If you’re planning an event with a DJ, you want it to be fun and run smoothly. Most people only hire a DJ for one or two events in their lifetime. This makes it difficult to make an informed decision when it comes to mobile DJ entertainment. Read on and I’ll give you expert tips to help you find the right disc jockey for your event.
Price:
Pick up the phone at any mobile DJ service and the first thing you’re likely to hear is “How much do you charge?” While that’s a great question, and one you’ll definitely need to discuss, it’s not the only consideration when choosing a mobile DJ for your event. Nowadays, we are all used to buying relatively inexpensive products that offer good quality for a fraction of the brand name price.
What you need to keep in mind is that mobile DJs don’t provide a product, they provide a service. Unlike two TVs that do basically the same thing and are of roughly the same quality, no two mobile DJs are the same. Everyone has individual strengths and weaknesses. Some DJs are more experienced, some are less experienced. Another consideration is the DJ equipment. Although there is very low-cost DJ equipment today, reliable, high-quality equipment is still very expensive. Can a DJ charging $150 for four hours provide a reliable, high-quality show when most DJs in his area charge four times that amount or more? Probably not.
References:
As someone new to shopping for entertainment, your best source of information about the DJs you’re comparing is your previous customers. Talk to people who have been in your shoes and seen your potential DJs in action. Any reputable mobile DJ service should be able to bring you dozens of referrals from satisfied customers.
Sure:
Every DJ you consider should have an adequate liability insurance policy. In the past, it was a good idea. These days, it’s an absolute necessity, as many hotels and other venues won’t allow a DJ to perform without a proper liability policy. If you choose to hire a DJ without insurance, you need to be prepared for the possibility that the venue will not allow your DJ to set up or perform.
Music:
Everyone knows that it is possible to get “free” music by sharing files online. Is this where the music playing at your event should come from? Songs obtained through online file sharing may be of poor quality, just a part of a song, the wrong song, or a poor karaoke version. For family or youth events, vulgar lyrics are another theme. There are literally dozens of potential problems with DJs using downloaded music. Professional DJs get their music from professional sources. There are companies that offer disc jockeys “clean” versions of all current hits for a nominal monthly charge. To avoid unpleasant surprises, make sure the DJ you choose subscribes to one of these services.
Contracts:
Get it in writing! It is extremely important to get a written contract that confirms all the details that you have agreed to with your DJ service. This will eliminate any possible misunderstandings.
Hiring a DJ may not be part of your normal routine, but these tips should help you make an informed decision when shopping for DJs for your event. In many ways, it all comes down to common sense. If a DJ service makes you an offer that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Let’s say you’re shopping for DJs for a high school prom and you’re looking for big-screen music video shows, a popular choice. Two DJ services quote you a fee of around $2,000, but a third promises an equal show for $450. How come the third service offers the same show for less than a quarter of the cost? Realistically, they can’t.
Check references. Make sure your DJ is properly insured. Find out where his music comes from and get a contract.
And most importantly, enjoy your event!