Questions to ask your DJ before you hire them
When choosing a DJ for your wedding or event, whoever you decide to work with will have a lot of control over your event. You are entrusting that person with the overall outcome of your event. It is important that you meet and get a good feel for your DJ.
Make a list of questions to ask your DJ before you hire them. Even if you don’t care about to answer, ask anyway to gauge how they answer the question.
Feel free to print this list of questions. The most obvious one to ask first is “are you available?”
Questions to ask your DJ before you hire them
1. How long have you been a DJ?
You want to make sure that the DJ you hire knows what he or she is doing. The more experience, the better.
2. What types of events have you DJ’d for in the past?
You also want to make sure that your DJ has experience performing at the type of event that you’re putting on.
3. What kind of DJ equipment do you use?
This is important because you and all your guests want to have an enjoyable listening experience. Whether it’s music or talking, it needs to sound good. Hire a DJ that uses industry standard equipment. A great site to reference industry standard DJ equipment with is pssl.com.
4. Are your mics wireless or corded?
Corded mics don’t look good in pictures. Plus, you’re not as mobile with a corded mic. Make sure the mics that are being used are wireless.
5. Do you have insurance?
Just in case something goes wrong.
6. How do you acquire your music?
DJs are required to obtain music legally most of the time through record pools or music subscription services. Make sure your potential DJ isn’t downloading music off the internet illegally.
7. What happens if you are unable to perform?
Find out what the backup plan is in case the DJ you hire is unable to perform.
8. Is your music edited?
If it’s not the night club, majority of the time, the music the DJ plays should be edited. This is particularly important for school dances and other events where there may be people attending that are sensitive to foul language.
9. Do you have backup equipment?
What’s going to happen if a speaker blows during your event? Know the answer to this question.
10. Do you drink on the job?
Believe it or not, some DJs get drunk on the job. This is a personal preference for you. A lot of clients allow this but a lot don’t and some venues don’t allow it at all.
photo credit: Hector Alejandro (top)
