They make movies about this guy – the world’s worst DJ. They also make movies about terrible wedding singers, but that’s another blog all together! Entertainment is a critical part of any event. Music sets the mood. Its likability, along with the personality of the guy on that microphone, determines whether people get up and dance or just stay in their seats tweeting the world your horrible play list while counting down the minutes until they can bail!
How Do I Make Sure Nobody Wants To Bail?!
Before you even pick the style of music you like, there are a handful of things to consider when interviewing the guy who spins the records! Guest blogger Clarissa Fonseca of Equipboard has a few things to say about it and has put together a list to help you steer clear of terrible DJs! I’ll let Clarissa take it from here…
“We have all heard the horror stories that surround hiring a terrible DJ. Having everything planned to perfection only to see it crumble into ruins because of a bad DJ is not something we wish upon anyone (ok, maybe a couple people…)! Maybe you were trying to save a bit of money. Or you waited until the last minute to find someone and had to settle on the sketchy Craigslist guy. Am I right?! Rest assured, it doesn’t have to be that way. These tips will help you find the best fit for your event to avoid a DJ disaster!
Red Flag Alert!
First, have your budget set for a DJ before you start looking. Then, proceed with the following:
1. No contract? Walk away. This is a sign that you have probably come across an amateur DJ or worse, a weekend hobbyist. Your DJ will be creating ambiance for the event, do you really want to leave that up to someone with little to no experience? In addition to a well-written contract specifying what the price covers (hours, setup, etc…) your potential DJ should also have references.
2. Won’t meet in person or call. You need to meet this person face to face. If he is not willing to meet, don’t bother. You want to make sure that your DJ has a good personality and that you both click. You should be on the same page about the do’s and don’ts of your event from songs to play to his appearance and clothing.
3. Doesn’t have liability insurance. Let’s be real, stuff happens. You never know if a speaker might fall and land on that distant aunt or if an amp will blow. That’s why your DJ needs to be covered for any accident that might happen. Remember Murphy’s Law: Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Be prepared.
4. Has no backup plan. Sometimes you can’t help it and your scheduled DJ might get sick or have equipment malfunctions, etc. A professional not only has a backup DJ (that you should also meet) but also has backup equipment ready in case it is needed.
5. His equipment consists of a laptop and speakers. A pro will at least have a good set of turntables and a solid controller. A good DJ is all about the sound. He’ll want the best sound quality you can get out of a venue without that fuzzy noise you get when you turn the volume really loud. Do your research. If he doesn’t sound like he knows what he is doing: pass.
If you keep these tips in mind during your DJ search, you can narrow it down to a couple of professionals. After that, it is just a matter of who you click with and who fits your event best.”
My husband owns one of the biggest dj/entertainment and production companies in the tri-state area and these are really great tips. I also thing age and experience play a role.
Yes! Age and experience are other things to consider! Thanks!
It’s a really nice information. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Sure! Check out our other blogs!