Comments for DJ Richard Mills

Comment on Planning the finish of your wedding ceremony by Daryl Thomas

Daryl Thomas — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:20:55 +0000

My sister did her wedding finale to an exit with all the guests holding lit sparklers along the pathway outside. It was a great photo and a lot of fun too.

Comment on Quote For A DJ For Just 4 Hours by DJ-RJ

DJ-RJ — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:22:52 +0000

Very well said Richard. Thank you sharing your thoughts on that topic. We get so many of those calls and we just have to keep educating our clients on why they should invest in building a team of vendors that will not leave them hanging at the last minute when they get a better offer.

All the best from Austin!

Comment on Open letter to couples just looking for a price for a DJ by DJ Richard Mills

DJ Richard Mills — Sun, 30 May 2010 07:44:20 +0000

Thanks Serge & RJ. I think we all share the same sentiments on this topic. It’s incredibly difficult to explain to my clients without sounding like I’m lecturing them.

Comment on Open letter to couples just looking for a price for a DJ by DJ-RJ

DJ-RJ — Sun, 30 May 2010 03:50:01 +0000

Very nice Richard. Thank you for sharing. That has to be one of the most frequently asked questions for us. Great that you have thought through a response that starts to show how much you really give to those you serve. I can see that you really pay attention to all of the details and take pride in your work. We need more people like you in our industry who care enough about their clients to do a great job.

Comment on Open letter to couples just looking for a price for a DJ by DJ Richard Mills

DJ Richard Mills — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:17:31 +0000

Hi Gary, it’s nice to know my blog is read in Australia! MobileBeat is brilliant. I attended the MobileBeat DJ expo in 2006, 2008 and 2009 in Las Vegas and I attended the two-day Marbecca Method ‘Advanced Master of Ceremonies’ workshop immediately prior to the 2008 expo.

I’d recommend most strongly becoming a member of the DiscJockeyAmerica forum (www.discjockeyamerica.com) before heading to MobileBeat and introducing yourself to a few of the DJA team. They are the people you want to be spending time with over there, as (generally) they are the top DJs in the country in terms of performance, price and professionalism.

The Marbecca Method workshops come very highly recommended and I got a huge amount of value from the MC workshop. I’m keen to attend the Love Story workshop at some point.

Comment on Open letter to couples just looking for a price for a DJ by Gary Evans-Osgood

Gary Evans-Osgood — Wed, 26 May 2010 10:36:19 +0000

Nice letter Richard just about sums it all up nicely.

Just trying to raise my game and prices over here in OZ

Going to Mobilebeat this year.

How do you rate Mark and the Marbecca workshops?

Cheers,

Gary

Comment on Open letter to couples just looking for a price for a DJ by Serge

Serge — Wed, 26 May 2010 01:30:19 +0000

Agree with you 100% Richard. I don’t understand how most couples can spend numerous hours researching, inspecting and meeting with venues; researching and meeting with photographers and videographers; researching and meeting with decorators and caterers yet drop the ball with the element that can have the most impact on the success of the reception – the entertainment!!

It would appear that the feeling amongst most couples is that the entertainment provider/DJ is not worthy of an equal time investment as other wedding providers. I guess it is the perception that the “turn up and press play” DJ’s create by providing quotes over the phone or by email. If these couples only realised that they would be rewarded ten fold by adopting the same approach as they do with other wedding suppliers. By investing some time and meeting with DJ’s they are more likely to find one who is totally committed in making their wedding celebration the best it can possibly be….and they will have the memories forever!!!

Like yourself, I also do not provide a quotation without meeting with or at least speaking with my couples. I also am not cheap and dedicated around 25-35 hours to each wedding (and sometimes much more). The more time the couple invests, the better the result. Best summed up by quoting part of a recent performance feedback where the couple stated:

“Given the amount of preparation, both before and on the day, and the unique service you provide, it was worth every cent and so much more. Having you for our wedding was a three for one. A wedding planner, MC and DJ!”

Serge
DJ:Plus! Entertainment
Sydney, Australia
http://www.djplus.com.au

Comment on Just a DJ? by DJ Richard Mills

DJ Richard Mills — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 04:58:21 +0000

Nick, for me today it’s Wellington, Hawkes Bay, Queenstown and Taranaki. Tomorrow Auckland? You’ve got enough staunch competition up there with David Seel and Mike Steffens. You don’t need me too. )

Comment on Just a DJ? by DJ Richard Mills

DJ Richard Mills — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 04:56:44 +0000

Thank you Marino. Yes the rest of the wedding went without a hitch and although I acted as MC, DJ as well as partially stepping in as Maitre ‘d, I still saw it as a ‘typical’ range of service that my clients deserve. In my local market, most of my competitors provide a ‘turn up and press play’ DJ service.

Comment on Just a DJ? by Nick Logan

Nick Logan — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 09:06:28 +0000

Every now and then I breathe a sigh of relief and thank the stars you’re not in my market (at least – you’re not EVERY weekend)

Comment on Just a DJ? by Marino M. Regalado - Hawaii Wedding Emcee, Ninja Entertainment

Marino M. Regalado - Hawaii Wedding Emcee, Ninja Entertainment — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 09:52:35 +0000

…And this is why you’re awesome at what you do. Glad to hear that you were able to keep everything under control and prevent the bride from having a meltdown (assuming that she would have considering the circumstances). It just goes to show that people who hire you aren’t just spending money on someone to play music at their function, but are investing in an experienced professional who will know how to react accordingly when the unexpected occurs.

I hope the rest of the event went well!

Comment on Your venue is stunning but what about the DJ gear? by DJ Richard Mills

DJ Richard Mills — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:45:55 +0000

Sounds like he had weighed up the event, guests and venue well. That’s a good thing. Thanks for your comments.

Comment on Your venue is stunning but what about the DJ gear? by Muxx

Muxx — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:18:14 +0000

Man, some of those are just waaaaaay too much.

We recently had a mobile DJ at our company party. He went very minimal with his setup, wasn’t trying to take over the place and played decent music.

Comment on How to hire a great DJ part 5 by DJ Richard Mills

DJ Richard Mills — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:39:16 +0000

Wow best of luck and good for you providing that all-important pep talk! Thanks for your comments.

Comment on How to hire a great DJ part 5 by Lucy

Lucy — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:08:52 +0000

This is interesting my friend is trying to hire a band or to even hire a musician or two. He told me he was finding it really hard to find the right one. He has to book a show for a corporate event in two weeks time! I’m providing him with moral support. Lol.

Comment on Ohakune Mountain Mardi Gras photos by DJ Richard Mills

DJ Richard Mills — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:19:46 +0000

Whoops! My bad.

Comment on Ohakune Mountain Mardi Gras photos by Amy

Amy — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:11:47 +0000

Haha the pic you have of the mountain from sat is actually saturday opening weekend, week early mate…

Comment on Ohakune Mountain Mardi Gras photos by DJ Richard Mills

DJ Richard Mills — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:05:15 +0000

More added today courtesy of Tony Kalbus. Great shots DJ Gravity Boy!

Comment on Ohakune Mountain Mardi Gras photos by DJ Richard Mills

DJ Richard Mills — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:54:18 +0000

More photos added courtesy of Mel Straka. Thanks Mel!

Comment on Ohakune Mountain Mardi Gras photos by DJ Richard Mills

DJ Richard Mills — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 05:07:25 +0000

I’ve just added a few more and will upload pics as they arrive. I was too busy being DJ to take too many pictures this year, but my co-DJ, Tony, got some on his camera also. Watch this space!

Comment on Ohakune Mountain Mardi Gras photos by Stass

Stass — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:53:30 +0000

more photoz pleze??????

Comment on The best wedding video EVER? by DJ Richard Mills

DJ Richard Mills — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:59:48 +0000

Isn’t it a gem? Brilliantly performed by all of the wedding guests, as well as the bridal party themselves. Full credit to the videographer. Thanks for your comment Gary.

Comment on The best wedding video EVER? by Gary Spin City Sound Brisbane

Gary Spin City Sound Brisbane — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:46:57 +0000

Hey Richard,

That vid was tops.

Must have taken a lot of time and effort to produce.

Inspirational.

Cheers,

Gary

Comment on Meet the DJ by “Can I see the DJ working at an event?” |Wedding DJ Richard Mills, New Zealand DJ

Sat, 16 May 2009 20:44:20 +0000

[...] Meet the DJ [...]

Comment on “I do everything he does, but for less money…” by DJ Richard Mills

DJ Richard Mills — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:45:48 +0000

Paul that’s awesome. I guess I’d better think about blocking out the dates myself and working out how I’ll raise the funds THIS time. I’d recommend speaking with Sandy and Paul about their experience- I’m certain they’ll have some poignant advice for you.

Nick, You’re right. As DJs we should already have the basics covered, but there are three critical ingredients missing that are holding them back in my opinion:

1. Attitude. The desire to really do what’s right for their clients and to strive for excellence. Laziness and apathy abound in our industry.

2. The understanding that no matter how good they are, there’s still SO much left to learn and to improve on.

3. Ego. It gets in the way. Once I realised that I actually wasn’t that good compared with some of the DJs I communicated with (mostly in America), I was able to put my dented ego to bed and start listening, watching and learning.

I was guilty of all three of these things.

Comment on “I do everything he does, but for less money…” by Paul Arnett

Paul Arnett — Mon, 11 May 2009 08:02:47 +0000

Hi Richard, looks like I may be in Vegas in 2010, finally got wife approval for the trip !!

Comment on “I do everything he does, but for less money…” by Nick Logan

Nick Logan — Mon, 11 May 2009 04:00:14 +0000

But wait – there’s more! Training and education sure could help open the minds of a lot of Kiwi DJs. Many of them already have the key ingredient that makes all the DVDs and seminars worth while.