As a mobile DJ I get many enquiries from people wanting a disco (no surprise there then) for a party, event, or Wedding. Many people seem to call a DJ with out thinking what it is they are looking for and using the web to do some research in to what they should ask the DJ.
DJs come in all guises and with varying skill sets, I myself specialise in the Wedding market, thats not to say I don't do other functions as well but I have worked predominantly in this field and so market myself and my business in that direction.
Please do not call a DJ with the line "I am having a party and I need a DJ, how much?" If you do ask this and the person at the other end of the phone gives you a price then worry. Why? Well there are many variables to providing a quote for a client first of which is am I available on the date your looking for, if not then no real need to go any further and waste your time and contribute to running up your phone bill.
Once established that the DJ is available on that date talk to them about your event and expect them to ask questions such as venue and location, start time and end time. Then they may ask you how many guests you are expecting, this will help the DJ work out PA and lighting requirements. If your having a little get together of say thirty people you don't want a Wembley sized PA and Blackpool illuminations. Where as if you are having many hundreds of guests then you will need a bigger PA and more lighting. Don't be afraid to ask the DJ about his experience and ask for some references.
The next important point is does your venue require the DJ to have his own insurance, many DJs now carry cover for £10,000,000 all members of NDJA (National DJ Association) carry this cover. Your venue might also request to see your DJs portable appliance test certificate, if your DJ does not have one then they may be told they can not set up in your chosen venue and this would be a disaster for your event if this requirement was not discovered until the time the DJ arrives to set up.
So what should you pay for a DJ? Well again it depends on how much value you put on your event being a success, this is not to say a cheap DJ wont be good (we all had to start somewhere), but the probabilities are that a cheap DJ wont be as reliable as a professional DJ, they wont have back up equipment should a problem occur they will most probably not have PLI or PAT (as mentioned above) and it does seem that cheaper DJs tend to let down clients on a regular basis. I receive many hundreds of calls a year from people who have been let down by their DJ invariably the DJ was cheap.
A professional DJ will provide contact details for their business (not just a mobile phone number), will have a website with information about the services they provide, probably a link to their PLI and PAT certificates and testimonials from past clients. Your DJ will listen to your requirements and will be able to answer any questions you may have about the service they provide. They will also use quality reliable equipment and be registered with the inland revenue. And lastly they will provide you with a contract listing the services they will provide to you the charge and their terms & conditions..
