Be specific . . .
1. What kind of Music do you carry?
2. How long have you been in business?
3. What do you wear at wedding receptions?
4. Do you work with us?
5. Do you supply a contract?
6. Do you require a deposit and is it refundable?
7. Do you take requests?
8. When is final payment due?
9. Exactly who is the DJ for my event
YEARS IN BUSINESS
Ask them how long they have been in the business.
A) If under 3 years, find out how they got started, was it in a night club or did they
work for another roadshow or radio station?
B) If between 3 to 8 years, again find out how they got started and how many functions
have they performed particularly in the style of the function you are inquiring about.
(Weddings, Formals, etc.)
C) If over 8 years in business, more than likely they have performed enough functions to
satisfy the experience factor. Word of caution make sure you ask question #1 regardless of
the number of years in business, you might find out that they have been a Night Club DJ
and just did weddings or parties by request or to fill the void. This is not a good
situation, Night Club DJ's are very different from DJ's that do Weddings, Childrens Parties
for a living.
MUSIC SELECTION
Find out what kind of music selection they have, be specific! If you are looking for
country music, than ask about the artists that they carry. If you are looking for dance
music, ask. If you say a mixture of everything, than make sure they carry
everything. To the DJ who specialises in 60's and 70's, that could mean a
variety between the two, when you really meant 60's to the 90's.
Additional questions to ask:
1. What form of music do you carry? CD's, Tapes, Records etc. CD's & Mini discs
provide the best sound quality, tapes usually mean that the music has been copied and the
quality of sound is lost, plus it is much harder for the DJ to take requests on demand
since he or she will have a hard time getting it cued up right away. Records are ok;
however I would question the amount of new music they would have since it is very
difficult to get records today, especially new releases.
2. Do you take requests?
3. If they don't have something you really want, ask if it is ok if you provide the music
for them. Make sure they can play the form of music you are providing. For example, many
DJ services use only CD's, and do not carry turntables with them or even tape decks. So if
you don't have that song on CD, they wont be able to play it. ASK!!!
WHERE CAN I HEAR YOU PLAY?
I love this one.Do not ask this question.
The only reason I mention it is to make sure you
don't ask it. I have been asked this question a million times. A DJ does not have the right
to invite you to
someone else's private party regardless of the occasion. The other really stupid idea
would be to go hear them at a night club or pub where they might be performing. The DJ
can only ever be as good as the audience there performing to. You simply cannot get a fair
representation of his or her skills with any other crowd but your own. The best way you can get a
good idea about the DJ and services is to ask the right questions..
EQUIPMENT & LIGHTING
This is an important topic, so make sure to ask the following questions:
1. What type of equipment do you use?
A) Industry standards by category are:
SPEAKERS: Mach, JBL, Peavey, Bose Community, and EV.
AMPLIFIERS: Bose, Ecler, Crown, Crest, Carver
MICROPHONES: Sure, Audio Technica
CD PLAYERS: Citronic, Denon, Stage line,
TURNTABLES: Techniques, Vestax,
MIXERS: Citronic, Cloud, Vestex, Soundcraft
LIGHTING: Abstract, Martin, NJD
There are many many different brands for each category. Listed are just a few names you
may encounter, make sure you ask if the equipment is professional sound equipment. Ask for
names, because if you can buy it at a Dixons or Best Buy, it's not a professional piece of
sound equipment. This type of equipment usually is only found with industry specific
retailers or distributors.
2. Do you have different size equipment for different size rooms?
A) This is important because if they only have one big system, it may not fit in the room!
Just the opposite is true if your having a function for a large crowd (300 +) and the DJ service
doesn't have the equipment to handle this many people. Make sure your getting a system to fit the
function and the room.
3. Do you have lighting equipment?
A) Lighting is becoming more and more important. Professional lighting is becoming far more sophisticated and
mobile than ever before. You can now create that Nighclub feel in practicly any venue. Think about what kind of
party you are having and if it does require something special then ask in detail as to what sort of equipment
they will bring along. Now days special effect lighting is the norm' but more sophisticated mobile DJ's
should be carrying Intelligent lighting.
CONTRACTS & CONFIRMATIONS
Contracts come in many different sizes and forms, but they all say the same thing and that
is: It's a binding contract between the two parties for DJ services.
1. Make sure you get a contract or confirmation notice. Check to see what rights you have and make sure you read
what rights the DJ has. Too many times I have heard horror stories of some DJ's backing out at the last minute. If you did that you lose your deposit, if
the DJ service does it, what do they lose? Nothing, most likely they over booked and have
another job lined up. So what can you do? Make sure they are responsible for getting you
another DJ for the same price you contracted with them. At this point, quality of
the DJ just went out the door, but at least you have disco.
2. Ask if they have ever cancelled a job or backed out and for what reason? Find out what
they will do to insure you get disco for the night.
3. If you are having a wedding, ask if they have any forms for announcements, special
events or requests. Ask them how they conduct wedding receptions.
Ask what they dress like for a paticular function I have seen DJ's wearing torn scruffy jeans at formal weddings.
Remember this is your day not theirs! Make sure they are willing to work with you! In summary, carefully read the contract,
make sure your protected. Find out if the DJ service will work with you.
Note: the videographer has no rights to the performance and must seek a consent form from the DJ before recording any aspect of the performance. Additionally all music played is copyrighted and an appropriate MCPS licence must be produced for the sound track on your finished video.
DEPOSITS & PRICING
Your probably saying finally, what took so long to talk about price? Well I'll tell you.
This is not as critical as most people think. Price can fool a lot of people into a false
sense of security. Just because you paid alot of money for a DJ doesn't mean that
they are any good. Just the same for the guy who hired a DJ and got the deal of
the century and your bragging because Bill across the street paid £100 more. This does
not mean you got a good DJ service. I can't really discuss pricing in terms of actual cash
amounts because it varies across the country.
A) DJ's can charge anywhere from £25.00 per hour to £150.00 per hour. In some
cases I have seen even higher amounts. So you say what is fair? That depends on what they
have to offer. If you want background music for a anniversary party, you
only need a small sound system and appropriate music for that occasion. You shouldn't have
to pay more than £20 per hour. If your having a wedding reception look for
package pricing, more and more DJ services are offering these kinds of packages which can
give you a good deal. Lighting is sometimes extra, so make sure you know what your getting
before you agree to the price. For example, some DJ companies have high quality lighting
such as lasers, special effect lighting, intelligent lighting etc. This is worth paying
the price, but make sure that it is appropriate for your function. If they tell you they
have some coloured flashing bulbs and a mirror ball, it's ok but don't pay extra for that.
That's something that should be included.
B) Ask about overtime, how much and is there an extra charge if you request it at the time
of your function. Do you get a discount; if you book extra hours over and above the normal
package price, in advance.
C) How much of a deposit must you lay out.
D) Is that deposit refundable and up until what time frame is it refundable?(most deposits
serve as a booking fee and accordingly secure the date for your event. Since the DJ
must turn away any further inquiries for the date, any cancellation on your part should
mean you forfeit your deposit).
E) When is final payment due? Most DJ services require payment when you get to the
function which is standard. Unless the DJ company had problems in the past with customers,
payment required before the date of the function is not a good idea. What happens if they
don't show up? I know in certain cases I had to require payment up front, but usually it
was due to no deposit or insufficient funds on the deposit.