Hiring A Great DJ

Here is some important information that will help you on hiring a DJ

#1: Does he over-book events and hire sub-contractors?

• Will he be the disc jockey at your event?
  
• If so, will he guarantee this by putting it in the contract?
  
• Will he offer you a full refund if he can't perform at your reception?

This is where the Disc Jockey or Disc Jockey Company signs for your reception and then sends out a completely different Disc Jockey, or one who doesn't even really work for the company you hired, to cover your reception. Without any advance warning, your reception is then put into the hands of a total stranger who may be less qualified and who might not even fully understand exactly what kind of a reception you have been hoping and planning for. This highly unethical bait and switch routine has given the Disc Jockey industry a bad reputation.

#2: Is this his full time career or his part time hobby?

• During the week, does he work on your reception or at his "regular" job?
• Can he meet with you at your convenience, even if it is during the day?
  
• Does he have the time to return your phone calls promptly?

This is the most common problem in the Disc Jockey industry. There are numerous Disc Jockeys who are billing themselves as "professionals" while they are working full-time in some other field. They don't really have to care if they do an outstanding job or not, because they still have their regular job to fall back on. One of the best ways to spot these "part-time professionals" is by looking at their prices. A full-time professional Disc Jockey (who isn't overbooking and sub-contracting) cannot afford to cover his business expenses and make a livable wage for less than $1,000.00 per wedding reception. If the Disc Jockey tells you he is doing this full-time, but his prices don't match, he is probably practicing overbooking and sub-contracting, in which case you'll most likely wind up with a part-timer at your reception anyway. Another clear sign of a part-timer, is the Disc Jockey's inability to return your calls promptly or meet with you during the day. Wedding Receptions require full-time attention!

#3: Will he meet with you in person to help you plan your reception?

• Is he willing to meet with you at your home?
  
• Will he take the time to meet with you multiple times, if needed?
  
• Will he help you plan your reception to be exactly the way you want it to be?
  

This is where you are told to do your meetings on the phone or you are asked to fill out the paperwork yourself and send it back with a signed contract and a check, before you even get to meet with a real person. Would you sign a contract for something as important as a wedding reception without a face to face meeting? This practice is very common among companies that overbook and sub-contract because then you have no idea what your Disc Jockey even looks like, and so you'll be less likely to spot the bait and switch.

#4: What will he do at your reception that makes his service unique?

• Does he have creative ideas for customizing and personalizing your reception?
  
• Will he keep your guests' attention where it belongs-on you?
  
• Will he incorporate your ideas with the personality and style you desire?

Unfortunately, many people think that Disc Jockeys are a dime a dozen. But, based on the way most Disc Jockeys promote themselves and perform, this belief is very understandable. If you want your reception to be unique and memorable, then you should find a Disc Jockey who is unique and memorable as well. Each Disc Jockey has his own personality, skills and ideas, so take the time to find the person who will best meet your needs.

#5: Does he coordinate your entire reception for you?

• Does he have a checklist to ensure that your reception will flow smoothly?
  
• Is he willing to work with the other vendors and keep them informed?
  
• Will he get your permission before making any changes to your reception?

Most Disc Jockeys will tell you they coordinate the events at your reception, but the true test is asking them for the checklist they keep at each event to make sure everything is in place and all the events will flow together smoothly. If they don't have a checklist prepared, then they aren't really prepared to coordinate your reception events. Whether the Disc Jockey wants to coordinate or not, when things go wrong, he is the first person everybody looks to for direction, answers, and for someone to blame. Disc Jockeys already have the responsibility, so they should act accordingly.

#6: Will his attire be appropriate for your reception?

• Does he wear a full tuxedo outfit, including a tuxedo jacket?
  
• Is he willing to dress appropriately if you have a special theme?
  
• Can he verify his appearance using photos from previous receptions?

Disc Jockeys may not give a lot of thought to their attire. If they don't wear a full tux outfit, complete with a jacket, then they haven't given much thought to the impression they will be making on your guests. The Disc Jockey will be representing you at your reception, so his appearance should be very professional at all times.

#7: Does he have company standards that govern his behavior?

• Can he provide you with a printed list of his company standards?
  
• If so, do his standards meet or exceed your expectations?
  
• Can he provide references that will confirm his adherence to these standards?

Some Disc Jockeys are notorious for doing the most inappropriate things at wedding receptions. Things like helping themselves to the open bar, hitting on your Maid of Honor or playing a song by 2 Live Crew when your Grandma finally gets out to the dance floor. If they don't have written standards for their behavior, then they are telling you that just about anything can and will happen at your reception.

#8: Are there any hidden charges?

• Does he charge extra for basic equipment such as a cordless microphone?
  
• Are there additional charges for planning meetings or set up time?
  
• Will he buy any music he may need for your reception at no extra cost?

It is all too common to find Disc Jockeys who will have extra "hidden charges" for things that should be included as a normal part of their service. They will charge you to bring a cordless microphone or additional speakers. They also have loading fees for stairs or even an extra charge for additional planning meetings. If they were charging a professional price for their service, this wouldn't be necessary.

#9: Does he have a wide base of entertainment experience to draw from?

• What is his entertainment background?
  
• What is he currently doing to improve his entertainment skills?
  
• Is his entertainment experience limited to just disc jockey work?

In order to provide the best quality entertainment possible, each Disc Jockey should be actively seeking to improve and broaden their entertainment capabilities. Most Disc Jockeys aren't fulfilling this important detail because they fall into categories #1 and #2, and therefore, don't really care about improving their services. People tend to become what they are committed to becoming. The same is true for Disc Jockeys.

#10: Does he have the skills to deliver announcements that are clear and direct?

• Does he have any public speaking experience outside of disc jockey work?
  
• Does he have any speech and/or vocal training?
  
• Are his announcements direct and to the point?

If you've ever seen someone try to get a crowd's attention without the proper vocal skills, then we need not say more. Or when they do open their mouths, they don't know what to say. Words like "uh" and "um" get used too much and then your guests are left asking each other, "What did he just say?" The person you choose as your Disc Jockey will be your spokesperson representing you to your guests. Choose wisely.

Whether you hire us or someone else to provide the entertainment at your wedding reception, we believe this questionnaire will help you find the most qualified and professional Disc Jockeys around.

After The Vows

Disc Jockey rates vary based on talent, experience, emcee ability, service, coordination, equipment needed, music knowledge, mixing ability and personality.

Rates for the DJ industry vary greatly, ranging from 300.00 to 3,500.00 with an average of $1,200.00 for a 4 hour booking. The best price is not always the best deal, especially if you are planning a wedding. As a matter of fact, surveys conclude that nearly 100% of brides would have spent more money on their entertainment and made it their #1 priority in hindsight.

A full-service disc jockey company will normally invest 12 to 30 hours to your special event but it may appear that you are only paying for "4 hours". Consultations, music purchasing & editing, preparation, set-up and tear-down, education and other business related endeavors add up to the overall success of your special occasion.

*AFTER THE VOWS...

• 72% of all brides say they would have spent more time choosing their reception entertainment.
  
  
• Almost 100% say they would have spent more of their budget on the entertainment.
  
  
• During wedding planning, Brides say their highest priority is there attire, followed by the reception site and caterer - reception entertainment is among the least of their priorities. Within one week after their reception, 78% of Brides say they would have made the entertainment their highest priority!
  
  
• When asked 81% of guests say the thing they remember most about a wedding is the entertainment.
  
  
• 65% of all couples that chose a band to entertain at their wedding, said, if they had it to do over again, they would have chosen a disc jockey.