the basics of hiring a DJ
When you plan a party of any kind, 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. Who you choose for your wedding reception or special event will have a greater degree of effect than any other factor, such as food or location. The DJ you choose 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. Jazz It-Up Productions is full time at this so you will always get prompt service!
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?
Disc Jockey rates vary based on the industry competitors and location in the United States. Its not a fair judgment to say that if you are paying under a thousand dollars you aren't getting a professional. Remember that people typically will spend less on the west coast than on the east coast and people generally spend less on their DJ here in the northwest than in California.
Rates for the DJ industry vary greatly, ranging from 300.00 to 1,500.00 with an average of $550.00 for a 4 hour booking in the Northwest. Keep in mind that a lot of DJs have packages so that you can tailor the DJ to meet the needs of your event. Some DJs say that they charge one price of a thousand dollars and that comes with everything, ummm, what if you don’t need or want everything. We at Jazz It-Up Productions will always customize our packages to meet your needs. Why spend extra money on lighting if you don’t need or want it. The best price is not always the best deal, and the most expensive DJ isn't always the best for the dollar.
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. Keep this in mind when booking your DJ.
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.
Is the price too good to be true? It seems that the DJ is often the last service chosen or as other industries they are doing enough business to keep the pricing low. We feel that a great DJ should be charge at least $400.00 for three hours with no lighting.
Do you LIKE the person that shows up? There is NOTHING worse in the world than having to do business with someone you do not like. Choosing the person who "feels" right is the most important factor in picking the right entertainer for your party or reception. The DJ you choose should be very open about what he/she can do for you and should volunteer information and "show" you that knowledge base.
Is the person knowledgeable about your type of event? There are all kinds of DJ's. Club DJ's, wedding DJ's, Rave DJ's and Radio DJ’s. The list is endless!! Can the DJ you interview handle your type of event? Ask the DJ how many events of your type that he/she or the company has done. There is a big difference between a mobile and a fixed (DJ that doesn’t travel) DJ.
What sort of documents does the DJ use to procure your business? 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 as a schedule of pricing information. A DJ may also give you access to a list of references.
Does the DJ have a music list that shows you what sort of music he or 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 or 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 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.
Will the person that you interview be the person that will perform at your event?. Ask the associate you interview if he/she will be the actual person performing, or will someone else perform the event. Often times larger companies send a sales representative to meet with you as in other industries. You should not expect that the person that you meet with will be the one performing your event. If you were to hire a major band you wouldn’t meet with the band but a booking agent.
Consider this when pricing your DJ service: Its not fair to say that “you do get what you pay for” some companies do enough volume in shows to offer low prices and as a result of the high volume you actually receive a more seasoned DJ. Many people will pay far more for a cake, flowers, or food than they will for the most crucial ingredient at a party - the music. When was the last time you saw a cake reading a crowd and spinning a CD, motivating a dance floor crowd, or making announcements in a dignified elegant way? Further, when was the last time you heard a guest tell you "Boy, that prime rib was great, I can't wait until I go to another party to have that again"? No, that DOES NOT HAPPEN. Instead, they mainly talk about the music that was played, and whether they had a good time or not.
Your DJ, if you have chosen a good one, will display many of the following skills and attributes before and at your event:
· Master of Ceremonies
· Party organizer
· Sound technician
· Light technician
· Ability to read a crowd and pick the right music
· Flexibility to adapt to sudden changes
· Follow the plan that you and he/she have worked out using the planner
· Have a solid contract
· Seamless continuous music at all times unless otherwise specified
· Extensive library of music
· Professional grade of equipment
· Audience motivator
· Ability to co exist and coordinate with other professionals at your event
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Just belonging to a professional organization or trade group doesn’t make your DJ a professional. Although belonging to an organization or trade group does not guarantee the talent or professionalism of a disc jockey, it may indicate the companies willingness to network, learn and grow.
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