Random Musings From A DJ's Mind

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:55:00 US/Mountain

Some of my business colleagues and I were talking the other day about what really mattered in this crazy business of ours, and I learned something very important - many of those colleagues are concerned about making money first and the happiness of the client second.

When I put KICKIT PRODUCTIONS on the professional business map back in 1995, one thing was imperative - that above all else, the customer HAD TO COME FIRST! The happiness and contentment of my customers is the most important aspect and the driving force behind the success of my company. At times, I've been called a little crazy by my business associates for giving back as much as I do to make my customers happy, but to me, it means creating a very special bond and relationship between myself and my customers.

There is something extremely satisfying about seeing the Father of one of my Brides beam with pride as he watches his little girl all grown up, dancing her first dance with her hew husband....watching that same grown up lady bring her Daddy to tears during the Father/Bride dance...bringing students of all race, creed, color and religion together as one body, in a huge school gymnasium, stepping in time to The Cupid Shuffle, and the pure excitement of watching 600+ corporate employees step in time and tune to The Electric Slide.

What all this boils down to is that when my customers are having a good time, I'm having a good time!

I love creating a happy and exciting environment for all my clients, and will do everything in my power to make that happen.

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A couple of new additions that I have been working on over the last few weeks -

Two new vendors have been added to the Useful Links page:

1) New Town Bistro: owned and operated by a couple of friends of mine - Kyle Agha and Ken Tucker.

2) First Class Limousine Service: Owned and operated by Aaron Weldon.

I'm really excited about both of these new contacts, especially First Class Limo, because Aaron has allowed me to design a website for his business. He has some really great ideas for promotions. He also is in tune with a very special charity - Jenni's Walk Of Hope - that is being held to raise funds to support melanoma cancer research on Saturday April 26th 2008. Last year alone, the walk and golf event raised almost $20,000 dollars that was donated to The American Cancer Society.

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Congratulations are in order for the following folks:

Steve Kottenbrock/Tonika Kiel - getting married on May 3rd of this year

Matt Hughes/Kasey Maxcy - getting married May 17th of this year

Brian Shinker/Karen Gill - getting married June 7th 2008

Billy Lowery/Heather Love - tying the knot June 14th

Richard Gaut/Megan McCormick - getting married July 5th

Paul Drye/Betsy Riddle - tying the knot September 6th

The thing I love most about what I do for all of these couples is that each of their events is unique and different in concept. They all have great ideas for their individual receptions, and I am looking forward to each and every one of them, because of the different production value ideas that go into making a great reception.

Again, congratulations to all of these couples, for turning in their amateur status and going pro!

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Friday Feb. 22nd, 2008

Martha Stewart Living takes stake in WeddingWire.com

KICKIT PRODUCTIONS Mobile Entertainment welcomes and embraces the newest member of the WeddingWire.com community, Martha Stewart Living. With the high visibility and intense focus on lifestyle content, the addition of Martha Stewart Living to the WeddingWire community brings two of the Wedding industry's front-runners together in order to give broad and wonderful choices to couples considering marriage.

The following article appeared in The Washington Business Journal on Thursday Feb. 21st 2008:

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. has bought a 40 percent stake in WeddingWire, which connects engaged couples with wedding vendors. The New York-based media and merchandise company also signed a commercial agreement related to the software and content licensing of WeddingWire.

Rockville-based WeddingWire is a year-old company that was conceived by entrepreneurs, including two founding employees of D.C.-based Blackboard Inc. (NASDAQ:BBBB), to give greater resources -- such as price quotes from vendors and customer feedback -- to people planning weddings.

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. WeddingWire has 12 employees and annual revenue of $680,000, according to market research firm Dun & Bradstreet.

"The idea behind [the deal] is two-fold -- it helps us grow our business nationally from an investment standpoint, but also expands our distribution," said Sonny Ganguly, WeddingWire's chief marketing officer. "Our content and tools will live on the Martha Stewart site."

WeddingWire's chief executive officer, Timothy Chi, and chief operating officer Lee Wang were two co-founders of Blackboard in 1998.

WeddingWire, which has relationships with more than 30,000 partners, generates revenue through its vendors when they buy the premium service on the Web site as well as through advertising. The premium service allows the vendors to add more features to enhance visibility.

The service is free for brides and grooms.

As part of the deal, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (NYSE:MSO) may use WeddingWire's technology for some of its other site content, the two companies will share advertising revenue sold on the Martha Stewart Web site, and WeddingWire will use Martha Stewart's advertising sales force exclusively.

"We are impressed by WeddingWire's superior online platform and see great opportunities to leverage its expertise across our Internet sites and bring similar tools and features to our other lifestyle content verticals," said Wenda Harris Millard, the president of media for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. "This is also a tremendous opportunity for our advertisers to reach couples engaged in the process of planning their wedding."

Millard and Chief Information Officer Mike Plonski will serve on WeddingWire's five-member board.

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Friday Feb. 22nd, 2008

Questions All Brides Should Ask Catering Professionals

Thomas J. Gunning Courtesy Perfect Wedding Guide:

http://www.perfectweddingguide.com/advice/catering-services.asp

Because what you serve is so important to your reception’s success, making the right choice when it comes to catering services is one of your most important wedding decisions.

Full-service hotels, restaurants and most banquet facilities provide the food and beverages for all events they host. But many reception sites lack the staff, equipment and facilities to provide these kinds of catering services. In situations like this, you can simply contract with an off-premise caterer to serve your guests.

Before you meet with potential catering services – whether in-house or off-premises – pull together essential details like the reception time and date, its location, guest total, service style, menu options, and the size of your food and beverage budget.

Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. The more you understand, the more likely it is that you will have a memorable celebration. Here are some issues to discuss with prospective catering services before signing a contract:

Can you provide references and a portfolio of previously catered events?
Are you licensed and insured to serve alcohol? Do you carry liability insurance?
What will be the estimated per-head cost, and are taxes and gratuities included?
Does that total include setup, tear down and cleanup?
How much time will you require to set up?
What deposit do you require, and when is it due?
What will the balance be, and when is it due?
Do you have a cancellation policy, and what are its terms?
What kind of flatware, glassware and place settings will be provided?
Does your catering service supply tables, chairs, linens and table skirting? If not, what are your additional fees?
Does your catering service provide bar supplies and equipment, including glassware?
Are there additional charges for equipment or glassware rentals?
When must you have my final menu selections?
What are the sizes of the portions?
How soon must you have my final head count?
What will be your server-to-guest ratio, and does that figure include bartenders?
What will your service staff wear?
When would overtime charges begin?
If we have a buffet, do you provide line servers or is it self-serve?
If you supply the wedding cake, what is my cost per serving?
Do you assess a per-bottle opening fee for champagne or a cutting fee for the cake?
How much liquor, beer and other beverages do you recommend I order?
Can you offer a volume discount on beverages?
What alcohol alternatives can you supply?
Can we return unopened bottles without being charged?
When will the bar be opened and closed?
What type of bar service is available – cash, consumption or open?
Will you supply ice?
Can you provide a floor plan of the table and seating arrangements?
Who will be your top representative at my reception?
What additional services does your catering service provide, and what are their costs?

Talking through these points with the catering services you’re considering can make all the difference when it comes to a smooth, elegant, fun and flavorful wedding reception!

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Wednesday Feb. 20th, 2008

Bridal Fears - Another Horror Story

Yesterday's Journal ran a story about Brennan's Bridal and Tux shop concerning problems delivering goods to Brides that had ordered merchandise. This is one of those horror stories that is just all too real, and one of those times in life, that I can actually say - "I told you so!".

I've been warning my potential Brides and Grooms about this business for years, and now it seems the truth comes out in the wash. According to the story in yesterday's Journal, Winston-Salem police were letting only one customer in at a time when the doors opened around 1p.m. There were approximately 40 people standing around outside the store at the time.

According to records filed with the Better Business Bureau of Northwest North Carolina, Brennan’s Bridal has an unsatisfactory record. The bureau has received 12 complaints - most of them about delivery issues - about the store over the past three years, six in the past year. Seven of the complaints were resolved by the store.

David Dalrymple, the president and chief executive of the bureau, said that people can file a complaint at www.bbb.org.

If you are one of the many affected by this store's practices, I truly sympathize with you - because I too experienced a similar problem with them several years ago concerning a tux rental - an experience that was never resolved to my satisfaction.

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It's almost 4am as I sit here at work. About two weeks ago, I embarked on a new marketing campaign with the business, and over these past 2 weeks, I've been exposed (no pun intended) to many new websites through both the Google and Yahoo sponsored ad campaigns.

I wind up doing a lot of number crunching with the analytics programs provided by both search engines. I try to pay a lot of attention to where people are coming from, and what it is that people that visit my website are searching for.

Let me say this much about this website and the business it represents: My sole intent is to provide as much pertinent, accurate and honest information about the services I provide. Granted, that may mean that it pushes certain potential clients away and toward my direct competitors. To be honest - that doesn't really bother me. Many of my direct competitors are friends as well as business colleagues.

What does bother me when it comes to my business, is those folks that either call the office or email me with one question in mind: WHAT DO YOU CHARGE? Not - Hi, this is so and so, and these are the details of the party or event I am thinking about having, and the time and date............just - WHAT DO YOU CHARGE?

It's NOT ALL ABOUT MONEY, folks. Give me the opportunity to tell you a little about what I offer and how I can help you achieve your goals before getting to the all important "money" question.

I guess the point I am trying to make here is that Quality is worth paying for.

I realize that many folks that flip thru the DJ listings in the Yellow Pages or online are price shopping and have no idea or clue as to what goes into running a business such as mine and offering the types of services I offer. I try very hard to take that into consideration all the while trying to be sincere and cordial on the phone.

This website does reveal alot about the fees I charge on the Event Rates & Pricing page.

Think of it this way - I have invested more in my business since 1994 than my home cost me when I bought it in 2003, and my house is not small! Quality has always been important to me, and I try and reflect that in the way I do business.