When
you plan a party of any sort, your objective is to ensure that your
guests have a good time. Your choice of entertainment, particularly
if you are considering a DJ, is crucial. Who you choose to provide
entertainment at your wedding reception or special event will have
a greater degree of effect than any other factor. This includes such
things as food, location, photographer, etc. Afterall, the entertainment
portion of your event is considered to be responsible for 80% (or
more) of the events success. Think about it. When was the last
time you left an event saying "That party was wonderful! The
entertainment was terrible, but the prime rib was terrific!"
You see, the DJ you choose is critical and 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 24
hours. Many DJs are out working and may not be able to return your
call within an hour or two.
Is
the DJ willing to meet with you and present their services even BEFORE
their services have been secured or are they just trying to book the
date sight unseen?
Is their material neat and professional looking, and is their
presentation organized and informative? At DJ Wes' Mobile DJ Service
we are proud to offer free consultations!
Is
the price too good to be true?
It seems that DJs are 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. This often backfires when holding
out for the lowest price. However, if you follow the guiding principals
noted here, you will know to avoid services that have a rock bottom
price because they will not be able to display the level of quality
and attention to detail that EVERY client deserves!
Is
the person knowledgeable about your type of event?
There are all kinds of DJs. Club DJs, Rave DJs, Wedding DJs…the
list is endless!! Can the DJ you interview handle your type of event?
Ask the DJ how many events of your type have they done.
Does
the DJ take their trade seriously enough to attend trade seminars
on a regular basis?
Is he a member of any professional industry associations?
Is
the DJ insured?
This
is very important. At least $1 million in liability insurance is recommended.
Mark Ferrell and DJ Wes at
Disc Jockey America Seminar in Nashville, TN. August 2002.
Mark Ferrell is a leading DJ Advocate.
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What
sort of tools does the DJ use to procure and plan your event?
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.
Does
the DJ have a music list that shows you what sort of music he or she
has available?
Many DJs do not use music lists, others do. However, in some fashion,
you (the client) need to be assured that the DJ you hire not only
has a sizable collection, but has a variety of music, especially for
wedding receptions, where there will be a wide range of age groups
in the same room together. 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 DJs set
up. Although there are many fine 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 they use and characterize
the equipment as professional grade.
Will
the DJ offer to meet with you AFTER signing the contract to plan the
details of your event?
A professional DJ should ALWAYS be willing to discuss your event
at any mutually agreeable point in time before the event, and should
display the flexibility to accommodate changes, be creative, and help
you solve problems. Meeting your DJ to plan your event is of paramount
importance to the success of your event such as a Wedding Reception.
Will the person that you interview be the person that will 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 they 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.
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DJ Wes at the Bridal Rhapsody Extravaganza
Bridal Show
At The Agricenter International. Jan 5th, 2003
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You
should consider your DJ service an insurance policy!
An insurance policy that insures all of the other money you have spent
will not result in bad memories. As they say, "you get what you
pay for". This is especially true when hiring wedding professionals.
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 of your event - the
entertainment. The photographer is responsible for capturing those
Kodak moments on film. This is an important job. But, the DJ is responsible
for creating those moments! That too is an important job.
A
quality DJ should display many (if not all) of the following skills
and attributes:
-
Master of ceremonies
- Party organizer
- Sound technician
- Lighting technician
- Ability to read a crowd and pick the right music
- Flexibility to adapt to sudden changes
- Follow the plan that you and your DJ have worked out using a planner
- Seamless continuous music at all times unless otherwise specified
- Extensive library of music
- Professional grade equipment
- Audience motivator
- Ability to co-exist and coordinate with other professionals at your
event
If
you decide to hire a company that does not provide this level of quality
and service, you may be in for a less than desirable result.
At DJ Wes' Mobile DJ Service, we pride ourselves on our attention
to detail, our ability to be creative and provide solutions that work,
and create a friendly, warm environment for your guests.
Accept
nothing less than the best!
I
also recommend Respond.com's
article on the value of hiring a professional, high quality
& experienced DJ verses someone who is not.
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Check DJ Wes' availability here
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Originally written by Bill Smith's
Magic of Music, Cary NC
with additional content added by Wesley Flint
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All Rights Reserved
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