General Advice For Hiring/Booking A DJ
- What should you expect from DJs?
To at all times conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to your event. To fulfill all conditions in the contract.
- What do DJs expect from you?
To be promptly paid - AND - given all the information required to make your event a success [as explained in the contracts section]. You should include from whom the DJ takes orders. You will be surprised and irritated at how many people at your event - that you are paying for - think they can tell the DJ what to play and when to play it.
Make sure the DJ service will sign a contract. Do not accept someone's word that they will show up.
- The DJ can enhance or ruin a lifetime moment and memory.
That's pressure. Very few people are capable of being responsible for the mood of a group of people, dealing with conflicting orders during an event, being dependable and contractually thorough, pleasant to deal with, adapting to changes or things that might go wrong at an event, actually own or supply what they claim (telling the truth with no misrepresentation), being prompt, not getting drunk on the job ... I think you get the idea.
Impossible. Don't let anyone convince you that there is one set guideline that always applies to all events everywhere. You must establish your own personal guideline for your specific event in your area. This is done by contacting several places and getting estimates for what they'll charge. Remember the cost variables in the contracts section above. Additionally, some DJ services might have limited offers, special discounts, multiple packages, etc., so don't accept any guideline.
- Here is what you should be aware of regarding basic rates (prices/quotes) ...
• What is basic for a backyard party with friends is not basic for an elegant wedding.
• What is basic for 50 people is not basic for 400.
• Rates for Sunday afternoons are generally different from Friday/Saturday nights.
• A basic rate for New Year's Eve can't be compared with any other rate.
• Rates for DJs in big cities are generally higher.
Try to hire someone using commercial equipment (also called professional equipment) and not home equipment for reasons too numerous to mention here. This is the first step in avoiding horror stories. If the DJ you're talking to doesn't know the difference or is unsure, they're using home equipment.
- Mobile DJs should have a minimum of the following for most events:
Lots of music, music player(s), amplifier, speakers, microphone, mixing board or mixing program, and at least one extra grounded heavy duty extension cord. They should also be able to offer lights or lighting effects, wireless microphone and cord attached microphone, some on-site back-up equipment (extra amp, CD players, microphone, batteries, etc.).