Bars, Clubs, Nightclubs, Click Here! Fresh DJ & VJ on the Scene!

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. I most often play Bars & Nightclubs, but have also played my share of Birthdays, BBQs, Anniversaries, Weddings, Etc.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Instead of just the type of music (Rock, HipHop, Techno, etc..) Think about the atmosphere you want your entertainment to create (or add to) and what effect you want that to have.

At a party, do you want guests to be able to talk and mingle? If so, you probably want in-obtrusive music, with the volume set accordingly. Head nodding music. If you want a dance party, you'll want more in your face, higher volume, higher energy songs. Communicate this to your DJ. Maybe you want a mix of the two, timed appropriately?

The more communication about what you want and expect, the better your DJ will be able to provide that effect.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. One thing I wish customers knew about their DJs is the amount of time and energy a professional spends previewing and organizing music. Ripping Discs, naming each song, analyzing each song...

Conversely, many amateurs just download songs from the internet and play them, expecting the best. The truth is, unless you go over each song and video, you won't know when they have skits, or some weird remix.

Don't trust your party or evening sales to some kid with an iPod and some used garage band speakers. Get a professional.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. Why do you need so much information before giving me a quote?

I hate answering a question with a question, so when I'm asked "How Much?" it is truly frustrating to have to ask so many questions before answering.

When you call for a quote, be ready to answer questions about the event you need entertainment for like;

The Date and Time?
Location?
Indoors/outdoors?
If outdoors, is shelter and power provided?
Number of guests/size of venue?
Are there stairs to climb?
How's the parking?

As a professional, I need to know all of this to determine if I need to hire one or two assistants for the event to help with setup/breakdown, stay with the van while equipment is moved, tolls and gas for travel expenses, how many speakers, and what size, for example...

I'm not trying to feel you out, I'm just trying to make an educated quote that will be fair to both of us.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. It's funny, but I've literally written an entire web-guide to help educate people who want to become dj's. It's on my website djjamie. com