Surefire Ways to Retain Your DJ Clientele
January 16, 2018
An amateur’s eye might lead you to believe that building a client base as a DJ is nearly impossible, but that’s anything but true. As with any other career, establishing yourself comes with its fair share of challenges, but the reward is worth it. Securing an impressive client roster and steady gigs is only half the battle. You’ll want to find surefire ways to retain your DJ clientele.
Stay Miles Above the Rest
Perhaps one of the easiest ways to retain your clients is to offer consistent and high quality DJing. Don’t get sloppy once you’ve got the attention of a customer. Remember that they’re paying for your services, and you’ll want to respect that. Invest in software and hardware that will enhance what you do and delight club owners and club-goers alike. Keep up with the latest music releases and what’s popular in the cities and surrounding areas you’re working. Mixing in a hometown hero’s song during your set could be a nice and unexpected touch that catches a promoter’s eye.
Keep professionalism at the top of your priority list. Remember little things like being punctual, having references/reviews and consultations matter greatly when it comes to establishing great customer relationships. People and businesses will gladly hire you over and over again when they can expect all of these things from you.
A Deal They Can’t Refuse
Ever heard the saying, “Good DJs usually aren’t cheap, and if they’re cheap, they probably aren’t good”? Hiring an amazing DJ is an investment, and promoters know that playing competition one against the other can sometimes be the best way to score the best price. If you want to beat the odds in a buyer’s market, consider offering an amazing deal on your services. As you are your own boss, that power lies in your hands.
You can decide how much to charge per gig. If you work with a few regular clients, knock off a bit of the price (without short-changing yourself) as a thank you for their repeat business. Everyone loves a sale, and courtesy is always remembered and rewarded. Your client will undoubtedly be happy, and you can rest easy knowing they’ll be ringing your phone for another gig–soon.
VIP Service
Everyone loves to be treated well, no matter what the situation. One of the best pieces of advice for any DJ to heed is in reference to the way clients are treated. There is an old proverb that reads, “people might not remember what you did, but they will always remember how you made them feel.” In this case, both are true. Don’t be afraid to roll out the red carpet for your clients.
Added perks like throwing a little extra promotion for a club into the mix of your social media, or creating a custom hashtag for a party you’re DJing will only make your client feel as if you’re that much more invested in the gig. People are often willing to pay a premium when they believe they will be treated like a king. Don’t skimp on the cordiality.
Straight Talkin’
We all get it. We’re living in a digital world where so much communication takes place online or through text. It’s easy and convenient, but it doesn’t make an impression. Be different. Be direct. Contact your clients with a voice call, and don’t accept speaking to a voicemail. Speaking directly to a customer ensures that nothing gets lost in translation via text on a screen. You can feel your client out and determine the facets of the job that are most important to him/her.
Make it a point to connect with your clients before a gig, after the gig and even when you don’t have anything on the schedule. This will aid in establishing a rapport and an invaluable relationship that will bring in more jobs. Another bonus? Frequent contact means your current clients are more likely to refer others to you, which means more jobs and more income!
Being a successful DJ isn’t simply about showing up to rock a party. The most popular DJs know that client retention is all about the relationship. Offering your customers superb service at unbeatable prices while making them feel like a million bucks is crucial in getting callback after callback. Try some of these tips. Your clients and your pockets will thank you.