Emcees for less

Previously, I promised that I'd blog about how to get good hosts at bargain prices. Well, I don't want to start the New Year without complete closure, so here are a few guidelines to help those wanting to book DJs and other pseudo-celebs...

* Be professional. If you seem unprofessional off-the-bat, your emcee could assume that your event will be poorly organized and his work would be difficult. Then, he'd jack up the price.

* Have a program flow (and if possible, rough script) ready. When presented with a hosting gig, the quotation is based on the emcee's estimate of the job's difficulty. If job isn't that hard, the estimate will be lower.

* Attire. It's understood that hosting in formal attire will be more expensive. Aside from dry cleaning, there's the hassle of bringing the outfit and a change of clothes. So, not asking your host to be too dressed-up saves a little.

* Costume. If make your host has to wear in something unusual, he might not be comfortable.

By the way, don't try to pull a “fast one” and at the last minute and change your emcee’s role or make him dress in some sort of surprise outfit; he could have every right to walk out on you. Let’s continue…

* Distance. The further you make your emcee travel, the more of a damage it is on their pocket. If your gig is out-of-town, try to book someone that nearer. (Ex. for a Batangas gig, a host living and working in Q.C will be more expensive.)

* Time. If you secure an emcee for the entire day, he won't be able to do other gigs before or after. So it's not a good idea to ask your host to be there at 3pm, when your event is at 9. Less time, lower quotation.

* Try a student or employee co-host. In one "budget gig" I hosted, there were student emcees (who did the opening, closing and games) and I was the "guest DJ host" that just introduced several bands.

* Add perks. If you really can't give the quoted talent fee, try add-ons. One hosting gig, I was given one of their extra prizes (a techie gadget) for a lower quote. (Btw, dinner and a soft drink are always understood to be part of the package.)

* More is less. As with any other product or service, it's cheaper when you buy more. The same goes for hosting. Also, if you even build a good working relationship with your host, he might not raise the prices over time, in spite of inflation.

There. Whew. I hope this somehow helps people with smaller budgets to book DJs as hosts more often. Remember my previous blog; they’re worth it. :)

A good year

I'm the type of whiner that easily lets go of things after venting.  So looking back at 2006, it's easier for me to see the bright spots than the shadows.

There's so much to be thankful for.  At work, the biggest things were probably it's The Blend cd release and my tandem show with Louise. I hope that everyone who reads this has had as good a year as me.  

Ok... Now back to work on my year-end special for The Blend. 

Being anal - not what most think

I tend to nitpick. I’m not crazy about it. It's just my nature. I'm anal about certain things. I don't think that makes me a bad person, because I always have good intentions. There are just a few areas where I'm a perfectionist.

Most people do not know what it’s like living life this way. It’s actually rather difficult. I see every little thing that I do. So there’s so much to nitpick. Imagine staying awake in bed often thinking about the mistakes made that day. Not fun at all.

A good problem

When I first started my a cappella show less than three years ago, I had a hard time getting material together (I rely only on legit songs).  I never thought that I'd ever have "too many songs".

This coming weekend I'm having "The Blend Christmas Special".  Thanks to the kindness and generosity of listeners and a cappella groups, I now have a whole boatload of holiday songs.  In fact, I have so many songs that I'm planning a two-hour show.

Not Michael Buffer, but still something

Just recently, someone told me they were surprised at how much DJs get for hosting gigs. I can understand this reaction from people who don’t hire emcees often. But the industry standard is quite fair. Here are some the reasons why professional hosts come at a premium...

Not just anybody can do the job. Surveys have proven that public speaking is feared by many even more than death. But as an events host, you don't just read a speech. You also have to carry the entire event by keeping the audience excited. This is not as easy as it seems.

Not just anybody can do the job well. Take note, I said "well". This is part of the training of a DJ. Jocks host lots of events for our stations. So the experience is part of the package. I'm not saying we're the only ones that do it well. But your chances of a good host are better.

You’re getting a pseudo-celebrity. We're nowhere near the status of celebrities (nor do we think we are) but we are known by some. Just mentioning the fact that we are DJs is impressive to many. That, in itself, is worth more than getting just anyone off the street.

There are other reasons why DJs as hosts are valuable, but these are the main ones. Hmm... If I find the time, maybe I'll blog guidelines on how to get hosts at bargain rates.

Dolphins

Growing up in Hawaii, I took a lot of things for granted. (Stuff like rainbows every day and weekly trips to the beach.) One thing in particular I didn't realize was just how lucky I was to watch sea animal shows almost every year (we often went for grade school field trips).

Over the weekend my family and I watched the dolphin-sea lion show at the Mall of Asia. It was the first time in forever that I had seen one. I really have to admit that I was even more excited than my kids.

We even paid to pet and take pictures with the dolphins. In all my years of watching those shows, I don't recall ever being able to touch a dolphin. I guess you could call it a childhood dream come true. I guess I felt luckier. It even showed in my face (see http://djrick.multiply.com/photos/photo/1/6.jpg).

Uuugh!

I've been feeling under the weather for the past few days. On-air I've been horrible.  I try to find the energy, but I feel so drained.

I hope I can get thru this week without getting too sick. Louise will be out of the booth tomorrow (for Feeling Famous) and on leave Friday.  I'll just keep praying that I don't totally ruin whatever on-air reputation I have.

Excuse me if this isn't well written - I’m a bit sad

The other day was Claudine's last one with Jam 88.3. It's really tough to have her go.

She was one of the original DJs of Jam. Harry (who left earlier this year), Louise and I are the others. We've all been working closely together since the station launched in July of 2003. Since then we've developed a sense of family.

I've been around the Radio industry a while (3 stations over 7 years) but Claudine has had more experience. She may now know it, but I've learned a lot working with her over the past few years. Aside from sharing her Radio know-how, she's taught me about patience, maturity and class.

We'll all miss her here, but I guess we can comfort ourselves knowing that it was a career move on her part. I'm sad for us, but I'm happy for her.