Some tips to help you choose the best DJ for your event
Most of our clients don’t hire DJ’s everyday, many hardly know where to begin. Here are some elementary questions, tips and advice and the answers you should look for, when searching for a DJ for your event…
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Talk to them…
Don’t talk to their PA’s, booking agents or book online. The simplest way to discover whether you will want to work with a DJ is to talk to them. Talk to the DJ and imagine your event, do you see them in the middle of it? The value of an empathetic DJ cannot be overstated. The DJ you are looking for will be expected to connect with a whole room of strangers, surely they will be able to connect to one, you, over the phone!
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How much experience does the DJ have, specific to your event type?
Experience matters. Not longevity in the business, but experience related directly to your type of event. Perhaps the starting question might be, “Have you ever DJ’d at a (insert your event type here_______) before?” A DJ more familiar with your type of event will be more likely to offer a more polished, confident crowd-pleasing performance…
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Can the DJ provide a variety of music, artists and genres?
Mobile DJ’s tend to be knowledgeable about one or other types of music. Finding a really good mobile dj with an eclectic and extensive array of music and musical knowledge can be a challenge. How much music will they bring? Shaw Sounds Entertainment brings 50,000+ songs to your event.
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Can I request specific song titles, artists and genres?
Some DJ’s may display a stuffy, we know best attitude to requests. With us, you can make requests at any time – and also, let us know what not to play. At the same time it is part of our job to raise an eyebrow of concern if you ask us to play Kylie and NIck’s Where The Wild Roses Grow for a First Dance at a wedding.
Equipment
Ask whether they own their own equipment, and what back units they will have on hand. Real DJ’s love sound and lighting equipment you’ve never heard of and they love talking about it. If they’re blathering on about audio brands you’ve never seen in your living room, you’re on the right track.
Is Your DJ Insured? Public Liability Insurance & Portable Application Tests?
Ask Your DJ to produce current certificates of Public Liability Insurance and proof of current Portable Application Tests (PAT) for all electrical equipment they intend to use. Shaw Sounds Entertainment carries Public Liability Insurance to the tune of £10,000,000 (five times the industry standard) and our annual PAT equipment certification was renewed in august 2017
Does your prospective DJ offer a written agreement?
Shaw Sounds Entertainment takes bookings for events with up to 12 months advance notice. A non refundable deposit is payable at the time of the booking and we define our commitment to your event in an easy to understand way, we will use, copies of our insurance documents if required by your venue managers. The agreement can be expanded closer to your event to include notes on specific playlists and other information.
How much is this going to cost?
Hiring the most expensive DJ does not necessarily mean you are getting the right one. Empathy is important, as is feeling confident about your DJ. We hope this brief Q&A helps you to more easily identify what you are looking for. A DJ plays one of the central roles in an event. They have to be just right. We may not give you the cheapest quote, but we believe we will provide the best value for money.