Blog Posts

Pro Mobile Conference 2014

Posted on by Gary Jones in DJ Training, Ideas, Wedding Friends

Pro Mobile Conference 2014 was a brilliant meeting of the Mobile DJ Industries top talent. The Conference was over two days at The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Heythrop Park, Oxford. Over the 2 days we had 6 speakers deliver a wide range of seminars. The Key Note speaker was Randy Bartlett. Now Randy is one of the Top USA Wedding DJs commanding fees $0000s over the local average. He delivered a brilliant couple of seminars over the 2 days. Rob Brown helped teach us about networking and referalls. The highlight being the practical workshop on how to network by working the room. This was extremely worthwhile and it opens your eyes to new ways of doing things.

Day 2 Randy gave his second seminar and we also got some marketing hints and tips from the very talented Howard Wing. Howard is The Wedding Industry Awards 2014 Best Wedding Entertainer. He is from the North West and is at the very top of his game.

Overall the conference was excellent value for money.

Recent Education I have booked on to attend

Posted on by Gary Jones in DJ Training, Ideas, Pro Mobile DJ

Recent Education I have booked on to attend is the Pro Mobile Conference 2014 in Oxford. This event is by far my number one favourite event of the year. I meet so many positive like minded people and learn so many different ideas that give me a great motivational boost for the coming Wedding Season. It’s a 2 day conference with an overnight stay. Attending this year will be Randy Bartlett who is one of the top American Wedding DJs. He will be giving a couple of seminars which I’m sure will be a big eye opener. Other guests include: Sharon Knight – Personal Branding, Rob Brown – Networking and referrals, Howard Wing – Wedding Marketing, Tom Salinsky – Storytelling for sales and special guest Mark Goodier Radio DJ. Other highlights include a networking breakfast, lunch and a technology breakout rooms.

Then in April it’s the National Association of Disc Jockeys Annual Conference in London. One of the highlights is again networking with some fantastic DJs and sharing ideas. This year they have managed to secure the services of Mark Ferrell from California. He’s runs a very successful company called Marbecca. They teach DJs how to become competent Master of Ceremonies and public speakers. The will be presenting a seminar called “Get What You Are Worth” the 1st time he has presented this in the UK.

So two fantastic dates to look forward to, at least until September and BPM in Birmingham.

promob1

Social Media Master Class

Posted on by Gary Jones in DJ Training

Social Media Master Class

In April I attended a Social Media Masterclass in Shoreditch, London. It was hosted by Matt Hodkinson of Influence Agents. This is actually opposite Google UK Headquarters. Brilliant course and some excellent tools on Facebook, Youtube, Linked In, Twitter, Google +, Tumblr etc.. that I would never of known existed.

Social Media Course

Pro Mobile DJ Magazine the mobile DJs Bible My Own Story

Posted on by Gary Jones in Did You Know?, DJ Training, Pro Mobile DJ

pro mobile 1www.promobile.org.uk

Pro Mobile DJ Magazine the mobile DJs Bible My Own Story

To all mobile DJ’s in the UK or abroad I always recommend you keep up to date with the Industry that we work in. Yes all to often the mobile DJ can feel like it’s just them against the world. But once you make that conscious decision to train, network and support others you will never fully understand how this Industry actually works. One doors opens another as the saying goes.

So 2012 seen me finally quit my full time managers job at Tesco. Having been completely fed up with my job I finally decided to become a full time DJ. The past 14 years had seen me be a part-time DJ who got busier every year until it was decision time. I came to the conclusion that if I stayed at Tesco any longer and my partner was to get pregnant then I would be stuck with the secure job that I hated. So I gave 3 months notice. I paid my Council Tax off for the year. I paid my TV Licence, Car Insurance and any other bills to reduce my monthly outgoings for the remainder of the year taking away the pressure.

After 3 months I was working regular but some of the gigs were poor payers and I was starting to get a bit demotivated. I attended BPM 2012 at Birmingham N.E.C where I attended a Wedding Workshop by the Chairman of CEDA. He explained the importance of formal training and what it helps you to achieve. Also by adding services to your list you can up sell these in turn taking the pressure off your clients.

Back in Manchester I booked a Wedding Theory Course with Derek Pengally in Reading. 12 other DJ’s with myself had a great day. We shared stories and offered our advice. I got some ideas from other DJ’s as I’m sure they got ideas from me. I also added 6 people who I met onto Twitter and Facebook. Curiosity found me viewing previous tweets where I came across a tweet about a Pro Mobile Wedding Conference in March in Oxford. On further investigation 2 of the key speakers at the event were wedding specialists we were talking about at my previous training in Reading. So I’m now booked onto this course in March.

Also this coming Monday I have a training session in Salford City Radio’s Studio and with a bit of luck I will get my own radio show.

So as you can see. With a little bit of effort, persistance and networking many doors open and your knowledge of all things mobile DJ will improve. So check out the Pro Mobile website. You can even sign up to their magazine which is full of information.

P.S. With 1 month left of my notice at Tesco we did actually find out my partner was expecting. I stuck to my guns and still quit. Things always work out if you put the effort in.

www.promobile.org.uk