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ADVICE
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "VALUE" AND "PRICE" WHEN SELECTING YOUR DJ
May 16, 2015


The BIG Difference Between Buying on PRICE and Investing in VALUE


When calling a DJ service, the first question many people ask is, “How much do you charge?”  There is no single answer to this question because of the variety of factors involved, such as:
 

  • Event Type, Date, Location, Duration, and Number of Guests Attending

  • Talent, Skill and Experience of DJ in Your Type of Event (e.g., wedding specialist)

  • Quality of Sound/Lighting Equipment

  • Size and Legality of Music Library

  • Entertainment Package and Additional Options Selected by Client

  • Time Spent Planning Event with Client in Advance

  • Company’s Liability Insurance and Professional Memberships

 

It’s Sad but True

 

The DJ is often one of the last elements budgeted for, which later proves to be a tragic mistake.   After all, does a veggie platter or an ice sculpture really add greater value than the most crucial ingredient of the party — your entertainment?
 

​​It’s the DJ who most likely has the greatest effect on the overall enjoyment of your event.  Those who set out to find the cheapest rate possible are setting themselves up for disappointment.

You are making a significant financial investment in your special occasion.  Ask yourself: Are you willing to gamble with an inexperienced, uninsured DJ who may use consumer equipment, have a small music collection and little skill on the microphone?

 

​What a Great DJ Adds to Your Event

Like most things in life, you get what you pay for.  Good entertainment is not cheap and cheap entertainment is rarely good!  Your DJ, if you have chosen a really good one, will contribute greatly to your guests enjoyment, which encourages them to stay longer.  A Professional Mobile Disc Jockey Entertainer will display many of the following skills and attributes before and during your event:
 

  • Master of Ceremonies

  • Music Mixer/Programmer with the ability to select songs based on your guest demographics

  • Extensive music library covering multiple genres

  • High quality professional equipment

  • Interactive audience motivator

  • Itinerary Planner/Coordinator

  • Sound/Lighting technician

  • Flexibility to adapt to sudden changes and requests

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When was the last time you heard someone say, “Boy, the chicken at that wedding was phenomenal.  I can’t wait to attend another for some more chicken!”  Seriously, people don’t say those types of things.  What they do talk about is the music that was played and whether or not they had fun at the event.

WARNING: Have you ever seen an inexperienced or incompetent DJ with second-rate equipment and music ruin a special celebration?  If you have, then we know that we are “preaching to the choir” but if you haven’t . . . Don’t let this happen to you!


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This article was written by Stacy Zemon, a DJ industry leader and an expert on the business.  For more information visit: ProMobileDJ.com

How To Pick The Perfect DJ

Great article from Becka Pillmore at Pill Photographer in Philadelphia – about how to pick the perfect DJ for your wedding day

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Play that funky music DJ! Play that funky music right NOOOOOWWW! How does that song go again?

In my opinion a DJ can make or break your wedding reception vibe. When it comes to choosing a DJ, it is important to get someone who plays good music, but that is not all. Not all DJs are created equally and I would love to give you a few things to think about when choosing your music provider for your big day!

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1. Technology | If your DJ tells you they wheel in over 20,000 CDs to fufill any and every request, RUN! I am embarrassed to tell you that I have seen far to many DJs at a wedding still using CDs. There is nothing more frustrating then having your first dance song painfully scratch through the whole chorus. Also, does your DJ have a wireless mic and enough equipment if you need him to run sound for your outdoor ceremony? Have an idea of all your sound needs when initially meeting your DJ.

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2. Interacting with guests | Guests request the strangest songs and your DJ should be able to buffer those ridiculous requests in a professional manor. Once at a wedding, I saw a tiny battle between a guest, bride, and DJ. The DJ decided to tell the guest that he couldn’t play a particular song because the Bride won’t let him (which was a lie). It went around and around and it was super awkward. I think the best DJ’s know how to interact with guests where it is a win/win for all parties and no one, especially the bride and groom, gets thrown in front of a bus.

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3. Experience and ability to problem solve | Anything is possible on your wedding day. A guest might kicks a cord and it comes unplugged, your outdoor reception might be a bit windy, the officiant drops the mic and it breaks, a cocktail hour has to be moved inside at the last minute, etc. Does your DJ have enough experience to handle any situation? Ask how many years of experience they have or if they has any technical background? We have actually helped a DJ put batteries into a mic, no lie.

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4. The ability to read a crowd | Maybe the most important characteristic of a DJ is the ability to read a crowd. I have seen the dance floor hopping and then all of a sudden the DJ plays a slow song and not one person hits the dance floor for another 30 minutes! A DJ should play what the people want and keep the crowd happy. A great DJ should be aware of his crowd while playing music sets that are personalized to your wedding day and not just playing his favorite jams!

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5. Not the bell of the ball | I feel that I shouldn’t have to say this, but sadly I do… Some DJ’s love the spotlight! If you are meeting with a DJ and they are talking more then you, it might be a good sign that this DJ diva will have a hard time putting down the mic at your reception. A good DJ will be comfortable on a mic and use it sparingly.

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http://pillphotographyblog.com/2014/01/27/picking-the-perfect-dj-for-your-wedding-day/

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