What to look for or ask when hiring a dj for your event...

1)Must be able to read a crowd and know how to mix the music and keep guests dancing.
2)Good personality and professional in interviews but also be willing to respect the couple's wishes if all they want to do is play music and not have the dj speak.
3)Have professional equipment and know how to use it.
4)Ask for a demo or some references of past events.   
5)No hidden fees.
6)Since the client is hiring you, they should be treated as the dj's boss. Not the other way around.
7)Willing and able to think outside the box, especially if the bride and groom or client are not traditional people.
8)A large selection of music and ability to locate any requests beforehand that are not part of standard playlists.
9)Be there for the client any time they have questions or concerns from the beginning and to the end and after their event.

What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?

Pricing: Is a low price really a good price? DJs tend to charge what they are worth. Good DJs cost more because their superior skills and reputation are in high demand. If a DJ costs significantly less than others in the same market, there is usually a reason why. Your DJ can make or break your event, so invest in a good one.

The ongoing question Band vs. Dj for hire...

Bands are typically “showier” than a party/wedding dj. Since there are several band members, there is someone that each of your guests can identify with and watch. Bands also have a nice visual outlook because they are performing. But a dj can put on a good light show to make up for that. Cost is typically the deciding factor when choosing between a band and a DJ. Although prices will vary, a good party/wedding DJ can cost between $600.00 and $1200.00, and a good, live band can cost between $1500.00 and $10,000.00. But here are the flaws.

  • Bands also typically take breaks. This can cause the party to grind to a halt. Some bands will bring a DJ with them; others will put on a CD to play while they are off stage. Make sure you know which one your band will do and that you are confident that your party won’t die while the band is on break.
  • Dj's can bring thousands of music selections with to a party, wedding. If you want a wide variety of music, a DJ may be the best choice for you. Some couples prefer to hear their favorite songs by the original artists rather than another band’s interpretation. Once again, a DJ would be the proper choice.
  • Dj's can lack some of the “wow factor” that a band has because they don’t have several entertainers performing, but many DJs make up for that by having fun props and routines that they use.

Reasons to hire a DJ? 
More interactive with guests, banquet facility, event. 
Ability to take requests on the fly, and play on request. 
A much larger choice of music of all genre. Generally less money.

 

My favorite Band vs DJ line is, "How many bands do you know that can play any request, song of any genre on the fly and when the timing is right?"

5 Reasons Why Being an Older experienced DJ is Awesome and better......

1. You can probably actually afford the equipment:
Alright…we know this won’t apply for everyone, but if you’re in your 30s or older you most likely have a day job or career that pays the rent. You might be an office manager, stockbroker, real estate agent, etc. Whatever it is, you have the funds to invest in better DJ equipment. You’re not a starving college student or a fresh high school grad borrowing money from his parents anymore. You have a solid and consistent salary to invest in better DJ equipment and that means better quality sets.
2. You have more knowledge of music (especially the classics):
Being older means you have experienced more music in different periods of your life. Right now EDM is the big thing, but for many paid gigs DJs play at, say weddings for instance, they want to hear the classics from the 70s, 80s, 90s or early 00s. A 20-something DJ might have some knowledge, but not as much as an older DJ having grown up appreciating the classics. Older DJs can cite from memory the title, artist, album, and release date of a song just by hearing it.
3. You have more connections in your DJ network:
Don’t know if this is true all around, but older DJs tend to have made more connections throughout their DJing career. They have more trust through their experience. Word-of-mouth bookings are a big thing in the industry and sets older DJs apart from their younger counterparts struggling to prove themselves.                
4. You have more appreciation for the new DJ tech being released:
Not saying that 20-somethings are completely unappreciative of what they have, but have they ever tried to mix on one of these things?? Older DJs know whats up…pre-Serato...
5. Your appreciation for vinyl goes beyond a pastime; it’s a passion:
Whenever you pass a record store, you cannot resist going in and spending all day digging.