Predictions for the future?

[djwriter]

Hello,

It's time for everyone to glance into their crystal balls and predict what the future holds for mobile DJing, and I'd like your input on what our industry can expect.

What are your predictions for the future when it comes to changing technology advances? Booking trends? Interaction development? Anything else?

Oh yeah, and are iPods a genuine threat to our industry?

As many details as you can provide, as well as evidence from real-life trends, would be appreciated.

Please leave your predicions in a message here, but also email me the info so I make sure I include your thoughts in my article.

Thanks,
jeff
djtimeswriter@mac.com
www.djtimes.com

[Jim Casey]

Funny that you should mention Ipods Jeff...

Just this morning I was discussing this very topic with a colleague of mine from New Hampshire.

My thought is this, The Ipod weddings will be big for the next few years. What I think will eventually happen is that 2015 and beyond brides will notice the lack or organization and flow that there is to this type of wedding.

As great as the technology is, the human element is still lacking, even when the bride and groom use relatives to MC. The relatives would still have no clue as to how to make an evening flow which will be noticed by banquet facilities.

I think eventually we will see some banquet facilities eventually telling brides that they will need professional Entertainment to use their room.

Other challenges...

The industry is dominated by Part-Time Hobbyists and those without a clue of what business ethics are. This is not a good thing if we want the industry to grow and be respected.

It is up to the Full-Time professionals to lead the industry in a direction that would eventually lead to the legal licensing of music and eliminate the wanna-be that simply downloads a 40,000 song library illegally.

It is time for the various Associations (ADJA, NAME, Global Mobile, USODJA) to get together under one banner. Even if that were to happen, with a combined membership that I estimate to be near 7,500, that's only approximately 3-7% of the industry (depending in who's DJ count you believe)

That number alone should tell you the level of professionalism in our industry.


BTW, Welcome to DJ Source Online!

[goodknightdj]

Jim:

I'm going to ding you here...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jim Casey @ Feb 2 2006, 11:03 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
The industry is dominated by Part-Time Hobbyists and those without a clue of what business ethics are. This is not a good thing if we want the industry to grow and be respected.[/b][/quote]

I am part-time but not a hobbyist. I am a part-time professional. Don't confuse part-time with being a hobbyist or unprofessional.

I run the business as a full-time business and it is a business; that is, a profit making enterprise.

OK, now I'll kick the soapbox to the side.

I too see venues discouraging IPOD parties. I've provided sound reenforcement for two IPOD weddings so far. They did not choose the MC option so I came in, set up, gave them the laminated instructions, wished them luck, and left. Well, I did hang around for a while as I had nothing better to do. The relative/friend they had MCing had no clue as to how to run a wedding reception in both cases. It was a Charlie Fox from the start because in both cases the MC was asking other people what to do next. In the second one the bride saw me standing in the doorway and asked me to help, knowing that I have lots of experience with weddings. I told her that I was just observing and my help would cost her some cash up front plus, I wasn't dressed for it. I had tried to convince her to go with our DJ service or add the MC option onto the IPOD package but she'd hear nothing of it. I finally left after watching him and the guy with the IPOD limp through the first dance.

When I came back an hour before the end time almost everybody was gone and the bride was in tears. Her exact words to me were, "You tried to tell me but I wouldn't listen. My wedding was ruined." At least she didn't try to blame me.

I had a conversation with the banquet manager about it. He said it was all a shambles. Both of these were at the same venue. They are considering asking their wedding clients if it will be an IPOD wedding and seriously asking them to reconsider based on these two.

Tom

[Wolfie]

Greets, Jeff.

Changing technology will possibly include direct-link DJing. If it works, this will eliminate the need for CDs and laptop harddrives. It'll be a members only pay-as-you-go type of service much like the cable TV "on demand" services are.

As the Baby Boom generation ages we'll see more requirements for retro services and props. People will expect more from mobile entertainment. A generation of midlife crisis sufferers will want exotic dancers, male and female. Karaoke and video alone won't cut it. As it is we field several calls per month from clients who want exotic dancers.

Handling a roomful of pups at otherwise adult-oriented shows may become more common. People have become accustomed to day care, kindergarten etc. If one listens to the "experts", parents don't spend enough time with the pups. Taking their pups along to a party is becoming more and more acceptable. No one leaves his pups with a sitter anymore.

IPods are not a threat. Rather, the technology will allow the pros to do their jobs with ease. There will always be inferior services and, while the iPod is not helping matters it can be a help to the pros.

Hope it helps.

[Jim Casey]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(goodknightdj @ Feb 2 2006, 01:36 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Jim:

I'm going to ding you here...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jim Casey @ Feb 2 2006, 11:03 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
The industry is dominated by Part-Time Hobbyists and those without a clue of what business ethics are. This is not a good thing if we want the industry to grow and be respected.[/b][/quote]

I am part-time but not a hobbyist. I am a part-time professional. Don't confuse part-time with being a hobbyist or unprofessional

Tom
[/b][/quote]

I probably should have put a comma between Part-Time and Hobbyists. There are professional Part-timers for sure, but does DJing put the bulk of the money on your plate?

The leaders I want are those who make their living as a Disc Jockey. These are the people that should lead the fight for licensing, respectability, and more.

Let the disagreement begin [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]