Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Why choose a DJ for your function versus having a band, or a friend play music off a laptop / iPod?
While live music is really great to watch and enjoy, bands and live entertainers are often limited by the repertoire of what they can perform, and also need to take a break every now and then. DJs however can play a much wider variety of music non-stop for hours on end - at some functions this can be 10 to 12 hours or more, and different music can be played at different times to cater for a change in mood guests. The energy on the dance floor and the style of music also changes many times during a party.
A friend with a laptop or iPod may be a big cost saver, but it is unlikely that they will be able to cater for all your guests as effectively as a DJ with many years of experience who can 'read' the crowd and energy on the dance floor, and select the right music at the right time. And most of us have seen videos of a poor bride walking down the aisle and something goes wrong with a friend's iPod or cellphone playing her walk in song...
2. How should I choose a DJ for my event?
Speak to friends and colleagues you trust, or to venues themselves or other service providers for a recommended DJ they have used or work with often. Usually a good referral from a venue is best as they see many different DJs in action and can judge who is good and who to avoid based on their punctuality, quality of gear and neatness of setup, dress code, music choice and guest enjoyment.
Alternatively ask your prospective DJ for contact details of recent clients (with their permission) and speak to them directly. Read testimonials from previous clients.
Meet with your DJ and discuss your requirements and expectations, as well as any favourite music and any music you dislike. Establish a rapport with him/her as this will help the DJ in better preparing for your event. Bear in mind he/she will be catering for a wide variety of musical tastes.
3. What makes a good DJ?
A good DJ should be confident and eager to please others. A hard worker who is not absorbed in his/her own importance and who gives 100% at all times. Good listening and people skills are important too.
A DJ should have a passion and an ear for all types of music and use this love of music to bring enjoyment to others. No matter what style or genre, whether it is a personal favourite or not, a good DJ should always try to have many options to entertain varied audiences.
Contrary to popular belief, most DJs do not work from playlists as this often means they will play the same songs (sometimes in the same order too) at each event and become predictable and stale. By all means a guideline or list of favourites from a client is fantastic, but a rigid list is not ideal as you cannot plan in advance exactly what music will work best at a party. It is far better to choose the best song for the moment, and this means many pros and cons of each song choice based on a multitude of factors must be considered in a few seconds. Song selection and timing is more critical than most people realise.
A DJ who plays at all different types of events and entertains different audiences on an ongoing basis will be versatile and able to adapt his/her style and music selection.
5. Why do some DJs charge so much and what do I get for my money?
There are many factors which influence pricing. Here are just a few:
Experience
To survive and make a living in this industry means you have to be on top of your game at each event. Many years of working in a particular field means you have pretty much seen it all and will keep a cool head and be ready to deal with almost any situation. You have a proven track record and a reputation to uphold. Being on site on time, prepared for the event. This will be reassuring for a client to know that they are in good hands.
Quality Equipment
To give your client the best experience possible, you need the right tools. If you cannot hear speeches properly because the microphone is poor quality or there is feedback, sound quality is bad or speaker placement is wrong, this creates a bad impression to guests. Good equipment is not cheap, and neither is maintaining it. Each event is different and requires different types of equipment which means money must be invested. Equipment is also upgraded constantly as new, better equipment becomes available. This investment needs to be recouped over time through the DJ's fees.
Spares
Electronics do go faulty from time to time. Wouldn't it be reassuring to know that the DJ you have hired has a backup plan in the event that something goes wrong? To make sure the show always goes on, it is good practice to have things like a spare laptop with music, music backed up on drives / cd's / memory sticks, spare speakers, amplifiers, extensions / power / signal cables, microphones, batteries, Gaffa tape etc. etc. And if an issue arises, a good DJ will be quick to remedy it before it spoils an event.
Music Licensing
Licences must be played to play copyright music at an event. Fees are payable each year, and these amounts escalate year-on-year. These costs must be factored into a DJ's rates.
While live music is really great to watch and enjoy, bands and live entertainers are often limited by the repertoire of what they can perform, and also need to take a break every now and then. DJs however can play a much wider variety of music non-stop for hours on end - at some functions this can be 10 to 12 hours or more, and different music can be played at different times to cater for a change in mood guests. The energy on the dance floor and the style of music also changes many times during a party.
A friend with a laptop or iPod may be a big cost saver, but it is unlikely that they will be able to cater for all your guests as effectively as a DJ with many years of experience who can 'read' the crowd and energy on the dance floor, and select the right music at the right time. And most of us have seen videos of a poor bride walking down the aisle and something goes wrong with a friend's iPod or cellphone playing her walk in song...
2. How should I choose a DJ for my event?
Speak to friends and colleagues you trust, or to venues themselves or other service providers for a recommended DJ they have used or work with often. Usually a good referral from a venue is best as they see many different DJs in action and can judge who is good and who to avoid based on their punctuality, quality of gear and neatness of setup, dress code, music choice and guest enjoyment.
Alternatively ask your prospective DJ for contact details of recent clients (with their permission) and speak to them directly. Read testimonials from previous clients.
Meet with your DJ and discuss your requirements and expectations, as well as any favourite music and any music you dislike. Establish a rapport with him/her as this will help the DJ in better preparing for your event. Bear in mind he/she will be catering for a wide variety of musical tastes.
3. What makes a good DJ?
A good DJ should be confident and eager to please others. A hard worker who is not absorbed in his/her own importance and who gives 100% at all times. Good listening and people skills are important too.
A DJ should have a passion and an ear for all types of music and use this love of music to bring enjoyment to others. No matter what style or genre, whether it is a personal favourite or not, a good DJ should always try to have many options to entertain varied audiences.
Contrary to popular belief, most DJs do not work from playlists as this often means they will play the same songs (sometimes in the same order too) at each event and become predictable and stale. By all means a guideline or list of favourites from a client is fantastic, but a rigid list is not ideal as you cannot plan in advance exactly what music will work best at a party. It is far better to choose the best song for the moment, and this means many pros and cons of each song choice based on a multitude of factors must be considered in a few seconds. Song selection and timing is more critical than most people realise.
A DJ who plays at all different types of events and entertains different audiences on an ongoing basis will be versatile and able to adapt his/her style and music selection.
5. Why do some DJs charge so much and what do I get for my money?
There are many factors which influence pricing. Here are just a few:
Experience
To survive and make a living in this industry means you have to be on top of your game at each event. Many years of working in a particular field means you have pretty much seen it all and will keep a cool head and be ready to deal with almost any situation. You have a proven track record and a reputation to uphold. Being on site on time, prepared for the event. This will be reassuring for a client to know that they are in good hands.
Quality Equipment
To give your client the best experience possible, you need the right tools. If you cannot hear speeches properly because the microphone is poor quality or there is feedback, sound quality is bad or speaker placement is wrong, this creates a bad impression to guests. Good equipment is not cheap, and neither is maintaining it. Each event is different and requires different types of equipment which means money must be invested. Equipment is also upgraded constantly as new, better equipment becomes available. This investment needs to be recouped over time through the DJ's fees.
Spares
Electronics do go faulty from time to time. Wouldn't it be reassuring to know that the DJ you have hired has a backup plan in the event that something goes wrong? To make sure the show always goes on, it is good practice to have things like a spare laptop with music, music backed up on drives / cd's / memory sticks, spare speakers, amplifiers, extensions / power / signal cables, microphones, batteries, Gaffa tape etc. etc. And if an issue arises, a good DJ will be quick to remedy it before it spoils an event.
Music Licensing
Licences must be played to play copyright music at an event. Fees are payable each year, and these amounts escalate year-on-year. These costs must be factored into a DJ's rates.
