StevensDJservice.com Blog

No seriously, why would you take the word of a competitor? Are you trying to convince yourself that you are not cheap or stupid! Are you trying to justify not knowing if the guy in front of you will screw you over for a buck! Are you wanting your wedding day ruined because this guy switches you to another DJ at the last minute or doesn’t show up at all!!!   Don’t think it doesn’t happen, it does. Call any banquet hall and ask if they have ever had to let a couple use the phone to call another DJ because the first guy backed out at the last minute. I know because I’ve gotten those calls, plenty. It’s horrible to think that our industry is so bad that a DJ will take advantage of a couple by booking multiple events on the same day and then only showing up to the highest priced one. The result being you get left with nothing or worse, a guy that has no clue what to do or how to do it.

My wish is that if you ask me a direct question about another DJ I will give you my opinion. But If I do my job correctly, you will be so impressed with me that you forgot about the other guy entirely. I try to recommend the good guys in my area. I try to help any DJ who really wants to learn. I try to improve myself with proper rehearsal and education.  I don’t like my competition, I love them for one simple reason, they make me look great. There are many types of DJ’s: bait and switch, take the money and run, forgot to show up, moved out of town, got sick, totally crazy, Mr. obnoxious, drunk, outside smoking, on the phone half the night, and many other worst case scenarios for DJ’s. They are out there and they are cheap, inexpensive and not able to handle your wedding due to lack of proper equipment and training i.e. experience.

I don’t want to scare you, but there are proper ways to learn and one is not at your event. On the job training should be supervised by a veteran. A rookie DJ should have rehearsal time in the office. They should tape a performance and watch it to learn what to do and most importantly what not to do. Then rehearse and re record it, critique it and learn from it again and again and again. Then submit it to a veteran for review. Never learn bad habits to the point that they become your style.  I’m a member of the ADJA – the American Disc Jockey Association. We have proper monthly training, yearly conferences, seminars, webinars, skype, F2F, workshops and much more. I will gladly help any rookie out. When you think you’re ready to handle weddings, send me your dvd and I will give you honest feedback, good, bad and ugly. Even I continue to improve, everyday with every educational possibility I can get.  Gear won’t make you better it will just make your stupidity and in-experience louder.  Never stop learning ways to improve your skills and your performance. Anyone can copy your gear, lighting and suit. But no one can copy your talent, skill, ability and performance. Many have tried and no one is even close to the original.  Take my word for it.

Matthew Stevens

Stevens DJ & Wedding Services

1 217 585 4008

www.StevensDJservice.com

So you’ve chosen your hall, facility, gym, bar, venue, now what? Why did you choose it? Will it hold everyone you’re inviting? Will there be enough room for the band, DJ, Lights, Cake table, Gift tables, head table, reserved tables, bar, dance floor, etc.. I know the halls, venues and facilities for what will and won’t work. I know the layout and how sound will be best positioned so that everyone can hear and not get blasted out. I know where the gift tables, candy bar and other items should be placed so that the flow of the room doesn’t bottle neck and over crowd.  I know which halls are easy for vendors to get in and out of. I know which halls are handicap accessible for your guests. I know which halls are easy to work with and get a few free extras thrown in. Experience is key to a great event. I wouldn’t go to my dentist for back surgery. I wouldn’t go to my neurosurgeon for a root canal.  When choosing your wedding vendors and services keep in mind that the bar or club you love isn’t going to work for your wedding reception. The great spicy food you love will upset some of you guests delicate tummies and they will leave early. Some halls have their own caterers and you should taste test them all. See what you like and then ask them to make a few suggestions. Trust the pro, let the chef create something for you. Why choose this hall over that hall?  Simple, for a great experience.

Matthew Stevens

Stevens DJ & Wedding Services

www.StevensDJservice.com

217 585 4008

Please hold my calls is cryptic for you are the most important thing to me right now. Your business is the one thing that I know I want. Your relationship is the only thing on my mind. Helping you get what you want is my top priority. Chances are you won’t be getting any calls right then but you want to give the client the sense that they are important to you. You want to communicate that their business means a lot to your business. Plus it sounds really cool that you are so busy that you are getting calls while in a meeting. I know the second I step behind closed doors my phone rings, my email alert goes off, my text will go BING and then I fumble to silent it. It never fails that when doing something meaningful and important you will get interrupted. So, why not use it to your advantage and let the client in front of you know how important they are to you.

BTW I put my phone on silent when in meetings, or leave it in the other room. Clear your schedule so you don’t have interruptions. But if you do, let the person in front of you know they are more important.

Matthew Stevens

Stevens DJ & Wedding Services

217 585 4008

The definition of high price is charging more that the worth of the item, service or information. This does not mean you charge more than someone else, It means that you aren’t worth it. When you find a vehicle for purchase at one car lot and the same car at another lot: are they the same price? Probably not. There are many things that go in to calculating the sale price of those vehicles before you get a chance to buy it. The miles, the paint job, the tires, brakes, cracks in the glass, interior condition, wear and tare, overall condition plays a part in the cost. It’s  the same for your DJ, overall look, appearance, style, use of equipment and condition, suit and tie, or blue jeans. So many things go in to making the final price. Did you get the Car-fax for your vehicle? Did the DJ offer you a similar report on his services? Can they even offer a report? A great DJ can give you testimonials from past clients. A great DJ can give you letters of recommendation from other wedding services. A great DJ has a resume, business plan, insurance, subscription to a music editing service, can provide you a copy of the written contract, a time to meet and chat,  pictures of the equipment, etc.. It’s not hard for you to see the value of that car with 10,000 less miles on it but will you know what to ask in order to find the better DJ? Now you do. Ask for copies of the insurance, contract, testimonials, subscription, BBB report, national memberships, accreditation, etc.. For the great car you will ask for a test drive, a Car-fax so take the time to shop for the right DJ and not just the cheapest. Having a higher price does not mean they are high priced, it just means they are worth more. If you ask the right questions you will know the difference and who you really want to hire for your wedding.

Matthew Stevens

Stevens DJ & Wedding Services

1 217 585 4008

www.StevensDJservice.com

You get what you pay for right? Well for the most part. When shopping weddings and going through so many things that will be needed in such a short time frame it’s best to know what you want and what it costs in relation to the success of the event. Some will argue that food is the most important part of the reception. Some will say photos are the most important. Some will say the entertainment is huge. All three are correct but which one is correct for you? I recommend doing a top ten, then top 5, then top 2. This way you and your fiance can work together as a team to have what is truly important to you on your day. You might place the end of the night with crazy dancing as the most fun and memorable thing. They might place the main course as the thing that stood out the most. Other will look for the pics online, in a book and at the next family gathering with anticipation. Narrow that list and then narrow it again. When it comes to the end result just be happy, for yourself. Don’t worry about pleasing your extended family, if you are happy then they will be. It’s your day and trying to provide a good time for everyone is important but if you’re not smiling, no one will. You can do it cheap or you can spend  a fortune. You can place all the money in one part of the day and hope for the best in everything else. OR……. You can get the best quality at a reasonable price and have a well rounded out event that everyone can walk away from with a smile, including yourself. Sure you can always find a cheaper, less expensive, lower quality vendor to do that thing. But in the end you won’t be happy. Give me a call to set up a free no stings attached one hour consultation to learn how you can have the best and still stay on budget.

Matthew Stevens

Stevens DJ & Wedding Services

217 585 4008

www.StevensDJservice.com

Most wedding receptions are planned backwards. First the couple find what they like and then they try to figure out how to pay for it. Backwards. I can show you how by starting with the money fist you will get more for the same and be happier down the road. I rarely take credit cards as a form of payment, why? Because I want to be done and paid for after the event is over and not be the nagging bill that shows up for the next six months with your credit card statement. I want you to leave me with positive, happy memories. I think that everyone wants to enjoy their wedding but doesn’t want to plan a budget. Budget aren’t usually fun. I know that this is hard for some of you but here it is: budgets suck. But on the flip side budgets are great. Think of it as the straw that gives you the ability to get every last drop of that 12 dollar premium coffee you just bought. Well planned events have a higher success rate. Well budgeted events are even higher. As a licensed wedding consultant I can show you how to stay on budget, have fun and get more for the buck in the long run. I choose a team that can accomplish your goals, see your vision and make it happen for you. Don’t work your own event, sit back and chat with me so I can make IT happen for you.

Give me an hour and I’ll show you how to have more fun.

Matthew Stevens

Stevens DJ & Wedding Services

www.StevensDJservice.com

217 585 4008

You can get a plain coffee,,, at home. If you go out you will have to settle for iced mocha frappe blended triple rich shot with whip on top, extra freaking large. I tend to bring a second person along to help carry it around until it’s cool enough to actually drink. I had burns on my tongue last time I drank right in. lol. But my point is that there are so many choices and the guy in front of me is always the rookie that takes 30 minutes to order. ugh.. Why are there so many choices? Because the big coffee houses figure out that by offering more options they could earn more money and charge more for almost the same things. Presentation, appearance and overall satisfaction are factors to price. So why would you call your wedding reception entertainment last? When you look at all the factors to a great night, I hope that dinner and entertainment are at the top. Great food, good drinks and some totally off the chart dance floor fun. What will your friends and family being talking about after the event? I’m sure it will be the relish tray, I can hear them now, what great celery we had. Ugh, I hope not. If you want plain old coffee you can expect to pay a lot less for it than you will a premium blended brew that fits your style and is exciting. Don’t let your entertainment be the last thing you reserve for your wedding. Plan on getting what’s right for you, interview a few and then make a choice. Until you’ve tried a few different coffees how do you know which one is your favorite?      Stevens DJ Service–your favorite wedding entertainer.

Matthew Stevens

Stevens DJ & Wedding Services

www.StevensDJservice.com

217 585 4008

Too many times the veggie platter wins. Too often the couples don’t realize that if the veggie platter didn’t show up no one would notice. But if the DJ didn’t show up or had equipment failure that ended the night early, people will leave. They will leave very unhappy. You see, your guests equate this evening to more than just your wedding. They are on a date night. They have bought you a gift, and themselves a new dress, etc.. They have taken off work, gotten a baby sitter, moved their schedule around to attend your wedding. So they are going to have a typical date night out. Dinner and drinks, fun and entertainment are the staples to most date nights. Going out and enjoying yourself, cutting loose, letting go of your inhibitions are all parts of a date night. So when you add up the costs to your wedding think about how much you’re spending on things that will make or break the night. Think about how much those fancy nuts at the bar cost or that veggie tray. Some light food before the event starts is always nice to tide over those early arriving guests but guess what, they’ll stick around for the real dinner and dancing because after all it’s date night. Add the veggie platter if you have money left over. Don’t add great entertainment at the end, pre plan for success.

PS. Thank you Mark Ferrell for being a lighthouse to guide all the DJ’s into a safe harbour.

Talk soon,

Matthew Stevens

Stevens DJ & Wedding Services

www.StevensDJservice.com

217 585 4008

YouTwitFace is not my creation, I heard about this through Wedding Wire presentation at the MBA in September at the Vegas convention and I love it. When you combine all the social media in to one fluid working machine, everyone comes out on top. You can work with me on many levels and where you are most comfortable. If you like Twitter, kewl. If you like YouTube, then watch out. If you like Facebook, then tell me what’s on your mind. I like talking about weddings and parties on all three.  So when I can send it out once and talk to everyone, we all win. Is that a 4 win? Yes, I believe it is. I can hear Fineas and Ferb talking in the back of my mind as I type this. I think I need to turn the kids TV down a bit. lol. I love family time and being able to blog from home when I don’t have meetings scheduled, but the cartoons do distract a bit. Good thing is I know what I’m going to do today. I’m going to help you plan your wedding and pull it off with a huge smile.

So next time you see me in the social media world, say hi. I’d love to talk about your event and how I can help you make it better.

Matthew Stevens

Stevens DJ & Wedding Services

www.stevensDJservice.com

On Tuesday and I spent time listening in on two webinars today. Both excellent on two totally different topics. You ask why and how a webinar will help your event. It’s like a mega brainstorming session. When great minds get together and listen to a presenter they expand their thoughts on that subject. But the magic is in the Q&A at the end. When we are allowed to ask questions and have 750 people respond to it, things get done. New ideas get formed and couples benefit. Applying the new ideas and hot trends to my business and way of thinking will give me that edge your looking for. The same old cookie cutter weddings are gone. You want fresh, new , fun and ideas that energize your guests, creating memorable moments to be captured on film. I can make it happen. Give me a call and spend one hour with me to learn more about how your event can be FUN. No strings attached free one hour consultations is what I am willing to give in order to prove to you that I’m worth way more than a fee.

Matthew Stevens

Stevens DJ & Wedding Services

www.stevensDJservice.com