How To Hire A Disc Jockey - Home

Dear Prospective Client;

My name is Toby Maynard, owner of the American Party Company. After 20 years in the business, no one knows better than I do how important it is for you to choose the right DJ for your event. The DJ sets the tone, from wild to mild, classy to corny, and a good DJ should be adaptive to any type of event. However, every DJ has a niche, and, in reality, you will be more satisfied if you find a DJ whose persona matches the tone you're trying to convey. Below is some helpful information on how to hire a pro dj which I hope helps you in selecting your entertainment.

Professionally Yours,

Toby Anthony Maynard
President

What you need to know...

Experience counts
Let's face it, in any business you can get rusty if you do not do something much. Would you go to a surgeon who only does 3 or 4 operations a year just for the last couple of years? 15 to 20 years experience dj'ing is not unusual. If it is an important one time event it only happens once...no "do-over's", "no re-tries". This is something easily forgotten before the event but irreversible after the event is over.

Most DJs cannot handle all these different facets so you need to choose one that is capable of honoring your wishes. Some DJs prefer to be dance instructors, singers or karaoke hosts more than a DJ. Some won't be an Emcee/MC. Some don't talk, others won't shut up. Some are professional and can do everything you require.

Never assume
Do not assume every dj owns a 35,000 song library and owns every song ever made. Tell your dj exactly what you are looking for. If you have expectations for your evening be sure to convey to you dj what you wish to see. Specify the songs that must be played and agree on who is responsible in providing your requests. Some dj's have very strict formats they follow. If your dj says he will not do it your way or his way is better I suggest you look for another dj. The biggest concern voiced by prospective clients is the volume level of the music. A professional DJ knows to keep the volume at a level appropriate for the guests, especially during cocktails and the dinner hour.

TIP - Just because DJs have the music, it doesn't mean they will bring it to your event. Ask how much music they take with them to events like yours. If it's not much, beware. Some events might require just a small amount of music, some require a very large amount. If something is important enough, demand it be there. Example: out of the approximately 4,000 CDs I own, usually over 1,000 are taken to the average event [some require only 100 CDs and others require over 3,000]. Those using MP3 style have no excuse for not having a lot of music with them.

What you need to ask...

Q: Do you have liability insurance?
A: Make sure you ask! Not many dj's can afford it and state regulations does not require it. If fact, in the state of Pennsylvania, there are no requirements of any sort for a dj company other than a fictitious name application. Ask you banquet facility if they require your entertainment to have insurance. Information like this may not be found out until last minute, leaving you in a panic. Our insurance company will gladly send you ours upon request. Also, even professional audio equipment can fail on occasion, don't let this put an early end to your affair. Make sure there is backup equipment and be sure there is a back-up DJ should an emergency or case of illness occur.

Q: What attire do you wear to an event?
A: We wear suit, jacket and tie and upon your request a tuxedo. Over the past 20 years we have heard some horror stories from brides whose dj shows up wearing clothes that by far do not match the occasion. Be careful, some are known for t-shirt and jeans, some are known for sequin tuxedos ...always ask!

Q: Is there a written contract?
A: Get it in writing. If a dj makes a promise (assigned dj, guaranteed requests, start time/stop time) make sure to have a contract. Terms should be clearly defined to avoid future problems.

Q: Do you use professional grade gear ?
A: Although it seems ridiculous, we see it all the time...dj's showing up with home stereo's! If you don't ask they won't tell. Only except professional grade gear. There is a difference between home audio and professional road-worthy equipment. The equipment a DJ uses should be built to go on the road each and every day!

Regarding Formal Events and Weddings:  specific questions to ask DJs

1) Do they know how to work with photographers, videographers and related personnel? Don't take this for granted. It's imperative everybody coordinate their actions so that important moments are handled, photographed and videographed correctly.

2) Will they set-up their equipment before your guests arrive?

3) If you don't have an event coordinator (someone to oversee formalities and other details), is the DJ ready to guide you through this? The good DJs can.

4) Do they own or rent formal attire? If they rent, will you get charged extra?

How to choose...

Reputation
Look for a legitimate business - Check out the Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce. Check with the state as to how long it has been in business. Is it incorporated? A full-service dj business who cares will go to great lengths to provide it's customers with the credentials they should expect with any business. Any reputable DJ service will have plenty of reference letters on hand to show you the quality of work they have done.  No references? Don't book them.

References
A dj that does good work should be known within his/her own business community. Ask area hotels, banquet facilities, photographers, videographers and the like for their opinions. There may be 100 dj's in the phone book but only a few will become known. References and accolades are key.

Price
Never! Yet this seems to be the number one way clients choose a disc jockey...Think about it - Why would a great dj ever charge the lowest price? Those who charge too little have yet to realize the cost of doing business and will potentially fail sooner rather than later. Those who charge too much have very large ego's and somehow feel that you should pay an unreasonable profit margin. Business is business and those who succeed are those who care about their clients and quote a fare price which will sustain both the business and those employed.

1st Hand
Go out and see your dj perform before you sign a contract. Any reputable dj will allow this and be able to coordinate such a meeting for you. Video's and tapes of previous performances are not always the best example...From a videographer he can easily acquire great footage from events that he/she didn't even perform at.