There are several factors to consider when
hiring the right DJ for your event.
What type of event are you having?
Birthday Party, Class Reunion, Wedding Reception, Anniversary, Private Party, School Event, Corporate Event, Benefit, Holiday Party, Indoor or Outdoor, Large or Small Venue, etc.?
What experience does the DJ have?
Ask the DJ what experience they have with the type of event you are having.
Does the DJ have the equipment needed for your event?
It makes a difference if your event is inside or outside or in a very large room. If the event is outside or in a very large room, ask the DJ if his equipment will cover the area with good, quality sound. If they don’t have enough power to cover a large area, turning the sound up too loud will cause the sound to be distorted. This is one of the areas that I’ve heard a lot of complaints about some DJs. I’ve heard that some have shown up with 2 little speakers, turning them up so loud to cover the area, and causing the music to sound horrible.
Does the DJ have references?
An easy way to check references about a DJ is use social media. Post something like “Does anyone know a good DJ in the _______ area?” I see posts like this all the time and you will definitely get some names of good DJs. Once you receive responses to your question, depending on which DJ you want to check references on, you can ask those specific people about their experience with that DJ.
Does the DJ Service have a website, or social media, where you can see photos of the different types of events that they've done?
I’m going to start by saying that there are a lot of great DJs that don’t necessarily have a website. However; a professional DJ, in these high tech times, would have some sort of social media or website. If the DJ has a website, check to see if they have photos of different events they’ve done. My website, for example, has photos from weddings, birthday parties, golf outings, car shows, singles dances, holiday parties, benefits, class reunions, corporate events and private parties. I want to be able to show off as many different events that I’ve done and that people are having a great time. Just from those photos, one would think a couple of things... ‘This DJ has done a lot of events, taken a lot of pictures, everyone looks like their having a good time, and the website looks professional.’ That’s what I think they would say anyway.
Does the DJ have the music needed for your event?
Ask the DJ what types of music they have. Make sure they have the music you want (genres, music selection, etc.). If you’re having a Halloween party, they should have Halloween music.
What type of lighting does the DJ have and is it what you want?
Ask what types of lighting they have. Do they have some cool dance club lighting, large area coverage, lasers, smoke machine, black lights, bubble machine, etc.?
What other services are offered?
It never hurts to ask what other services they have to offer. Many DJs also provide Karaoke and if they do, ask about their selection. I’ll use my DJ service as an example of another service that I provide. I book a lot of weddings because I offer a FREE Music Video on DVD to the bride and groom. Not only do I DJ and Emcee the wedding reception, but I also take photos throughout the event (usually between 150 and 300). I put all the pictures in order, put them to the music that was used during the reception and make a music video on DVD. Although it takes between 4-6 hours to make the DVD, it has been a huge booking advantage for me. This leads me to talk about the next topic.
What services are offered for the price?
When comparing prices from different DJs, take into consideration what you are getting for the prices you have been given. Check how many hours you are getting, the cost for the DJ to stay longer per hour, are you receiving anything additional (free services), DJ’s experience, etc.
Are you getting an ‘amazingly low price’?
This is the area that I caution people the most. If you think you are getting an ‘amazing low price’, there’s probably a reason. Most professional DJ services are going to be pretty close in pricing. They will probably differ in the amount for additional hours. There is nothing wrong with getting pricing from a couple different DJs, but beware if one of them is way lower than the other quotes. Just like many other things in life, you will definitely get what you pay for.
Example:
If you are having an event at school, in a gymnasium, does the DJ have enough sound and lighting for the size of the room? Has the DJ ever done a school event? Do they have the type of music you want? Is the music clean (no profanity)? Is their pricing comparable to other DJ services?
Another example:
Are you having a wedding? How many weddings has the DJ provided their service for or how often do they do weddings?
Do they have enough sound and lighting required for the size of the room? Does the DJ have a website or photos you can view of different weddings they’ve done? Do they have the right types of music you want (music selection, genres, etc.)? Do they offer any other services? Are there any additional costs that you need to be aware of (different lighting packages)?
Are they comparable to other DJ services’pricing or are you getting that ‘amazingly low price’? For example, if you get pricing from 5 DJs and 4 of them are around the $450 range and 1 DJ says he will do it for $150… BEWARE!
One more example:
Are you having an outdoor event (golf outing or downtown festival)? What experience does the DJ have with this type of event? Do you require regular announcements to be made during the event? What experience does the DJ have with
being an Emcee? Does the DJ have enough sound (quality sound) to cover the outside area required? Do they have the type of music you want (music selection, genres, etc.)? Is their pricing comparable to other DJ services?
Personally, if someone calls me and wants to know any or all of this information, I have no problem telling them what I can offer them. Am I the ABSOLUTE BEST DJ? Of course not! If anyone that tells you they are THE BEST or better than everyone else... well, I’ll let you decide whether you should hire them or not.
I will tell you that I love what I do. I take the extra steps necessary to make events better than what people expect them to be. I have all professional equipment, great lighting and effects and a huge music selection. I’m very personable, professional and I care how an event turns out. I have many wonderful references and repeat customers. I have a professional website with great photos and videos. I think I have an outstanding DJ service!
Some examples that I tell people is that most people can bake a cake, but you want a professional to make your wedding cake. Also, most people know how to take pictures with a camera, but you probably want a professional photographer to take your wedding photos.
My suggestion is to take all of the above into consideration. The decision is yours. I just hate hearing horror stories from people that an event was bad because of the DJ, their lack of music selection, equipment, lighting, etc.
Click the 'Testimonials' link, at the top of this page, to see what others are saying about A-Sharp DJ Service!
hiring the right DJ for your event.
What type of event are you having?
Birthday Party, Class Reunion, Wedding Reception, Anniversary, Private Party, School Event, Corporate Event, Benefit, Holiday Party, Indoor or Outdoor, Large or Small Venue, etc.?
What experience does the DJ have?
Ask the DJ what experience they have with the type of event you are having.
Does the DJ have the equipment needed for your event?
It makes a difference if your event is inside or outside or in a very large room. If the event is outside or in a very large room, ask the DJ if his equipment will cover the area with good, quality sound. If they don’t have enough power to cover a large area, turning the sound up too loud will cause the sound to be distorted. This is one of the areas that I’ve heard a lot of complaints about some DJs. I’ve heard that some have shown up with 2 little speakers, turning them up so loud to cover the area, and causing the music to sound horrible.
Does the DJ have references?
An easy way to check references about a DJ is use social media. Post something like “Does anyone know a good DJ in the _______ area?” I see posts like this all the time and you will definitely get some names of good DJs. Once you receive responses to your question, depending on which DJ you want to check references on, you can ask those specific people about their experience with that DJ.
Does the DJ Service have a website, or social media, where you can see photos of the different types of events that they've done?
I’m going to start by saying that there are a lot of great DJs that don’t necessarily have a website. However; a professional DJ, in these high tech times, would have some sort of social media or website. If the DJ has a website, check to see if they have photos of different events they’ve done. My website, for example, has photos from weddings, birthday parties, golf outings, car shows, singles dances, holiday parties, benefits, class reunions, corporate events and private parties. I want to be able to show off as many different events that I’ve done and that people are having a great time. Just from those photos, one would think a couple of things... ‘This DJ has done a lot of events, taken a lot of pictures, everyone looks like their having a good time, and the website looks professional.’ That’s what I think they would say anyway.
Does the DJ have the music needed for your event?
Ask the DJ what types of music they have. Make sure they have the music you want (genres, music selection, etc.). If you’re having a Halloween party, they should have Halloween music.
What type of lighting does the DJ have and is it what you want?
Ask what types of lighting they have. Do they have some cool dance club lighting, large area coverage, lasers, smoke machine, black lights, bubble machine, etc.?
What other services are offered?
It never hurts to ask what other services they have to offer. Many DJs also provide Karaoke and if they do, ask about their selection. I’ll use my DJ service as an example of another service that I provide. I book a lot of weddings because I offer a FREE Music Video on DVD to the bride and groom. Not only do I DJ and Emcee the wedding reception, but I also take photos throughout the event (usually between 150 and 300). I put all the pictures in order, put them to the music that was used during the reception and make a music video on DVD. Although it takes between 4-6 hours to make the DVD, it has been a huge booking advantage for me. This leads me to talk about the next topic.
What services are offered for the price?
When comparing prices from different DJs, take into consideration what you are getting for the prices you have been given. Check how many hours you are getting, the cost for the DJ to stay longer per hour, are you receiving anything additional (free services), DJ’s experience, etc.
Are you getting an ‘amazingly low price’?
This is the area that I caution people the most. If you think you are getting an ‘amazing low price’, there’s probably a reason. Most professional DJ services are going to be pretty close in pricing. They will probably differ in the amount for additional hours. There is nothing wrong with getting pricing from a couple different DJs, but beware if one of them is way lower than the other quotes. Just like many other things in life, you will definitely get what you pay for.
Example:
If you are having an event at school, in a gymnasium, does the DJ have enough sound and lighting for the size of the room? Has the DJ ever done a school event? Do they have the type of music you want? Is the music clean (no profanity)? Is their pricing comparable to other DJ services?
Another example:
Are you having a wedding? How many weddings has the DJ provided their service for or how often do they do weddings?
Do they have enough sound and lighting required for the size of the room? Does the DJ have a website or photos you can view of different weddings they’ve done? Do they have the right types of music you want (music selection, genres, etc.)? Do they offer any other services? Are there any additional costs that you need to be aware of (different lighting packages)?
Are they comparable to other DJ services’pricing or are you getting that ‘amazingly low price’? For example, if you get pricing from 5 DJs and 4 of them are around the $450 range and 1 DJ says he will do it for $150… BEWARE!
One more example:
Are you having an outdoor event (golf outing or downtown festival)? What experience does the DJ have with this type of event? Do you require regular announcements to be made during the event? What experience does the DJ have with
being an Emcee? Does the DJ have enough sound (quality sound) to cover the outside area required? Do they have the type of music you want (music selection, genres, etc.)? Is their pricing comparable to other DJ services?
Personally, if someone calls me and wants to know any or all of this information, I have no problem telling them what I can offer them. Am I the ABSOLUTE BEST DJ? Of course not! If anyone that tells you they are THE BEST or better than everyone else... well, I’ll let you decide whether you should hire them or not.
I will tell you that I love what I do. I take the extra steps necessary to make events better than what people expect them to be. I have all professional equipment, great lighting and effects and a huge music selection. I’m very personable, professional and I care how an event turns out. I have many wonderful references and repeat customers. I have a professional website with great photos and videos. I think I have an outstanding DJ service!
Some examples that I tell people is that most people can bake a cake, but you want a professional to make your wedding cake. Also, most people know how to take pictures with a camera, but you probably want a professional photographer to take your wedding photos.
My suggestion is to take all of the above into consideration. The decision is yours. I just hate hearing horror stories from people that an event was bad because of the DJ, their lack of music selection, equipment, lighting, etc.
Click the 'Testimonials' link, at the top of this page, to see what others are saying about A-Sharp DJ Service!
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