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Back up equipment
is something, no professional dj/entertainer should be without.
I have heard all
the reasons and excuses or not having one, now here are the reasons
why you can't afford to be without it! No equipment is infallible,
and even new toys, right out of the box, can fail. Imagine being on a
wedding. You are about to introduce the wedding party, and your mixer
goes down. What do you do if you don't have backup??? I'm sure the
bride and groom would not accept you singing their first dance! The
bottom line people, is we have a responsibility to bring a full
backup sound system, and have it in our vehicle, on grounds at all
times!!! Not a mixer, not one speaker, not an amp, but a full system,
wired and ready to bait your neck out from the fire at a moments
notice! That is the key, be ready for the worst, and if the worst
happens, guess what?, you'll be ready!
I know that some
of the large dj companies feature a crew that is "ON CALL,"
at all times. Let me tell you why that will not cut it. While the dj
sits there waiting for the repair crew to come to the rescue, he is
making his clients lose time, and that is unacceptable. I have heard
of a dj, that worked for a large outfit, wait two hours for a repair
crew to service him. By that time, the wedding was damaged beyond
repair, and the law suit was "in the mail!" If he had a
system in his truck, all that would have to happen is him walking out
to the parking lot. He would be up and back in business within five
minutes. That is why you must have a wired, system ready to go.
Every time we sign
a contract with a client, we owe it to ourselves to protect that
client. We can't stop the rain from falling, or the food from being
bad, but we can control the things that apply to us. The
entertainment, the most important part of any event!!! "I have
never seen a prime rib save a wedding on its own, yet!"
Did you know that
having back up equipment, is a great selling point to the client??
Use it to your advantage! Let the client know, you have their best
interests at heart, and that you are a true professional. It will
increase your business, I guarantee it. This does not have to cost an
arm and a legit Small basic systems can be put together for a modest
budget. Just have something!
Do you get the
point? I will conclude this article with a true story about a dj who
learned the lesson I am preaching today!
I was in the
middle of a wedding. A dj came running in from the banquet room that
was next door. "Do you have player?" He asked with a
desperate tone in his voice. I replied," where is your extra cd
deck?" He then told me what I already figured. " I don't
have anything else. Quick can you help me? I have only five minutes
left on Paradise by the dashboard lights!" I said," No
problem, here is one of my backup dual cd players, and it you a $50
rental fee."
"What, you're
going to charge me?," he said totally surprised. I said,
"For wear and tear, besides, it will cost you a lot more in the
refund you would have to give the Bride and Groom, while the music is
off, and you are driving to Radio Shack!"
He reluctantly
gave me the money and rushed back to his room.
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