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Forum: General Discussion

Topic: Is this the end of an era?

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I recently applied for a government funded business start-up for my DJ business. It was a 3 month process which had alot of paper work, interviews, etc. Basics required were proof of investment, financial resources, a solid business concept and reason for applying. All said and done, I submitted 51 pages, presented my business concept to a board of directors for a half hour and then waited 3 weeks to see if my application was accepted. Unfortunately my application was declined 10 days ago, but I was prepared for that since there was only 25 spots available and 263 applications were submitted.

Today I receive a phone call from the head honcho explaining why my application was declined. He explained to me that my application, proposal, business concept and financial backing was very solid (which made me feel pretty good), but the board felt that a DJ business was only a part-time business that is extremely easy for any body to get into and perform. He went on further to explain to me that the market is flooded because software and pirated music are so easily accessible and bar DJs are almost working on a volunteer basis because of this.
Basically, in their eyes, the business wasn't economically viable as a full time business which I can some what understand (I did mention that it is a 40 hr+ work week contacting clients, looking at music charts, accessing new music, etc).

So now after 15 years in the business (The last 3 years as my only job), is it time to hang up the headphones?

I mostly just wanted to share my story, but your opinions matter.

Thanx for reading.
 
发表时间 Thu 17 Feb 11 @ 4:06 pm
I did same thing 15 years ago, went to the youth business trust and they said the same thing.

At the end of the day just look at it as a bonus if I were you and have something else as a bread winner.
 
interesting !

I think there response is a little niave to say the least..

sure theres a lot of competition, its always been that way so nothings changed there imo

ok so the digital age has spurned the 'wannabes' with laptop in-toe, well yeh but even so a good software program isn't mastered over-night is it? just look at how many 'newbies' and indeed intermediate users are flooding this site with operating issues on a daily basis !!

As for peeps working for nothing, all I can say to that is..desperate times equal desperate measures, too many youngsters in particular look at what the top jocks are doing and thinking..yeh, I can do that ! hmmm yeh but these guys have been honing their skills for years.
Experience isn't bought in a jar ;)

If dj's were only sought after on a part-time basis, how comes so many clubs / bars etc are open 7 days a week !


just a thought but after 15 yrs of being in the game surely you've established enough 'connections' to roll this out as a natural progression no? I would have imagined you wouldn't really need much 'funding' either, especially if your up-grading/ adding to your 'rig' as you go along?

as for the pirates using cracked software and free music, have you heard how shit it sounds through a proper p.a. !! you can't get 320kpbs bitrate quality for free nowadays can you ;) unless I'm missing the point here



 
i feel real sorry for you guys that have this as a full time job and some cheap pirate enters the scen. whit stolen music and stolen programs. i can tell that i work cheap, i do this just for a hobby (whit legal music and program). But i always make shure i don't step on anybodys toes. i always says no too big club gigs and tell them to call some of my friends that work full time DJing instead.

 
superaceman wrote :
I recently applied for a government funded business start-up for my DJ business. It was a 3 month process which had alot of paper work, interviews, etc. Basics required were proof of investment, financial resources, a solid business concept and reason for applying. All said and done, I submitted 51 pages, presented my business concept to a board of directors for a half hour and then waited 3 weeks to see if my application was accepted. Unfortunately my application was declined 10 days ago, but I was prepared for that since there was only 25 spots available and 263 applications were submitted.

Today I receive a phone call from the head honcho explaining why my application was declined. He explained to me that my application, proposal, business concept and financial backing was very solid (which made me feel pretty good), but the board felt that a DJ business was only a part-time business that is extremely easy for any body to get into and perform. He went on further to explain to me that the market is flooded because software and pirated music are so easily accessible and bar DJs are almost working on a volunteer basis because of this.
Basically, in their eyes, the business wasn't economically viable as a full time business which I can some what understand (I did mention that it is a 40 hr+ work week contacting clients, looking at music charts, accessing new music, etc).

So now after 15 years in the business (The last 3 years as my only job), is it time to hang up the headphones?

I mostly just wanted to share my story, but your opinions matter.

Thanx for reading.



Sorry to hear things didn't go as you would have liked, I also thought of seeking capital from "traditional" sources but the more research I did the more I eventually went against the whole idea and as you mentioned just to submit an application is "another part time job" We" also have to keep in mind that unless you're a DJ NO ONE understands nor believes the amount of time that we spend from meeting with clients, keeping up on our music/videos, phone calls etc, etc, just as any other business does but in the eyes of others all we do is play music...lol I'm not sure how big you're trying to expand but what I did was formed a L.L.C, skipped a few meals here and there and placed all available finances (including those from friends/fam) into the business. Six years later (now), I have tax returns to now go along with seeking the traditional type of funding should I need to expand and or increase my cash flow. So maybe taking that route will help should you decide to give it another go in the future.
 
As more and more governing bodies stare pending financial disaster in the face, we will find fewer and fewer options for government perks. Personally, I built my business from the ground up with zero dollars from any source but what I earned. Try that path, you'll feel much better about your business.
 
I too have spent many years building from the ground up and putting the money I've earned back into the business, that was never the issue. I was basically looking to add another rig and back-up to the mix for a young man who I believe is a huge asset and has never let me down and has major potential in his mixing, crowd reading, music selection and customer service abilities. Also would have liked to add a couple new features to the show and make it truly unique.

I was more shocked on the potential lenders perspective of a DJ business and it's viability as a whole. It's very disheartening to hear the general public's perception of a DJ, especially from someone who is supposed to know how business works.

Thank you all for your input and kind words. I'm going to continue to grind it out as this is still the best job ever!
 
You can take it to professionally, a lot of people with knowhere to go. Spent so long working to get there and then when they do they can't beleive what they got out of it at the end of it all, usually back ache, a knackered out old van and a load of dated equipment.
 
i started with just mobil biz ( part time) combined with part time side jobs that i hated , did that for at least 3 years

most people believe that the barriers to entry are low (true) and that anyone can do it , which unfortunately

is also true , but only in theory .....

i am lucky , despite my rants , that i do a lot of strip club work for steady money , and it takes pressure

off the mobil biz, such that i don't have to survive off that exclusively
 
I'm busier than ever & have been concentrating on my DJ, Karaoke, Music Trivia Service full-time for the past 5 years. bookings are going insane this year & I haven't even gotten into the school dances yet.

I don't do any Bridal shows & promote the crap out of my business on facebook & my website. Have built up a nice nest egg of equipment & lighting & now also will be getting into rentals for the iPod wedding people, seminars etc. The wedding business is recession proof as everybody is dumb enough to get married no matter what the economic circumstances.

I do have a very part time modelling career which has brought in some nice extra cash & a gig with a fragrance company for two weeks at X-mas which is my vacation money, not that I have time for one, because we are so busy.

I have been spinning professionally for over 23+ years and have always ran a pert-time dj service, but it has taken off in the last few years as I have concentrated on it full time. You get out of it what you put into it kids. Also working smarter not harder. Buying good quality used, especially lighting as many are getting out of the biz, because if you don't commit to it full-time you are most likely not going to have much success. I would not want to hire a part-time computer repair tech, why would I hire a teacher who happens to Dj on the weekends, when I can find someone who does it full-time.

Marketing & self promotion are the two biggest skills I have & it takes time & effort, but is well worth it.
 
superaceman wrote :


So now after 15 years in the business (The last 3 years as my only job), is it time to hang up the headphones?



Superaceman, if you hang up the headphones, I will find you and hang you with your own headphones myself (Figure of speech, so no one get it twisted)

Dude, just because one does have cash and they have no faith in you, find the one that does have the cash and believe in you! Many in my own family and friends thought this was a fad for me when I started in 1985, but now they get me referrals and always trying to get a discount!

You sound like you have the business aspect down pack, so it's time to get the rest of them to buy into it! Maybe do a documentary in the life of you as a DJ will open some eyes! Just a thought!
 
I have used the Bank of M&D (Mom & Dad) on more than one occasion for my business, like when I purchased a van last year.

My parents have NEVER seen me spin, & to this day ask me when I'm going to get a day job again , but they are European so that's never gonna change lol They have a hard time grasping me getting paid $50+/hr to play music.
 


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