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10 Questions To Ask Your DJ
By Jason Walsh
So you've taken the first step
and created a list of disc jockeys to meet or interview for your special
event, so now what? These questions will hopefully help you in your
search for the perfect entertainer. They are listed in no particular
order, but should all be covered by your DJ during your initial
meeting/phone call.
1. How much do you
charge? This is an obvious question, and one that many DJs will
post on their website for your convenience, but it is important to know if
the DJ you are interviewing fits within your entertainment budget.
The phrase "time is money" is just as true for professional DJs as it is
for any wedding or event vendor. Please do not meet any vendor if
you already know that you can not afford them, this is just common
courtesy. That said, you should not disqualify a DJ that charges
$1,200 if you have set a budget of $1,000 for your 5-hour event.
Adjusting your overall event budget by just 1% or 2% could mean the
difference between a disc jockey you want, and one you will "settle" for
because you believed the price was too much to absorb.
2. What is included or
excluded in the quoted price? Some deejays offer "all inclusive"
packages that give you a 4 or 5 hour price with multiple DJ systems for
cocktail hours, ceremonies, extra equipment, lighting, or other items.
Some deejays simply quote a flat "basic" price without added equipment or
items that you may need for your event. You can't compare oranges to
apples when price shopping, make sure you receive a quote on the service(s)
you need before you compare DJs on price alone. If you are not sure
what additional services you could need, don't be afraid to ask! A
professional disc jockey will not "up-sell" services you do not need, but
will inform you on all of your available options.
3. Why should I choose
you over another DJ? Hopefully, this question has been answered
to your satisfaction on the DJ's website or in pre-meeting marketing
materials, but it is always a good idea to ask your DJ why he/she believes
they are a better choice than their competition. Their answer may
eliminate them as one of your potential candidates, or it may move the DJ
to the top of the list. Open-ended questions like this one are
helpful for you to connect with your DJ on a personal level.
Remember, this is a vendor you will spend considerable time communicating
with, so you should feel comfortable with their in-person, phone, or email
dialogue.
4. Do you permit
potential clients to visit you at an event? This is a sticky
subject for many clients. It is hard to hire a DJ without seeing
them in person, but you should know that many disc jockeys do not allow
potential clients to visit them at an event prior to signing a contract.
Why not? If allowed, you may arrive at a time that is naturally
uneventful (such as during dinner or dessert), no one, or only a few
guests, may be dancing and you could assume that the DJ was not doing a
good job. The other reason for not allowing visitors at events is
simply out of respect for the client's privacy. This is one of the
biggest days in the life/lives of the client(s). If each event
vendor invited their potential clients to one of their events, the
intimate wedding, mitzvah, or private party would end up with more
"visitors" than guests.
5. What type of
equipment do you use? This may not seem like a big deal to you
as a client, but you should know what type of equipment your DJ will be
using at your event. Is it professional quality? Will it be
enough equipment for the size of your venue or the number of guests at
your event? Is the DJ using a MP3 software platform? PCDJ and
Virtual DJ are examples of two industry standard programs, but using them
on an inferior desktop or laptop computer can cause song "skipping" or
play-back errors. Don't be afraid to ask about a DJ's equipment, and
ask for guidance on a DJ's opinion of MP3 vs. compact discs.
6. Do you carry back-up
equipment? Everyone needs a back-up plan, deejays are no
different. You should make sure your DJ does carry backup computers
and media devices (if he/she uses MP3 files), back up CD players,
speakers, and amplifiers (if using non-powered speakers). You should
also ask if the DJ creates a back-up disc or media device with your
"special" dances or necessary event music. Nothing could be worse
than stepping on to the dance floor for your first dance as a married
couple, or as the guest of honor, and hearing absolutely nothing because
the DJ's computer or CD player crashes. Ask your DJ what he/she
would do in such a situation.
7. Do you belong to any
DJ or business associations? Membership in a professional
business or DJ association signals that the DJ you meet is serious about
his or her business and is not simply treating his or her entertaining as
a hobby done on the weekends. Association members often can rely on
the support, knowledge, and expertise of other members; these same members
may be a "safety net" for your independent DJ in case he/she is ill or
seriously injured and unable to entertain at your event due to an
emergency situation.
8. Have you ever missed
or been late to an event? This question tests the
professionalism of the individual. If your DJ answers no, and you
later find out that a friend hired the same company and they failed to
show up at their event, you know you are dealing with a dishonest
business. While you may expect every DJ to answer no even if he or
she in fact had missed or been late to an event, an honest DJ that admits
to one mistake out of several hundred events is just as trustworthy as a
DJ that has a perfect record. Ask a DJ that answers yes to this
question to explain the situation and what was learned, or what could have
been done to prevent the situation.
9. Can you provide
recent referrals from your clients? Most vendors will be glad to
provide you with referrals, but is a referral letter from 1995 very
accurate of the disc jockey's current work product? Ask if you can
obtain referrals from the DJ's last 5 or 10 events, so you can get a
fresh, unbiased opinion of the entertainer. This way, you are not
handed 5 or 10 "selected" referrals from clients that the DJ knows will
gush over him or her, but rather a sample of brides or clients that have
held events within the past year or two.
10. What is your style?
/ Do you have any "special" DJ skills? So many disc jockeys talk
a great "sales pitch" and then forget to make sure they know what their
potential clients want at their wedding. Before you can tell your DJ
about you, ask some questions about him/her (or you may find this
"personal mission statement" information on their website. Some disc
jockeys have specific skills you would want or need at your event.
Maybe you want a DJ that can "beat-mix" music requests live at your event,
maybe you want an interactive DJ to teach line dances or motivate your
guests, maybe you want a DJ that is "laid back" and remains rather "out of
sight" at your event and allows his/her music and a few helpful
announcements to do the entertaining. Asking (or reading) about a
DJ's style before you arrange a meeting may save both you and the
entertainer an hour or two of time. Telling the DJ what you are
looking for before he/she answers may lead the DJ to give an answer such
as, "that's exactly what I do!"
When all else fails, trust
your instinct. Let's face it, there are a ton of wedding
websites, endless input from friends and family, and even more advice from
"experts" and industry vendors such as myself. Just as you knew when
you met your fiancé or fiancée, you will know when you find your perfect
wedding vendors. If you are searching for a DJ for a Bar/Bat
Mitzvah, make sure the DJ asks you appropriate questions, and has strong
knowledge of Jewish customs, kids games, and traditions (i.e. are you
having a candle-lighting, are you doing a hora?). Once you have made
your selection after weighing all of your possibilities, don't second
guess your choice. Professional vendors are in business to ensure
your satisfaction and make your event a stress-free time to relax and
celebrate.
Selecting a DJ from those listed
on the BADJA.org website allows you to rest assured that the disc jockey
at your event will be professional, on time, and will meet or exceed your
expectations. GUARANTEED!!!
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