How do you, as an entertainer, know what are the key components in their decision criterion? Even when a perspective client asks, “do you have a demo”, what are you going to present based on their primary decision criteria? You can’t nor should you because opportunity comes far too many times than it does in abundance. You have to seize the moment and you must capitalize on each and every situation. You have to be flexible in your approach and understand how to package the product effectively?
Also remember this, opportunity is usually not a door but a window that is rarely open more than 30 seconds. In the world of music demos this time is capped at two minutes and two seconds and it must, by all means, WOW THE INTENDED MARKET! It must eliminate decision fatigue and it must push the envelope and the agenda to the closing portion of the sales funnel. A mix-tape that is an hour long will not do you any justice because no one has an hour of time on the executive side of the entertainment industry.
Here is what your demo must do and it must do it quickly:
Get to the Point Quickly!
Wow the Client!
Eliminate Any & All Doubts!
How do you do this in two minutes and two seconds? Well, to begin, a demo has to be a high definition preview shot of what you can provide based on knowing the needs, desires and vision of the client. This can only be accomplished by asking what they want and what they like in music entertainment and specific examples must be established and outlined. If they like hip and funky top forty music that consists of titles like Moves Like Jaggar by Maroon Five, I’m Sexy & I Know It by LMFAO and/or Give Me Everything by Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, then you must already have a prepared two minute set that highlights the funk and transition pieces of these tracks in a manner that is not only you but it also has your Party DNA etched in place.
Yes, this must already be prepared and it must be ready for presentation within 24 hours upon agreement of what they like and do not like. It has to be a polished product and doing it at a level of “awe” upon request can only be accomplished prior to actually getting the “yes, please forward me a demo based on that and I will take a listen”. That means prepping between ten to fifteen demos of various genres and sub-genres that are popular in various settings. At DJOC we help in outlining the different sets that will promote you, the entertainer, in the manner that you seek and in a way that captures the clients attention. Doing this before any requests, and doing it well, eliminates this activity from being rushed crap shoot. Our job as an agent and manager is to eliminate any and all items that may lead to us not getting the talent the gig he or she wants in Washington DC.
Our job is also presenting a package to the client that sells the DJ in their approach to their specific needs.
A demo has to highlight all of the positive energy of a DJ’s talents for a particular setting and it must explain this without too much detail and it must do it quickly! At DJOC we work on putting together demos so that it WOWS! During this process we are firm in our approach. We do this because we are working in not only the best interest of the DJ, but also in those of the clients and ours. Our success lies within the DJ’s success and the client’s happiness. Misleading the talent in anyway just to pacify them by saying that a mix they present is “tight” is not only damaging if it isn’t, but if they are presenting a house demo when the client wants the funk sounds of Fire by The Ohio Players and Bustin’ Loose by Chuck Brown, then we all loose.
As a manager and agent the best sample is always needed and it is good for all of us that we have the absolutely best ammunition available. In order to land that big grizzly bear that they want hanging on their wall, we need that High Powered MIX! Yes, if we are going to provide a demo please be sure to only provide solicited demos but that these demos are already on file and can be made and retrievable in the sub-genre in which it is established. Also, please remember this one last thing, KEEP IT SHORT, HIGH ENERGY AND TO THE POINT!
Here are two video examples of demos by tuntablists to wow their audience! Each video is two minutes or less and they get the point across in a time span that keeps the attention of the viewer. They also fits within the window time of opportunity! In the coming months DJOC will be presenting video demos of different talents that we represent. The videos will be produced and filmed at our MixMe studios in the DMV. If you wish to have a video demo made to present your talent and professional abilities to a specific target audience, get in touch with us as we honor the opportunity of assisting in the advancment of your career!