Tips on Hiring a DJ

Hiring A DJ: Points To Consider

By Bill Smith

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 crucial to that end. 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 DJ’s are out working and may not be able to return your call within an hour or two.

–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?

–Is the price too good to be true? It seems that 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. This often backfires when holding out for the lowest price. However, if you have adhered to 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!

–Does the DJ have a music list that shows you what sort of music he/she has available? Many DJ’s do not use music 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 variety of music, especially for wedding receptions, where many different styles of music and guests will be in the same room together.

–Does the DJ use professional grade equipment? If the DJ does not have pictures of his/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 stereo equipment components made, they are not all 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.

–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. All professional DJ’s use a contract – this will protect you, make sure your DJ provides one.

–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 with turns out NOT to be the person that actually works your event. Often, you aren’t made aware of this. Ask the DJ you interview if he/she will be the actual person performing. You need to know this UP FRONT before you sign a contract.

When it comes to pricing, consider your DJ service as an insurance policy that ensures that all of the other money you spend will not result in bad memories. You do get what you pay for. Good entertainment is NOT cheap, and cheap entertainment is NOT good! And yet many people will pay much more for food, flowers or decorations than they will for the most essential element at a party – the music.