Alliances - Helpful or Hurtful?

[Professor Jam]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>I haven't seen Paul since the DJ Times AC expo a few years ago. I know he's involved with the DJ Cruise -- or he was at the time.[/b][/quote]
Paul Beardmore is doing well and attended the Computer DJ Summit here in October with his lovely wife Kathy. I have a photograph with many of us at Bahama Breeze having dinner a couple evenings.

Johnny very true.

[Free DJ America]

Originally posted by Johnny Dee@Nov 15 2005, 08:24 PM
I have been following this thread and debated about jumping in... You have got to start to run your business as a "BUSINESS".

:dollar Johnny Dee, you're absolutely right. I think it almost could be catagorized. Lets see what you think...

There are some people who say "I'm a Business Person" and they run everything very organized, scheduled and manage to set goals and keep them. Many of them will make a success of themselves, or at least give it a fairly exhaustive try. These folks can be "natural business minds" or just your plain old regular people.

Then there is the bunch who are naturally risk takers, innovators and maybe geniuses or idiots - it's hard to tell. I think I probably fall into this bunch. People like this are good at learning quick, being flexible, creative and can adapt, improvise and BS their way into building businesses, establishing relationships, making money etc... These people would probably think of themselves as anything but "business people"... It really wouldn't matter what they were doing - it's all equal. Nothing seems too big a task. The problem these folks seem to have, (my self included), is that they are so abstract it makes it difficult to focus on one thing, organize effectively and carry out a day to day routine. These are the folks who conceive dreams and then HOPEFULLY hire others who have more routine logic make those dreams come true.

There's another group, which I don't even know how to explain what they do. It seems like they were just born to be in business and they do good. It's not that anything they do is special, innovative or would make them rich - It's just that they know how to do just enough to maintain a certain comfort level. I know a fellow who owns a landscaping company. He started cutting grass in the 8th grade and never stopped. After 25+ years he has tons of regular clients and he owns a big house and all that, but never seems concerned with anything. He doesn't seem to think about his business or work at it all that hard... he just does it. Same with a guy I know who has owned a bodyshop for 35 years. He's never worked for anyone a day in his life. He doesn't advertise or do marketing. He doesn't care what people think. If he doesn't like a client because they seem annoying he tells them he doesn't care to serve them and asks them to take their car elsewhere. All this and yet he still has a mattress full of money!

SO Johnny... What's the answer? How does one become more "business like"? I tried for a little while and I can't stand it... too much work. Of course I'm sick of having to shove piles of mail out of the way to see my monitor too [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]

[Free DJ America]

PS... I just realized we've ran this thread for six pages all based on the topic "Alliances - Helpful or Hurtful?"

So what do you think? After all of this we should have the answer huh?

[SirWolfy]

I believe the answer has been touched upon, several times and in several ways; "alliances" or "partnerships" are indeed, good business practices. But when you throw the DJ Industry into the mix, then you start looking at or reading between the lines, some of the exclusive deals and "my way is the only way" kind of mentality that does nothing other than alienate and segragate this industry even further. In other words, this industry needs more opportunities to unite DJs, not draw even deeper lines in the sand or thumping one's chest even louder.

I'll pass on conglomo-DJ.

Jim, My post was not to offend you or anyone in the network. As i stated i loed it when i sat in. But, to say because that i dont join NAME, that i am not a business person, i find very offensive. I didnt just jump into the DJ busniess. I planned and planned on what i was going to do. I do not think of it as a hobby, it takes up alot of my time. I have most of the same concerns you all do. I have looked at the requirements. The only 2 that do not apply to me as i can see are
I havent been in business for myself for 2 years and i dont belong to name or adja.

[Johnny Dee]

I grew up in the corporate world. I was a Vice President of Marketing for a large corporation for a number of years. At the same time, I was developing my entertainment business. I finally left the corporate world because I didn't like the politics and structure. I wanted to be a free spirit and do my thing...LOL

This January will be 51 years in the entertainment business for me. It has not been easy. I've seen all kinds of ups and downs and turns in the entertainment business. However, a couple of years ago I decided that I was not happy with seasonal work, cheap jobs etc. I realized that to really be successful and make lots of money we were going to have to change our approach to this business. THINK CORPORATE!...aha

The corporate thing works. It has been tried and tested over and over again. Doesn't matter what your product is.

I agree...not all partnering or alliances are good or workout. But don't shoot them all down just because some don't work out.

We partnered with the radio station Z100 in our area to help our business grow.

We formed an alliance with a couple of friendly competitors in our area. Meetings are held once a month to discuss our direction, equipment purchases, etc. One of the companys just spent $6000. for EAW speakers. We bought the new Sony EVI D70 Video Camera for live camera on the large screen and also Text-Live. Instead of each of us going out and buying the same thing we make our equipment available to each other. I'm the marketing expert, my Son and one of the other company owners are the equipment gurus. Another guy is the Sales expert. Another one trains and rehearses the dancers. A good alliance can work wonders for your business. None of us would be as successful as we are if we did not have this alliance. We are all single-ops.

My Son and I are partners. By changing the direction of our company, in just a couple of years, we have gone from a single-op $50,000. a year company to a single-op company approaching the $200,000. figure this year.

The only way you can do this is to get away from the "DJ" mentality and direct your energies to the "Business" side of things. I realize that there are conservative owners and risk takers out there. I know we fit into the risk takers.

I know that most of you that read this will not follow this path for what ever reasons. My hope is that it will encourage one of you to "see the light" (Intells...of course) and you will regroup and take your business in a new direction.

[Professor Jam]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>I agree...not all partnering or alliances are good or workout. But don't shoot them all down just because some don't work out.[/b][/quote]
I agree that not all alliances are bad and you must view the entire program not a specific instance. Your alliance and partnership with the radio station Z100 works because the service offered meets the expectations of the marketing.

Johnny, good to hear you are now using Text-Live it’s a good program and a strong visionary tool. You can't be in this industry as long as you, me and others without adopting the business mentality. Congratulations on the companies successful re-direct.

[Wolfie]

There's a lot of truth to that.

Alliances can be a good thing because they show us what we're missing.

Many DJs don't run what one would classify as a business. As Todd's examples indicate, if it works for you and you're making good money at it why change? It ain't broken so why fix it?

This industry has been around a long time. In the old days, DJs made their marks on the market by their mixing skills. It was all done by hand in them days -- no electronics, samples or CDs to do it for you. It wasn't a business then, any more than playing guitar in a band was a business. Someone liked your work, he booked you, you played the dates, you got paid and you went home.

Now it's all changed. PA equipment is cheaper, music is cheaper and easier to accumulate and everyone and his brother wants to be a DJ.

It is business now. Alliances, associations and industry expos are more business-oriented than ever before. Many in this business will say "I'm too busy working to attend meetings or tradeshows". That's sad. Getting the folks to at least listen is no easy feat.

[Chris Wagner]

Originally posted by Jams@Nov 15 2005, 02:21 AM
I would love to join a networking group that we have here in Maine, but they require that you be a member of NAME or the ADJA. Which i dont see myself paying for at this time. No offense to anyone who runs or belongs to the networking clan. But, i dont think i should have to pay for that to network with my fellow DJ's here in Maine.

So you probably have no problem spending $200 or so on a new lighting effect, but that same amount of money is a waste on organized DJ associations?

A $200 lighting effect is not likely going to earn you any additional money. Just because you have a new Vertigo doesn't help your sales or marketing techniques.

Now, take that same $200 for an annual membership to your local chapter. What if they brought you Mark Ferrell, Peter Merry, and other presentations about web marketing, interactives, new gear, DMX, financial planning, etc.? How about getting 17 issues of Promo Only for the price of 12?

I don't take offense to your post, because I recognize the backwards thinking of many DJs. They'd much rather have something tangible in their hands like a new mixer or lighting effect that learn to improve their marketing.

Actually, i bought lights when i first started up. I only use them at dances. I dont plan on upgrading anytime in the near future. My whole thing with this post was i dont see why i should have to be a member of a national org to be in a network of local people. But, i can see that the thinking in the network is that if you do not belong to a national organization, you are not a business person. Which i think is a very shallow statement. Quite frankly, i'd rather take $200 and sponsor a youth sports team or something to do with youth. Instead of buying lights. I'll just associate myself with people that do not mind passing on some info top help others in the business venture. I wouldnt charge to share anything i may have learned from others and i dont want to pay for it either.