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#159, May 16, 2018
Hi 
,  

Let's talk about how to ask the RIGHT QUESTIONS

Especially for planning your wedding or party music.  

Want  to do it well?  Need help?  Let me give you a handy Tip.  

But First, Let Me Tell You a Little Story:

Do you like Asian food?

I do, and for a special treat, my wife 
and I recently tried out the  newest 
Chinese restaurant in town.     

As expected, the meal was wonderful, 
but we had trouble getting started.  

The menu listed easily over 120 selections.  

They ranged from a few familiar favorites, 
like "Broccoli Beef", to lots of vague items 
like "Gold and Silver Platter", "Pu Pu Platter", 
and "Happy Family".

Huh?  What are all those?

A quick conversation with the waiter 
set us straight.  After asking about our 
preferences, our appetite, and our budget, 
he described a few excellent options, and 
we made our selections.  

I'm happy to say everything worked out 
very well.

But at the beginning I felt like the eager
bride-to-be or event-planner who calls me 
and starts our conversation by asking 
"Hey Robbie, What's your fee?"

Now don't get me wrong.  Her question is 
perfectly understandable.  Really, I get it -- 
Unless the money is right, nothing else matters.

Sometimes the budget REALLY is her highest 
concern.  

Sometimes we ALL have to shop around 
for the best price. 

But too often, "What's your fee?" 
is the ONLY question she asks. 

In my experience, this bride-to-be is 
often just as bewildered as I was in 
that restaurant.  

She just needs help getting started.
And I'm always glad to help.

Back in the restaurant, I knew that 
if I began by asking about the price, 
I'd overlook some important options.  
And as it turned out, they made an 
enormous difference.

So to help this bride, I always recommend 
that she examine her options.  

What are her possible choices?  What is each 
choice like?  What are the pros and cons of 
each choice?

Then we'll have a nice, helpful conversation.

We'll talk about the mood she wants to 
create, where she plans her celebration, 
and how many guests she expects.  

We'll also talk about what she wants her 
celebration to LOOK like, and more important, 
what she wants it to SOUND like.

We'll talk about special features she wants, 
like songs she'll request for her ceremony, 
cocktail party, dinner party, and dancing.

Does she want a band (and what style?), 
or a DJ, or something else?

Once I know all that, I can recommend the
perfect version of my band for her wedding.  
The best size, and what instruments to include.  

I'll always want to help her, but ONLY THEN  
can I answer "What's your fee?".

So here's that Tip I promised you:
When you begin planning music, collect all your 
creative options first, and leave the "nuts & bolts" 
details for later.

Sometimes we can get to this point faster:

I LOVE it whenever anyone calls me about 
planning music, ESPECIALLY when they begin 
by asking me  "What are my options?".   

That lets us jump  into this productive 
conversation right away.

So whenever you  "sort of"  know what you want 
but are "lost in the woods"  about choosing...

You can call me.  Let's talk about your options.
I'll add the voice of experience to your wedding 
or party planning.


And now that we're talking about 
planning wedding & party music...
 
Memorial Day and Father's Day are just ahead, 
and you might be involved with planning an 
exciting holiday celebration.

And if you or a friend are engaged to get 
married, you might also be involved with 
planning the wedding.

Perhaps both. 

So the next time you or a friend  are looking  for 
upbeat, elegant music,  played the way you want, 
think of us.

Where can you can preview us?  Here: (see details below)

Tuesday, June 12, 5:30-7:00pm
Elegant Cocktail Party  (for people who support SF YMCA)
Julia Morgan Ballroom, 465 California St, San Francisco

Caterer?  Wedding or Event Planner?  Bride?  Groom? 
Enjoy the festive mood we'll create.  You'll hear the 
popular standards, jazz classics, and Latin favorites. 
Please stop by and say Hi.

Meantime, CLICK to watch us play " San Antonio Rose",
livening up a recent Memorial Day party in San Jose. 
Sorry, the video is blurry, but the audio is fine.


Let's chat soon.
Robbie

Robbie Schlosser | Magnolia Jazz Band
"Elegant, Upbeat Music for Weddings and Parties"  
 

P.S. Want wedding or party music?  See our reviews on  Yelp.  
       Have you seen photos of us in action on Instagram


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