1) Beware of Awards! DJs do not have the time, money, or desire to judge each others shows. Sometimes organizations are set up so DJs can give each other awards - for a price. Yes, most awards local DJs display are BOUGHT. Example in 1999 one national organization had 15 members and gave out 20 awards - to its members!
2) Beware of Professional "DJ Specific" Organizations. Most of these memberships are purchased mainly for insurance discounts and other monitory benefits. It does not mean the member even has a set of speakers, much less a good DJ.
3) Beware of claims of professional equipment unless you know what to look for in pro-audio. While having top of the line equipment is good, have NEW equipment is good too. More important, does the DJ have a complete back-up system and does the DJ bring it to your event?
4) Beware of claims of experience. Often DJs with "Years and years" of experience are little better than someone just starting out. DJing twice a year for 10 years has "10 years of experience"and 20 total gigs while the full-time DJ can have 20 gigs in a month. What is important is their passion for performance, and their dedication to your event. Experience can help cover unusual problems, but if your DJ is prepared, they should be rare.
5) Beware of any DJ that pushes anything harder than PERSONALITY. There are lots of "OK" DJs with great equipment, but no personality - and even stage fright. Make sure the DJ is not a mike hog, and does not try to "steal the show" - unless you want the DJ to be The Show. Generally, especially at wedding receptions, the DJ should facilitate the action, not be the action. This means they are also the MC. If you don't feel comfortable with the person who will be directing one of the most, if not the most, important day in your life, then find someone else, no matter how good he says he is!
6) Discount DJ is synonymous with Struggling DJ. They may be OK, but is it worth the risk? This does not mean the most expensive DJ is best, but probably better than the Discount DJ.
7) Letters of reference can be forged, and numbers can be to other lines or friends with caller ID. Unfortunately a common practice, not only in the DJ field. Best see the original.
8) Most serious DJs will have a web site. If you see a lot of pictures of the DJ, then you have to ask yourself if the DJ is too wrapped up in him/herself to provide the service YOU want? You should see lots of pictures of previous parties. Look at peoples faces. These could be your guests' faces. Also look for helpful pages, not just for what they offer, but they reveal the helpfulness of your DJ.
9) Beware of the Telephone DJ. Unless it is a small gig, if the DJ won't or can't meet with you AT LEAST ONCE for a Wedding or a Mitzvah, run.
10) Beware of the "Elegant DJ". Doing an "elegant' reception or party is much easier than doing a FUN reception or party. When it comes to DJs, "elegant" means BORING! A good DJ knows when to be "elegant" and when to be fun - and is both at the appropriate time. A good DJ can read the crowd and give them what the want, and what you want.
11) Beware of a DJ that looks down on props. Not every party should have props, but they can help make a party a lot of fun. A DJ who does not use props, does not use them for one or both of these reasons: a) The DJ is too shy, or doesn't know how to use them. or b) The DJ doesn't have any props. Props are bulky and can be expensive, but a good DJ will have them, even if the DJ doesn't use them at your event. A good DJ is an entertainer, and uses everything possible to make your party great.
12) Decent Dance floor lighting for a mobile DJ runs about $600. Yes things break, but if your DJ doesn't have them, you have to ask how serious the DJ is about DJing.
13) Professional Contacts. Beware of the DJ who can't offer professionals in other related fields. If the DJ can't help you with a photographer, you must ask how many events has this DJ done not to make these contacts.
14) Beware of the humongous music library. Outside of the obvious (they can be lying), many multiple DJ companies have many copies of each song for each DJ They add them all together and come up with a music library of "50,000". At an average of 15 songs an hour, that is nearly 140 24/hour days of back to back music. The industry experts say their are only 1,500 songs played regularly at any given year in all dances, so 50,000 is over kill (and probably a lie).They must have a lot of DUD songs. A good song library is between 6,000-15,000 songs. What is most important is not the number of songs, but the right songs for your party. Remember, maximum 15 song an hour, so a 4 hour party will only have at most 60 songs. Make sure they are the right ones.
15) Beware if your DJ is an employee or subcontractor. Multi DJ companies generally pay the individual DJ very little compared to what they charge you. Because of the low pay, ($10 - $15/hour) they get a lot of people learning the ropes and a lot of people who don't care about an event. If they are unhappy with their company, they might not show up - this happens A LOT. The DJ's name is not on the line, and the day is nice . . . Also, people who don't make as much have less dependable transportation . . . Even if the company has a back-up DJ, that DJ will be at least an hour late - probably 2 hours or more. Usually, independent DJs are the most reliable, and the most skilled.
16) Beware of the DJ who doesn't have a contract. You will have no legal recourse.
17 Beware of the bait and switch. Make sure the contract states the DJ coming to your event - or your "STAR" DJ could be switched with Mr. DUD.
18) Insurance is usually not critical, but it usually means your DJ is serious at the DJ craft. Some locations will not let a DJ in without proof of insurance. Make sure your DJ has it if it is required.
19) Today's DJ should do more than just spin CDs, the good DJ is an entertainer. What else does the DJ bring to the table? The more the DJ legitimately offers, the better the DJ (probably). Beware of padded resumes.
20) Beware of the Weekend Warrior DJ If the DJ is not full time, then you must ask what is most important to the DJ To be fair, most DJs fall into this category. They can't make enough money DJing to live comfortably. Maybe this is because the other "real" job pays so much better, or maybe they can't get enough business.
21) Beware of the "Promo Video". It is made to make the DJ look good, to "promote" the DJ With enough tape, a good editor can make anyone look good. These can be purchased by DJs and "personalized" - so it may not even be the DJ to whom you are speaking.
22) Beware of the "new" company. If you are paying a deposit for a event next year,, you want them to be around next year. A Weekend Warrior DJ could get transferred or loose the "real" job, and the student could graduate or drop out.
23) Beware of the internet DJ. By far most DJs get some music off the internet. They then burn it to CDs or use software to play the music. Some is to be expected, but most should be purchased. Legally all must be purchased.
