There is a saying that “Nice guys finish last.” I do not believe in that. I believe we should be nice and considerate in life. I read an article              ( http://promobiledj.com/4-actions-to-keep-a-customer-for-life/ ) 4 Actions to Keep a Customer for Life by Doug Sandler, the nice guy. He talks about 4 skills that are important to maintain good customer relationships.

Exceed Expectations:  Always do what you are supposed to. If you promise to bring 4 speakers and a wireless microphone then bring it. Everything is always stated in a contract and the dj has to follow through.  Once I speak with a client and always assure them I will send them a contract within a day and in a day a contract is in their inbox. My job is to make the client happy.

Be Consistent: I like being at an event about an hour before the event, so I can do sound check and make sure everything looks nice and tidy.  During events, clients do not want to keep on guessing but feel at ease knowing that you are consistent.

Inspire to Wow them:  I probably spend a lot of time on playlists. Typically the client gives me a few songs and I have to work off that to deliver the vibe that they want.  Or the client may give me a lot of songs and I will put as many as I can to keep the crowd moving.

Get Personal: Its good to know the folks that you serve. It helps with the playlist and when you use your MC skills and to see what type of humor would appease them.  It is not just business but what the dj is providing is an experience that guests will talk about.

Single  Dj Operator Business (one owner)

When a business is ran by a single operator then it’s the owner that the client speaks with and it’s the owner of the company who shows up to the event. The client knows whom they are going to get. Typically the company will have one set up with a possible back up. I am a single operator business and I have my main set up, but I can set up like an outside ceremony and have my main set up for the reception plus can do the cocktail area if needed.

A Multi Operated Business (fewer of these but own the market)

When a business is ran by an owner and may speak with the client and owner may do the event but can send another dj to do the event.  The person who the client spoke and gave details about the event may not be the same person who shows up. If a group has mulitipe events, one dj can be awesome but at the next event can be done by someone who is not as great.  I have seen ads on craigslist for djs to join multi op dj companies who ask for no experience and will train. Do you want that  inexperienced person to do your event?

Which is better?

A Multi Op dj company may have more online reviews and a bigger presence online. It helps having more help on the phones booking wedding venues as their preferred vendors thus increasing more gigs thus earning more of an online presence. But then again one dj may be good and the other ones in the same company may not be as talented.

A Single Op dj clients know what to expect since they are at every event, so there are no surprises and less chance of miscommunication. A single Op dj is the owner of the company and puts in the work. In an ideal world, a multi op dj company would be the best option since they have multiple djs and if the dj could not make it then they could have a replacement and lots of back up equipment but the level of talent is not consistent. If I had to hire an multi Op dj company I would request the owner to do my event, since I know s/he would be passionate with their work. Anyone who has talent  and passion would establish their own dj company. A growing relationship can evolve with a Single OP Dj company since communication is with the same dj and s/he will be there to share the important event with the client.

If you are thinking of taking your dj company to the next level please email me at omar@bwadj,com

Multi op versus Single op revisited

During the New Orleans marathon, I thought the dj had the coolest job on the course right next to the volunteers who hand out the finish medals.  The closest race I saw was in San Francisco. I filled out the form online and figured why not. A short period time later I got a voicemail inquiring about my services. They wanted to know my specifications of my dj set up to make sure I was legit. Once I was verified then I was given a contract and mailed the instructions of the event.

The day before I scoped the scene to see where I was playing at to check logistics. I was checking if I needed to park far away and run to my event if needed

I had to get up really early just like a marathon. I set my alarm at 4 since I had to get ready and load equipment and head to San Francisco. Waiting for me was my stage manager who made sure I was fed and hydrated during the event and to fix any issue if any arose.  The police officers were very helpful and one suggested I park behind the set up, which made life so much easier.  The race provided me a powerful generator that fed my four speakers. I was able to walk down the street and hear the clarity of the music.

I got to play a lot of top 40 and jock jam type of music. I know music plays a big part for motivation. When I ran my marathons and felt a little defeated I would hear a good song that would push me toward the finish line. Overall it was a good experience and would do again. 

CARDI B  BE CAREFUL

BEBE REXHA  MEANT TO BE

ZEDD MAREN MORRIS  THE MIDDLE

DRAKE  GOD’S PLAN

CAMILA CABELLO  NEVER BE THE SAME

BAD WOLVES  ZOMBIE

POST MALONE  PSYCHO

LIL DICKY  CHRIS BROWN FREAKY FRIDAY

MARSHMELLOW  FRIENDS

SAWEETIE  ICEY

SZA KENDRICK LAMAR  ALL THE STARS

XXXTENACION  SAD!

BLOCBOY JB FEATURING DRAKE  LOOK ALIVE

MIGOS  STIR FRY

OFFSET AND METRO BOOMING  RIC FLAIR DRIP

MIGOS FEATURING DRAKE  WALK IT TALK IT

STEFFLON DON AND FRENCH MONTANA  HURTIN ME

BLAC YOUNGSTA  BOOTY

TINASHE  FT OFFSET  NO DRAMA

Are Coaches good for Business?

While growing up, I had a little league coach who showed me how to play baseball. I would have different coaches thus I would get different advice on how to be a better player. Then I stopped playing sports with a team and I no longer have a coach. As a grown up, you feel that you are a stable adult and know how to world works. But in business one can still have a coach to learn and get to the next level. Business coaches have been where you want to go and have insight.

I found out about SCORE.ORG, which is a free service for businesses. I signed up and within a few hours I got a phone call and I set up an appointment with two business coaches. I had a choice of three locations and I asked SCORE please send me to the best coaches for me no matter the location since I am hungry to learn as much as I can.

 I met Lido and Judith at a Chamber of Commerce and they broke it down for me. They asked me what was working and what was not working then gave me insight. They told me I should tell everyone about my business. Make it be known that I do music.  Instead of sending out 100 postcards, send out 600.  They asked me why I did not give out my card when I met them and told me I need to give out my card to everyone I know and not be modest about it. They told me so much more but I cannot give out my secrets!

I learned a lot from my coaches and want me to follow up with them, so I am held accountable. 

Always have your backups

I always try to be two steps ahead. I always take multiple computers with me to events. 2012 was the last time I had a beach ball on my mac on my external hard drive and it took like a minute but have had not other issue since.   The next day I ordered another mac book pro and no longer use an external hard drive but an internal hard drive. Not only computers, I take I do take multiple set ups too since I always like being prepared. I am grateful for controllers since it is turntables and mixers all in one.

I have a big suv that I fill it up to the brim with equipment. I believe in having back ups to my back ups. Yes, it is more work to carry everything but it is for a piece of mind. I was talking to another dj that only carries one controller and one computer. I asked him what happens if something does not work. His response was oh well. I do not do oh well. If for some reason my computer is not working, I have another one with the same music and I will have the playlist on my phone. Say my controller goes on vacation, and then I have another one who is ready to be on the starting line up.

One never knows what to expect at a gig. One gig may not have electricity at a close proximity or extra speakers maybe needed. I have speakers on the bench waiting to wave them in.

A lot of events that need djs are special days and everything has to be run smoothly. Every little detail counts to make your special day even more special. Be prepared at all times!

HIP HOP LOVE JAMS

LL COOL J  I NEED LOVE

BUSTA RHYMES AND MARIAH CAREY  I KNOW WHAT YOU WANT

THE PHARCYDE  PASSIN ME BY

BIG DADDY KANE  SMOOTH OPERATOR

JA RULE AND VITA  PUT IT ON ME

50 CENT FT NATE DOGG  21 QUESTIONS

METHOD MAN AND MARY J BLIGE  ALL I NEED

POOR RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS  SHAKIYLA

MOBB DEEP  HEY LUV

SNOOP DOGG FT PHARRELL  BEAUTIFUL

LL COOL J  AROUND THE WAY GIRL

CHINGY PULLIN ME BACK

HIP HOP LOVE JAMS

https://www.mixcloud.com/wingmansj/hip-hop-love-jams/

R&B and 90’s Video Playlist

I love me some 90’s R&B music. I was inquired for a video mix opportunity and they wanted one of my favorite types of music.

112 FT NOTIORIOUS BIG  ONLY YOU

702  WHERE MY GIRLS AT

AALIYAH  ARE YOU THAT SOMEBODY

AALIYAH  BACK AND FORTH

AALIYAH  IF YOUR GIRL ONLY KNEW

ADINA HOWARD FREAK LIKE ME

BBD  POISON

BLACKSTREET  NO DIGGITY

BOYZ TO MEN  MOTOWNPHILLY

BRANDY  I WANNA BE DOWN

BRANDY AND MONICA  THE BOY IS MINE

CASE  TOUCH ME TEASE ME

DESTINY’S CHILD  JUMPIN’ JUMPIN’

DESTINY’S CHILD  SAY MY NAME

DONELL JONES  U KNOW WHAT’S UP

DRU HILL HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE

EN VOGUE  FREE YOUR MIND

EN VOGUE  MY LOVIN’

FUGEES  KILLING ME SOFTLY

GHOSTTOWN DJS  MY BOO

GINUWINE  PONY

GROOVE THEORY  TELL ME

JADE  DON’T WALK AWAY

JADE  I WANNA LOVE YOU

JANET JACKSON IF

JANET JACKSON  THAT’S THE WAY LOVE GOES

JODECI  COME AND TALK TO ME

JOHNNY GILL   RUB YOU THE RIGHT WAY

KCI AND JOJO  ALL MY LIFE

KARYN WHITE  ROMANTIC

MARK MORRISON  RETURN OF THE MACK

MARY J BLIGE  REAL LOVE

MICHAEL JACKSON REMEMBER THE TIME

MONTELL JORDAN  GET IT ON TONITE

NEXT  TOO CLOSE

NEW EDITION  HIT ME OFF

PEBBLES  GIVING YOU THE BENEFIT

SHAI  IF I EVER FALL IN LOVE

SHANICE  I LOVE YOUR SMILE

SILK FREAK ME

SOUL FOR REAL  CANDY RAIN

SWV  I’M SO INTO YOU

SWV  RIGHT HERE

SWV  WEAK

TLC  BABY BABY BABY

TLC CREEP

TLC NO SCRUBS

TLC  UNPRETTY

TLC WATERFALLS

TONY TONI TONE  FEELS GOOD

ZHANE  GROOVE THANG

ZHANE  HEY MR. DJ