Mobile Beat Sold to Ryan Burger

[Jim Casey]

I have inquired about writing articles in the past only to be denied from MB staff.

I have what would be some interesting stories and ideas, but they seem bent on being dull.

[Chris Wagner]

Jim:

Well, if the articles were well-written on an interesting topic, it's Mobile Beat's loss. Not to mention the rest of us who have to read from the same authors all the time.

[Jim Casey]

That's all I'm saying...maybe Ryan will give the magazine the upgrade it needs

[Wolfie]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Chris Wagner @ Feb 27 2006, 06:04 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Wolfie... I'd love to know where you get that "sense" from. You don't subscribe, you don't belong to associations... all you do is base your opinions on what you read online.

I think your reality is way off, but even if Mobile Beat took a "make more money" slant... why is everyone so hell bent on bashing that idea? We're business owners and the concept of earning more money shouldn't be rejected. The ones that do reject the idea of earning more money are pure hobbyists.
[/b][/quote]
Chris,

Am I to presume that by not subscribing to MB, my company is less than professional?

You're correct in that I do not subscribe. I have received copies of this publication however. As Jim mentioned, I saw more advertising than articles. On a hypothetical note, I honestly don't care what DJ Chickin Scritch is doing with his turntables.

As for me not belonging to associations I'd like to point out that I am national membership director for the USODJA.

All I do is base my opinions from what I read online? Sir, with due respect this is misguided conjecture on your part and utter nonsense.

My "sense" comes with age and experience. I base my opinons upon many sources, bbs comments included. I have been in this biz since '93 and have been slumming on these forums since '97. I've attended an industry tradeshow and count many of this industry's leaders as dear friends. Our local DJ networking group consists of scores of professionals. Also, we are proud to know several local wedding vendors as friends. People tell me things. I listen.

I may be "way off" on occasion but this is not one of those occasions. And don't even bother to start the "Ferrellnomics". Been down that road before. As a small business owner I do not reject the possibility of growing our business. But tell the locals that and it falls upon deaf ears. Central Delaware is essentially one big trailer park. This area is up to its neck in inexpensive DJ companies and people know it. A DJ service is only worth as much as the customer is willing to pay for it -- and that ain't much around here. We have better luck with clients from NJ and PA.

The cheap services are not adverse to making a decent paycheck, either. They do it by double-booking, dropping brides at the last moment to pick up one who offers $15.00 more and tossing a bone to the young pups who think dress slacks and a necktie are appropriate wedding vendor attire. Most can't tell a waltz from a Waffle House and haven't a clue as to how to manage a wedding. But they work cheap...

These folks are not our competitors. We prefer to work smarter, not harder.

An industry trade pub subscription isn't going to change the manner in which people in Central Delaware think.

For all the good it will do.... I hope it helps.

[Chris Wagner]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Wolfie @ Feb 27 2006, 11:59 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Chris,

Am I to presume that by not subscribing to MB, my company is less than professional?

You're correct in that I do not subscribe. I have received copies of this publication however. As Jim mentioned, I saw more advertising than articles. On a hypothetical note, I honestly don't care what DJ Chickin Scritch is doing with his turntables.

As for me not belonging to associations I'd like to point out that I am national membership director for the USODJA.

All I do is base my opinions from what I read online? Sir, with due respect this is misguided conjecture on your part and utter nonsense.

My "sense" comes with age and experience. I base my opinions upon many sources, bbs comments included. I have been in this biz since '93 and have been slumming on these forums since '97. I've attended an industry tradeshow and count many of this industry's leaders as dear friends. Our local DJ networking group consists of scores of professionals. Also, we are proud to know several local wedding vendors as friends. People tell me things. I listen.

I may be "way off" on occasion but this is not one of those occasions. And don't even bother to start the "Ferrellnomics". Been down that road before. As a small business owner I do not reject the possibility of growing our business. But tell the locals that and it falls upon deaf ears. Central Delaware is essentially one big trailer park. This area is up to its neck in inexpensive DJ companies and people know it. A DJ service is only worth as much as the customer is willing to pay for it -- and that ain't much around here. We have better luck with clients from NJ and PA.

The cheap services are not adverse to making a decent paycheck, either. They do it by double-booking, dropping brides at the last moment to pick up one who offers $15.00 more and tossing a bone to the young pups who think dress slacks and a necktie are appropriate wedding vendor attire. Most can't tell a waltz from a Waffle House and haven't a clue as to how to manage a wedding. But they work cheap...

These folks are not our competitors. We prefer to work smarter, not harder.

An industry trade pub subscription isn't going to change the manner in which people in Central Delaware think.

For all the good it will do.... I hope it helps.
[/b][/quote]

I'm in no position to challenge your professionalism. That's a very subjective term in an artsy industry like the mobile DJ industry.

Listen to yourself for a moment. You tried to make me look like I was preaching "Ferrell-isms" in a post that suggested a small business owner should always strive to make more. True, that does line up with some of the things Mark Ferrell preaches... but also any other business speaker, too! Show me a small business owner that doesn't want to make more money. So you need to stop putting words in my mouth and stop blaming Ferrell for DJs wanting to make more money. Is it possible that some of us actually think for ourselves, too?

I can't speak for your market in Delaware. I don't know your business model. And I'm certainly not going to come on here and suggest how to run your business. That, to me, is disrespectful. What I will say is that all markets are competitive. I drum up cold leads through the net. You're going to tell me that isn't tough? How about schools? Shop on price often, right? Some, yes. Not all. The point is to not compare yourself to the other guys when you should be concentrating on what makes you different from them. The reason most of the DJs are likely so close in price is because they all say they do the same thing. It's a commodity then. Nothing makes you worth more.

Finally... I suppose I've been in "this crazy business" for as long as you then. My first DJ job was in 93 or 94 when I was in high school under another company. I started my business in 1997 and started on chat forums somewhere between 97 and 99. I'm also one of those "young pups" whose clients appreciate me wearing nice, pressed pants, a pressed shirt, and necktie to a wedding versus a tuxedo. I own a tux... don't wear it except to black tie events... again just what works for me. But just as you didn't necessarily like my tone, you mirror it by suggesting that DJs who wear ties and dress pants might be slightly less than professional.

This post is about Ryan and Mobile Beat. I'm as open-minded as anyone. If there are improvements to be made about it or the show, you'll be sure to see it. I don't play the politics. But instead of casting stones before the buyout even takes place, why not give it a chance? Oh, that's right, you won't... you think there are too many ads. But you'll be the first to criticize it, right? Give me a break.

[Jim Casey]

Chris...
Does Ryan expect a backlash from some of the industry regulars at the conventions?

[Wolfie]

Chris,

The attitude you have presented here has demonstrated a less-than-flattering impression of MB.

I would respectfully suggest dropping the divisiveness. Gunboat diplomacy does little to accomplish positive results in any industry. If one's object is to raise the bar he will succeed by recognizing the strengths of his compadres, not dismissing them.

You say that you are as open-minded as anyone yet you cast a stone by posting unfounded presumptions about me. I responded with facts. You have shown no remorse regarding your comments.

A less-than-professional impression of MB will not come from me, Sir.

Carry on. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

[Chris Wagner]

Hi Jim:

I can't speak for Ryan, but I'd imagine a select few would have a chip on their shoulder, sure. But even minus two booths, the show will prosper if produced effectively.

Wolfie:

Let's get this straight... I have no affiliation with Mobile Beat. I'm not here defending it nor representing it or the current/future owners.

Perhaps I'm coming across as divisive. But you also mention you were looking for the industry to accomplish positive results. Show me where not subscribing to a trade magazine and just sitting back in your office chair on these forums really helps to achieve positive results.

I stick by my original position that you need to be part of the solution rather than the problem. Jim alleges he wrote to Mobile Beat and they didn't publish him. I give him all the credit in the world for trying to do something. Perhaps, Wolfie, you'll entertain joining ADJA, NAME, or writing for Mobile Beat before you are outspoken of things you only see from the outside... or hear from people... or read on the forums.

If I'm going to recognize the strengths of my colleagues, I need to understand what strengths they have. All I've ever seen you post about is your age and how you can't earn more money in your market. Mad Joe has age... but he's demonstrated to me time and time again his experience and knowledge of business and the industry (incidentally, he's not who I'd call a Ferrell-ite in the least... and he also attends just about every Mobile Beat to talk to "young pups" like me).

Conclusion... why be so cynical of something that hasn't even taken place yet? You're griping about a publication you don't even subscribe to in the first place... If the publication or the show sucks after new ownership AND YOU SUBSCRIBE OR ATTEND, then yeah, b**ch all you want. You paid for that right. But not being part of the solution is YOUR PROBLEM.

[Free DJ America]

I received a copy back in the Winter I believe. I was really quite impressed! I thought the balance of ads to content was much better than 99% of "commercial mags", like "O" or "Motor Trend", etc.

[Wolfie]

Chris,

It seems my comments here have been misinterpreted once again.

As membership director of the USODJA I have responsibilities to the working folks who make this industry what it is and our fellow vendors with whom we work closely. I converse privately with many people in this biz and try to help when I can.

The mobile DJ biz is primarily comprised of three camps: wildcatters, industry suppliers and a handful of renegades who know how how to work the system to their advantage. Oddly enough, the smallest group, the renegades seem to gain the most attention for some reason.

Where does Wolfie fit in this scenario? Just another wildcatter, I'd say.

But I'm trying to help at least. I'd like to think that I am more a "part of the solution" (whatever that happens to be) than a "part of the problem" (whatever that happens to be). I would not have accepted the job as officer of an industry association if I didn't care.

If the staff of MB wishes, I would be more than happy to write a professional article for the pub. All they have to do is ask.

For the sake of argument, let's say I cut a company check to the owners of MB, another to Bruce and another to the boys in California. Will my business see an increase in bookings as a result?

A FYI: I am very suspicious of any venture that MF and his band of merry men are behind. I have good reason for suspicion and am not alone. Sometimes, what is not said in public speaks louder than what is said. Where one stands on an issue depends upon where he sits. For my part I sit on the board of directors for an independant industry association with an open mind. Members' political affiliations are their own business and have no bearing on their professionalism.

I also sit in my chair at the computer, this is true. It comes with the job description. I do a good deal of damage control for this industry from my humble chair. When the renegades invade a bride-related site with their super-sized egos I'm conscripted into damage control duty once again. I like to think that's "part of the solution" but in reality, it's just a temporary measure. No matter how many times they're reprimanded and censured, the renegades never seem to be able to leave the bridal sites alone. Yet they make no bones about their pride in being ADJA members...

Now, tell me again who's "part of the problem". And while you're at it, rather than tell the readers what a bad guy I am, how about offering a "solution".

Speaking of being a "part of the solution", what have you done for this industry lately, Chris?

Gunboat diplomacy will come around to bit you in the butt eventually. When you shoot at people, they remember it. But what do I know? It just makes more work for folks like myself...

With that said, this thread seems to be going nowhere. I've done what I can to help here but must move on to the next panic attack. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

Feel free to carry on, my friend.