How To Hire A Disc
Jockey
by Michael R. Erb ( erb@baka.com
)
Michael
E Mobile Sound
Your choice of Emcee
and Musical Host is one of the most important decisions you'll be
making as you plan your event. There are many horror stories of
the lowest priced DJ company providing an inexperienced disc
jockey, illegal or inferior music library, shoddy equipment, poor
people skills and late arrival or no show.
Michael E Mobile Sound
has prepared this booklet to help you evaluate the entertainment
you may be considering.
You may want to print
this form and use it in comparing the companies you are
considering.
| Does
your DJ have experience? |
With
experience comes confidence and knowledge. Many things can happen
during an event, both expected and unexpected. A DJ's ability to
handle any situation that could arise can have a profound effect
on the success of an event. Of course, it is not just experience
that counts but it is one important factor to consider. |
| Is
your DJ a full-time professional? |
Although
there are many professional DJ's who only operate part-time, isn't
it comforting to know that the company you may be considering is a
full-time business instead of a part-time hobby? |
| Does
your DJ belong to any professional organizations? |
Being
a member of professional organizations demonstrates the commitment
a company has to their profession. It is also a means to network
with other professionals, learn new skills and improve overall
business skills. If your DJ is a member of several organizations,
there is a good chance they are well connected and are constantly
learning new and exciting ways to entertain your guests and run a
more professional operation. |
| Does
your DJ have backup equipment available on-site? |
In
case of equipment malfunction, your DJ should always has backup
equipment immediately available, not "back at the shop"
in which case you could have music interruption time of an hour or
more. |
| Does
your DJ have an adequate music selection? |
Does
the DJ you are considering have the music knowledge and music
library depth to ensure variety in music selection? |
| Does
your DJ have liability insurance? |
If
the DJ you hire isn't insured, you are taking a huge risk. At the
very minimum your DJ should carry at least $1,000,000 in personal
liability insurance. Be sure to ask the entertainer you are
considering to provide a Certificate of Insurance. |
| Does
your DJ have references? |
Anybody
can hand pick a couple good references. Be wary of a company who
won't let you pick the references to call instead of them
handpicking a few select references. Do you think they would give
you a bad reference? Of course not. |
| Can
your DJ provide professional references? |
Caterers,
Banquet Facilities, Photographers, etc are good sources of
information when evaluating a DJ. These professionals have seen
many entertainers and can tell you about the quality service each
provides. |
| Does
your DJ use professional grade sound equipment? |
There
is a tremendous difference in quality and reliability between home
stereo equipment and professional duty sound equipment. Your DJ
should use nothing but the highest quality, professional sound
equipment available. Only by using good equipment can you be
reasonably assured of quality sound and reliable operation of the
equipment. |
| Will
your DJ guarantee your complete satisfaction? |
Your
DJ should provide quality assurance to the client. For instance,
they should guarantee your complete satisfaction and be willing to
whatever is necessary to make you completely happy. |
Some people view DJ's
as a commodity and choose the cheapest one they can find. However,
an inexperienced entertainer can make the difference between a
memorable occasion and an unforgettable nightmare.
The checklist above is
just an idea of some of the factors that distinguish a true
professional from an amateur. You should also consider the
personality of the party host and the ability of the person to
involve your guests in the festivities. Courteousness, politeness,
general appearance and announcing skills are other important
factors to evaluate.
Clearly, there is a
lot to consider if you want the very best entertainment for your
event. Don't take unnecessary risks, thoroughly check out the
entertainer you are considering hiring because you deserve nothing
but the best!
|
