Your Memories Scored With Courtesy & Respect - DJ

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

A. Weddings are what I perform the most. As well as anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, new job / promotion parties, retirement parties, etc. Any reason to celebrate is enhanced with a good DJ!

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

A. Make sure that the person you interview is the same person who will be DJing your event. Base your decision on more than price. Learn what you will actually be getting for what price.

As more questions to ask your DJ come to mind I will post them, but one very important question is whether or not your DJ may be ducking out for a quick break here & there. If so, make sure they have a second DJ (which will probably add to your cost). If the nearest exit/designated area is quite a distance from where the DJ sets up, and your DJ has no assistant, will they return in time to keep the music flowing? Also, if the DJ leaves his equipment unattended, and technical issues arise, what then?

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

A. Music & lighting is standard for all DJs, and mostly all DJs can offer add-ons to enhance your day, such as party props.

There's no such thing as a "no fail" song, as everyone's taste is different, based on a lot of various factors. If your preferred playlist isn't getting the reaction you hoped it would, encourage your DJ to change things. Your DJ should NOT change things without consulting you first.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Before calling around for DJs and/or other vendors (photographers, etc), please have your date, time and location venues locked down.

Please provide me the contact info for your other vendors as soon as possible, so they and I can collaborate on the day's schedule, especially for weddings and formal occasions.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. You will remember the time and attention was taken to make your event exactly the way you wanted. Face to face interviews, as a job candidate, with no obligation, is something I insist upon with all potential clients. This is the best way to ensure a positive working relationship.

Some DJs make every attempt to play as many requests as possible even when it means playing a shorter segment of certain songs just to fit them in at all. Unless a song just emptied the dancefloor (in which case we'll change it as soon as possible to refill the dancefloor), we'll never disturb a song that has people out there dancing and having a good time.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. It is a real genuine honor to me, to be included in someone's most personal celebration of life's milestone moments. Exceeding their expectations gives me the greatest satisfaction.

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

A. The most common question customers ask right up front is "how much do you charge?" More information is needed before I can answer, and that's the response always given to this question.

The other info needed to properly answer this question includes, but is not limited to: what type of event it is, how many hours, location, do you need extras (lighting, props, etc)

Yes, sometimes these items will add to the cost. However, you'll be amazed (as past clients all have been) how minimal the price still is when everything is factored in.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. Favorite stories from my work are plentiful. What they all have in common is awesome people. Not just the clients, but also the guests, and the other hired vendors who put the customer first and are approachable and respectful to everyone concerned, and not just there to collect the check.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. What you should know about me is that your satisfaction is what matters most to me. No move will be made without your express permission. This is your event. You signed the contract and the check. And your preferences will be paramount.

Also, should a guest at your event request music that you've prohibited, I'll never tell that guest that you restricted said music. Doing so would only result in that guest hounding you to allow their request, instead of allowing you to enjoy your day peacefully. We'll simply handle such matters in a very respectful and diplomatic way.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. Music has always been my biggest passion.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. Again, these examples are plentiful, and all thanks to being able to work with really awesome people. It gives me the greatest satisfaction when I've pleased someone so much they thank me with a hug vs a handshake. That really says a lot.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. Yes. Technology has changed so much in recent years that its necessary to keep abreast on current trends.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. The latest developements include the rise of the digital file formats for audio and video. In the next few years I'm sure we'll be seeing more lighting and special effects coming out, as well as other things only limited by inventors' imaginations.

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. All of my projects involve countless consultations with the client and other hired vendors, and how long they each take depends on when the client first contacts me, because that's when my work actually begins, not after they sign the contract.

Financial details are something I don't publicly disclose but all costs include purchasing music and/or extra equipment if necessary, and travel expenses.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. No, the pricing system is not complicated. Package rates are charged based on what's included, regardless of how many hours we play. This rate increases for events like weddings and formals, because a lot more work is involved. Whether or not a professional wedding planner is hired, checking in with everyone (including the wedding planner) to ensure everyone is up to speed on the day's program, is standard practice for me. Other attentions to detail follow suit, because your special day deserves the best available service.

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

A. Whatever kind of business you want to get into, make it something that you actually have a passion for, and don't get into it just to make money.

Put the customer first in every aspect of your business, right down to the phrasing of your written, verbal and media communications.