I am thinking of adding a series of additions to the site that will, I think, really set me apart from anyone else in this business I can think of.
The standard concept is a flat rate for flat services, because of the flat rate the client thinks they are not going to pay for the little extras. What really happens is the client is paying for more initially, and if the client doesn’t need too much extra assistance then the DJ makes more money for doing less.
It is kind of like working for salary, except as the client, you do not know on how many hours or for how much an hour the salary is estimated for. It almost always favors the employer or in this case, the company you are hiring.
What I am hoping to do is create a system where the client can log into their contract. What I mean by that is when I am booked, the client will receive log in information where they can review online their details of the booking. But not just static details. Each communication, each meeting, will be updated on line so the client can see the progression of work. This will allow the client to know not only what information I have about their booking, the notes I keep, but have an idea of how much time is being invested on their behalf.
The other advantage of knowing the billing/work benefit, is the client will know I have the right information, it is easy to make changes and update correctly and will eliminate the chance of mis-communication. The very basis of my services for my customers.
Many people do not want to pay a big bill upfront. I do require payment in full 10 days before the event. I have heard the objection that the client hasn’t received the product first, also followed by some horror story about someone they knew who was taken by a scam artist posing as a DJ.
The reality is, when I request payment, I have already produced about 70% of the product in preparation and meetings. The on site work, if prepared for properly is a smaller fraction of the over all work. For some companies the on site work accounts for about 95% of the over all work.
The pre-planning is much like a constant dress rehearsal, rather than showing up and putting on an improv show.
The new feature is not only a confidence builder, but still allows the client to be the boss by having the availability to check the work.
Is this a feature worth implementing? Is the cost of development and implementation worth the chance that no one or very few clients will use it?
