Consider
this when shopping for your DJ service:
Throughout history, music has played a key role in all of the festivities we celebrate
today. The two best choices for a music source today are bands and disc
jockeys. The purpose of this
article is to help you choose the best DJ for your wedding reception. Mobile Disc Jockeys are some of the most versatile music professionals
who regularly provide Master of Ceremonies services and sound support for your
entire event. They are your
"one-stop shopping" resource for reception and ceremony
entertainment, pro sound support, and itinerary consultation and planning.
You
host your first party as husband and wife at your own Wedding Reception. Every detail should reflect the joy and happiness you share to your
family and friends. Great music
adds flavor and bouquet beyond the best food and the most beautiful flowers. Guests will remember the quality of entertainment you provided at your
event above most other things. Professional
DJ entertainment provides the atmosphere for your party. Music, skillfully
selected and played, will add the important "feel good" element that
helps everyone interact and develop friendships. Music is relaxing, exciting, romantic, and inspirational. Dancing keeps
everyone at your wedding reception or other events longer and contributes
greatly to your guest’s enjoyment.
You
should consider your choice of entertainer as an insurance policy against all
of the other money you spend resulting in bad memories or a less than
enjoyable occasion. You do get what you pay for. Is the price too good to be
true, then it probably is! The DJ is often the last service chosen, after much
of the budget is expended on a venue, food and clothing. This often leads
brides and party planners to shop for the cheapest price possible because of a
lack of resources. Good entertainment is NOT cheap, and cheap entertainment is
NOT good!! And yet many people will pay far more for a cake, flowers, or food
than they will for the most crucial ingredient at a party – the music.
If you thought about renting
or borrowing all these components, or "doing it yourself", you would
most likely end up spending a lot of money and be quite disappointed with the
results. When you plan a party of
any sort, your objective is to ensure that your guests have a good time,
period. Your choice of entertainment, particularly if you are considering a
DJ, is often crucial to that end. Who you choose for your wedding reception or
special event will have a greater degree of effect than any other factor, such
as food or location. Choosing a DJ can be a difficult choice, particularly
from the aspect of what to look for and what to avoid. The DJ you choose is a
direct reflection on you.
Here are some important points to remember when you
interview a DJ company.
Prompt return of your
phone calls or Emails:
You should expect to get a
call back or an Email back within 10
minutes or less. Just ask some of my
clients. I can be reached immediately when paged at 770-566-8655! I check all
of my communication numbers. They are all equipped with
voicemail.
Willingness to meet with
you and present his/her service:
Will the DJ try to meet with
you soon, or is he/she just trying to book the date sight unseen? Is their
material neat and professional looking, and is their presentation organized
and informative? Some DJs invite
clients to see them at other receptions. However, most DJs refuse to do this. The problem with "visiting" is the fact that the reception
you see may be geared to an entirely different group from your guests. The best way to judge a prospective DJ is an in-person meeting; this
will help you to determine if you will be comfortable with a DJ. A face-to-face meeting allows you to judge his/her appearance, posture,
speaking ability, and knowledge of receptions and music. A professional DJ should be friendly, personable, and easy to talk
with. He should actively listen
to your concerns and address them in a positive manner. He also should be able to explain the basic order of events, and what
his strategy is for making your reception unique and special.
Some DJ’s use videotapes
for their presentation. Videos show the DJ in action. They usually show the
DJ, his setup, and how the guests react to his performance. Videos are
convenient, but because they are edited for use, they may not always provide
an accurate indicator of a DJ's typical performance.
Do you LIKE the person
that shows up?
There is NOTHING worse in the
world than having to worry about things you shouldn’t have to, you are
hiring a professional and your worries should end right there. 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. 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, Radio 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. Get references AND CALL THEM!
What
sort of documents does the DJ use to procure your business?
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 good DJ should have at least a handful of current references. You should be able to call these previous clients and ask them what
they liked/disliked about their DJ. Be
sure to call several to get a more "balanced" criteria of his/her
better receptions.
Does the DJ have a music
list that shows you what sort of music he or she has available?
Many DJ’s do not use music play lists, others do. In some fashion, you the client, need to be assured that
the DJ you hire not only has a sizeable collection, but has a wide variety of
music, especially for wedding receptions, where many different styles of music
and guests will be in the same room together.
Will the DJ offer to meet
with you BEFORE & 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.
Planner meetings with your DJ are of paramount importance to a successful
event.
Will the DJ offer to meet
with you BEFORE & AFTER signing the contract to plan 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 aware of this. Ask
the DJ you interview if he/she will be the actual person performing, or is the
event to be performed by someone else. You need to know this UP FRONT before
you sign a contract.
Are You
the
DJ’s only
responsibility that day?
Is your DJ a single operator
or a “multi-op” with more than one system and more than one entertainer?
This can be an important consideration. You need to be certain that you are
going to be the priority on your special day, whichever service you choose.
A
Professional Demeanor
Simply put, a professional DJ
should dress appropriately to your event (formal wear for a wedding, etc.); be
set up and ready before your guests arrive; use a setup procedure that is
unobtrusive, safe and orderly; and treat you, your guests and other vendors
with respect. He/she should be
polite and able to handle adversity in a calm manner.
Great
Communications
Your DJ should be able to
speak in a clear, concise, easy to understand manner. He/she must be able to
introduce you and your guests and make announcements that are easy to
understand in a noisy room. He/she
should be able to grab the attention of your guests, and enunciate and project
his/her message with a positive attitude.
Quality
Equipment and Music
Your DJ should use
professional-grade equipment. This
refers to heavy-duty speakers, amplifiers, mixers, etc., just like a band or a
broadcast studio would use. Most
home stereo equipment will not reliably perform to the quality standards
necessary to ensure the success of your event.
The Desire to
Please the Client
There are two basic
approaches to DJ’ing. The first
is to develop a show that seems to work for a majority of parties and stick to
that formula. This is often
referred to as "cookie cutter" DJ’ing.
The other approach is to use
a well organized “flexible planning” format with song lists. In this approach, the Client decides what special events they do or do
not want. They also choose a
limited number of songs (usually 10-20) that they feel would be appreciated by
their guests. This DJ will always
play other requests, using discretion as to what is appropriate to the spirit
of the event. The key to this
approach is to balance the preferences of the Client with those of their
guests.
There are both good and bad
DJs that use each approach. A
good "cookie cutter" DJ takes care of all the details. If you don't like filling out forms, you might enjoy a
"canned" show better. If
you wish to have substantial input into your event, the "flexible
planning" DJ should be your choice.
An Agreement
In Writing
Professional DJs should
always provide written agreements for their services. It provides legal protection for both parties and gives your DJ the
information he/she needs to entertain your guests properly. The
contract/agreement should include the following:
The name of the DJ (Vendor)
and the name of the person responsible for payment (Client).
The venue name, address,
contact person, date and time of the reception, including starting and
ending time
The details of services
provided by the Vendor
The details of services
provided by the Client
The total price to be paid
for the DJ's services
When payment of the balance
is due
Overtime authorization
details
Cancellation requirements
of both the Client and Vendor
Signature of DJ and client
(dated)
Usually a retainer and a
signed agreement are required to "block out" your date. The
agreement should note your retainer payment (amount and check #) and the
balance due. Read your
agreement carefully before signing.
However
you choose your DJ, the final goal is to please you and your guests,
remember…
Quality
isn’t expensive, it’s priceless!