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HIRING A DJ: POINTS TO CONSIDER
When you plan a party of any sort, your objective is to ensure that your guests have a good time, period. |
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Your choice of entertainment, particularly if you are considering a DJ, is crucial to that end. Who you choose for your wedding reception or special event entertainment will have a greater degree of effect on the success of the event than any other factor. The DJ that you choose will be YOUR spokesperson on that day. Everything that the DJ service you choose for your event does and says will be a DIRECT reflection on you.
Here are some important points to remember when you interview a DJ company.
Can you expect prompt return of your phone calls or Emails?
You should expect to get a call back or an Email back within 24 hours. There are many DJ's who may be at a show when you call. Be sure to leave a good call back number and your name, as well as the time frame you need entertainment for. This will help the DJ to give you more information about their service.
Will they ask to meet with you and present his/her service?
Will the DJ try to meet with you and accommodate your schedule, or is he/she just trying to book the date sight unseen? A good DJ Service will want to meet with you and anyone you wish to be present to talk about this important day. A good DJ will want to make sure that you are comfortable. They will not try to use fear as a mechanism for booking you. They will speak about all of the aspects of his/her service, and answer any questions you have. Avoid DJ services that do not want to meet you, and only want the contract or check before they will try to help you.
Will the person that you interview perform at your event?
This is THE most common complaint about the DJ industry today. The person you meet turns out NOT to be the person that actually does your show. Often, you are not made aware of this. Ask the DJ you interview if he/she will be the actual person performing, or will someone else perform the event. You need to know this UP FRONT before you sign a contract. This tactic, known as "bait and switch", is the most damaging act that DJ companies inflict on the buying public. If you don't get a good answer when you ask this question, FIND a different DJ service.
What value are you placing on your entertainment?
You need to assess the value you place on the entertainment service you choose. For example, on a scale of 1 to 10, how important will your entertainment be? Think about what the impact of having bad entertainment (or worse, no entertainment) will do with respect to the success of your event. Find out what services your DJ can perform for you. Many DJ services will only show up and play the music. They won't help you plan, coordinate, emcee or present themselves in appropriate dress for your event.
Select your DJ service on the overall VALUE that they bring to your event.
Do you LIKE the person that shows up?
There is NOTHING worse in the world than having to do business with someone you do not like. Choosing the person who "feels" right is the most important factor in picking the right entertainer for your party or reception. The DJ you choose should be very open about what he/she can do for you and should volunteer information and "show" you that knowledge base. A good DJ service wants you to be 100% comfortable with your choice and will not use fear tactics to scare you into booking them. Bottom line, this is a completely emotion driven choice. If you do not feel good about choosing a DJ service, do NOT book them.
Is the person knowledgeable about your type of event?
There are all kinds of DJ's. Club DJ's, wedding DJ's, Rave DJ's.... the list is endless!! Can the DJ you interview handle your type of event? Ask the DJ how many events of your type that he/she has done.
What does the DJ use to procure your business?
Nothing gets done these days without paperwork. We do not buy cars, houses, or even a pair of socks without paperwork. In a good interview, the DJ should show you several documents. First and foremost is a planner. This planner should impress you enough to the point where you begin to understand that the DJ you are hiring is a professional, and is capable of handling your event. A sample copy of the CONTRACT to be used should be available as well as a schedule of pricing information. A DJ may also give you a list of references. CALL THEM!! Ask if there were any issues or problem areas when the person dealt with the DJ.
Of course, you will most likely not get a bad reference, but you should be able to note consistency between what the DJ tells you in the interview and what his/her clients have told you.
Does the DJ have a music list?
In some fashion, you the client, need to be assured that the DJ you hire not only has a sizeable collection, but has a variety of music, especially for wedding receptions, where many different styles of music and guests will be in the same room together. Ask to see a music list. Find out if the DJ you hire will work to acquire the music you need to ensure your event's success. Some services will not do this and will try to limit you to what they have.
Does the DJ use professional grade equipment?
If the DJ does not have pictures of his or her gear, you should ask to set up a time to see the equipment or see pictures of the DJ's set up. Although there are many fine home stereo equipment components made, they are not suitable for commercial or repeated use and varying room conditions. The DJ should be able to tell you what he/she uses and characterize the equipment as professional grade. You should not recognize off the shelf stereo components from Best Buy or Circuit City in use at your reception.
Will the DJ offer to meet with you AFTER signing the contract to plan your event?
A professional DJ is ALWAYS willing to discuss your event at any time before the event starts, and should display the flexibility to accommodate changes and help you solve problems. Meeting your DJ to plan your event is of paramount importance to a successful event such as a wedding reception. Your DJ should discuss the follow up planning. The DJ should also work with you to decide on an appropriate time to accomplish the planning phase of your event. Moreover, it should be on a schedule that works with YOUR life.
In Closing:
You should consider your DJ entertainer as an insurance policy you buy that ensures that all of the other money you spend will not result in bad memories or a less than enjoyable occasion. You do get what you pay for. Good entertainment is NOT cheap, and cheap entertainment is NOT good!!
Yet, we find that so many people will pay far more for a cake, flowers, food and other inanimate objects than they will for one of the most crucial ingredients at a party - the entertainment.
When was the last time you saw a cake reading a crowd and spinning a CD, motivating a dance floor crowd, or making announcements in a dignified elegant way? Further, when was the last time you overheard a guest say, "Boy, that prime rib was great, I can't wait until I go to another party to have that again"?
No, that DOES NOT HAPPEN. Instead, they mainly talk about the music that was played, and whether they had a good time or not. A PROFESSIONAL DJ can help you ensure that your guests have a memorable time.
Your DJ, if you have chosen a good one, will display many of the following skills and attributes before and at your event:
- Master of Ceremonies
- Party/event planner and event coordinator
- Extensive library of music
- Professional grade of equipment
- Follow the plan that you and he/she have worked out using the planner
- Flexibility to adapt to sudden changes
- Problem Solving and innovative out of the box thinking
- Seamless continuous music at all times unless otherwise specified
- Sound technician/Light technician
- Ability to read a crowd and pick the right music
- Audience motivator
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