Audience: WHAT'S ... YOUR ... AGENDA !!!
Theme music up and under.
If a DJ spends all their time giving seminars and writing books, should their title now be "speaker and author"? Our industry moves fast, but it's not something you can keep up with second hand. If you're not a working DJ, I think it's hypocritical to represent yourself on the cutting edge for giving training and advice.
That's so two-thousand-and-late. Yet you'll still see the rings of these former DJs kissed on a regular basis.
I'm glad the new trend is virtual DJ associations. The founder will set up a conference call or a message board where selected applications are approved to participate. Finally, real talk from real DJs who spend their weekends behind a mixer. No whiners or wannabes, no trolls or agendas.
But by virtue of their exclusivity, should these new virtual DJ associations be perceived as equally insular and elitist as those once revered, but now eschewed? Or are they even more valuable because they only let in members most likely to contribute wheat than chaff? Are they simply creating more demagogues?
From the feedback I've gotten, it seems these new groups are seeking to rewrite DJ history. Gone are the "you're either with us or against us" dictums in favor of an open exchange of sans judgment.
Speaking of open-minded industry leaders, check out my new column on ProMobileDJ.com, the new blog from disc jockey, author and DJ Times writer Stacy Zemon. She's putting together quite a stable of opinionated writers and resources. Keep your eye on it.
But that's the horrible hyperbole actor wannabe Kristopher "KC" Campbell, owner of VOX DJs in Manhattan Beach, would have you believe in a newspaper puff piece about his company's 25th anniversary. Campbell, who admits he made a better DJ than actor, says he was once called the "human jukebox".So why even bring up a "messy stereotype" that's erroneous? And to boot the "chicken dance" snap wasn't part of his original interview, but an email afterthought. Guess he decided not to be so "professional" after all.
I think it's great that the writer goes into great detail that a professional DJ company is run just like any other professional business. Campbell says he cut his rates by 15% last year "because of the recession". (Careful! Those who insist that you should "get what you're worth" despite economic conditions might hear your good sense!)
PR hint: The media won't make a snarky remark about the head of an
"Dr. Drax," the president of the American Disc Jockey Association ... who wouldn't give his full name, said from Phoenix. "It's not simply a matter of showing up and being cool, rather it's about working with the couple to craft something unique and memorable."
The writer finishes her puffing noting Campbell's hope "to change the (DJ) profession's image." Here's a suggestion: Move on from invoking negative and dated stereotypes to make yourself look good.
With tongue planted firmly in cheek (I hope!) here's another video from Indianapolis DJ Mark Beecher poking fun at former DJ industry sensation (r.) Mark Ferrell. The parody videos using this scene from the 2004 German movie Der Untergang ("The Downfall") have poked fun at various targets and have been making the rounds of YouTube for awhile.For those DJs who have been following this blog for years and know the names of all the "players", you're sure to get a grin. If not, it's a good time to read through our archives so you can be let in on this not-so-inside joke.
Can't see the embedded video below? View it on YouTube here.
It’s not that the Cheap Craigslist DJs have been in hibernation, but I’ll admit I got bored snarking on their same misspellings and bad grammar. Besides, isn’t the buzz all about Twitter now? So I put in “Wedding DJ” as a search term there to see what would happen. MUCH better snarking material and only 140 characters to boot! So let’s see what some of the horribly-bored-by-a-cheap-DJ wedding guestsTtweeteth:
DozaSaid: As I sit at this wedding reception dolo the DJ throws on “I Need Love” by LL Cool J…go to hell Mr. DJ.
Yikes! I can’t think of ANY wedding where that song would be appropriate, especially the part that says:
I wanna kiss you hold you never scold you just love you
suck on you neck, caress you and rub you
Grind moan and never be alone …
Clean and unsoiled yet sweaty and wet
I swear to you this is something that I’ll never forget
Something tells me the groom may not need any suggestions for the honeymoon.
chrisrobb: I hate wedding dj’s how pretend that crap accent, are they taught that somewhere?
What kind of accent does crap have? I can see how it might be odorous, but what does it sound like? I agree that some DJs who get on the mic talk that faux 70’s Top 40 DJ puke. Having natural vocal skills is a completely different talent than mixing music. You might be good at one and suck at another.
heydjbobby: July 19th virginia beach wedding dj Sunday evening. Looking for a Hampton Roads Wedding DJ? www.heydjbobby.com/Hey DJ
I wonder if DJ Bobby’s bride client has any idea that with only 8 days until her wedding she has no DJ? Or maybe she does, since Bobby displays his Twitter feed on his website? If I was worried about covering a date, I don’t think I’d try to fill it where it could be seen by my clients!
ald2006: Dear DJ: if you’re “too busy” to even acknowledge that we asked you a question, why did u say u had the availability to do our wedding? 
Because lots of big cheap multi-op wedding DJ companies want you to book now, and they’ll worry about finding you a DJ after your check clears. Once some Cheap DJs have already gotten their hands on your money, good luck to you in getting them to return calls, let alone not even show up. That’s why some DJs are advertising $300 shows and others are $1200. Service, baby, service!
simonbairu: Worst wedding music ever! I think the dj is playing the ‘armageddon’ soundtrack mixed with some ’sweet home Alabama’ Still a good time!
Shut the fuck up. You know you love it.
Here's an ad from someone looking for a DJ. Or perhaps a "disc-jockey" who will literally jockey their discs. The happy couple doesn't want much. They'll even let you bring a friend, eat and drink and chase skirts...as long as you're "somewhat focused"! All that and a C-note to boot for EIGHT hours.
Reply to: gigs-xxxxxxx@craigslist.org
Date: 2009-03-09, 8:48PM PDT
Here is the deal. We are getting married on April 4th 2009 and need someone to make sure the music keeps playing. You will need to be there from 12pm Noon to 8pm. Bring a friend if you want. Food, Drink & cake is all included here too! Will pay $100. This is a very simple job. We'll have everything setup including speakers, amp, 5-disc CD changer. The 5 discs loaded will be full with MP3 audio and you'll have the master track list. 1 of the discs will have the importants songs that you will be notified when to play them. You DON'T need to talk over a microphone or take requests. This would be great for a college student. You'll need to dress semi-formal as well as your partner if you choose to bring someone. Wedding will be in Lake Bay. You'll get $100 plus food, drink, & cake **oh and for the single guys who may be interested there will be plenty of single ladies in their early 20's attending but you must stay somewhat focused on the task at hand. thanks!
Truth is, over the years I've gotten more than my share of calls from desperate brides about the $300 DJ they hired off of Craigslist who never wanted to "bother with" a contract and now with her wedding two weeks away she can't get him to return the dozen phone messages she's left him over the past month. There's also a contingent of wannabes and hobbyists who whore themselves out for peanuts to whom DJing is a way to download illegal music, pick up women, feed their ego, play what they want and generally vex professional career disc jockeys by giving us a bad name.Don't get me wrong. There are plenty of well-qualified professional DJs who advertise on Craigslist. I'm one of them. What's wrong with a highly-trafficked local website where you can advertise for free? And not just with tiny text either...with full HTML graphics! But lately when you get a bunch of DJs together - either virtually or in person - the talk always seems to turn to "those gig pigs" on Craigslist who give professional DJs a bad name and cheapen our public perception with their badly-worded (and mispelled) ads:
Dj for any event (EXECELLENT RATES)
Hi, my names brad and i am a mobile hip hop dj for pretty much any event, i however cant do bars and clubs BY THE OWNER but if you are having a party there i can come to it. my setup is 2 PA speakers, 2 numark axis nines that never drop the beat, and my mixer, sorry but I HAVE NO LIGHTS exept for one strobe, call me for pricing, times, bookings, and let me know whatever you need and i'll see if im open that day, 724 516 3438, or you can drop by my website, http:// abbottmusic.wetpaint .com , i prefer to serve westmorland but i will do the outskirts as well, with love and respect
dj brad "signacha sounds" abbott
Is it any wonder that such ads breed Craigslist inquiries like this?
Hey Mr. DJ put a record on!!! Party in Lakeview needs a DJ 8/15/08 (Lakeview (Park Place Towers))
I will be having an outdoor party from around 3pm to 8pm. This will be a laidback style B-day bash for myself and other people I know. We will be grilling and drinking and you can drink and socialize as well. Music is up to you, so you can pratice your new set.. or try new music. Pay is limited to around $20-$25 dollars, but I am sure you might get a gig out of it, plus you can drink for free. Let me know asap... I will find a DJ by Tue. or Wed... you can email @ Jackso@ my.wgu.edu
Yeah, yeah, yeah. You'll hear the DJ demagogues chant not to worry about them, keep your eyes on the prize and your own business. But even the best DJs sometimes get so frustrated with these ads, they fight fire with fire by posting their own:
If you're looking for low quality, obnoxious entertainment, look no further.
I can ruin any event with my cheezy, embarasssing, show stealing, antics.
You'll wish to hell you'd never heard of me by the time your event is over.
I talk over most of the songs and I make crude remarks at inappropriate times.
And if you're real lucky, I'll be drunk or high. Assuming that I actually show up at all, that is.
I use only low quality, Radio Shack equipment with all the wires exposed and hanging everywhere and all my music is downloaded illegally.
And I don't bother to carry backup equipment, cuz I can't afford it.
In fact, I'm so awesome, I use Craigslist as my sole source of advertising.
For more info, click on my website that was designed by a retarded chimpanzee.
www.lousydj.com 1-888-REAL-BAD
Good Luck.
Cash only and no money back guarantee. You get what you pay for.
Damn, that's funny stuff. How about we all laugh together? I've started a new blog which will archive the best of the worst Craiglist DJ ads so the rest of us can snark on them. I'll try to post new ads a couple of times a week...until I get tired of it.
So get it while it lasts! Stop by Cheap Craigslist DJs, and tell me what you think. Already some not-so-flattering comments there. I'm lovin' it.
Oh, and if YOU are one of the cheap DJs I make fun of there? You're welcome.
For years how I've been saying some professional DJs continue to bury their heads in the sand about the real value they contribute to an event.
Here's a hint. It's not the music.
It's talent. And that's something you can't buy in a book, pay some self-styled DJ guru for, learn at a DJ convention or see on someone's training DVD.
Can anyone be a professional disc jockey? If you are defining "disc jockey" as the act of seguing different songs over an amplification system, of course! It's not rocket science to push play.
The tricky part comes with knowing on the fly the right songs to play based on the mood of the crowd, or the mood you want to create. Oh, and all that microphone stuff that weddings demand to emcee the different formalities that happen.
There's no doubt about it. It takes talent to make a living as a professional disc jockey.
But what if you only have to do it once? What if you're the friend or relative of a frugal bride who asks you as a favor if you would play the role of disc jockey for her wedding?
When I came upon the website called You Can Be The DJ I was hit in the face with the result of my own procastination. Hello pot? Kettle here. Although any enterprising Googler can find "iPod wedding" information on all kinds of web sites, the aggregation here certainly seems worth $39.95.
What's more, like any enterprising drug dealer, they'll even give you a couple of "tastes" for free via email.
Your First Tip to a Fun and Easy iPod Wedding
Hi Dan,
Here's your first tip… Most wedding receptions run about four hours.
During the first half hour the bride, groom and bridal party will be getting their pictures taken so you need to make sure that someone is available at the reception hall to be playing music, greeting the guests and informing them of the following:
-The location of the sign-in table.
-The location of the gift table.
-If there is a bar whether it is an open or cash bar.
-Any other information you want your guests to know.
When you arrive your acting DJ should be ready to make the introductions and keep the music going. You will want to make sure that all the announcements are made in the correct order and culminate with the bride and groom as the center of attention.
After the introductions the reception will continue with the First Dance, Bridal Party Dances, toast and meal and the rest of the tradtional highlights.
Of course, you will want to have all the music and announcements ready to go, so go over all the planned activities well in advance of the wedding day. By doing so you will have all the music and announcements ready on the day of the event.
The Easy to use, You Can Be The DJ Wedding DJ Program includes a detailed wedding reception timeline that shows all the important activities. You will also find easy to use checklists and fill-in the blank forms designed so that you have easy access to everything you need the day of the reception. The checklists and forms make sure nothing is forgotten, so you know the night will be special for everyone!
Your next tip will arrive tomorrow.
Wow...caught a little buzz but nothing mind-altering. Most people have been to at least a couple of weddings and have seen what is done. But how is it done? Looks like I'll need another dose...
Your Second Tip to a Fun and Easy iPod Wedding
Hi Dan,
Here's your next tip…
Traditional dance and participation activities are fun and usually part of every wedding reception. There are excellent reasons for this.
Activities such as the Party Train, Cha-Cha Slide, YMCA and others break the ice, motivate your guests, and get them out on the dance floor. There are many dance and participation activities available to encourage your guests of all ages to get out of their chairs and enjoy the night.
To get the most people up and dancing, review the available activities before your event. Then choose the ones that best suit your personality, the theme of your reception, and the guests that will be in attendance.
After making your selections, the bride, groom and DJ should go over the details of each activity. The bride and groom should decide on their level of involvement for each activity, and be comfortable with how they are called to the dance floor. Announcements can then be customized and each activity, and be planned to start only when all those that need to be included are available and ready to go.
Make sure that you include a good variety of dance and participation activities for your reception. Remember, there will be a wide variety of ages, backgrounds and music preferences, so make sure that you provide a range of activities. This way everyone will get a chance to mix and mingle to their favorites.
The You Can Be The DJ – Wedding DJ Guidebook includes detailed descriptions for a wide variety of activities. How to effectively include each activity in your reception to get the most participation is explained, and detailed music playlists are provided to complement each activity. The guidebook is a FUN and EASY read, with forms that you just FILL-IN the blanks! What could be easier?! It is a necessity for every bride who wants to make sure that her reception is a fun and memorable experience for everyone!
Your next tip will arrive tomorrow.
Heyyyy...they're talking about all the stuff that *I* do! And that I get paid thousands of dollars for! We all know that the sign of real talent is to make this all LOOK easy. But now that I read it in black and white, it doesn't really seem that hard. At least not if I just had to do it ONCE. OK, third time's a charm... tomorrow.
Your Third Tip to a Fun and Easy iPod Wedding
Hi Dan,
Here's your next tip…
Selecting Music for Your Event
Selecting the music for your reception is one of the most important things you can do to ensure that your guests will enjoy themselves.
Select music from time tested favorites for the variety of generations that will be in attendance. Remember that the music sets the mood for the different parts of the evening.
As your guests are waiting for you to arrive create a classy cocktail hour atmosphere with easy listening music that your guests can converse over. Instrumentals work best here, so you’ll want your selections to reflect your personality and the theme of your reception.
During the food service loud selections may prevent your guests from getting acquainted and comfortable with each other, so a selection of romantic love songs works well as a background at this point.
After the meal you’ll be getting your selected participation activities and dancing started, so you’ll want a wide variety of songs so that you can get all your guests up and dancing.
Putting together a great, effective playlist is one of the most stressful parts of the wedding planning for a bride. So why not make it easy with the You Can Be The DJ Wedding DJ Program E-book?
The e-book includes playlists full of popular wedding music requests, fill-in forms and checklists to help you plan the best music selections for all aspects of your wedding reception. It’s easy and the process is actually a lot of fun!
Included with the e-book is access to our members only website. You can search 1000’s of titles and artists for just the right songs. Wedding based search categories allow you to quickly and easily find the song you’re looking for.
Members also get access to online playlists with songs specifically designed to make your wedding reception music choices easy. No more spending hours trying to find the “right” music, only to still be unsure if it will work! The online playlists provide instant access to the music that will make your wedding reception rock!
We’ve put together the best and most requested wedding reception music in our online playlists! These highly focused selections reduce the number of songs you'll need to buy. They provide the essential core music to plan your activities and play your guests requests.
Your next tip will arrive tomorrow.
Geez, how many more tips can there be? What more could there possibly be to know? As for music lists, can't anyone find plenty of free ones online ... usually on some DJ website?
So why do so many DJs try to scare or bully their prospects into believing their wedding day will be absolutely decimated if they can't budget for a professional MC/DJ? You can afford me? Great! You've got a real pro on your team. But for a DJ to dare suggest - like some in our industry - that a bride forego chair covers or party favors because a professional DJ is what's really important? Why can't someone who wants to do their homework (or pay for the crib notes) wants to play DJ? Must they be automatically ridiculed and scorned by we who do this for a living? Can't most anyone be an adequate DJ for five measly hours? So many questions. But only one answer...
If you limit your sources of DJ industry knowledge to those which don't carry a price tag, does that make you a de facto bottomfeeder? Or are you really losing out on some proprietary industry epiphany? Some with a vested financial interest want you to believe the latter. I'm not buying the hype. You don't get my vote, nor my credit card number.
Here's some stats. The largest web community for disc jockeys boasts nearly 1,000,000 posts and over 51,000 members. The second largest DJ site reports they have over 450,000 posts and about 9,500 members. Another DJ forum displays 190,149 posts and 1,261 members. Yet another DJ web message board shows 20,228 posts and 1,274 registered users.
Do you think it's possible that in ALL that content written by ALL those DJs that there's really anything that one can only learn by paying some self-styled DJ guru?
I believe that goes beyond "highly unlikely" to flat out ridiculous.
But aggregation also has its value. Take a look at DriverGuide.com. If you need a driver file for your scanner, printer or some other computer peripheral you can either search manufacturers' websites, look through your old CD-ROMs or find the file on the Internet on your own ... or for $2.95 you can instantly download the file from DriverGuide who exists to aggregate and distribute material that is available elsewhere for free.
Jeepers, one self-styled DJ guru made a name for himself by having a book printed consisting mainly of interviews with other industry leaders. (Including yours truly.) This is the same guy who now offers speeches and seminars at various DJ confabs...with a reputation built on the backs of those who been there and done that.
Shouldn't we all work together to help the industry instead of creating barriers? Then why does it seem the root of this chasm are those for-profit DJ demagogues? Since my involvement in online DJ communities nearly 20 years ago, I've found most have an open door policy on opinions. They embrace everyone who comes freely to share freely.
But some have adopted an "agreed upon congeniality". And anyone who dares to question whether the emperor is indeed wearing clothes, find themselves ostracized in short order. I'm far more impressed with open minds than those who are convinced they offer "the way" for a price.
It's a fact that the overwhelming majority of working mobile DJs do not engage in that pursuit full time. And they're quite happy doing so! (Not to mention their many happy clients!) Others - mainly those DJ hucksters who have a seminar/video/book to sell - want to represent that unless your goal is to make DJing your sole source of revenue that you can't possibly be as serious or as "professional" (however you want to define that) as one who does.
We've come a long way in exchanging industry knowledge and information since I started in 1978. I've learned countless nuggets from the thousands of DJs working in the banquet room trenches every week who freely contribute their time, thought, opinions and experiences to build the disc jockey industry. I thank and salute them for their valuable advice that may be free...but it's not cheap.
The difference? Sincerity. When a family member shares a story you can see it's done with love and emotion. Whenever I've seen a wedding DJ do it, too often it smacks of a formulaic presentation where the blanks were filled in on some questionnaire, but there's none of the gravitas. Take a look at one recent "Love Story" course graduate's attempt to practice what he spent nearly $1000 to learn. (If video is not embedded below, see it here.)
Seriously, folks...this man sat through hours of training to come up with this. (Yay! Boo!) If I were one of the family or friends of the bride and groom who I knew relatively well enough to take the time to be at their wedding, I would be thinking throughout this 7-minute diatribe, "Who the hell is THIS guy and when is this going to be over?"
I do believe that it takes a certain amount of innate talent to pull off any type of public speaking, let alone something where you're trying to relate deeply personal anecdotes about relative strangers. It rings about as genuine as a funeral service delivered by the funeral home's director or a priest who may have only seen the deceased on the occasional Sunday.
To be fair, I've also seen these done with much more production value. Whether it's audio clips recorded by family members, a slideshow of old photos or some other video/audio embellishment, it's much more compelling to watch and holds your attention better than hearing a hired speaker with no personal knowledge of whom he's talking about drone on. Although this past summer I saw a bride and groom hire a videographer to produce their own slickly produced taped tale of personal anecdotes. The production value didn't help the presentation which must have been at least 30 minutes - or felt like it!. At least now I know the reasons behind their pet names for each other.
The best speakers know to attract and maintain their audience's attention. Once your remarks go over 2-3 minutes, you better be DAMN entertaining. Relying on "obligation" to get guests' interest and participation ("We owe it to our hosts to watch this!") doesn't seem genuine. I paid for your prime rib, now you have to sit through the presentation. Sounds more like they're trying to sell you a time share than share and entertain.
Those brides who have approached me about such an oral presentation, I do my best to talk them out of it. Slideshow during dinner? Sure, why not? Even one with a mixed music soundtrack doesn't require the rapt attention as someone talking at you for 10 minutes. I instead encourage them to take those photos and produce a keepsake booklet with pics and anecdotes. Kinko's can put these things together for about a buck each. Now you have a terrific favor for your guests to take home and read at their leisure where they'll probably retain and appreciate it more.
Certainly a major reason some bridal clients seek out a professional DJ is for their help in making their event unique and memorable. Now it's the dramatically choreographed first dances. Five to ten years ago it was with the "key routine" where all the groomsmen would parade to the dance floor to return the bride's "house keys" prior to the garter and bouquet ceremony. What will be the next trend? With many brides playing the aspiring princess role where "it's all about me", hopefully they'll consider something with more entertainment appeal than ego appeal. I think it's not only my job, but, in a sense, my fiduciary duty to help my clients create the most entertaining event for ALL who attend.
If you believe some in the industry, the only professional DJ is a wedding DJ. And not just any wedding DJ. They have to be one who also does all the planning, elaborate grand entrances and video presentations and charges at least $1,200.00What about DJs who spend those same 4-5 hours spinning in a bar? Are those types of gigs supposed to be beneath any disc jockey who wants to be considered a "professional"?
I've met a lot of bar jocks via the Seattle Disc Jockey Association. Many of them unashamedly told me they had absolutely no interest in playing wedding gigs. Even if it paid more, having to endure 2 hours of dinner jazz before kicking into a dance set (which might well include Frank Sinatra) wasn't their idea of what a DJ was about. They got more satisfaction from playing current dance music to a dance crowd in a bar environment and showing off their mixing and mashup skills.
And what's wrong with that?
So at the risk of being seen as "unprofessional" by those DJs engorged with their own self-importance, I'll give some advice to those DJs who are looking to supplement their schedule with bar gigs. I believe there are two ways to go:
1) Go pitch to bars which already have a DJ and let them know what you can do better. This will require you doing a little recon and taking notes about their existing DJ - what they're doing right/wrong and how the crowd reacts.
For those who think that it's somehow dirty pool to "steal" another DJs gig, understand showbiz (as loosely as DJs affiliate with that moniker) has always been competitive. Before he was a TV and music publishing mogul, Lawrence Welk played as the house band for several hotels and dance halls throughout the Midwest. This his agent (or maybe Lawrence himself) was waiting for there to be a vacancy on the bandstand before pitching himself?
Confidence will go a long way...but be prepared to demonstrate what YOU do that makes it worth the owner making a change. Do you already have a following? A bevy of MySpace friends? Can you pack them in better than the other DJ? Warning: You never know who the DJ is a friend of...they might even be the owner's nephew. It may well be the owner knows his DJ can be better, but he might still be satisfied enough to not want to make a change.
2) Pitch to bars which have no DJ. This has an instant challenge because there's obviously a reason why they don't already have one. Might be they had one in the past and it didn't increase business beyond having a jukebox (which pays THEM from its use!). Might be they had a bad experience with A DJ in the past - or attracted what they considered a "bad element" - and it caused more trouble than it paid off. Might be they don't have the money to even try out a DJ to see if their revenue increases.
In either case, you have to plan your pitch to the owner. How will you present yourself and what will you say?
- Dress professionally, as if you are going to a business meeting. Many bar owners alrady think all DJs are shady undependable characters who are a dime a dozen. Demonstrate from the very first that you are a professional!
- Go in with a written proposal and a contract. The proposal should have pics of your rig, perhaps some wording about the number and type of songs you have, names of other venues which you've played.
The way I've approached bars is with a non-cancellable 4-week contract. Bar owners are notorious for wanting to see instant results. It's possible some might be inclined to cancel after week 1 because they don't see enough of a "bounce", particularly if they've never had a DJ before. In my presentation, I explain that it will take about 4 weeks for the word to get out and a crowd to develop and tell them, "If I can't make money for you after 4 weeks...I don't want to be here either!"
If at Week #4 they do not cancel, then my contract continues for 13 weeks, at which time we can renegotiate or decide to work informally week-to-week. Don't be afraid to get a signature! When a bar deals with ANY professional supplier entity from the beer companies to the pinball machine operator, they SIGN A CONTRACT. That's just business.
The most important thing? Promotion! Spell out how this new DJ night will be promoted and who will be doing it. Will there be table tents, posters, flyers in the bar? Will you need to supply them or will they? (Another reason for my 4-week contract; it makes it more sensible for me to perhaps spend a few dollars in printing that even if it only lasts 4 weeks, I can amortize the investment.) Does the bar have a standing ad in the local paper to which they can add you? Their on-hold message? It's just as important for the bar owner to be on board with promoting you as you are about letting all your friends know about the new gig.
Make sure your pitch is keyed to the type of bar, the neighborhood and perhaps to their existing crowd. No bar owner suddenly wants a bunch of thugs in their place. For sure hip hop and rap are popular with the bar crowd, but understand they can also attract a certain "element" that some bar owners don't want regardless of how much they spend. They also don't want to run off their regulars who keep them in business all week just for the sake of their weekends. You should be ready to suggest a little more than "hire me to come in and play music". Maybe an 80s night, lipsync night, country night, etc.
Finally, don't set yourself up for failure. If the bar is too small or a sucky dive, you're probably not going to turn their business around to any significant degree no matter what you do. So make sure the bars on your "hit list" at least have the potential of being a good venue - popular well-traveled location, nice space and dance floor, etc. Then get out there and start knocking on doors!
Lately I've been riding the karaoke train with a couple of weeknight sing things. I personally find it much more satisfying and personality-driven than spending 5 hours thumping at 92-95 bpm. I don't have to painstakingly prepare itineraries or sit through 2 hours of cocktail music either...just get paid for having fun. Isn't that why we picked up the headphones to begin with?
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