Alliances - Helpful or Hurtful?

[DJKoolSkip]

You now, guys........they fight like this on DJChat.

I came here for something different. I guess not, huh?

djskip [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif[/img]

[Cap]

Jam : Yep. Can't pass up a town hall meeting. What are we talking about, anyway? [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]

[Wolfie]

Originally posted by DJKoolSkip@Aug 19 2005, 09:50 PM
You now, guys........they fight like this on DJChat.

I came here for something different. I guess not, huh?

djskip [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif[/img]

Cheers, Skip. It's great to see you again. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

Folks,

Most of us here have been involved in this crazy business longer than we care to admit. We've seen a lot. Most of us in this biz don't honestly care a damn what association is joining forces with which organization. We have our hands full running our businesses and trying to put food on our tables.

No matter the evident politics, we're all friends when we meet face to face. Go to any of the national conventions and spend a few days visiting with people. Chances are, you'll spend a great deal of time chatting with many people you've known only from these online forums.

And they're all good people. Pop open a couple of cold beers and prepare to get an education. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

When you meet face to face, no one cares about affiliations or politics. We're all friends in this crazy business. For our part, Shirl and I are fortunate to have met and chatted with some of the founding fathers of the DJ industry. Say what you will about today's ADJA or NAME... the founders are working DJs just like the rest of us.

And they have some stories to share, believe me. If you ever get the opportunity to chat with these folks, please do so. Listen to what they have to say.

[DJ Iron Mike]

Originally posted by dreamweaverdj@Aug 19 2005, 04:51 PM
This entire WeDJ versus ProDJ stuff has to go away. The only thing it does is tear us apart and make us look like a bunch of babies.

Scott,

Yes, I agree! It has to go away and you are exactly right on the head. Sometimes other DJ's are no better to each other than some of stuff that goes on over on the Knot boards. It's ok to have friends and it's ok to disagree, that's what makes us all different. We can have our opinions but we (as a whole, the industry) don't have to be jerks about it. I know that we can be the professionals that we say we are.
The internet wars that have gone on in the past have to stop. "He said this, they said that" and before we know it we are all slinging slop on each other and these things are what I see as hurting our industry. Many people have done it and unfortunately it even includes me. No it doesn't make it right. Yes we get frustrated at things that get done or not done, that kind of goes with the territory.
An industry leader in my opinion would be somebody who recognizes a problem and sets out to correct it. Venting about, though it will let out some steam, doesn't really do much to get the problem solved.
Some of the other boards that have cropped up other than DJChat, or WeDJ or ProDJ, have done so because some people wanted to be able to go off in a different direction. There's a lot to learn from that. Jim started this board I'm sure because he wanted to explore a different direction, CJ Greiner started DJ Gold because he wanted to explore a different direction, I started mine for just about the same reasons. There is nothing wrong with a different direction and if anything, all of these different directions can help us all to be better at what we do. We are hurting ourselves when we go and flare up the flame wars. They get long and drawn out to the point of being pointless.

[Free DJ America]

Originally posted by DJ Iron Mike+Aug 20 2005, 08:43 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DJ Iron Mike @ Aug 20 2005, 08:43 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-dreamweaverdj@Aug 19 2005, 04:51 PM
This entire WeDJ versus ProDJ stuff has to go away.

Scott, Yes, I agree! It has to go away and you are exactly right on the head.... jerks about it.... internet wars that have gone on... hurting our industry... Venting about... Some of the other boards that have cropped up other than DJChat, or WeDJ or ProDJ, have done so because some people wanted to be able to go off in a different direction... We are hurting ourselves when we go and flare up the flame wars.[/b][/quote]
While it's easy to see there's friction sometimes because of a conflict of interest or difference of opinion, I'm not sure that Internet Wars and the perceived struggle between a few forum posters is what Jim had in mind when he posed the question.

Perhaps I read into the topic wrongly, but it seemed to me that what he was asking was if DJs thought that the alliances made between well known sites and companies was a benefit to the industry or not. BUT... as long as you brought it up:

I'm not even quite sure what happened in the past to stir up much of this perceived controversy, but I'm a firm believer in "we reap what we sow". For example, (and keep in mind I did not know any of you when I started my site), Scott and I talked on the telephone when I first started. He was completely cool and friendly, even indicating that if my site were to one-day out-grow his at least it was in capable hands. That's professionalism. When I network with Brian at ATF we can discuss the core of our business which is traffic, site design and exposing clients to DJs... Mike from MobileBeat and I have talked on the phone, emailed and help each other at the grass roots level with exposure for his DJ Conventions, Scott from DJI and I have worked out a sweet deal and I can't thank enough all the generous vendors who have provided freebies for the Contest4DJs. Ryan is kind enough to allow my posts to stay on his boards, but has has told me that any networking between us would be a conflict of interest because we are in essence competitors and has not shown an interest in the contest. CJ feels the same. I still openly promote them because it's good for DJs to know these resources are available and they've been cool about it. Sid on the other hand, at one point blocked my posts. Peace was never interested in ADJA / FDJA networking, but now advertises with me - What does that tell you? Drax won't respond to my emails. Obviously for me the level of promotion I give them is in direct proportion to their willingness to network and help the industry as a whole.

SO... How does all of this matter or correlate with Jim's question? Well, no matter what anyone says and I'm sure even Scott, Brian, Ryan and everyone else won't deny it, much of what we do is about traffic. Search engine traffic is the lifeblood of our sites, but referrals and networking is also critical to our success. Make no mistake about it, affiliations with other vendors helps strengthen our position. This - IN MY OPINION - is most likely the motivating factor behind all the industry elbow rubbing. The majority of search results from anything "dj" or "disc jockey" will be our directories, DJs individual websites, etc... 99% advertising type sites. The "organizations" and "clubs" like the ADJA used to dominate search engine results but no longer do, so they NEED relationships with diretories and disc jockeys to survive.

The upside is, there is a greater good that becomes of it all. Better service, better resources, better software, etc. I think the only threat or negative that would come out of it, is if any one conglomo becomes a monopoly. The likelihood is marginal though. That's the beauty of the Internet, (unlike our media and US news which only reports what they want us to hear)....

My 50 cents worth.

[John Daniels]

Hey Merl . . .

What part of mid-Michigan are you from!

I am originally from Jackson . . . :banger

[Professor Jam]

I was emailed the release below... is this what started this thread?

I see nothing wrong with networking or special offers. The underlying tone is they represent the best within the industry or world's official which I'm not sure what that means..

---------------------------------------------------------------
Professor Jam did you receive this press release?

The industry’s leading service-providers have joined forces to create Synergistic Solutions, an alliance of elite service-providers in the entertainment industry. The purpose of this new alliance is to advance the DJ industry by offering the very best in products and services for disc jockeys. Charter members of the alliance include the American Disc Jockey Association (ADJA), DJ Intelligence, ProDJ.com, and DiscJockeys.com. These companies offer valuable top notch products and services that disc jockeys can utilize to build their businesses and grow their bookings. Through the alliance, DJs who are members of each organization will have special access to various promotions offered by other alliance members. Package offerings will also be available where DJs can purchase all the services that fit their needs in a single location.

"The goal of the American Disc Jockey Association is to help DJs build and grow their business. Through this alliance, the ADJA will provide members with even more great benefits" said Dr. Drax, ADJA President. "The ADJA continues to pioneer the role of an association. We helped to pioneer this alliance to bring the best the industry has to offer together under one banner, making it easy for a DJ to get the very best products & services. Nobody offers more opportunity for the working DJ than the ADJA. We will continue to expand the benefits to belonging to the ADJA and this powerful alliance is just one more. This alliance is an example of one of our core action statements put into practice, ‘Together we can make a difference.’ The industry will be advanced thru this effort."

"We’re thrilled to be engaging in such a powerful relationship" said Scott Kartsounes, Chairman / CEO of DJ Intelligence, Inc. "We’ve known for years that each member of this alliance has provided the very best products and services for the DJ industry, it’s great to finally put something official together to coordinate our efforts and advance the industry." DJ Intelligence offers a unique system that enables DJs to integrate a complete online event booking and planning system into their existing website. Clients can check the DJ’s availability, obtain a price quote, book their event, search the DJ’s music library, create custom request lists, fill out customized event planning forms and timelines, make secure credit card payments, and much more, all on the DJ’s website. DJ Intelligence works with any existing website, is fully customizable, and easily installs in minutes.

ProDJ.Com is the "Internet’s Source For DJs" serving the disc jockey industry since 1995 with free industry resources such as discussion chat boards, DJ university with free DJ training materials, and shopping areas offering everything from equipment to music to software. ProDJ.com also works with thousands of disc jockey services on various parts of their Internet presence from template-driven websites to full custom-designed dot-coms. ProDJ.com offers top-notch website hosting and design services custom tailored for DJs. Once your website is established, ProDJ.com can help you effectively market your services online. They also offer interactive online solutions such as DJ Webmin, a web-based system for managing your entire DJ business. Most recently, ProDJ.com launched a new division called ProDJpc, offering PC hardware solutions for digital DJs.

DiscJockeys.com is the "the world’s official directory of entertainment services online", offering one of the largest online databases of disc jockeys in the nation. Guests such as brides & party planners use the DiscJockeys.com directory thousands of times daily to search for qualified DJs in their region. DJs who are listed at DiscJockeys.com can qualify to receive leads & inquiries, as well as click-thrus to their website. DiscJockeys.com offers free listings for all disc jockeys. Andrew Starr, Creator & President of DiscJockeys.com, said "This alliance will solidify our dedication to all DJs and express our continued commitment to great customer service and overall awareness to the DiscJockeys.com site and most importantly anyone searching for an entertainment service online."

Synergistic Solutions alliance members will coordinate their marketing efforts at trade shows and in publication advertisements. In August, members of the alliance will be exhibiting in a single convenient location at the DJ Expo in Atlantic City. DJs can learn about all of the very best products and services for their business in one location.

For more information regarding the American Disc Jockey Association (ADJA), please visit: http://adja.org

For more information regarding DJ Intelligence, please visit: http://www.djintelligence.com

For more information regarding ProDJ.com and their products, please visit: http://www.prodj.com

For more information regarding DiscJockeys.com, please visit: http://www.discjockeys.com

For questions regarding this press release, please contact Dr. Drax at office@adja.org or 888-723-5776.

[Glenn Miller]

Wow, been away for a while, you guys are making me feel nostalgic for the old days....lol

My Turn.....

<span style="color:red"><span style="font-size:36pt;line-height:100%">We Are Borg, Resistance is futile!!!</span></span>

Ryan, does not have an original bone in his body, he either copies what is good, or tries to call it his original ideal.... then repackages for consumption... for history....djchat, djmall, can't get what he wants from some advertisors, makes exclusive deals with their competitors, disallows, truth in posts on his forums, blocks those who go against....and when a advertisor is used up, creates his own company version....

:stop This bad boy has awakened again..... :fire

[WeDJ Cruise]

For the record...

At WeDJ.Com, we have not asked ANY vendors to sign any agreement nor do we have any agreement in place or pending that would force them to align with us.

We do have a mutual marketing relationship with NAME and do accept paid sponsorships for our cruise that require that WeDJ promotes them. While we hope they recommend us, we do NOT require them to promote us, exclusively or otherwise.

I personally think the "alliances" are pointless, and wish the lines that they draw would disappear.

[Jim Casey]

Originally posted by Professor Jam@Aug 21 2005, 01:50 PM
I was emailed the release below... is this what started this thread?

I see nothing wrong with networking or special offers. The underlying tone is they represent the best within the industry or world's official which I'm not sure what that means..

---------------------------------------------------------------
Professor Jam did you receive this press release?

The industry’s leading service-providers have joined forces to create Synergistic Solutions, an alliance of elite service-providers in the entertainment industry. The purpose of this new alliance is to advance the DJ industry by offering the very best in products and services for disc jockeys. Charter members of the alliance include the American Disc Jockey Association (ADJA), DJ Intelligence, ProDJ.com, and DiscJockeys.com. These companies offer valuable top notch products and services that disc jockeys can utilize to build their businesses and grow their bookings. Through the alliance, DJs who are members of each organization will have special access to various promotions offered by other alliance members. Package offerings will also be available where DJs can purchase all the services that fit their needs in a single location.

"The goal of the American Disc Jockey Association is to help DJs build and grow their business. Through this alliance, the ADJA will provide members with even more great benefits" said Dr. Drax, ADJA President. "The ADJA continues to pioneer the role of an association. We helped to pioneer this alliance to bring the best the industry has to offer together under one banner, making it easy for a DJ to get the very best products & services. Nobody offers more opportunity for the working DJ than the ADJA. We will continue to expand the benefits to belonging to the ADJA and this powerful alliance is just one more. This alliance is an example of one of our core action statements put into practice, ‘Together we can make a difference.’ The industry will be advanced thru this effort."

"We’re thrilled to be engaging in such a powerful relationship" said Scott Kartsounes, Chairman / CEO of DJ Intelligence, Inc. "We’ve known for years that each member of this alliance has provided the very best products and services for the DJ industry, it’s great to finally put something official together to coordinate our efforts and advance the industry." DJ Intelligence offers a unique system that enables DJs to integrate a complete online event booking and planning system into their existing website. Clients can check the DJ’s availability, obtain a price quote, book their event, search the DJ’s music library, create custom request lists, fill out customized event planning forms and timelines, make secure credit card payments, and much more, all on the DJ’s website. DJ Intelligence works with any existing website, is fully customizable, and easily installs in minutes.

ProDJ.Com is the "Internet’s Source For DJs" serving the disc jockey industry since 1995 with free industry resources such as discussion chat boards, DJ university with free DJ training materials, and shopping areas offering everything from equipment to music to software. ProDJ.com also works with thousands of disc jockey services on various parts of their Internet presence from template-driven websites to full custom-designed dot-coms. ProDJ.com offers top-notch website hosting and design services custom tailored for DJs. Once your website is established, ProDJ.com can help you effectively market your services online. They also offer interactive online solutions such as DJ Webmin, a web-based system for managing your entire DJ business. Most recently, ProDJ.com launched a new division called ProDJpc, offering PC hardware solutions for digital DJs.

DiscJockeys.com is the "the world’s official directory of entertainment services online", offering one of the largest online databases of disc jockeys in the nation. Guests such as brides & party planners use the DiscJockeys.com directory thousands of times daily to search for qualified DJs in their region. DJs who are listed at DiscJockeys.com can qualify to receive leads & inquiries, as well as click-thrus to their website. DiscJockeys.com offers free listings for all disc jockeys. Andrew Starr, Creator & President of DiscJockeys.com, said "This alliance will solidify our dedication to all DJs and express our continued commitment to great customer service and overall awareness to the DiscJockeys.com site and most importantly anyone searching for an entertainment service online."

Synergistic Solutions alliance members will coordinate their marketing efforts at trade shows and in publication advertisements. In August, members of the alliance will be exhibiting in a single convenient location at the DJ Expo in Atlantic City. DJs can learn about all of the very best products and services for their business in one location.

For more information regarding the American Disc Jockey Association (ADJA), please visit: http://adja.org

For more information regarding DJ Intelligence, please visit: http://www.djintelligence.com

For more information regarding ProDJ.com and their products, please visit: http://www.prodj.com

For more information regarding DiscJockeys.com, please visit: http://www.discjockeys.com

For questions regarding this press release, please contact Dr. Drax at office@adja.org or 888-723-5776.

Yes Jam...

That was my inspiration for the thread.