by Jerry Bazata
Attending the 2011 DJ Expo and having the opportunity to present my Business 3.0 seminar to an enthusiastic group of entrepreneurs, it was clear to me many mobile DJs were ignoring the prognosticates of the economy.
As I spent time one on one with fellow professionals and leaders in our industry it was clear to me that my message was getting through, and small business owners were intent on making 2012 even better.
Lessons learned, as many took away several key points from my presentation:
Write-Off Gear you bought at the DJ Expo or any additional purchases by the end of year. Any audio, lighting, electronics, or software you purchase in 2011, you can write-off the full cost up to a limit of $500,000 (and who has that much to spend?), rather than taking the standard deprecation deduction allowed by the IRS. How? Because of enhanced small business expensing (Section 179 expensing).
Example: Purchase $10,000.00 New Equipment & Software 2011 179 Expensing Deduction
- Gross Sales $91,670.00
- Adverting $ 3,580.00
- TT & E $ 7,404.00
- Other Expenses $ 21,754.00
- Total Expenses ( $38,536.00)
- Tentative Profit $53,134.00
- Depreciation Expense ($10,000.00)
- Net Profit $43,134.00
- Tax Liability (32%) $13,602.00
Using standard depreciation the tax liability would have been $16,682.00, therefore you saved over $3,000.00 in capital to reinvest in your company in 2012.
The Highest return on investment in Marketing dollars at 61.5% is E-Mail Marketing. Create a defined strategy that will enable you to reach more clients. Tips to ensuring your emails get read: Capture Attention – Peak Interest - Prove Competence
a. Eliminate Delete-Inducing Words. Get rid of all verbiage that activates the delete response. some serious offenders: exciting, state-of-the-art, solution, partner, leading edge, passion, unique and well known, expert in the industry, top rated, most reliable.
b. Keep Your Message Simple . Your email needs to be less than 90 words. Use 2-sentence paragraph so it can be scanned. Stick with common black fonts (no colors) and never include more than one link or attachment.
c. Be an Invaluable Resource. Your product or service may be a commodity, but you’re not. In your emails, focus on the ideas, insights and information you can share that will be of value to your prospect in reaching their goals.
d. Craft Enticing Subject Lines. Your subject line determines if your message gets read. Avoid sales hype such as: “Quick question, RE:, FWD, “outreaching to you” or “saving money on your entertainment.” Focus on business issues “establishing a budget for your wedding” or “Music selections for your wedding” or “Avoiding embarrassing songs at an event”
To obtain a full copy of my presentation, just drop me an email.
Jerry Bazata – Money Answer Man
Jerry Bazata has over 25 years of experience as a professional mobile entertainer. He is the owner of DJ Jaz Music and Entertainment, and J & J Marketing and Entertainment, a leading consultant to the event planning and music industries. Jerry is also a Vice President in the Global Commercial Bank-Business Banking Group of a global financial institution.
He has been a featured speaker numerous times at the International Bar & Restaurant Show in Las Vegas and the International DJ Expo in Atlantic City. Jerry’s charismatic, humorous and down-to-earth style allows attendees to get educated in an entertaining manner. He provides guidance and inspiration to help DJ business owners achieve their financial goals.
Additionally, Jerry has authored countless articles about financial and marketing success strategies that have appeared in a DJ Times Magazine and financial publications. His insights and forecasting abilities are second to none.
Jerry is a graduate of Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. He holds Bachelor of Administration Banking and Finance, and Bachelor of Administration Marketing degrees as well as an American Institute of Banking Sales Management and Theory Degree.
You can visit Jerry’s website, Maine Disc Jockey or email him at [email protected].
