Choosing A D.J.

Most everyone agrees that entertainment can make or break any special event. Until 20 years ago, live music was the only choice for special event musical entertainment. Today, with the advent of mobile disc jockeys, people are able to hand-tailor their event with non-stop, unlimited, authentic versions of their favorite songs by the original recording artists!

As well, they have more control over staging, acoustics and volume. As the owner of a full-service entertainment company, and a former "roadie" for a band, I honestly feel that this level of qualitative, personalized service has changed the entertainment market for the better. With the multitude of Mobile DJ's you might have a real task selecting the one most appropriate for your special event.

Here are some helpful hints on what to expect when dealing with these entertainment professionals:

1. Just like choosing a doctor, lawyer, mechanic or any service professional, finding a DJ by the age-old referral is the best place to start. If you are fortunate enough to attend an event as a guest where you can actually see the DJ perform....even better. This will give you a chance to see him or her in action, handling the myriad of think-on-your-feet situations which may occur at any event.
2. If the DJ has a website with online, written references from his/her past clients, this can greatly help. Online references should include an email or phone contact. Call or write a few. The DJ should have informed the clients who offered their reference that people may contact them, and they have agreed. The DJ should also have all references on a "hard copy" file on request to verify validity. Also, does the website's overall appearance seem to be something that took real effort (or money) to make, that's informative, user-friendly, and interactive with forms, that required time & pride--or something with a few pictures and an email link? Also, receiving an email or phone response in a timely manner (within 12 hours) can also be a judgement in the DJ's character, as well as professionalism. (i.e. how much does he/she like his/her job and are eager to work?)
3. Organizing, being tastefully informative, while motivating guests to participate in the variety of key events is the true talent of today's DJ. Your DJ should present him/herself with a friendly, yet leadership-like personality to coordinate toasts, announce food service and continue as Master Of Ceremonies through introductions, special acknowledgments, raffles, awards, dance format, etc.

If you cannot get a confident referral or you are relegated to choosing a DJ through publications or directories, I recommend taking the following steps.

1. Call the prospective DJ and get acquainted or leave a detailed message. Professionalism, or the lack of it, is usually easy to spot. A loud, incomprehensible outgoing phone message or a preoccupied "hello" without identifying the business usually means the DJ is not a professional.
2. Many DJ's work only part-time, and often are not very concerned with the success of your event and a less than enthusiastic attitude may be evident. Conversely, full-time entertainment companies are more often committed to excellence. They are genuinely concerned with the success of each event, which will refer them new and continuing clients. They should gladly answer questions about experience, presentation, music, equipment, etc.
3. Musical diversity is the key, but a DJ should know what would keep your guests involved based on your musical tastes. If you cannot locate a good referral, I recommend that you schedule an interview with the DJ, preferably in a public setting. This is a setting that can be comfortable, like a restaurant or even a cafe, where you may meet him or her in person before hand. This is suggested instead of viewing a highly edited promotional video where little truth can be revealed.
4. Summarily, your DJ, appropriately attired, should be able to greet guests, emcee, coordinate and keep the dance floor energized simultaneously and with ease. Clearly, the DJ you select represents your taste in entertainment to all of your guests.
5. Yes you can judge a DJ by his equipment. Loosely wired consumer-grade stereo equipment on a banquet table, records in milk crates and homemade speaker cabinets are not the hallmark of a professional. While there may be a few DJ's out there with a hot set-up and no personality, it is more likely that only top talent will have earned their way up to owning the finest in dependable, professional stage gear. This should include a customized DJ console housing a multi-channel stereo mixing board, professional-grade, two-channel CD player, auxiliary cassette deck/CD player as well as microphones, headsets and various accessories. This should be coupled to a pro-series sound reinforcement system including 200-to-400 watt power amps, sound imaging enhancers, a pair of full-range or satellite/subwoofer speaker enclosures, and a broad music library in road-worthy cases.
6. For most DJ's, the use of a wireless microphone is a must for remote toasts, organizing dance floor activities and generally opening up the room while communicating with guests and vendors alike.
7. Your Disc Jockey should arrive at the event site an hour or so before your guests. This allows ample time to set-up and sound check his equipment. He may then go over the itinerary with other vendors so they aren't scrambling to get things at the last minute. In short, the DJ is at the helm, coordinating, announcing and keeping everyone informed for a smooth, successful event.
8. Finally, when booking a Mobile Disc Jockey, you should be provided with a contract clearly indicating the assigned DJ's name. This insures his or her commitment as well as yours. The most popular DJ's are booked up to 12 months in advance with prime dates such as weekends and holidays booking the earliest. You really do get what you pay for. If a DJ offers his services for $250-$300 he probably isn't very experienced, so it's recommended that you keep looking. Top DJ Fee Schedules will range from $400-$1,000 based on availability and the length and scope of your event. A down payment with balances due 10-30 days prior is standard.