#1: Who am I Talking to?
Are You the Person that will be Providing Our Music and Entertainment? (Very Important!)
Will the person you are talking to and meeting with be the Disc Jockey at your event? If so, will they guarantee this by putting it in the contract? Disc Jockey Companies may sign for your reception and then send out a any Disc Jockey, one who doesn’t even really work for the company you hired, to cover your reception. Without any advance warning, your reception is then put into the hands of a total stranger who may be less qualified and who might not fully understand exactly what kind of a reception you have been hoping and planning for. Some have even gone so far as to show up for the grand entrance and/or dinner, and then duck out for another reception, leaving their "assistant" to finish the job. This highly unethical bait and switch routine has given the Disc Jockey industry a bad reputation.
#2: Is this your Business or Hobby?
Can they meet with you at your convenience, even if it is during the day? Do they have the time to return your phone calls promptly? This is the most common problem in the Disc Jockey industry. They don’t really have to care if they do an outstanding job.
#3: Will you Meet with us in Person for Details and Help us Plan Our Reception?
Are they willing to meet with you ? Will they take the time to meet with you multiple times, if needed? · Will they help you plan your reception to be exactly the way you want it to be?
#4: Will you Coordinate our Entire Reception For Us?
Do they work from a format to ensure that your reception will flow smoothly? · Are they willing to work with your other vendors and keep them informed? Most Disc Jockeys will tell you they coordinate the events at your reception. To verify whether they actually do or not, ask to see their detailed format sheet and timeline, which they should be using at each event to make sure everything is in place and all the events will flow together smoothly.
#5: What do you Offer that Makes Your Services Unique or Better?
Do they have creative ideas for customizing and personalizing your reception? Will they keep your guests’ attention where it belongs—on you? Will they incorporate your ideas with the personality and style you desire? Unfortunately, many people think that Disc Jockeys are a dime a dozen. However, based on the way most Disc Jockeys promote themselves and perform, this misconception is very understandable. If you want your reception to be unique and memorable, then you should find a Disc Jockey who is unique and memorable as well. Each Disc Jockey will have their own personality, skills and ideas. So, take the time to find the person who will best meet your needs.
#6: What are your Business Policies?
Do their standards meet and/or exceed your expectations? Some Disc Jockeys are notorious for doing the most inappropriate things at wedding receptions. Things like helping themselves to the open bar, hitting on your Maid of Honor. If they don’t have standards that govern their behavior, they are telling you that just about anything could happen at your reception.
#7: Should I Expect any kind of Surprises or Hidden Charges?
Do they charge extra for basic equipment such as a cordless microphone? · Are there additional charges for planning meetings or set up time? · Will they buy any music they may need for your reception at no extra cost? It is all too common to find Disc Jockeys who will have extra "hidden charges" for things that should be included as a normal part of their service. They will charge you to bring a cordless microphone or additional speakers. They also have loading fees for stairs or even an extra charge for additional planning meetings. If they were already charging a professional price for their service to begin with, this wouldn’t be necessary.
#8: What is your Entertainment Experience?
What is their entertainment background? Is their entertainment experience limited just to Mobile Disc Jockey work? In order to provide the best quality entertainment possible, each Disc Jockey should be actively seeking to improve and broaden their entertainment capabilities. Most Disc Jockeys aren’t fulfilling this important detail because they fall into the categories described by Questions #1 and #2, and therefore, don’t really care about improving their services. People tend to become what they are committed to becoming. The same is true for Disc Jockeys.
#9: Do you have the Skills to Deliver Announcements that are Clear and Direct?
Do they have any public speaking experience outside of Mobile Disc Jockey work? Do they have any speech and/or vocal training? Are their announcements direct and to the point? If you’ve ever seen someone try to get a crowd’s attention without the proper vocal skills, then we need not say more. Or when they do open their mouths, they don’t know what to say. Words like "uh" and "um" get used too much and then your guests are left asking each other, "What did he just say?" The person you choose as your Disc Jockey will be your spokesperson and will be representing you to your guests.
10: Do You Have Back Up Equipment and Are You Insured?
11: Do You Have References That I May Speak With? Most Important!
| We hope this information will help you find qualified and |
| professional entertainment for your event. |
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