Hiring A DJ

When you plan a party of any sort, your objective is to ensure that your guests have a good time. Your choice of entertainment, particularly if you are considering a DJ, is crucial. Who you choose to provide entertainment at your wedding reception or special event will have a greater degree of effect than any other factor. This includes such things as food, location, photographer, etc. Afterall, the entertainment portion of your event is considered to be responsible for 80% (or more) of the events success. Think about it. When was the last time you left an event saying "That party was wonderful! The entertainment was terrible, but the prime rib was terrific!" You see, the DJ you choose is critical and is a direct reflection on you.

Here are some important points to remember when you interview a DJ company.

Prompt return of your phone calls or emails.
You should expect to get a call back or an email back within 24 hours. Many DJs are out working and may not be able to return your call within an hour or two.

Is the DJ willing to meet with you and present their services even BEFORE their services have been secured or are they just trying to book the date sight unseen?
Is their material neat and professional looking, and is their presentation organized and informative? At DJ Wes' Mobile DJ Service we are proud to offer free consultations!

Is the price too good to be true?
It seems that DJs are often the last service chosen, after much of the budget is expended on a venue, food and clothing. This often leads brides and party planners to shop for the cheapest price possible because of a lack of resources. This often backfires when holding out for the lowest price. However, if you follow the guiding principals noted here, you will know to avoid services that have a rock bottom price because they will not be able to display the level of quality and attention to detail that EVERY client deserves!

Is the person knowledgeable about your type of event?
There are all kinds of DJs. Club DJs, Rave DJs, Wedding DJs…the list is endless!! Can the DJ you interview handle your type of event? Ask the DJ how many events of your type have they done.

Does the DJ take their trade seriously enough to attend trade seminars on a regular basis?
Is he a member of any professional industry associations?

Is the DJ insured?
This is very important. At least $1 million in liability insurance is recommended.

Mark Ferrell and DJ Wes at
Disc Jockey America Seminar in Nashville, TN. August 2002.
Mark Ferrell is a leading DJ Advocate.

What sort of tools does the DJ use to procure and plan your event?
In a good interview, the DJ should show you several documents. First and foremost is a planner. This planner should impress you enough to the point where you begin to understand that the DJ you are hiring is a professional, and is capable of handling your event. A sample copy of the contract to be used should be available as well.

Does the DJ have a music list that shows you what sort of music he or she has available?
Many DJs do not use music lists, others do. However, in some fashion, you (the client) need to be assured that the DJ you hire not only has a sizable collection, but has a variety of music, especially for wedding receptions, where there will be a wide range of age groups in the same room together. Does the DJ use professional grade equipment? If the DJ does not have pictures of his or her gear, you should ask to set up a time to see the equipment or see pictures of the DJs set up. Although there are many fine stereo equipment components made, they are not suitable for commercial or repeated use and varying room conditions. The DJ should be able to tell you what they use and characterize the equipment as professional grade.

Will the DJ offer to meet with you AFTER signing the contract to plan the details of your event?
A professional DJ should ALWAYS be willing to discuss your event at any mutually agreeable point in time before the event, and should display the flexibility to accommodate changes, be creative, and help you solve problems. Meeting your DJ to plan your event is of paramount importance to the success of your event such as a Wedding Reception. Will the person that you interview be the person that will perform at your event? This is THE most common complaint about the DJ industry today. The person you meet turns out NOT to be the person that actually does your show. Often, you are not made aware of this. Ask the DJ you interview if they will be the actual person performing, or will someone else perform the event. You need to know this UP FRONT before you sign a contract.

DJ Wes at the Bridal Rhapsody Extravaganza Bridal Show
At The Agricenter International. Jan 5th, 2003

You should consider your DJ service an insurance policy!
An insurance policy that insures all of the other money you have spent will not result in bad memories. As they say, "you get what you pay for". This is especially true when hiring wedding professionals. Good entertainment is NOT cheap, and cheap entertainment is NOT good!! And yet many people will pay far more for a cake, flowers, or food than they will for the most crucial ingredient of your event - the entertainment. The photographer is responsible for capturing those Kodak moments on film. This is an important job. But, the DJ is responsible for creating those moments! That too is an important job.

A quality DJ should display many (if not all) of the following skills and attributes:

- Master of ceremonies
- Party organizer
- Sound technician
- Lighting technician
- Ability to read a crowd and pick the right music
- Flexibility to adapt to sudden changes
- Follow the plan that you and your DJ have worked out using a planner
- Seamless continuous music at all times unless otherwise specified
- Extensive library of music
- Professional grade equipment
- Audience motivator
- Ability to co-exist and coordinate with other professionals at your event

If you decide to hire a company that does not provide this level of quality and service, you may be in for a less than desirable result.
At DJ Wes' Mobile DJ Service, we pride ourselves on our attention to detail, our ability to be creative and provide solutions that work, and create a friendly, warm environment for your guests.

Accept nothing less than the best!

I also recommend Respond.com's article on the value of hiring a professional, high quality & experienced DJ verses someone who is not.

- Check DJ Wes' availability here -

Originally written by Bill Smith's Magic of Music, Cary NC
with additional content added by Wesley Flint