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How to Hire a DJ
If you have
never hired a Disc Jockey before, it can be a confusing and time
consuming process.
Our goal is to
simplify that process and educate you about what to look for in a
professional DJ service.
Entertainment at
any function can make or break the event.
Whether it is a
concert where entertainment is the primary attraction and focus, or
if it is a formal function such as a wedding.
People will
always remember if they danced, laughed , danced and had a good
time.
By nature, we
tend to remember being entertained first , above any other elements
of the gathering such as food, atmosphere, decorations etc.
Where to look
for a DJ ?
1. Friends and
family who may have hired a DJ, or attended a wedding or
function lately.
Their
experiences will be first hand and unbiased as they were the ones
being entertained.
2.
Bridal expos
are another great way to find a DJ .
They are put on at
various times of the year at different
wedding reception
venues.
You will meet face to
face with vendors who are there for one purpose; to talk directly
to you about your
wedding day, and what they can add to it.
3. Search the
internet.
There are thousands
of DJ websites where you can search by state, city and region.
Any search engine
such as
Google, or
Yahoo will produce many companies. Look for information
about their services, years of experience, photos, or videos of
their work.
Recent testimonials,
and where they have performed at, will give you a sense of
how current and active they are.
Any formal training
and nationally accredited professional organizations such as
N.A.M.E (National Organization of
Mobile Entertainers)
or A.D.J.A (American
Disc Jockey Association)
All DJs must meet a
set of guidelines (been in business x amount of years, issue
contracts, and have references) to be members of these
organizations.
4. Local
reception venues are a great resource. See who they
recommend and why. These are the places booking the weddings and
are in direct contact with the vendors.
Once you have some
names from the halls, and have followed up with a vendor, make sure
to ask for client references. More on that later.
What questions
do you ask a DJ ?
1. How long have
you been in business ?
Someone just
starting out may offer you a lower price to get the job to gain
experience.
You may
get lucky and everything is fine. But, please remember it is your
wedding day, one of the most
important days of your
life.
Experience does
count here when hiring a
professional Disc Jockey.
2. How many
weddings have you done ?
Speaking to
someone who has done hundreds of weddings and functions versus a new,
inexperienced, DJ who has done a few functions
equals piece of mind, which is priceless. The more you do something,
the better you get at it.
3. Can I speak with your past clients ?
References
are huge in this industry, and previous client testimonials are like
gold.
You should be able
to contact previous clients and hear what their
first hand accounts of their experience with their services
were.
4. Do you have
Liability Insurance ?
Any
professional Disc Jockey will have a
liability insurance policy of $ 1,000,000 - $ 2,000,000
This covers any
possible damages or injuries as a result of the DJ to any guests at
functions they are performing at.
Having this, shows
you are serious about what you do and you care about protecting
yourself and your clients.
5. Do you have
backup equipment ?
Back
up equipment is essential and basically is a " tangible insurance
policy."
If a piece of
equipment (mixer, speaker, mics, computer) stopped working, does the
DJ have a replacement piece of gear on site ready to be hooked up if
needed? It may sound silly, or assumed, but your DJ is useless
if their equipment stops working and they are unable to continue
because their equipment broke.
6. Do you issue
contracts ?
Performance
Agreements ( Contracts ) should clearly spell out the terms of the
services, fees, and any necessary cancellations, and penalty fees.
This document is designed to be a legal binding agreement to protect
the DJ and the client.
7. What is your
Refund Policy ?
A
Refund Policy is very important. Get in writing what their policy is
on deposits, cancellations,
no-shows, and weather related
disruptions. Find out at what point you are liable for the full
balance if you have to cancel your function.
8. What type of
equipment do you have ?
Professional audio & lighting equipment should be
manufacturers that you can't go buy in a department store.
Some
professional names include, FBT, Mackie, JBL, Peavey, Yamaha,
Elation, Shure, Senheiser etc..
Home stereo equipment
and lighting won't do the job at a
function hall.
9. Is the music
library legal ?
Illegally downloaded
/ burned music could make your DJ susceptible to having their music
confiscated by authorities and unavailable on your
wedding day.
Poor quality downloads from file sharing sites and bootleg 2nd & 3rd
generation copies can deteriorate the sound quality of the music.
10. What
measures do you have in place if you are unable to be at my function
?
Is
there a back up plan/ person in place if for some reason the DJ is
unable to attend your wedding due to an accident, illness, or
unforeseen circumstances arises? Most professional DJs have
networks they belong to where they can reach out for last minute
assistance. Please inquire about this.
Please click this link to take you to the DJ
Checklist page
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