ADJA, would be pressured to stay away from the WeDJ Cruise.

It is already happening, at least where I live. The various groups are gathering everyone together in their camps waiting for the first volley of "Us or Them", which is coming. ADJA and their followers will have their adgenda, NAME and its supporters will have theirs, and many DJs, who only want to better themselves and their business, will get caught in the crossfire and quit everything.

[Jim Casey]

Originally posted by DJBob@Aug 18 2005, 08:56 AM
Not Without ADJA and their followers will have their adgenda, NAME and its supporters will have theirs, and many DJs, who only want to better themselves and their business, will get caught in the crossfire and quit everything.

...or form their own conglomerate. LOL