Alliances - Helpful or Hurtful?

[Jim Casey]

Does a conglomerate like this...or the WeDJ-NAME-Fame DJ School marketing agreement actually help or hurt the industry?

[sogolddj]

No

[Jim Casey]

Explanation sogold????

[Professor Jam]

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...

Have you ever seen a mule train?

The mules are curious in nature and to prevent them from wondering in different directions the driver places blinders on them to maintain a specific view. Many sites claim or boast of having their thumb on the heartbeat of the industry keeping participants current with trends... However, the majority of the time the current trends are a reflection of their views, advertisers or self-serving agendas.

Having a limited view of the industry is "NOT" a benefit and will not BETTER the industry!

I'm in totally agreement of supporting those who support you but not to the point of ignoring industry events or companies not paying for the privilege. I’m not a member of the Tampa DJ Assoc. but I refer individuals seeking guidance to join and network anytime the conversation develops. Even though some individuals pretend I don’t exist, I do not penalize the group at the immature actions or hidden agendas of a few.

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.

Such arrangements benefit those who profit – what benefits the industry is open and honest communication with vendors offering quality resources backed up with respectful customer service.

No Blinders For Me Thank You!

(post edited to remove my signature ops)

[DJ Iron Mike]

Originally posted by Professor Jam@Aug 15 2005, 01:36 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 second this!

[SirWolfy]

I believe Prof. Jam summed it all up rather nicely; I whole-heartedly agree.

Conglomo-DJ has only been serving to further polarize the DJ Industry and the last thing we all need is even more borders, walls and boundaries. Furthermore, fueled by personal agendas, stoked by ego and clouded with misrepresentation from a select few; Conglomo-DJ has only given the "my way is the only way" type personalities yet another field to draw bad-blood upon. Additionally, it's not real hard to tell that the main motivating factor behind these partnerships is lining the pockets of those involved, not bettering the DJ Industry as a whole.

I'll pass on Conglomo-DJ, Conglomo-DJ Cruises and Conglomo-DJ mentality to choose the resources and path(s) that best fit my business and offer something more substantial than the "enduring" adoration of the opportunistic founders / organizers.

[djdonny]

You forgot to add MakesParties to that string. They are now partnering with DJI so as to sell giveaways through that program.

[ThatWeddingDJ]

Maybe I'm not best placed to contribute to this string, but I thought I'd offer my comment.

I'm not a big fan of trade associations, especially conglomerates who come together to protect their own existance. I agree with the principle that DJ's should operate their businesses in a professional & ethical way, but don't think that 'badges' really make much differences when it comes to selection by customers. Customers make decisions based on personal referrals, personal experiences, and recommendations.

DJ Trade associations may provide information, trade shows, discounts etc, but they do very little to help us generate business. That comes from hard work, dedication and successful marketing of our businesses.

I avoid any club that asks me for money to be a member. ( Maybe thats just me being Scottish, of course!)

Have a great day.
Stewart
ThatWeddingDJ@aol.com

[Wolfie]

This has always been the case in the DJ business. Trying to organize DJs is akin to herding cats.

Is it any wonder that the folks who founded the national associations and other groups are no longer involved in their management? Is anyone surprised that some of the much-ballyhooed newcomer organizations like Find Your DJ are no longer in existence?

A handful of DJs fronted a boatload of their own money to start these organizations. What did they get for their trouble? A good, swift kick upside the head and a shoe print on their arses. These days, few DJs and KJs even know who these folks are, nor do they care.

To be successful an industry association must offer the members something they can use.

I agree with the aforementioned comments -- the industry as a whole is improved when local DJs can get together and converse. This crazy business consists of gazillions of different markets. No one can truthfully claim to benefit them all. You can't sit in an office in Mobile, Alabama and dictate DJ policy in San Diego, California.

There is a great deal of money changing hands in this industry -- look at Promo Only, TMC and PSSL to name a few. Those are established, professional businesses, not shirttail promoters or tinpot spokesmen. There are some DJs who have gone the way of promoting equipment and services for DJs. That's all well and fine -- until the promoters get single-minded and things get ugly. Bill Cronheim is a rare exception -- he can promote things he sells and listen to customers of things he doesn't sell at the same time.

Like Jam, I too have taken heat in this industry because I don't listen to BS and put a nickel in the pockets of the "Brand X" promoters. I learned long ago to simply ignore it and consider the source. We're not in business to appease other DJs or equipment nuts. Brand logo plates can be very expensive but they don't mean squat to the people who are signing our paychecks. We're paid to get the job done in a professional manner. That's what we do. If some DJ in Anytown, USA with too much time on his hands doesn't like the logo plates on our equipment, tough shitski.

Our clients are happy, we're happy. There ain't nothin' wrong with that. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

[Free DJ America]

[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif[/img] DJ Conglomo what? That's funny! But really I'm sorry I didn't mean to laugh. Consider it a chuckle. I can't beleive the cohonos Jim has running his forum, DJing, asking a thought provoking question like that... All while brandishing a WeDJ logo with his signature.

I'm not sure what to make of all of this conglomo-rama... Maybe I'm just jealous because I was not invited, but that's okay I'm kind of too busy trying to gain Internet exposure for my members, so the cruise, conventions etc will have to wait until I have 2 or 3 or 20,000 more members who are paying fees, (with credit cards that work). [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img] I love all of you whether your CC's work 100% of the time or not!

But seriously... I'm not really sure how all of this affects the industry if at all. The left side of my brain tells me that conglomo anything typically fizzles out. That when it comes right down to it, end users and paying customers have the final say so. As a matter of fact, the survey I launched recently points this out as well: FDJA Members Survey Summary this survey was sent out to some 2700 FDJA members (who are opted in). There's still room for more participants, if you're a member I encourage you to take the survey. The link I just gave you is just for viewing the results / If you need the link to the active survey give me a shout.

So... Back to the other uhmmm right side of my brain. That's the side with the mule blinders I think. I'm not big on blinders. I kick, snort and generally become displeasant when I'm being herded into an unkown abiss.

Okay, so back to the subject at hand: "Does a conglomerate like this...or the WeDJ-NAME-Fame DJ School actually BETTER the industry?": My opinion and what I say can make or break any future relations I have with these industry leaders, so bear with me if I tread lightly... My personal experience is that I'm fortunate and grateful for the networking anyone in the biz has given me. It has helped me grow - But... Not at the rate of growth I've had from serving thousands of mobile entertainers. It's my commitment to "TRY" and my DJ's patience with me which has helped to grow FDJA.

When applied to the DJ Industry, I feel that genuine networking is healthy, but must maintain independently so. We all grow from serving, (right Iron Mike?), DJs grow and learn and prosper from serving their party planning clientelle. I learn and grow from serving you. The tips and tricks we share help unify, identify and fortify. Even if someone is selling information they have accumulated or learned, or products and services they are able to offer to us... That's fine so long as it adds value and is worth the investment. Many of you know, I'm not a DJ - I am an advertiser who represents DJs so it benefits me to know what you need, NOT what I think you need.

[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif[/img] Leadership and popularity is sometimes a result of one's opinion of one self, either as a body or as an individual. A smidgen of self esteem and a string of good fortune can portray an image of success which is in all other measures unaccountable. Does that make any sense?