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#1: Do they over-book receptions and hire sub-contractors?
Will the person you are meeting with be the Disc Jockey at your event?
If so, will they guarantee this by putting it in the contract?
Will they offer you a full refund if they fail to deliver this personalized service?
This is where the Disc Jockey or Disc Jockey Company signs for your reception and then sends out a
completely different Disc Jockey, or one who doesn't even really work for the company you hired, to
cover your reception. Without any advance warning, your reception is then put into the hands of a
total stranger who may be less qualified and who might not fully understand exactly what kind of a
reception you have been expecting. Some have even gone so far as to show up for the grand
entrance and/or dinner, and then duck out for another reception, leaving their "assistant" to finish the
job. This highly unethical bait and switch routine has given the Disc Jockey industry a bad reputation.
#2: Is this their full-time career or their part-time hobby?
During the week, do they work on your reception or at their "regular" job?
Can they meet with you at your convenience, even if it is during the day?
Do they have the time to return your phone calls promptly?
This is the most common problem in the Disc Jockey industry. There are numerous Disc Jockeys who
are billing themselves as "professionals" while they are working full-time in some other field. They
don't really have to care if they do an outstanding job or not, because they still have their regular job
to fall back on. One of the best ways to spot these "part-time professionals" is by looking at their
prices. A full-time professional Disc Jockey (who isn't overbooking and sub-contracting) cannot afford
to cover his business expenses and make a livable wage for less than $800.00 per wedding
reception. If the Disc Jockey tells you he is doing this full-time, but his prices don't match, he is
probably practicing overbooking and sub-contracting, in which case you'll most likely wind up with a
part-timer at your reception anyway. Another clear sign of a part-timer, is the Disc Jockey's inability to
return your calls promptly or unavailability to meet with you during the day. Wedding Receptions
require full-time attention!
#3: Will they meet with you in person to help you plan your reception?
Are they willing to meet with you at your home?
Will they take the time to meet with you multiple times, if needed?
Will they help you plan your reception to be exactly the way you want it to be?
This is where you are told to do your meetings on the phone or you are asked to fill out the
paperwork yourself and send it back with a signed contract and a check, before you even get to meet
with a real person. Would you sign a contract for something as important as the entertainment for
your wedding reception without a face to face meeting? This practice is very common among
companies that overbook and sub-contract because then you have no idea what your Disc Jockey
even looks like, and so you'll be less likely to spot the bait and switch.
#4: Will they direct your entire reception for you?
Do they have a checklist to ensure that your reception will flow smoothly?
Are they willing to work with your other vendors and keep them informed?
Will they get your permission before making any changes to your reception plan?
Most Disc Jockeys will tell you they "coordinate" the events at your reception. To verify whether they
actually do or not, ask to see their detailed checklist, which they should be using at each event to
make sure everything is in place and all the events will flow together smoothly. If they don't have a
checklist prepared, then they aren't really prepared to direct your reception events. Whether the Disc
Jockey wants to direct your reception events or not, when things go wrong, they will be the first
person everybody looks to for direction, answers, and for someone to blame. Disc Jockeys already
have the responsibility, so they should act accordingly.
#5: What do they offer that makes their services unique?
Do they have creative ideas for customizing and personalizing your reception?
Will they keep your guests' attention where it belongs—on you?
Will they incorporate your ideas with the personality and style you desire?
Unfortunately, many people think that Disc Jockeys are a dime a dozen. However, based on the way
most Disc Jockeys promote themselves and perform, this misconception is very understandable. If
you want your reception to be unique and memorable, then you should find a Disc Jockey who is
unique and memorable as well. Each Disc Jockey will have their own personality, skills and ideas. So,
take the time to find the person who will best meet your needs.
#6: Do they have Company Standards that govern their behavior?
Can they provide you with a printed list of their company standards?
If so, do their standards meet and/or exceed your expectations?
Can they provide references that will confirm their adherence to these standards?
Some Disc Jockeys are notorious for doing the most inappropriate things at wedding receptions.
Things like helping themselves to the open bar, hitting on your Maid of Honor or playing a song by 2
Live Crew when your Grandma finally gets out to the dance floor. If they don't have written standards
that govern their behavior, then they are telling you that just about anything could happen at your
reception.
#7: Are there any hidden charges?
Do they charge extra for basic equipment such as a cordless microphone?
Are there additional charges for planning meetings or set up time?
Will they buy any music they may need for your reception at no extra cost?
It is all too common to find Disc Jockeys who will have extra "hidden charges" for things that should
be included as a normal part of their service. They will charge you to bring a cordless microphone or
additional speakers. They also have loading fees for stairs or even an extra charge for additional
planning meetings. If they were already charging a professional price for their service to begin with,
this wouldn't be necessary.
#8: Do they have a wide background of entertainment experience?
What is their entertainment background?
What are they currently doing to improve their entertainment skills?
Is their entertainment experience limited just to Mobile Disc Jockey work?
In order to provide the best quality entertainment possible, each Disc Jockey should be actively
seeking to improve and broaden their entertainment capabilities. Most Disc Jockeys aren't fulfilling
this important detail because they fall into the categories described by Questions #1 and #2, and
therefore, don't really care about improving their services. People tend to become what they are
committed to becoming. The same is true for Disc Jockeys.
#9: Do they have the skills to make announcements that are effective?
Do they have any public speaking experience outside of Mobile Disc Jockey work?
Do they have any speech and/or vocal training?
Are their announcements direct and to the point?
If you've ever seen someone try to get a crowd's attention without the proper vocal skills, then I need
not say more. Or when they do open their mouths, they don't know what to say. Words like "uh" and
"um" get used too much and then your guests are left asking each other, "What did the DJ just say?"
The person you choose as your Disc Jockey will be your spokesperson and will be representing you
to your guests.
Choose wisely. Choose the Elite.
Will the person you are meeting with be the Disc Jockey at your event?
If so, will they guarantee this by putting it in the contract?
Will they offer you a full refund if they fail to deliver this personalized service?
This is where the Disc Jockey or Disc Jockey Company signs for your reception and then sends out a
completely different Disc Jockey, or one who doesn't even really work for the company you hired, to
cover your reception. Without any advance warning, your reception is then put into the hands of a
total stranger who may be less qualified and who might not fully understand exactly what kind of a
reception you have been expecting. Some have even gone so far as to show up for the grand
entrance and/or dinner, and then duck out for another reception, leaving their "assistant" to finish the
job. This highly unethical bait and switch routine has given the Disc Jockey industry a bad reputation.
#2: Is this their full-time career or their part-time hobby?
During the week, do they work on your reception or at their "regular" job?
Can they meet with you at your convenience, even if it is during the day?
Do they have the time to return your phone calls promptly?
This is the most common problem in the Disc Jockey industry. There are numerous Disc Jockeys who
are billing themselves as "professionals" while they are working full-time in some other field. They
don't really have to care if they do an outstanding job or not, because they still have their regular job
to fall back on. One of the best ways to spot these "part-time professionals" is by looking at their
prices. A full-time professional Disc Jockey (who isn't overbooking and sub-contracting) cannot afford
to cover his business expenses and make a livable wage for less than $800.00 per wedding
reception. If the Disc Jockey tells you he is doing this full-time, but his prices don't match, he is
probably practicing overbooking and sub-contracting, in which case you'll most likely wind up with a
part-timer at your reception anyway. Another clear sign of a part-timer, is the Disc Jockey's inability to
return your calls promptly or unavailability to meet with you during the day. Wedding Receptions
require full-time attention!
#3: Will they meet with you in person to help you plan your reception?
Are they willing to meet with you at your home?
Will they take the time to meet with you multiple times, if needed?
Will they help you plan your reception to be exactly the way you want it to be?
This is where you are told to do your meetings on the phone or you are asked to fill out the
paperwork yourself and send it back with a signed contract and a check, before you even get to meet
with a real person. Would you sign a contract for something as important as the entertainment for
your wedding reception without a face to face meeting? This practice is very common among
companies that overbook and sub-contract because then you have no idea what your Disc Jockey
even looks like, and so you'll be less likely to spot the bait and switch.
#4: Will they direct your entire reception for you?
Do they have a checklist to ensure that your reception will flow smoothly?
Are they willing to work with your other vendors and keep them informed?
Will they get your permission before making any changes to your reception plan?
Most Disc Jockeys will tell you they "coordinate" the events at your reception. To verify whether they
actually do or not, ask to see their detailed checklist, which they should be using at each event to
make sure everything is in place and all the events will flow together smoothly. If they don't have a
checklist prepared, then they aren't really prepared to direct your reception events. Whether the Disc
Jockey wants to direct your reception events or not, when things go wrong, they will be the first
person everybody looks to for direction, answers, and for someone to blame. Disc Jockeys already
have the responsibility, so they should act accordingly.
#5: What do they offer that makes their services unique?
Do they have creative ideas for customizing and personalizing your reception?
Will they keep your guests' attention where it belongs—on you?
Will they incorporate your ideas with the personality and style you desire?
Unfortunately, many people think that Disc Jockeys are a dime a dozen. However, based on the way
most Disc Jockeys promote themselves and perform, this misconception is very understandable. If
you want your reception to be unique and memorable, then you should find a Disc Jockey who is
unique and memorable as well. Each Disc Jockey will have their own personality, skills and ideas. So,
take the time to find the person who will best meet your needs.
#6: Do they have Company Standards that govern their behavior?
Can they provide you with a printed list of their company standards?
If so, do their standards meet and/or exceed your expectations?
Can they provide references that will confirm their adherence to these standards?
Some Disc Jockeys are notorious for doing the most inappropriate things at wedding receptions.
Things like helping themselves to the open bar, hitting on your Maid of Honor or playing a song by 2
Live Crew when your Grandma finally gets out to the dance floor. If they don't have written standards
that govern their behavior, then they are telling you that just about anything could happen at your
reception.
#7: Are there any hidden charges?
Do they charge extra for basic equipment such as a cordless microphone?
Are there additional charges for planning meetings or set up time?
Will they buy any music they may need for your reception at no extra cost?
It is all too common to find Disc Jockeys who will have extra "hidden charges" for things that should
be included as a normal part of their service. They will charge you to bring a cordless microphone or
additional speakers. They also have loading fees for stairs or even an extra charge for additional
planning meetings. If they were already charging a professional price for their service to begin with,
this wouldn't be necessary.
#8: Do they have a wide background of entertainment experience?
What is their entertainment background?
What are they currently doing to improve their entertainment skills?
Is their entertainment experience limited just to Mobile Disc Jockey work?
In order to provide the best quality entertainment possible, each Disc Jockey should be actively
seeking to improve and broaden their entertainment capabilities. Most Disc Jockeys aren't fulfilling
this important detail because they fall into the categories described by Questions #1 and #2, and
therefore, don't really care about improving their services. People tend to become what they are
committed to becoming. The same is true for Disc Jockeys.
#9: Do they have the skills to make announcements that are effective?
Do they have any public speaking experience outside of Mobile Disc Jockey work?
Do they have any speech and/or vocal training?
Are their announcements direct and to the point?
If you've ever seen someone try to get a crowd's attention without the proper vocal skills, then I need
not say more. Or when they do open their mouths, they don't know what to say. Words like "uh" and
"um" get used too much and then your guests are left asking each other, "What did the DJ just say?"
The person you choose as your Disc Jockey will be your spokesperson and will be representing you
to your guests.
Choose wisely. Choose the Elite.
| Questions to Ask Your Prospective Disc Jockey |