10 Questions to Ask Your
Prospective Disc Jockey

PLEASE READ OUR ANSWERS TO THE 10  QUESTIONS HERE!

#1: Do they overbook receptions and hire sub-contractors?

    Q· Will the person you are meeting with be the Disc Jockey at your event?
    Q· If so, will they guarantee this by putting it in the contract?
    Q· Will they offer you a full refund if they fail to deliver this  personalized service for your entire reception?

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 hoping and planning for. 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: Are they Professionals, or are they hobbyists?

      Q· Do they spend time during the week planning and preparing for YOUR reception?

      Q· Do they return your phone calls and e-mails promptly?

This is the most common problem in the Disc Jockey industry. There are numerous Disc Jockeys who are billing themselves as "professionals," but are  not committed to the industry. One of the best ways to spot these "part-time  professionals" is by looking at their prices.

#3: Will they meet with you in person to help you plan your reception?

      Q· Are they willing to meet with you at your home?

      Q· Will they take the time to meet with you multiple times, if needed?

      Q· 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 a 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 coordinate your entire reception for you?

      Q· Do they have a checklist to ensure that your reception will flow  smoothly?

      Q· Are they willing to work with your other vendors and keep them  informed?

      Q· 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 coordinate your reception events. Whether the Disc Jockey wants  to coordinate or not, when things go wrong, he is 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?

      Q· Do they have creative ideas for customizing and personalizing your reception?

      Q· Will they keep your guests' attention where it  belongs - on you?

      Q· 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?

      Q· Can they provide you with a printed list of their company standards?

      Q· If so, do their standards meet and/or exceed your expectations?

      Q· 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 they active members in any professional associations?

      Q· Are they members of the A.D.J.A. (American Disc Jockey  Association) nationally, or D.A.M.E. (Dakota Association of Mobile Entertainers)?

      Q· How many association meetings have they attended in recent months?

      Q· Can they verify their membership with a certificate or a web listing?

The Mobile Disc Jockey industry is completely unregulated and the talent required to be a Mobile Disc Jockey is currently impossible to "certify" by any organization. However, the benefit of finding a Disc Jockey who is involved in a local or national association is that they are committed to  improving their overall service through the constant education that is  provided by these associations. Any Disc Jockey who is not committed to  improving will eventually grow stale.

#8: Are there any hidden charges?

      Q· Do they charge extra for basic equipment such as a cordless microphone?

      Q· Are there additional charges for planning meetings or set up time?

      Q· 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. A common example is that many DJs will charge you to bring a cordless microphone! Sometimes, they'll even have an extra charge for  additional planning meetings.

#9: Do they have a wide base of entertainment experience to draw from?

      Q· What is their entertainment background?

      Q· What are they currently doing to improve their entertainment skills?

      Q· 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.

#10: Do they have the skills to deliver announcements that are clear and direct?

      Q· Do they have any public speaking experience outside of Mobile Disc Jockey work?

      Q· Do they have any speech and/or vocal training?

      Q· 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 we 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 he just  say?" The person you choose as your Disc Jockey will be your spokesperson and will be representing you to your guests. Choose wisely.

PLEASE READ OUR ANSWERS TO THE 10  QUESTIONS HERE!