July 22, 2024 • 23 mins
Ever wondered how to make sure your clients are always thrilled with your DJing services? Join us for an enlightening episode where we promise you'll learn the secrets to stellar client satisfaction, directly from two DJs at different stages in their careers. Ilia, with two years of experience, and Nino, a seasoned pro with over 20 years in the industry, share their personal experiences and best practices for respecting client wishes, particularly at unplugged events. We emphasize the crucial need for client approval before sharing content on social media and maintaining professionalism by avoiding eating, drinking, or partying while on duty.
Discover why having a well-trained assistant can be a game-changer for your DJ business. From handling complex setups involving dry ice and uplights to managing crowd interactions and requests, assistants play a pivotal role in seamless event execution. Through entertaining anecdotes and practical tips, we highlight the importance of clear communication with clients about the benefits of additional help. You'll also hear stories about the challenges of being left without a meal at events and how a prepared assistant can save the day. Tune in for an insider’s guide to elevate your DJing service and ensure your clients are always eager to book you again.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Ilia (00:10):
Welcome back to another episode of the Clever DJing.
A quick intro about thispodcast and ourselves for those
who are just tuning in for thefirst time, whether you're
watching on YouTube or listeningon any of the other platforms
out there.
My name is Elia and I've beenDJing for just about two years.
I've done a variety of eventsand I met this guy right beside
(00:30):
me about two years ago where thejourney started.
Nino (00:34):
Yeah, my name is Nino and I'm a professional DJ.
I've been DJing a bit over 20plus years and I've started off
with bars and clubs and now I'mdoing more private events and
especially weddings.
Now I have a well-establishedcompany and I have 15 DJs under
my roster.
Ilia (00:52):
Yeah, so this podcast is a banter style podcast.
We're bringing a bunch oftopics which are trending in the
DJ world, or it's justsomething that happened to us
personally, just personalexperiences, and we do it from
the point of view of a beginnerand a professional.
Yes, so it's just.
It's just something thathappened to us personally, just
personal experiences, and we doit from the point of view of a
beginner and a professional.
Yes, so it's interesting to goover the topics and see what I
(01:14):
would do different in thosesituations and just how I would
see it versus how Nina would seeit.
And this is pretty much whatthis is all about.
Yes, sir, it came up, I think,on one of our drives to To one
of my gigs.
Yeah, yeah, we're talking aboutit and and you said you, you
saw things differently than thanyou did.
Yeah, of course, of course.
And I was like, why is this nota podcast?
(01:35):
This is interesting.
Nino (01:37):
Other people would like to listen to this.
You guys are watching it.
Ilia (01:41):
Yeah, thank you to all our listeners and viewers.
We were really hoping thatpeople would like it and yeah,
it's doing well, so thanks a lotto everyone.
Today we have a topic that isactually really important.
Every episode we say it'sspecial, every episode is
important.
This is how to keep yourclients happy and ensure
(02:01):
returning business.
So, even if it's just a weddingand we all know that sometimes
people marry more than once buteven if they didn't.
you want to bring business fromthat wedding, Other people who
enjoyed the way you DJ, the wayyou kind of ran that event.
Nino (02:18):
Yeah, and it's not even for the clients, it's for
everybody, all the guests too.
Ilia (02:22):
Exactly, prospective clients how many times?
One event specifically I'mtalking about, yeah, where they
were doing the video editing onthe spot same day, same day edit
, yeah, yeah there's.
There were three or fourcouples who approached you one
you already did their wedding,one you're doing it like next
week, and then one is like nextyear, yeah, and I'm like, wow, I
(02:46):
wish I had that much businesshey, just do a good job, man
kill it yeah, so let's startwith the first point.
That's something that Iactually personally dealt with.
Nino (02:58):
Two two, three weeks ago.
Uh, yeah okay, yeah.
Ilia (03:02):
So I was with another dj um and, uh, I was supporting her
at that event.
She needed my help withsomething and it said unplugged
event usually does.
Nino (03:16):
Uh, right at the beginning of the ceremony, yes, there's a
big sign, sign that says withflowers on it.
Ilia (03:23):
This is an unplugged event .
You can miss it, so respectunplugged events.
That means all the guests andsometimes even the vendors other
than the other than thevideographers and photographers,
are not supposed to take videos, photos, let alone post
(03:43):
anything on social media.
Now, usually the djs are notincluded in that.
Videos photos, let alone postanything on social media.
Now, usually the DJs are notincluded in that.
They know that we like to takeour content, but you would know
when they book you, you wouldknow if you have someone who is
very meticulous, they'llprobably also tell you right,
yeah, they'll tell you, hey, wedon't want you to take any
(04:06):
videos or photos Now between usI mean, as DJs, we need our
social media content.
Nino (04:10):
Social media is very, very important nowadays, especially.
Ilia (04:13):
So if you're going to just risk it and just sneak in a few
shots, videos, don't post it.
Nino (04:19):
Yeah, just don't post it.
Don't post it Especially beforethe bride or groom right?
Yeah?
Ilia (04:27):
Because they ask you not to.
They're not going to like it.
We posted something on socialmedia, but that's after.
I showed the bride the shots Itook.
Yeah, she loved them.
Okay, I was telling her this isgoing on Instagram and she said
that's cool.
And then the DJ I was with gotan email that she was livid.
Nino (04:48):
Why is?
Ilia (04:48):
this on Instagram, so sometimes they don't even
realize what they're saying.
They're in the in the momentand just just be careful with
that.
I've I've experienced thatrecently.
Um, she was very grateful thatwe removed it right away.
She still gave us a five-starrating, uh, but you know, it
could end very differently.
It's all about customer service, but better to just ask them,
(05:12):
right, just ask them ask themright away.
Nino (05:13):
Respect their wishes too.
You have to right.
It's all about their day.
What they want.
You're trying to make themhappy.
It might be their only weddingKnock on wood.
Ilia (05:27):
There, their only wedding.
Knock on wood.
There's no wood around yourhand, it's okay I'll get us,
I'll get on the floor.
Nino (05:30):
There we go.
I got hardwood man.
Ilia (05:30):
Hey, hardwood there you go , I'll get us a better table
this is a good table that's goodman, costco job.
Nino (05:35):
Thank you, costco uh.
Ilia (05:37):
We need some uh sponsorship does costco want to
sponsor us?
Okay, so uh.
Nino (05:44):
Second point, uh don't eat , drink or party when you're
supposed to work.
Ilia (05:50):
Yeah now, um, yeah, I know you have something to say
because I've mentioned this so I, when we just first started,
first of in the first few events, I was very professional.
You were very good.
I didn't know who you were.
Nino (06:08):
You were very careful, very careful, but then I
realized that we're very alike.
Ilia (06:13):
We're both jokers and like jokesters, like we.
Just we clicked and I becamevery comfortable A little too
comfortable, a little toocomfortable sometimes and I
would yeah, I would do my job, Iwould help you set up and
everything.
I would help you throughout theevent.
But I would also really enjoythe food and the late nights and
(06:38):
the desserts and the drinks,because you're driving.
I can do whatever I want, andwhile I always knew how to kind
of manage the crowd and like,not bug anyone's, it could
always backfire.
Yeah, it's not your event.
Yeah, you're welcome.
They know that there's a placesetting for you and you're part
(07:01):
of the of the party as welltechnically, and they're always
telling you hey, get some food.
But it's way more professionalwhen you mostly focus on your
job and then you focus fivepercent on, like you know,
getting something.
Yeah, to eat or drink.
I never got drunk at events.
No, you never got drunk.
That wasn't my thing.
Nino (07:19):
I love the food it showed I love the food.
It came to a point where youwere like feeding me too.
I was like, okay, well, hold onman you were enjoying it.
Ilia (07:28):
Yeah, you were so like, oh , you're bringing me food and
everything.
But then we realized that maybe, uh too much, maybe this needs
to be revised.
Nobody said anything, nobody,like we kept getting five-star
reviews, but we're just thinkingabout it like, maybe this it's
just a little too much, rightdon't?
Nino (07:44):
overindulge.
You're just there to work,right, and especially at the bar
and stuff.
Don't drink too much.
Maybe get a cocktail right atthe beginning, but that's about
it.
I wouldn't drink, eventhroughout the wedding.
Unless it's a friend's wedding,then I make an exception, but
other than that, try to stayprofessional water for me all
(08:04):
night.
Ilia (08:04):
The main part that I was doing was not even the food, let
alone the drinks.
I didn't drink much, um, and Iwould always wait for everyone
to get their food first andeverything.
But, like, the main part was metaking videos of everything,
cause I like taking videos andphotos and I do your social
media and everything, um, but ifyou later I learned that if you
(08:27):
really want to do all of that,come earlier, right, because you
want to get all that footage.
Nino (08:31):
So we started coming a little earlier, and if we don't,
we find you can get it early,but then there are moments where
there are windows where you cantake it.
Ilia (08:40):
Yeah, windows of opportunity.
Nino (08:41):
Windows of opportunity.
Don't do it like when peopleare going up to get food and
everybody's like lining up andyou're there behind everybody,
yeah, taking video.
Everybody's like lining up andyou're there behind everybody
like taking video.
Do it when everybody's donealready uh, like they have their
food and they're eating alreadyand then just take a quick
video, right?
Ilia (08:58):
yeah, so it's a lot of trial and error and, um, before
I showed up, you didn't havesomebody who does all that for
you, right?
So you never even thought aboutit probably no, I didn't.
Nino (09:09):
but but this guy showed value and I saw the value in it
when he actually did it and Iwas like, oh, I liked it.
Ilia (09:16):
All that stuff that I did when I wasn't really supposed to
do it.
Somehow all the guests alwaysloved it, yeah, but it can
really backfire.
It can.
Somebody could say why are youalways in front of the shot,
like, why are you always aroundmy guests, right?
So this is something werealized later on but and we
thought it's very important tomention we stopped doing it.
We're very careful when we'regetting in the shot, there
(09:39):
taking the video, taking a photo.
But, yeah, luckily, everyonereally liked it.
Everyone always said, oh, Ican't believe you got all this
footage.
Nino (09:55):
I got all this footage, I forgot to take a photo of the
food, or oh, thank you fortaking the photo or a video of
my guests eating.
Ilia (09:57):
Some people don't even have video.
Yeah, some people just havephotographers.
Yeah, it's true, so we fivestars could come from that too,
but just be mindful of thatstuff.
Uh, you're there to work andyou weren't hired as a social
media content unless you werehired specifically for social
media yeah, yeah, not by you,though by the client, yeah, by
the client.
(10:18):
um, point three uh, don't minglewith the guests and try to be
people's friend unless you readthe room and you know who you're
dealing with.
So that's another thing that,again, is fun to do.
You like to get on the dancefloor with them and dance with
them?
Nino (10:38):
And this is your thing right you like to get people.
I like to get personal.
Get personal with them and it'sgood.
It's a good thing, right?
But you never know if theclient is okay with that.
Ilia (10:47):
Yeah like you're making yourself a part of their event
and they may not want that.
So while I was a little carefulwith that stuff, I believe in
the beginning I wasn't carefulenough and again, luckily it
never backfired.
Luckily, yeah, it actuallyalways gave us good feedback.
But we got lucky.
We never really checked withthem right.
Every DJ has their own kind ofthing.
(11:10):
My thing is that I get personalwith the clients.
I'm just very good with theclients.
This is easy for me to get onstage, get on the dance floor
like I just I always liked it uh.
But again, some cultures it'svery unacceptable and I could
tell.
Luckily I could tell yeah butyeah, it can really backfire,
(11:31):
just like the previous point.
Right exactly, yeah, all right.
Nino (11:34):
Next point make sure you didn't forget anything you were
originally supposed to bring.
So be organized.
That includes gear, uh,anything like anything else that
you like social media stuff, uh, food for yourself, snacks, if
you, if you're not going to befed and a lot of times you are
going to be fed but um, musicright.
(11:57):
Organizations playlists beorganized with that to make sure
you have the client's wishes,what they want to hear, included
with all the stuff that you'regoing to play all your have
everything written down If theyhanded you the document where it
lists the entire event, theprogram.
(12:17):
Yes, the program.
Ilia (12:20):
And you know it lists the do not play and the must play
songs Like have it all preparedand don't wander around thinking
maybe the coordinator can giveyou their copy.
Or sometimes there's nocoordinator, sometimes you have
to do it yourself.
And yeah, and just have allyour gear because you might be
remote and even if you have ahelper and assistant, there's
(12:46):
nowhere to go.
There's nowhere to get thatcable or, you know, an extra
laptop if something just stoppedworking.
Nino (12:53):
Have a checklist before you leave your house.
Double check, triple check,even before you actually leave,
and make sure you haveeverything.
It's very important that you'renot running around last minute
for a cable.
Ilia (13:07):
Yeah, don't make any moment about yourself unless you
think the client willappreciate it.
That's a kind of what we weresaying earlier.
Uh, I just kind of mentioned itall in the same point.
But uh, what if you're a goodsinger?
What if you are a great dancer?
Uh, you play an instrument.
First of all, probably not goodto do it for free, because you
(13:30):
could literally add it to yourpackage.
But if you, you know you'rejust a beginner, you're trying
to impress people.
They may have not, they may notwant that as part of their
event.
Maybe that doesn't really addin with everything else they
planned With their vision ortheir style.
Nino (13:52):
Yeah, it's just.
It's not in with what they want, exactly right.
Ilia (13:57):
So you might be trying to do something nice or something
good, something impressive, butagain it can really backfire.
So don't make it about yourself.
Nino (14:04):
It's never, never about yourself.
What I always tell DJs, it'salways about the client.
I always bring it back to theclient, right, Because it's
always about them.
So always make it about and ifyou're doing a birthday or an
anniversary, always bring itback to the celebrant.
It's just the way it is.
That's why we're getting paidfrom the person who's hiring us
(14:25):
is.
Ilia (14:25):
That's why we're getting paid from the person who's
hiring us.
The only thing that's about youthere is to be a good dj.
Nino (14:27):
So they can actually, so people will actually hire you
again unless you're ts, though,and you're the headliner, and
then it's about you, but otherthan that mean it's never about
you exactly um, always advise ifyou have an assistant helper,
uh, and if they need a placesetting yeah, I've run across
this a few times and, um,sometimes I kind of I've let it
(14:51):
slide like I just got broughtsomeone, but a lot of the times
I would tell the clients that Ineed to bring someone,
especially because I have to manthe dry ice, I have to put on
up lights, I have a monogram, Ihave towers to put up.
So there's a lot of things, alot of moving parts that I I
need to get up.
So I need some help to to forit to run quicker and for the
(15:15):
setup to be proper, right.
So I always tell them that Ineed someone and that the the
extra person will just make yourevent run smoother.
Yeah, and they'll never.
They'll let me.
Oh, okay, if it's gonna, ifit's gonna go perfect, and uh,
for sure they don't want tothere were a couple events where
you couldn't bring me remember.
Ilia (15:35):
When we just started, I had to tell you that yeah, and I
thought does this guy not wantto work with me anymore?
Nino (15:42):
I'm like no, I don't want this guy today, I don't want
this guy to come with me and um,lucky for you, I stayed, uh,
but, but.
Ilia (15:52):
But here's the thing, like , like they literally don't,
don't bring anyone.
Nino (15:55):
Yeah sometimes their budget doesn't um, sometimes the
the plates are like over 250dollars, 300 plates yeah, there
was one event you went torecently.
Ilia (16:06):
You said the food was beyond remember, remember that
the balcony one yeah, oh man toorder.
I had to order a pizza because,there was no food we were there
for for like 14, 15 hours.
I'm like, I'm hungry, I'm sorrydude, they couldn't afford your
plate.
Nino (16:23):
My pizza was so late.
300, yeah, wasn't it.
Wasn't it like a storm orsomething?
Ilia (16:27):
yeah, it was like an ice storm.
Oh my god, it was in the winter, that was fun and I'm like you
really don't have another plate.
And you know what?
Can I tell you something?
99% of the time they always dobecause?
99% of the time they do because, because and I'll tell you how
I know this because I worked incatering, I worked as a waiter,
I worked as a bartender there'salways tons of food left in the
(16:49):
back and you see everyone'seating it.
There's always an extra steakor something.
Almost never like.
Out of like 200 events I'vebeen to, maybe once or twice
there was not enough food andeven then there was like maybe
salad or something like thatthat event was stushy man.
Nino (17:04):
You you saw how there's they always.
Ilia (17:07):
They always do, I believe.
I'll tell you why.
I believe that if you droppedone steak or something now, you
don't have it for the otherperson.
So unless they had five steaksor something that they dropped
on the floor, okay, that theyhad to replace them with the
extras.
All right, you're justcomplaining now no, I'm just
telling you that they don't.
They actually always have extra,I know, I know, I know.
So they should, for sure theydo, but they always have extra,
(17:28):
so don't ever believe that theydon't have it.
But again, uh, the chef mightbe eating it.
The, the team, the team, yeah,yeah, the team.
Right, so you know, becausethey always, the chef always
feeds his team.
So, exactly, they get the extra.
But I've never seen in likehundreds of events other than
once, maybe twice, maybe Iremember there was not enough
(17:49):
food for all of us.
Nino (17:51):
Yeah, yeah, so I ordered a pizza and I'll do it again.
The pizza was good, man, I evenhad some yeah yeah, you ate my
food too and then you ate myfood.
Ilia (18:03):
That's an extra large, large pizza.
It was a lot, though.
Did I order something else,wings or something?
No, it was just a pizza.
Nino (18:08):
It was just a pizza.
It was a lot.
It was a lot.
You were like no, I can't eatthis by myself.
And I was like oh shit.
Ilia (18:13):
Okay, it was really weird to bring it in there because it
was like such a nice venue.
Was it Uber?
No, it was.
It was like a pizza company Iforget which one it was but like
I'm like walking in with with abig, big box of pizza, it's
(18:33):
like almost a slap in the facefor the people there.
I'm like you know what?
You didn't feed one of the djs,so I'm gonna feed myself.
But again, try to be subtleabout it.
There wasn't.
There wasn't much opportunityfor me to be subtle about it in
the lobby, but once I got in Icould go around and like yeah,
behind the scenes, yeah, thatwas.
That was a pretty funny night.
That was funny, delicious too.
Uh, make sure your assistant istrained to take requests and
(18:56):
deal with the crowd and not justwith your equipment.
And that's usually when yousaid that sometimes the
assistants that are just to setup and tear down yeah, I know.
Nino (19:04):
Yeah, I know companies that just hire.
They just get someone to helpthem set up equipment and tear
down equipment.
So literally they'll help themset up and then they'll leave
and then they'll come back atthe end of the night and tear
down and yeah, and that's itright, and that's it and that's
it.
That's what they get paid for.
Ilia (19:21):
Yeah, but that's usually like av companies for like large
events, right yeah yeah itdepends, it depends, it depends.
Yeah, uh, I know that some djsdon't even show up until
everything is done, so they justdon't want to deal with any of
that right, yeah, yeah, exactly,exactly.
Nino (19:35):
And then, and then you have the assistants where they
actually want to learn, theywant to, you want to teach them
right on your or you really needan assistant because that the
what you're doing on that day isjust, it is too much for your
workload.
Ilia (19:48):
Yeah.
So they're either there tolearn and they're getting no pay
or minimal pay, whatever dealyou have with them, or maybe
you're literally scoutingsomeone.
You're looking for someone thathas a certain set of skills
because you're going to hirethem specifically to take
(20:09):
requests, to deal with a crowd.
You know they're maybe eventhey could maybe MC and DJ if
you, if you need to step, stepaside, right.
So let's say you need to go tothe bathroom, I get, I take over
and I'll DJ, I'll do a fewtransitions.
I take over and I'll DJ, I'lldo a few transitions.
You know I don't usually MC,but whenever anyone comes up for
(20:30):
requests, especially whenthey're really drunk, I filter
them.
Nino (20:34):
Like I will.
I'll be like, hey, come overhere, and this is a must have
for DJs, to have an assistant toblock, like requests, because
it ruins your flow too.
You're in the middle of, you'realways mixing, you're always
thinking about 10 songs, fivesongs ahead of time.
Ilia (20:48):
so you're always thinking, you're always moving and
thinking about what to do nextespecially when they come before
, like you have to announcesomething or you know in between
, oh, can you, can we makerequests?
I'm like no, not right now.
Nino (21:00):
Go talk to him.
Ilia (21:02):
Talk to him, right, so he's there so, yeah, so that's
that's when he you know, when weused to do this a lot together.
Yeah, um, I would take requests.
Maybe someone just want to talk.
They literally walk up and theyjust want to chat.
Oh man, I used to be a dj.
Or like I want to be a dj, andthen you just like I don't keep
them happy, I don't care, man,keep it.
(21:24):
Oh, what kind of uh gear do youhave there?
Oh, okay, well, can you show mehow this works?
Oh, I'm interested.
I'm just there to makeconversation and to slowly bring
them back to where they camefrom.
Yeah, um, and again, if I needto jump on the on the decks or
if I need to maybe help youemcee something, so that helps
(21:51):
when that helper is not justthere to set up and tear it down
, because sometimes you have toomuch to do on your own to keep
it perfect Right, exactly,exactly.
Nino (21:56):
And the last point last point always have a plan B and
plan C.
Right, you never know whensomething's not gonna uh go as
planned.
Ilia (22:08):
Um so uh yeah be prepared like, if you don't have a very
properly working laptop orsomething like that, then maybe
have another one another laptop,another ipad or a tablet yeah,
if let's say it's to do withcables or anything, always have
all of that prepared ahead oftime, always, anything, whatever
(22:31):
it is.
So, yeah, I think that's it.
Yeah, all right.
So thank you very much forjoining another episode of the
Clever DJ.
We'll see you.
Nino (22:40):
We'll see you in the next one, guys.
Welcome back to another episode of the Clever DJing.
A quick intro about thispodcast and ourselves for those
who are just tuning in for thefirst time, whether you're
watching on YouTube or listeningon any of the other platforms
out there.
My name is Elia and I've beenDJing for just about two years.
I've done a variety of eventsand I met this guy right beside
(00:30):
me about two years ago where thejourney started.
Nino (00:34):
Yeah, my name is Nino and I'm a professional DJ.
I've been DJing a bit over 20plus years and I've started off
with bars and clubs and now I'mdoing more private events and
especially weddings.
Now I have a well-establishedcompany and I have 15 DJs under
my roster.
Ilia (00:52):
Yeah, so this podcast is a banter style podcast.
We're bringing a bunch oftopics which are trending in the
DJ world, or it's justsomething that happened to us
personally, just personalexperiences, and we do it from
the point of view of a beginnerand a professional.
Yes, so it's just.
It's just something thathappened to us personally, just
personal experiences, and we doit from the point of view of a
beginner and a professional.
Yes, so it's interesting to goover the topics and see what I
(01:14):
would do different in thosesituations and just how I would
see it versus how Nina would seeit.
And this is pretty much whatthis is all about.
Yes, sir, it came up, I think,on one of our drives to To one
of my gigs.
Yeah, yeah, we're talking aboutit and and you said you, you
saw things differently than thanyou did.
Yeah, of course, of course.
And I was like, why is this nota podcast?
(01:35):
This is interesting.
Nino (01:37):
Other people would like to listen to this.
You guys are watching it.
Ilia (01:41):
Yeah, thank you to all our listeners and viewers.
We were really hoping thatpeople would like it and yeah,
it's doing well, so thanks a lotto everyone.
Today we have a topic that isactually really important.
Every episode we say it'sspecial, every episode is
important.
This is how to keep yourclients happy and ensure
(02:01):
returning business.
So, even if it's just a weddingand we all know that sometimes
people marry more than once buteven if they didn't.
you want to bring business fromthat wedding, Other people who
enjoyed the way you DJ, the wayyou kind of ran that event.
Nino (02:18):
Yeah, and it's not even for the clients, it's for
everybody, all the guests too.
Ilia (02:22):
Exactly, prospective clients how many times?
One event specifically I'mtalking about, yeah, where they
were doing the video editing onthe spot same day, same day edit
, yeah, yeah there's.
There were three or fourcouples who approached you one
you already did their wedding,one you're doing it like next
week, and then one is like nextyear, yeah, and I'm like, wow, I
(02:46):
wish I had that much businesshey, just do a good job, man
kill it yeah, so let's startwith the first point.
That's something that Iactually personally dealt with.
Nino (02:58):
Two two, three weeks ago.
Uh, yeah okay, yeah.
Ilia (03:02):
So I was with another dj um and, uh, I was supporting her
at that event.
She needed my help withsomething and it said unplugged
event usually does.
Nino (03:16):
Uh, right at the beginning of the ceremony, yes, there's a
big sign, sign that says withflowers on it.
Ilia (03:23):
This is an unplugged event .
You can miss it, so respectunplugged events.
That means all the guests andsometimes even the vendors other
than the other than thevideographers and photographers,
are not supposed to take videos, photos, let alone post
(03:43):
anything on social media.
Now, usually the djs are notincluded in that.
Videos photos, let alone postanything on social media.
Now, usually the DJs are notincluded in that.
They know that we like to takeour content, but you would know
when they book you, you wouldknow if you have someone who is
very meticulous, they'llprobably also tell you right,
yeah, they'll tell you, hey, wedon't want you to take any
(04:06):
videos or photos Now between usI mean, as DJs, we need our
social media content.
Nino (04:10):
Social media is very, very important nowadays, especially.
Ilia (04:13):
So if you're going to just risk it and just sneak in a few
shots, videos, don't post it.
Nino (04:19):
Yeah, just don't post it.
Don't post it Especially beforethe bride or groom right?
Yeah?
Ilia (04:27):
Because they ask you not to.
They're not going to like it.
We posted something on socialmedia, but that's after.
I showed the bride the shots Itook.
Yeah, she loved them.
Okay, I was telling her this isgoing on Instagram and she said
that's cool.
And then the DJ I was with gotan email that she was livid.
Nino (04:48):
Why is?
Ilia (04:48):
this on Instagram, so sometimes they don't even
realize what they're saying.
They're in the in the momentand just just be careful with
that.
I've I've experienced thatrecently.
Um, she was very grateful thatwe removed it right away.
She still gave us a five-starrating, uh, but you know, it
could end very differently.
It's all about customer service, but better to just ask them,
(05:12):
right, just ask them ask themright away.
Nino (05:13):
Respect their wishes too.
You have to right.
It's all about their day.
What they want.
You're trying to make themhappy.
It might be their only weddingKnock on wood.
Ilia (05:27):
There, their only wedding.
Knock on wood.
There's no wood around yourhand, it's okay I'll get us,
I'll get on the floor.
Nino (05:30):
There we go.
I got hardwood man.
Ilia (05:30):
Hey, hardwood there you go , I'll get us a better table
this is a good table that's goodman, costco job.
Nino (05:35):
Thank you, costco uh.
Ilia (05:37):
We need some uh sponsorship does costco want to
sponsor us?
Okay, so uh.
Nino (05:44):
Second point, uh don't eat , drink or party when you're
supposed to work.
Ilia (05:50):
Yeah now, um, yeah, I know you have something to say
because I've mentioned this so I, when we just first started,
first of in the first few events, I was very professional.
You were very good.
I didn't know who you were.
Nino (06:08):
You were very careful, very careful, but then I
realized that we're very alike.
Ilia (06:13):
We're both jokers and like jokesters, like we.
Just we clicked and I becamevery comfortable A little too
comfortable, a little toocomfortable sometimes and I
would yeah, I would do my job, Iwould help you set up and
everything.
I would help you throughout theevent.
But I would also really enjoythe food and the late nights and
(06:38):
the desserts and the drinks,because you're driving.
I can do whatever I want, andwhile I always knew how to kind
of manage the crowd and like,not bug anyone's, it could
always backfire.
Yeah, it's not your event.
Yeah, you're welcome.
They know that there's a placesetting for you and you're part
(07:01):
of the of the party as welltechnically, and they're always
telling you hey, get some food.
But it's way more professionalwhen you mostly focus on your
job and then you focus fivepercent on, like you know,
getting something.
Yeah, to eat or drink.
I never got drunk at events.
No, you never got drunk.
That wasn't my thing.
Nino (07:19):
I love the food it showed I love the food.
It came to a point where youwere like feeding me too.
I was like, okay, well, hold onman you were enjoying it.
Ilia (07:28):
Yeah, you were so like, oh , you're bringing me food and
everything.
But then we realized that maybe, uh too much, maybe this needs
to be revised.
Nobody said anything, nobody,like we kept getting five-star
reviews, but we're just thinkingabout it like, maybe this it's
just a little too much, rightdon't?
Nino (07:44):
overindulge.
You're just there to work,right, and especially at the bar
and stuff.
Don't drink too much.
Maybe get a cocktail right atthe beginning, but that's about
it.
I wouldn't drink, eventhroughout the wedding.
Unless it's a friend's wedding,then I make an exception, but
other than that, try to stayprofessional water for me all
(08:04):
night.
Ilia (08:04):
The main part that I was doing was not even the food, let
alone the drinks.
I didn't drink much, um, and Iwould always wait for everyone
to get their food first andeverything.
But, like, the main part was metaking videos of everything,
cause I like taking videos andphotos and I do your social
media and everything, um, but ifyou later I learned that if you
(08:27):
really want to do all of that,come earlier, right, because you
want to get all that footage.
Nino (08:31):
So we started coming a little earlier, and if we don't,
we find you can get it early,but then there are moments where
there are windows where you cantake it.
Ilia (08:40):
Yeah, windows of opportunity.
Nino (08:41):
Windows of opportunity.
Don't do it like when peopleare going up to get food and
everybody's like lining up andyou're there behind everybody,
yeah, taking video.
Everybody's like lining up andyou're there behind everybody
like taking video.
Do it when everybody's donealready uh, like they have their
food and they're eating alreadyand then just take a quick
video, right?
Ilia (08:58):
yeah, so it's a lot of trial and error and, um, before
I showed up, you didn't havesomebody who does all that for
you, right?
So you never even thought aboutit probably no, I didn't.
Nino (09:09):
but but this guy showed value and I saw the value in it
when he actually did it and Iwas like, oh, I liked it.
Ilia (09:16):
All that stuff that I did when I wasn't really supposed to
do it.
Somehow all the guests alwaysloved it, yeah, but it can
really backfire.
It can.
Somebody could say why are youalways in front of the shot,
like, why are you always aroundmy guests, right?
So this is something werealized later on but and we
thought it's very important tomention we stopped doing it.
We're very careful when we'regetting in the shot, there
(09:39):
taking the video, taking a photo.
But, yeah, luckily, everyonereally liked it.
Everyone always said, oh, Ican't believe you got all this
footage.
Nino (09:55):
I got all this footage, I forgot to take a photo of the
food, or oh, thank you fortaking the photo or a video of
my guests eating.
Ilia (09:57):
Some people don't even have video.
Yeah, some people just havephotographers.
Yeah, it's true, so we fivestars could come from that too,
but just be mindful of thatstuff.
Uh, you're there to work andyou weren't hired as a social
media content unless you werehired specifically for social
media yeah, yeah, not by you,though by the client, yeah, by
the client.
(10:18):
um, point three uh, don't minglewith the guests and try to be
people's friend unless you readthe room and you know who you're
dealing with.
So that's another thing that,again, is fun to do.
You like to get on the dancefloor with them and dance with
them?
Nino (10:38):
And this is your thing right you like to get people.
I like to get personal.
Get personal with them and it'sgood.
It's a good thing, right?
But you never know if theclient is okay with that.
Ilia (10:47):
Yeah like you're making yourself a part of their event
and they may not want that.
So while I was a little carefulwith that stuff, I believe in
the beginning I wasn't carefulenough and again, luckily it
never backfired.
Luckily, yeah, it actuallyalways gave us good feedback.
But we got lucky.
We never really checked withthem right.
Every DJ has their own kind ofthing.
(11:10):
My thing is that I get personalwith the clients.
I'm just very good with theclients.
This is easy for me to get onstage, get on the dance floor
like I just I always liked it uh.
But again, some cultures it'svery unacceptable and I could
tell.
Luckily I could tell yeah butyeah, it can really backfire,
(11:31):
just like the previous point.
Right exactly, yeah, all right.
Nino (11:34):
Next point make sure you didn't forget anything you were
originally supposed to bring.
So be organized.
That includes gear, uh,anything like anything else that
you like social media stuff, uh, food for yourself, snacks, if
you, if you're not going to befed and a lot of times you are
going to be fed but um, musicright.
(11:57):
Organizations playlists beorganized with that to make sure
you have the client's wishes,what they want to hear, included
with all the stuff that you'regoing to play all your have
everything written down If theyhanded you the document where it
lists the entire event, theprogram.
(12:17):
Yes, the program.
Ilia (12:20):
And you know it lists the do not play and the must play
songs Like have it all preparedand don't wander around thinking
maybe the coordinator can giveyou their copy.
Or sometimes there's nocoordinator, sometimes you have
to do it yourself.
And yeah, and just have allyour gear because you might be
remote and even if you have ahelper and assistant, there's
(12:46):
nowhere to go.
There's nowhere to get thatcable or, you know, an extra
laptop if something just stoppedworking.
Nino (12:53):
Have a checklist before you leave your house.
Double check, triple check,even before you actually leave,
and make sure you haveeverything.
It's very important that you'renot running around last minute
for a cable.
Ilia (13:07):
Yeah, don't make any moment about yourself unless you
think the client willappreciate it.
That's a kind of what we weresaying earlier.
Uh, I just kind of mentioned itall in the same point.
But uh, what if you're a goodsinger?
What if you are a great dancer?
Uh, you play an instrument.
First of all, probably not goodto do it for free, because you
(13:30):
could literally add it to yourpackage.
But if you, you know you'rejust a beginner, you're trying
to impress people.
They may have not, they may notwant that as part of their
event.
Maybe that doesn't really addin with everything else they
planned With their vision ortheir style.
Nino (13:52):
Yeah, it's just.
It's not in with what they want, exactly right.
Ilia (13:57):
So you might be trying to do something nice or something
good, something impressive, butagain it can really backfire.
So don't make it about yourself.
Nino (14:04):
It's never, never about yourself.
What I always tell DJs, it'salways about the client.
I always bring it back to theclient, right, Because it's
always about them.
So always make it about and ifyou're doing a birthday or an
anniversary, always bring itback to the celebrant.
It's just the way it is.
That's why we're getting paidfrom the person who's hiring us
(14:25):
is.
Ilia (14:25):
That's why we're getting paid from the person who's
hiring us.
The only thing that's about youthere is to be a good dj.
Nino (14:27):
So they can actually, so people will actually hire you
again unless you're ts, though,and you're the headliner, and
then it's about you, but otherthan that mean it's never about
you exactly um, always advise ifyou have an assistant helper,
uh, and if they need a placesetting yeah, I've run across
this a few times and, um,sometimes I kind of I've let it
(14:51):
slide like I just got broughtsomeone, but a lot of the times
I would tell the clients that Ineed to bring someone,
especially because I have to manthe dry ice, I have to put on
up lights, I have a monogram, Ihave towers to put up.
So there's a lot of things, alot of moving parts that I I
need to get up.
So I need some help to to forit to run quicker and for the
(15:15):
setup to be proper, right.
So I always tell them that Ineed someone and that the the
extra person will just make yourevent run smoother.
Yeah, and they'll never.
They'll let me.
Oh, okay, if it's gonna, ifit's gonna go perfect, and uh,
for sure they don't want tothere were a couple events where
you couldn't bring me remember.
Ilia (15:35):
When we just started, I had to tell you that yeah, and I
thought does this guy not wantto work with me anymore?
Nino (15:42):
I'm like no, I don't want this guy today, I don't want
this guy to come with me and um,lucky for you, I stayed, uh,
but, but.
Ilia (15:52):
But here's the thing, like , like they literally don't,
don't bring anyone.
Nino (15:55):
Yeah sometimes their budget doesn't um, sometimes the
the plates are like over 250dollars, 300 plates yeah, there
was one event you went torecently.
Ilia (16:06):
You said the food was beyond remember, remember that
the balcony one yeah, oh man toorder.
I had to order a pizza because,there was no food we were there
for for like 14, 15 hours.
I'm like, I'm hungry, I'm sorrydude, they couldn't afford your
plate.
Nino (16:23):
My pizza was so late.
300, yeah, wasn't it.
Wasn't it like a storm orsomething?
Ilia (16:27):
yeah, it was like an ice storm.
Oh my god, it was in the winter, that was fun and I'm like you
really don't have another plate.
And you know what?
Can I tell you something?
99% of the time they always dobecause?
99% of the time they do because, because and I'll tell you how
I know this because I worked incatering, I worked as a waiter,
I worked as a bartender there'salways tons of food left in the
(16:49):
back and you see everyone'seating it.
There's always an extra steakor something.
Almost never like.
Out of like 200 events I'vebeen to, maybe once or twice
there was not enough food andeven then there was like maybe
salad or something like thatthat event was stushy man.
Nino (17:04):
You you saw how there's they always.
Ilia (17:07):
They always do, I believe.
I'll tell you why.
I believe that if you droppedone steak or something now, you
don't have it for the otherperson.
So unless they had five steaksor something that they dropped
on the floor, okay, that theyhad to replace them with the
extras.
All right, you're justcomplaining now no, I'm just
telling you that they don't.
They actually always have extra,I know, I know, I know.
So they should, for sure theydo, but they always have extra,
(17:28):
so don't ever believe that theydon't have it.
But again, uh, the chef mightbe eating it.
The, the team, the team, yeah,yeah, the team.
Right, so you know, becausethey always, the chef always
feeds his team.
So, exactly, they get the extra.
But I've never seen in likehundreds of events other than
once, maybe twice, maybe Iremember there was not enough
(17:49):
food for all of us.
Nino (17:51):
Yeah, yeah, so I ordered a pizza and I'll do it again.
The pizza was good, man, I evenhad some yeah yeah, you ate my
food too and then you ate myfood.
Ilia (18:03):
That's an extra large, large pizza.
It was a lot, though.
Did I order something else,wings or something?
No, it was just a pizza.
Nino (18:08):
It was just a pizza.
It was a lot.
It was a lot.
You were like no, I can't eatthis by myself.
And I was like oh shit.
Ilia (18:13):
Okay, it was really weird to bring it in there because it
was like such a nice venue.
Was it Uber?
No, it was.
It was like a pizza company Iforget which one it was but like
I'm like walking in with with abig, big box of pizza, it's
(18:33):
like almost a slap in the facefor the people there.
I'm like you know what?
You didn't feed one of the djs,so I'm gonna feed myself.
But again, try to be subtleabout it.
There wasn't.
There wasn't much opportunityfor me to be subtle about it in
the lobby, but once I got in Icould go around and like yeah,
behind the scenes, yeah, thatwas.
That was a pretty funny night.
That was funny, delicious too.
Uh, make sure your assistant istrained to take requests and
(18:56):
deal with the crowd and not justwith your equipment.
And that's usually when yousaid that sometimes the
assistants that are just to setup and tear down yeah, I know.
Nino (19:04):
Yeah, I know companies that just hire.
They just get someone to helpthem set up equipment and tear
down equipment.
So literally they'll help themset up and then they'll leave
and then they'll come back atthe end of the night and tear
down and yeah, and that's itright, and that's it and that's
it.
That's what they get paid for.
Ilia (19:21):
Yeah, but that's usually like av companies for like large
events, right yeah yeah itdepends, it depends, it depends.
Yeah, uh, I know that some djsdon't even show up until
everything is done, so they justdon't want to deal with any of
that right, yeah, yeah, exactly,exactly.
Nino (19:35):
And then, and then you have the assistants where they
actually want to learn, theywant to, you want to teach them
right on your or you really needan assistant because that the
what you're doing on that day isjust, it is too much for your
workload.
Ilia (19:48):
Yeah.
So they're either there tolearn and they're getting no pay
or minimal pay, whatever dealyou have with them, or maybe
you're literally scoutingsomeone.
You're looking for someone thathas a certain set of skills
because you're going to hirethem specifically to take
(20:09):
requests, to deal with a crowd.
You know they're maybe eventhey could maybe MC and DJ if
you, if you need to step, stepaside, right.
So let's say you need to go tothe bathroom, I get, I take over
and I'll DJ, I'll do a fewtransitions.
I take over and I'll DJ, I'lldo a few transitions.
You know I don't usually MC,but whenever anyone comes up for
(20:30):
requests, especially whenthey're really drunk, I filter
them.
Nino (20:34):
Like I will.
I'll be like, hey, come overhere, and this is a must have
for DJs, to have an assistant toblock, like requests, because
it ruins your flow too.
You're in the middle of, you'realways mixing, you're always
thinking about 10 songs, fivesongs ahead of time.
Ilia (20:48):
so you're always thinking, you're always moving and
thinking about what to do nextespecially when they come before
, like you have to announcesomething or you know in between
, oh, can you, can we makerequests?
I'm like no, not right now.
Nino (21:00):
Go talk to him.
Ilia (21:02):
Talk to him, right, so he's there so, yeah, so that's
that's when he you know, when weused to do this a lot together.
Yeah, um, I would take requests.
Maybe someone just want to talk.
They literally walk up and theyjust want to chat.
Oh man, I used to be a dj.
Or like I want to be a dj, andthen you just like I don't keep
them happy, I don't care, man,keep it.
(21:24):
Oh, what kind of uh gear do youhave there?
Oh, okay, well, can you show mehow this works?
Oh, I'm interested.
I'm just there to makeconversation and to slowly bring
them back to where they camefrom.
Yeah, um, and again, if I needto jump on the on the decks or
if I need to maybe help youemcee something, so that helps
(21:51):
when that helper is not justthere to set up and tear it down
, because sometimes you have toomuch to do on your own to keep
it perfect Right, exactly,exactly.
Nino (21:56):
And the last point last point always have a plan B and
plan C.
Right, you never know whensomething's not gonna uh go as
planned.
Ilia (22:08):
Um so uh yeah be prepared like, if you don't have a very
properly working laptop orsomething like that, then maybe
have another one another laptop,another ipad or a tablet yeah,
if let's say it's to do withcables or anything, always have
all of that prepared ahead oftime, always, anything, whatever
(22:31):
it is.
So, yeah, I think that's it.
Yeah, all right.
So thank you very much forjoining another episode of the
Clever DJ.
We'll see you.
Nino (22:40):
We'll see you in the next one, guys.
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