Top Five Qualities to Look For in a Wedding DJ

Posted by Daryl Thomas on February 2nd, 2012
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Your wedding DJ is responsible for most, if not all of the entertainment at your wedding reception, so it’s important you hire no one but the best.  No matter where you live, there are talented DJs available when you need them at a price point you can afford.  On top of recommendations from your peers, an online search of reputable agencies will provide you with a host of terrific DJs to consider.  Pick at least two of them to interview and carefully consider each of these five qualities to help you find the best fit for your wedding:

 

1.  Personality – Within a few short minutes, you should be able to gage whether or not the DJ has a personality you can work well with.  Are they affable?  Upbeat?  Witty?  Humorous?  Do they sustain good eye contact and speak clearly?  Do they make you feel at ease?  Do they seem genuinely interested in your wedding reception and eager to learn as much about you and your guests as possible?  If they make you uncomfortable in any way during the interview, chances are they will do the same for your guests, so don’t be afraid to follow your instincts on this one.

 

2.  Knowledge – You’ll know right away that a DJ is knowledgeable when they can quickly name the title and artist of that hit song that you only know a few words to.  In addition, they should be able to tell you in depth about all of their equipment from the wattage of their speakers to why they chose to work with one brand of mp3 player over another, or how a certain program on their laptop is perfect for beat matching and syncing, etc.

 

3.  Reliability – All good DJs will provide you with a list of past clients upon your request.  After you’ve obtained a list, call a few of them and ask about the DJs reliability.  Were they punctual?  Did they come prepared with all the right equipment and back up equipment in case of emergencies?  Did they follow through on all of their promises and play all of their client’s requests?

 

4.  Adaptability – You want a DJ that will listen to your needs, make note of all of your requests, and offer up ideas of their own that they feel will enhance the overall entertainment value.  Contacting past clients and asking them if the DJ was able to adapt quickly to the crowd and the energy in the room will help you analyze this quality further.

 

5.  Special Skills – Do a large number of your guests speak a language other than English?  If so, hiring a bilingual DJ might be a wise decision.  Will you want a colorful light show to heighten the overall visual experience?  There are DJs available who can provide LED lighting systems, mirror balls, etc., upon request.  Are there any ‘out of the ordinary’ activities you require your DJ to emcee?

 

Keeping these qualities in mind during the wedding coordinating process will ensure you hire the best wedding disc jockey available!

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The Four Most Popular Types of Disc Jockeys and Where to Find Them

Posted by Daryl Thomas on January 30th, 2012
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Modern disc jockeys employ a wide variety of skills and techniques that they can adapt to entertain any audience.  But finding and hiring a DJ that specializes in a specific area of expertise is often the smartest and most cost effective decision employers and event coordinators can make.  Here are four of the most popular DJs available for hire and where to find them:

 

1.  Wedding and Event DJs – Often referred to as Mobile DJs, these jocks are responsible for playing music that encourages guests to get out onto the dance floor.  They emcee much of the event, introducing guests, narrating slideshow presentations, etc.  Because much of the success of an event depends on them, they come prepared with their own sound and lighting equipment, a vast collection of popular music, including many of the current mainstream hits, and an unparalleled ability to read their audience.

 

2.  Club DJs – A staple at bars, night clubs, discotheques and raves the world over, these disc jockeys are highly sought after for their mixing, scratching and beatmatching skills.  They are responsible for keeping the crowd’s energy level up and bodies on the dance floor.  Unlike wedding and event DJs, these DJs will not often provide their own gear, but will have no problem working with house or hired turntables, mixers and other necessary equipment.

 

3.  Radio DJs – Arguably the most exposed DJs in the world, these jocks not only spin the current hits, they are responsible for entertaining massive audiences on a daily basis with witty banter, humorous interviews, live on-air contests and fun interactive shows.  Therefore, they must be quick on their feet, have dynamic personalities and strong, radio friendly voices.  And much like wedding and event DJs, they will often take song requests.

 

4.  Karaoke Jocks (KJs) – Found at parties, karaoke bars and even inside taxi cabs, these DJs stay on top of current trends, maintaining massive catalogues of songs that cater to all genres of popular music.  They queue up the songs, announce performers, ease the nerves of reluctant vocalists and when there’s a lull, they will take the mic up themselves and sing a song or two.

 

All four of these popular disc jockeys along with video jocks, trivia game hosts, etc. are available for hire 365 days a year.  To begin your search for the very best, consulting a reputable agency is a wise choice.  First type the kind of DJ you are looking for into a Google search and start with the agencies provided on the first page, as they are often the most popular.  What you want is an agency that will let you search by location, specialty and price range.  Quotes and reviews should also be available upon request.  Rest assured, no matter what kind of disc jockey you’re in the market for, a great one is available at a price you can afford.

 

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How to Find the Best Mobile DJ Available in Your Town

Posted by Daryl Thomas on January 27th, 2012
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A Mobile DJ refers to a DJ who travels with their own equipment and performs at weddings, parties, corporate, school and other events.  Their mobility allows them to take on more gigs, thereby increasing their skills as a performer and amassing a larger client list from which they can glean future opportunities and recommendations.  If you are planning an important event that requires top-notch entertainment at an affordable rate, know that there are plenty of great mobile DJs available for hire right this very moment.  Here’s how to find them:

 

The first step to finding the best DJ for your event is to know exactly what you are looking for.  Will you need a DJ that can provide a colorful lighting system to increase the overall visual impact?  Will the DJ be responsible for emceeing introductions, video presentations or other activities?  What genres of music do you want for your event and which are best avoided?

 

Next determine your budget.  There are DJs available in all price ranges so it’s important to be honest about what you can afford.  Keep in mind that the bulk of the entertainment responsibility will rest on your DJ’s shoulders, so you will want to pay them accordingly.  The longer the event, the higher the wattage of speakers and the fancier the lighting system you require, the more you can expect to pay.

 

Once you’ve determined exactly what kind of DJ you are looking for and the price you are willing to pay, the best place to begin your search is online.  Type a general description of the kind of DJ you are looking for into a Google search.  For example, “Wedding DJ,” “Corporate Event DJ,” “Karaoke Jock,” etc.  The first two pages of search results will list the most popular agencies available.  At this point, what you are looking for in an agency’s website is the ability to narrow your search down to the type of DJ you are looking for, the location where your event is taking place, and the price range you can afford.

 

When you’ve found one or two agencies that look promising, the best thing to do at this point is look at their history.  The longer they’ve been in business, the better.  Find three or four DJs that fit your initial requirements and contact them.  They should be able to provide you with a list of past clients and be willing to set up an introductory meeting where you can gage a better sense of their personality.

 

You will know in your gut when you’ve found the right DJ for your event.  They will be punctual, listen carefully to your requests, offer helpful recommendations based on their past experiences, develop a swift and positive rapport with you and come backed by many positive recommendations.

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