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Episode 167 - Nathan Murray - How to Create a Wedding or Event Atmosphere That Guests Will Talk About Forever
57 Plays24 days ago
Tips:
Music is More Than Background Noise – A well-curated playlist enhances every moment, from the ceremony’s emotional highs to the dance floor’s peak energy.
The Power of Personalization – Incorporating a couple’s love story, cultural traditions, and guest preferences makes the experience uniquely memorable.
Energy & Flow Matter – A great DJ understands when to build momentum, slow it down for special moments, and bring it back up for an epic celebration.
Collaboration is Key – Working closely with planners, photographers, and couples ensures a smooth event with no awkward transitions or dead air.
Thank you https://www.17hats.com/ for sponsoring this podcast. Use code heckyes to get 50% off the entire year!
https://instagram.com/carissawoo
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Transcript
Introduction to Passive Income and Guest
00:00:00
Speaker
Happy Woo Wednesdays! It's 2025 and there is no reason you shouldn't be making passive income on your phone while you wait for inquiries. Watch my 9 minute video in the show notes on how to learn digital marketing in a week. It changes everything.
Introducing Nate Moray and His Transformation
00:00:17
Speaker
So today I have Nate Moray in the Heck Yes House. I'm his business coach and I've seen him transform in the past year. He is an incredible DJ and really good friend.
Teasers of Upcoming Stories
00:00:31
Speaker
I love his Adam Levine wedding story and his story about his dad inspiring him to love music.
00:00:38
Speaker
There are some golden nuggets in this episode about the sales call, the wedding experience, and how to have a career that lasts a lifetime. Enjoy!
Carissa's Background and Coaching Mission
00:00:52
Speaker
Welcome to Get a Heck Yes with Carissa Wu. I'm your host, Carissa, and I've been a Los Angeles wedding photographer for over a decade. I've traveled the world, built my team, and seen it all. I now coach wedding photographers hit 10K a month and build a thriving business. In this podcast, we are going to deep dive into how top wedding creatives get that heck yes from their dream clients. We are not holding back on the struggles of the business and how to push through the noise. Some healthy hustle, mindset shifts, up-leveling your money story,
00:01:21
Speaker
time hacks because I'm a mom of two, a little bit of woo-woo, and most importantly self-love and confidence are just a few of the many things we will talk about. I want to give you a genuine thank you for following along my journey. I hope to inspire you every Woo Wednesday so that you say heck yes to listening to this podcast. See you guys soon!
00:01:43
Speaker
Hey
Nate Moray's DJ Career
00:01:44
Speaker
everyone, welcome back to Get It Heck Yes. It's been a while since I've recorded, so I'm so excited for this interview. It's with Nate Moray. He is a premier wedding and event DJ based in Phoenix and l LA, specializing in seamless curated celebrations where music moves you and tells your story. He has over 15 years of experience and he crafts unforgettable soundtracks that create packed dance,
00:02:12
Speaker
dance floors, I've seen that on all your photos, and lasting memories, and his approach blends musical expertise, crowd reading intuition, and a commitment to delivering a luxury entertainment experience. Welcome, Nate. Thank you, Carissa. Thank you so much. Yes, and I was your business coach. um It's been a while, so um we know each other pretty well, so I'm excited to have you on. Yes, thank you. I'm excited too.
00:02:38
Speaker
Okay, so to start things off, just tell everyone in a nutshell who you are. Well, like you said, I'm Nate and I'm a DJ and I specialize in customizing the the experience, you know, for my clients.
00:02:56
Speaker
um I have made a second home in Phoenix. Phoenix has been very good to me, but I am an LA native. LA is in my heart. um and my My father has a home in l LA, so you know with the fires and everything that happened recently, you know I knew people. So I'm connected to l LA, and I'll always be connected to LA.
Nate's Musical Roots and Family Influence
00:03:17
Speaker
Okay, so your house is safe for your dad's house. Yeah, dad's house is safe. And everybody do know some people had some unfortunate circumstances. But you know, what we all persevere what we're gonna pull through. Yeah, for sure. For sure. Community comes together. All right, let's go back in the day when um I mean, you have a baby face, but let's go back way back in the day. When you're a young Nate, um what were you like growing up in l LA? And what was like your family like and tell me anything you want to share?
00:03:46
Speaker
My upbringing, you know, I was really ah just a nerd, but I was outgoing. You know, I went to my private school, Alameda Mission College. And I just was always a talker, always a people person, always the guy who would yeah I can drop me anywhere. I'm going to have conversation or make friends. you know And I got into music from some friends of mine. Well, growing up, my dad always played Marvin Gaye and everything, and they had house parties in the kitchen. wow that That got me started. But in college, I ran into some guys that were doing street team promotions you know for different record labels. and
00:04:30
Speaker
So I had all the music and I was going to all the clubs and I was you know seeing how they each did the best in LA were making crowds move and on the radio and that's what really sparked me to do you know get interested and I knew what worked you know I knew how to move crowds and that's what got me started with DJ.
00:04:52
Speaker
Nice. Okay, so let's um let's talk about these house parties in the kitchen. gay um Paint the picture a little bit and like how you're feeling, um the vibe, who was there, and because I feel like this is an important story in your your musical journey.
00:05:08
Speaker
Yeah, um I mean, i I don't remember exactly, but my my dad said, you know, when I was three, like I knew the Michael Jackson album Word for Word. And um they would have these house parties. You know, my dad it wast loved to entertain. My mom loved to entertain. And I just remember being little and looking up like, who are all these grownups in the kitchen and living room? just And they would be just jamming, having the time of their lives, you know, just enjoying the music. and And it was just ah it was a fun time. And that I saw you know how music moved people and really just made it a great time. I think that was the seed, really. Wow. You're like, who are all these people? 100%.
00:05:53
Speaker
you All of a sudden, I didn't have a bedtime. I'm just there. just hey I love that party party. yeah so Is your dad still like that or is he just old now? Well, he's older, but you know I grew up, he always played music.
00:06:11
Speaker
Um, he used to have the records, you know, and the little like, here's this weird machine where you put the record, you kind of drop it in and it's spun, right? And I remember just sitting with my dad, like he's just playing, you know, he's playing these Marvin Gaye albums. He's playing these Sam Cooke albums. He's playing these, uh, Billy Paul and all these different albums. And I'm just sitting there just enjoy, and just, I will watch that stupid thing clean the records so fast. It was ridiculous now to think about it, but. As a little kid, I was like, Oh, this is so cool. Yeah. Does he still have it? Um, yes, he still has it somewhere. I'd have to find out where it is. Keep that forever. Yeah. Yeah. It means something to me more than anybody on the planet. I love that. Okay. So let's talk about high school. Like, were you in any like musicals? What was like your, what kind of um CDs did you rock? Who are you into? um I like, I was in the
00:07:06
Speaker
theater, drama club. you know I did a couple of plays. I was Leroy and Fame. you know It was weird because it was a Catholic school, but I was you know in his play shirtless with shorts on and roller skates and cornrows. That was a look. That was definitely a look for me to have for his play. but um That's awesome. Yeah, I did. I did a ran track.
00:07:33
Speaker
I played basketball a little bit, it wasn't that good. But yeah i just I had the ability to like mingle in all these different circles, you know the the nerds, because I'm nerdy, um the jocks, because you know i so I was cool enough that I could hang with them. and just I was able to just be in all these different circles all the time, and I just i just enjoyed interacting with people.
00:07:56
Speaker
Yeah, you're very diverse. um What do you mean by nerdy? Does that mean like book nerdy, like computer game nerdy, like tech nerdy? Definitely book nerdy. um I still go to the library. Like if I just need to get away from people, I will go to the library and just create I love the library. I can be there all day. Wow. So you definitely book nerdy, you know.
00:08:16
Speaker
And i I was born and raised in Pacoima. So Pacoima teaches you, you know, a little bit of street smart, savviness, a little bit. Yeah. So I had a little bit of that, you know, yeah growing up in the hood. But yeah Kendrick Lamar just gave a shout out and at the Grammys to Pacoima. I was like from Pacoima. And I sent that to all my boys. I was like, he gave a shout out. That's right. Oh my God.
00:08:41
Speaker
Yeah, all we have is Richie balance and now Kendrick Lamar shout out. So, oh, and and me. So there you go. Yeah. What did your parents feel like when you're in fame and like the lead character and like cornrows and like naked evidence in skates? What they like? What the heck?
00:08:56
Speaker
I gotta tell you, my mom, rest her soul, she um she was my number one supporter. It didn't matter what I did. It was always the same answer. you know Baby, I'm so proud of you. You just keep going. You can do it. Anything anything I wanted to do, anything. I was like, mom, I can rob a bank. And you'd be like, honey, just go for it. Do your best. Be the best you can be. you know It didn't matter what I did. She just always supported me. Oh, I love that. That's so beautiful. I hope to be that mother too. um Let's talk about like maybe after high school years like college years or like early 20s and like any jobs that kind of shaped you to who you are today.
Early Career and Lessons Learned
00:09:33
Speaker
Really the job that shaped me was that street team job that I had with the record labels and
00:09:39
Speaker
I remember it was a tough job. It was a fun job, but a tough job. 16 hour days because you have so much to do um visiting the record labels, visiting the radio stations,
00:09:51
Speaker
um ah just all these different um irons in the fire that you had to manage. you know And I remember I was having difficulty. I think it was like a record store. They still have record stores like back then. They were like on the way out. but um yeah And I was trying to like get them to cooperate with me and they just wouldn't. And I still remember my friend um Jay was like, you've got to you've got to get in there and you've got to get it done. You cannot accept no for an answer. So that taught me you know that hustle that you need as an entrepreneur, you got to make it happen. there you know There's just no option. If it's not working, you got to figure it out.
00:10:36
Speaker
Yeah, so is it like the like the record label trying to get the like CDs in their place? Yeah, yeah, because there's so there's only so much space and there's 8 million artists and everybody was trying to, you know, get certain space, you know, and get their product pushed. And so you come in there and you're trying to, you know, get your product pushed. And the other maybe other people that just came in five minutes before, you know, they have so you always had to work something.
00:11:03
Speaker
you know You just have to come in with that mindset. I'm probably going to hear no, but I need to make this a yes. Interesting. Yeah. It's like asking for the sale, right? You're learning that very early on. I love that. Let's talk about like um going into like wedding DJ. What were you doing prior? Was it like a big aha moment? And what were there steps to like kind of like in the beginning ages but beginning phases? So in the beginning phases, I was working with The guy who taught me, DJ Richie Rich, I was hanging with him all the time. I was learning from him and we were DJing a lot of nightclubs, a lot of nightclubs in the Valley and some in Hollywood. And I met some other guys who are DJs. I met one guy
00:11:53
Speaker
who was a DJ through a mutual friend of mine. And he was working with a friend of mine, Blas Lorenzo, and Blas did more of the bar mitzvahs, the weddings, that stuff. So I started hanging with him and then I started meeting other DJs. And so I was learning from some of these you know really great guys in the Valley, really great DJs in l LA. I was learning, okay, yes, you can rock the club, but let me show you how to use you know your your theater background, you know, for a wedding. Let me show you how to run the itinerary and all of that too. Wow. So they were just kind of teaching you with you out even maybe asking for it. Um, I asked for it. I was hungry. what I wanted, like, I had a conversation with my dad. Like, you know how some people are still searching for what they want to do with their life? When I found DJing, I was like, that's it.
00:12:50
Speaker
i just I just knew it just connected too much of my life and everything together, you know, to move in one direction. So this is why. How did you like get connected with those people? um With ah my friend, Bloss, I got connected through my mutual friend, Jamel. And he I remember when I met Bloss, it was at an event.
00:13:15
Speaker
um
00:13:18
Speaker
It was at an event with Snoop Dogg. He was playing music. It was a TV show that he had with ah Luke from 2 Live Crew. and And that's where I met him. it was It was a very interesting show. OK, it was called Luke's Peep Show. So that's where I met this guy. Bloss was doing these events and all these bar mitzvahs and stuff. But that was not a bar mitzvah where I met. And that was not a bar mitzvah. It was a peep show. And, you know, two live crew and Luke and all that. and That's where I met Bloss and that's where our friendship started.
00:13:54
Speaker
Oh, that's so cool. Yeah, I mean, I guess if you knew your passion right away at a young age, like you just kind of gravitate to these different things and the universe kind of does its thing. Yeah, 100%. I agree 100%.
00:14:05
Speaker
Okay, let's talk about before Hot Topic, just like the first couple weddings, maybe how you landed the first couple weddings, like how scared you were or prepared or what you felt, because I know like trying to look back at my early weddings, it was crazy. Yeah, I still remember the first time I DJed a club. So my friend Richie, I mean,
00:14:33
Speaker
The promoter, bless his heart, whoever he was, didn't do a good job because there was, it was this little bar in that dance floor. Nobody was there. Carissa, no one was there the whole night. And so Richie was like, all right, Nate, go ahead, do your thing. And I was like, wait, i you want me to, you want me to DJ now? I can't, I'm not, I don't think I'm ready. I don't think I'm ready. He was like, no one is here. That's funny, that's funny.
00:15:03
Speaker
I'm already sweating for you. I'm like, wait, wait, let me let me just practice a little bit more at home before. Yeah, I i still remember that now. I don't care. I DJ for thousands of people. I'm like, OK, you know, you practice. But yeah. Yeah. like But you will always be nervous. You will always have that. That that means you're alive. But yeah. Or is like, I don't know if I can do it. No, no, I know I can do it and I know I can do it. Well, I just have to put the time in.
00:15:30
Speaker
wow okay yeah i did that to this assistant one time i was like hey go downstairs and photograph the boys and you know the groom's been getting ready and then i came back and then he got nothing he froze i was like
00:15:47
Speaker
I was like, you froze. I'm gonna get one picture. You don't have to like direct, just take the damn picture. So I get it. Like, yeah, it's very, very nerve wracking. Maybe one more question before you go into Hot Topic. sure um Tell me maybe how you got your first like yeses for your own clients. um And kind of like the process of that.
00:16:12
Speaker
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00:16:38
Speaker
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Speaker
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00:17:32
Speaker
When I first started doing my own events, uh, I know one of the first ones I did was through a mutual friend of mine, uh, uh, and Jamel Guy Antoni and he.
00:17:44
Speaker
He was very good like me on you know connecting people. And so he just had a friend that needed a DJ and connected like, oh, I know the perfect guy. you know Talk me up a little bit and and put me in there. And and that's that's how I got my first couple. And then when I started you know building a little bit of my own you know referrals, and um it became easier because they come to you and they already know who you are. Yeah.
00:18:10
Speaker
That makes the world of difference. You know, they're kind like, okay, I know how you do your your thing and you're a great DJ. So we can definitely make this happen. That makes it easier for sure. Yeah, that's awesome. That's how you got your foot feet wet. All right. This alludes perfectly to our hot topic. What is your hot topic, Nate? And why is it so near and dear to your heart?
Creating Personalized Wedding Experiences
00:18:31
Speaker
My hot topic is how to create the wedding atmosphere that your guests and you will love for years and years to come, how to personalize it, make it unique, make it stand out, make it your own. um And that's really the secret sauce of weddings.
00:18:45
Speaker
Love that. Okay, so let me just ask you one question before you start with giving us like tips and tricks to wedding pros listening, but like paint the picture of maybe your favorite wedding or something that comes to mind of like the perfect atmosphere, um where you were, the maybe like the type of playlist, the type of couple, the vibe, and just like how you kind of were the hero in the event.
00:19:09
Speaker
Okay, ah so many weddings. One that comes to mind is probably because we're going to be, I'm going to be performing their 10 year reunion in April.
00:19:23
Speaker
um I have a couple, Casey and Sean. Sean is in finance, he's a financial planner. Casey has a background in a dance back in the day. Now what I really remembered, and this was something that I used in my business, um when we had an initial consult, Sean turned to me. We were talking about the wedding, talking about details, right?
00:19:48
Speaker
And it was a great conversation, but what stood out to me was, you know he just pulled me aside and he just he just hit the nail on the head. He was like, Nate, you know what I really need? He said, I just need one strong man that's going to direct this and make it happen and make this what we want.
00:20:07
Speaker
oh he told me that and that literally changed like everything I did in my business and even to this day I've done like a tons of events for this family and we always like first thing I say come out one strong man one strong man um so for his wedding for their wedding
00:20:26
Speaker
It was important that we connected, but we connected initially with that statement, right? So it almost gave me the blueprint on how to conduct myself as the entertainment throughout the night. So that made me the go to for not just the music, but the go-to for making sure the itinerary ran smoothly, the go-to for making sure that vendors knew what was going on, you know, with what we're doing, um making sure that my couple is happy and everything's okay with them.
00:21:01
Speaker
you know checking in just a little bit extra you know checking in maybe you would maybe look instead of looking across and seeing them going up to them hey Sean hey Casey how are you guys ah you know how do you you know is there anything else you need what's going on you know really connecting with everybody um and when it came so doing these little things when it became time for party time knowing their audience, knowing their background, knowing who was going to be there. um It even helps that knowing people are coming from out of town. yeah They put in such a big effort to be here. yeah That makes for a different type of party, a type of event. you know This is the event.
00:21:41
Speaker
yeah so When you are able to run the event smoothly from beginning to party time, once party time hits, it's almost like an explosion. you know they just They just were so happy to let go and dance and celebrate. And that made the wedding so much more special, so much more fun.
00:22:03
Speaker
That's beautiful. Did this particular client, did he have a unique vision vision or like was it pretty standard or was he just like a unique person in general? They were unique in general. um the On Casey's side, she had a lot of friends in the industry that were dancers, dancers from like music videos, dancers you know that she's worked with over the years, and they were all there. And so the energy on the dance floor was a 10 plus because it's not just, I'm not just playing music for people to come together, but they're dancers. So you know there's just a different level of appreciation for the music and and everything that was going on there.
00:22:49
Speaker
Wow, that's awesome. Okay, let's get into it. A lot of wedding pros are listening to us probably I'll post this next Wednesday. um That will be the first week of March. um And it's slow season. So DJs are maybe like touching up on just their skills in general or wedding pros. So what can you tell them to help them create this like lasting unforgettable experience for their couples that people just talk about forever?
00:23:19
Speaker
Yeah, the best thing I can say from the DJ standpoint, you're not just there to play their playlist that they came up with. Step into the role of being the expert, but step into the role as being a humble expert.
00:23:35
Speaker
Meaning, yes, you know what you're doing, but you're still open to receive comments, feedback, and and build the night together with the client, as opposed to you know dictating down and telling them this is how it's going to be. Because honestly, it's not your event, it's their event.
00:23:55
Speaker
So being able to spend time, like my planning sessions are three months minimum in advance of the wedding. That's minimum. So I just got off the phone yesterday. Her wedding is eight months out. We just had a playing meeting. So we do that all but that time in between getting to know the client, really understand their needs and understand what makes them unique.
00:24:24
Speaker
taking those special, unique moments and blending them into the ceremony, into the reception, you you know, take those moments through the music and and really tell a story. Yeah. That really, really, really helps.
00:24:36
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, I've known that about you. You are a good listener. So so I see that no nobody wants a dictator, right? Their DJ photographer for his wedding planner. So I totally get that. um Any like unique stories that you had like in the past of like, um and yeah wedding stories and then we'll get back to Hot Topic. Okay.
Unexpected Wedding Stories
00:25:01
Speaker
Well, you know this story. um This is my famous Adam Levine story. i'll I'll try to laser it as best I can. um So I had this client for a Halloween wedding and they booked a venue and the venue's not even here anymore, but they booked this venue and what happened was
00:25:20
Speaker
The venue is one of those venues where you can have one reception hall, but they have like maybe like six or seven total, right? And so what happened was they had booked like six months ahead and everything was fine, but they get a call three months but three months before the wedding. Oh, hey, listen, um our entire venue's been bought out for a private event. And so we can either A, give your money back or B, you know, just, and you know, that's just heartbreaking to a client. You worked so hard to finally find the venue and do all this. And so they decided to keep the venue.
00:25:57
Speaker
And the venue kind of, like I said, all right, so here's the banquet hall reception areas, um but we're gonna put you in a tent. you know, in a parking lot. And that's where you can have your wedding. So not ideal, you know, already upset. um And so the day of the wedding comes and the event that was happening that got everything I bought out for was a huge event. They had a giant sound stage next door. They had a lot of people coming in and out with equipment, this and that, you know, but this is at the time we're still having the wedding. And so it really, really pissed off the dad
00:26:33
Speaker
He was very upset, you know dad of of the bride um And all these people just going back and forth and sound checking and you know, it was not ideal it was Pretty bad. Yeah, and what happened was dad gets fed up, right? And he says I don't care who it is the next person to walk past I am cussing him the hell out, right? You stand next to this is now son son-in-law And man comes out to him, taps him on the shoulder, um and tries to talk to him. He turns around and proceeds to cuss, I mean, he cussed him out, cussed him out. Take a guess who that was. I know, but you can say it. This is crazy.
00:27:19
Speaker
It was Adam Levine. Oh my God. So Adam had bought out the whole place because he had a ah private birthday party and by celebrities, everything's a very l LA thing to do, right? So cussed him out.
00:27:33
Speaker
I mean, really. and And the son said, you know, hey, hey, hey, do you know who that is? And dad was like, I don't care who it is. This is my daughter. My daughter's wedding. And I don't care. And so custom out and just lit into them. And a couple months later, um Maroon 5 comes out with a song called Sugar.
00:27:56
Speaker
yeah And sugar, if you've seen the video, the group Maroon 5, they're driving through LA, they're crashing weddings and they're stinging. And so when I saw that video, I sent it to my client and her and I laughed about it, you know, because the damage was done. but Oh my God. So that sucks. um Did they get like their money back?
00:28:19
Speaker
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Speaker
I remember being at barbecues with my laptop because I had to get out of shoot and and that was so stressful, so not fun. And the best part about after shoot compared to their competition is that it's a monthly minimal cost, not cost per image because I am a true overshooter. I could shoot like, I don't know, 3000 photos in an engagement shoot, which is not good. But anyways, using my code in the show notes to get a 30 day trial and 20% off you're going to get in the software and just go crazy with it. And AfterShoot edits 2.0 just released and they have a lot of new features that you are going to love. AfterShoot, I can't thank you enough for giving me back my time to focus on this podcast. Oh yeah, back to the podcast.
00:29:29
Speaker
You know, I didn't ask her. I'm pretty sure she could have, yeah you know, especially with everything that happened and transpired. And, yeah you know, honestly, I think Adam would have paid it out of his own. Yeah, seriously. But, you know, maybe yeah I told you a long time ago, but you probably forgot about my parents are on that.
00:29:48
Speaker
Your parents are in the video? Yeah, they're um they're the Asian ones. So my mom's in the pink dress. You really see them. Oh my God. That is so crazy. I know. See, we were meant to interact and connect. It's just, dot com yeah. That is cool. I know. Can you say what venue? It's it's gone anyways, but. yeah That was in Studio City, Sportsman's Lodge.
00:30:12
Speaker
Okay, never heard of it. Yeah. I thought it was like the last go or something. not but No, in the valley sports. Okay, okay. Yeah, that's a crazy story. I mean, just of all the people to walk past at that particular time, and it happened to be the main person. any person That's, that's wild. I wish we got video of that. You know what I mean? you you know know i mean That could have been in the video at the end of bloopers. Yeah, the bloopers, the video the opening, the closing.
00:30:41
Speaker
Oh my God. It was not pretty. Carissa was not pretty. But that's really, I mean, I don't want to talk about it too much, but that's really messed up of the venue. Yeah. However much money they made, like that's really messed up. Didn't matter. You don't want to go to a tent. But anyway, OK, back to Hot Topic. Give us more tips and tricks about how to make um the Atmosphere Unforgettable playlist. You have to that me yeah you definitely have to put in the time to understand but It goes back to to what I was saying about my upbringing. um you know The songs and the like the musical knowledge that I have and knowing what works, what doesn't, that's really the beginning part of it. um Really get to know the client and know what makes
00:31:29
Speaker
them happy what makes them tick. I'll give you an example last night in my one of my planning sessions um we started talking about ah SNL you know Saturday Night Live and their favorite skits and different things so as a DJ I have this information and so now I can use you know a little blur of a skit you know that was on SNL and I can use that in the night. I can use that. That's so next level. Right. I love that. Take those little tidbits, but you yeah you can't get there if you're not listening. Totally. Right. Yeah. Our DJ, Hilo Productions, he, Stu's, my husband's brother said something about like Stu's favorite show, the way he learned English was Top Gun.
00:32:15
Speaker
So he he got the music. So at the end of the speech, he's like, he played the Top Gun song. I forget how it goes. But I was like, oh, you know, everyone goes crazy. Right. Right. Those little moments that makes, you know, little connection throughout the night and you sprinkle those throughout the night and it really builds and makes something. It's it the wedding. I feel wedding should be unique if it's a yeah cookie cutter wedding. OK, you did your job, but you kind of mailed it in. It could have been so much more.
00:32:45
Speaker
Yeah, I listen to like I listen intently during the ceremony. um And I can't think of an example but say they say that like a weird word like or like a place that they like to go to or something um later on, I'll say like, everyone say, you know, like cookie cutter or like, you know, just anything. And then they kind of like have a chuckle like, oh, she was listening or like little things. Or if they say something um in their speech, I always kind of ask a question after like, oh, tell me a little bit more about that. And then you're like, they they love that kind of stuff. Yeah, something else I can add is that,
00:33:19
Speaker
Then you told me once that you got to understand as as the entertainer when the weddings over um Not only do like say something went wrong if something was to go wrong or anything the the People in the audience, they don't know the difference. you know They don't know XYZ DJ Company was here. They look at the venue. And so you be mindful that you do, whether you know it or not, you represent the venue that you're working at. Wow. So make sure you go that extra mile. you know Be courteous to staff. um If you see opportunities, if if you're thinking of it as, I'm actually really truly an extension of the venue. Wow.
00:34:04
Speaker
You know, because sometimes you you could see something, for example, say there's a spill on the floor and you say, well, I'm a DJ, that's not my job. Yeah. But if you really understand what's going on and the way that you're perceived, well, then you will go and, you know, get some paper towels and just, yeah and it won't be, it won't even be a thing because you realize, wait a minute, as an extension of the venue, and that's how they see, I'm reflect, you know, my good job reflects off of them. And then that reflects to me.
00:34:30
Speaker
So we're all working together where you yeah there's a deeper level to it. just And if you pay attention, um you're you're you're picking up those cues and you're doing these things and and it shouldn't even be an issue.
00:34:41
Speaker
Yeah, I seen like I picked up broken glass so many times. They're just like, Excuse me, right? Because like, yeah, the the the broom doesn't come for like a long time. And like, I don't know, people just see like, you're, you're paying attention, right? You're paying attention. yeah Yeah, I can't stand when like planners they don't even ask the photographers if they're ready for like rent entrance. yeah Like I was literally like walking in from the parking lot and they're like then I hear oh they're calling out the wedding party names. I'm like what the heck? I have a great
00:35:18
Speaker
I had a great relationship with a planner and I'll drop her name in this. Tasha Miller, meant to be events, love Tasha, she is dope. We had this conversation at one of the last events I did for her. I do cause i was like, you know, what's your pet peeve, what's your pet peeve? And I told her, I said, do you know what my pet peeve is? My pet peeve is when I show up and the planner doesn't even ask my name.
00:35:39
Speaker
it Just immediately starts like you here. What's this like? Like you're already in that mode. I said I'd really like I like her. She's funny She just she's very pleasant to be around but she always makes sure that you are a human first Yeah, be a human for we have a job to do is stressful. But can you please just be a human first?
00:35:59
Speaker
Yeah, yeah. I mean, that's really good to point out. I think my younger years I was just like, go, go, go. Right. And then even now to stop to like, look people in the eye and be like, what's your name? And like, actually try to like register that, you know, it's it goes a long way goes a long way.
00:36:14
Speaker
Yeah and even saying like goodbye or like you know like or I'm gonna take off like is that cool and like it was nice to work with you yada yada yeah for sure for sure you know it's the little things it really is it you don't you pay attention to the little things they add up they they do mean something and if you if you nail the little things and you do them well you will have a longer career in this business.
00:36:38
Speaker
Yeah, I guess now that you mentioned longer career, like what do you think like the major differences are like when, I don't know, 10 years ago to today to like booking clients or anything in like trends or weddings or receptions? I don't know, just so to put things in like perspective of how things change or maybe how things are the same. A lot of change after COVID, that is for sure. you know Zoom meetings and Anything like that is almost standard now. um you know you had to You had to meet people in person before. Now it's more required to meet online. It's just more convenient to people. Music-wise, we're kind of at a little bit of a split generation-wise. I talked to my client last night about this. You have an older generation, I'd say in their 40s,
00:37:35
Speaker
And they're used to maybe a club style from early 2000s on down, where DJs played more of the song. you know Maybe I played the first verse, the chorus, second verse, and then by that second chorus, I'm mixing out. you know So you kind of get a good chunk of the song. Now, I get the first verse, but usually by that chorus, I'm mixing out. you know We call it quick mix style.
00:38:04
Speaker
That's very popular for a younger generation. christine So it's a there's a little bit of a battle on the dance floor. So like corporate events and things like that, I'm i' picking and choosing, you know, how I'm mixing. I've noticed that, but I didn't know what I was noticing. It was kind of like, okay, I would like that song and all of a sudden it's gone. And I'm like, dude.
00:38:27
Speaker
yeah Yeah, one generation, their attention span is much and they're used to this, you know, yeah snippets of songs like you see on TikTok and things like that. So that's what they're saying. That is really, really weird. yeah I mean, that's like, yeah, they're their ADHD mind is like, they can't even listen to it like a four minute song. so Okay, a couple more questions before Hot Topic. um You mentioned in the beginning, you know like you were taught to ask for the sale or to get that yes. um And then you know throughout your whole career, you're just becoming this like amazing listener and like giving this unique experience, this customer custom personalized experience. um How about for sales calls? like um You get to know them, you get deep with them, you become their homie. How do you make that big like clothes? What's like your best heck yes technique?
00:39:17
Speaker
um
Sales Strategy and Client Understanding
00:39:19
Speaker
I asked for the sale, right learn that from you um the best thing to do for me is b demonstrate that I'm really listening to you. So after we have the conversation I like to kind of double back and let me make sure I understand what you're saying. I need to make sure that you understand that I understand your vision and ah that I don't say it, say it, but that I should have, at the end of our conversation, that clearly I am the best choice for what you're trying to do. So that's that's the main thing. Once once we get there, if I have to make sure I understand what you want. wow And then once we got there, wow and then, okay, this is what I understand, this is how this is what you want, and then here's how I can deliver that. wow that
00:40:17
Speaker
can i Can I be your DJ? That's a good answer because it's like you're creating this vision, you're understanding the vision, and then you're the vehicle to deliver that vision. And if you could portray that um in the best way possible, then they're not going to talk to other people. Right. You become the only choice. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Good job. OK, rapid fire questions. Let's see. Did you have any like aha moments last year or this year about like mindset shifts? or These are shorter answers.
00:40:48
Speaker
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00:41:11
Speaker
Get your weekends back and comment at me at Carissa Wu, the word info, and I'll send you a free sneak peek guide on how to make passive income. And if you're ready to start making money from home while being there for the moments that matter, I can't wait to connect.
00:41:29
Speaker
Yeah, um ah I started reading Kobe Bryant's mama mentality. Yes, I highly recommend that. It's really, it's a small book. There's not a lot of words, but just the understanding of how he prepared for the game. And you can never practice too much.
00:41:47
Speaker
Wow. I'm going to read that for sure. Audiobook, whatever. yeah Any tips on showing up? You become more present on Instagram. so And I know there was a lot of like um like coming out of just being like animated in real life to like coming out animated on you know social media. So any tips and tricks for Instagram? Yeah. um one
00:42:16
Speaker
Ego, I'm not that important, really. you know um Have fun with it. And just remember, like I create a client persona. Everything I do is for my client. Like i I'm talking to this person. Everything that I'm putting up is for this person. So I try to keep that in mind. And that way I'm speaking, I'm speaking to that person every time. Oh, that's a really, really good one. yeah I wanted to mention, cause I don't know, I, this had been playing in my ear, but I really liked the show younger. It's not like your demographic, but she pretends to be like 26 going through divorce to like actually get a job.
00:42:53
Speaker
But then um it was like some publishing agency and then um she couldn't get a job. but They finally asked her this question. They're like, what makes you special? And she just says, I'm an adult. I'm not special. And then they gave her and then they gave her the job.
00:43:10
Speaker
because it's like the ego, you know, she has no ego. And she knows that because she's 40. But when you're like, in your 20s, you think like, it's all about me, you know? Right. Yeah, right. Right. For
Entrepreneurial Advice from Nate
00:43:20
Speaker
sure. I just had to share that because yeah I thought it was funny. Okay, so last question, Nate, speak to the hearts of wedding pros listening. um If they're just like, so passionate, but maybe they're not seeing like results yet, some inspiration, inspiration maybe a nugget, um anything you want to share, and then we'll kind of leave it with that and you could tell everyone where to find you. Okay. The best thing I can tell you is what I i heard from Renee Dallow. She came to a WIPA meeting in Phoenix and she said entrepreneurship takes a village. So surround yourself with great people like a Carissa if you can. Really look at look at your business and look at everything you do well but
00:44:09
Speaker
what you don't do well, get expert help in that area to teach you or to do it for you. That's the best thing you can do. We tell our clients this, right? They're not great DJs. They find an expert, right, to do the job. Do the same for your business. That really will help you and lead to balance. Yay, that's so good. And where can everyone find you and work work with you now that you're in l LA and how that how can they connect with you?
00:44:37
Speaker
So LA and Phoenix, I don't, my Phoenix people, I love y'all and I'm not leaving you. um But you can online DJ at DJ Nate Murray, for instance, DJ Nate Murray.com, my website, of Facebook DJ Nate Murray. Yes, I, you know, older Facebook, but yeah. And TikTok is DJ Nate Murray. I'm not so TikTok-y yet. I will be, will be Tik, but they're going to take it away. So I was like, ah, I don't think I need to, you know,
00:45:04
Speaker
They took it away for a day. Hey, people freaked out. So you know if it's here to stay, then I'll start i'll start posting to TikTok. I'm not super TikTok-y either. Yeah. I like Instagram. Instagram is where it's at, man. It's crazy. Yes. Well, follow me on the Gram, and thank you for the conversation. You are amazing, Nate. Same to you. Thank you. Thank you so much, Carissa.
00:45:29
Speaker
Thanks for joining me this week on Get a Heck Yes with Carissa Wu. Make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, or tell a friend about the show. Take a screenshot and post to IG. Tag me. Also, don't forget to download my free guide on how to become a lead generating machine. See you next time, wedding pros!