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Hiring quality Entertainment: Points to Consider When you plan any event, your objective is to ensure that your guests have a good time, period. Your choice of entertainment, particularly if you are considering a DJ or an entertainer, is crucial to that end. Who you choose for your wedding reception or special event will have a greater degree of effect than any other factor, such as food or location. The entertainment that you choose is a direct reflection on you! Did you know that the entertainment is responsible for 80% of the success of your event despite being the last vendor hired! Here are some important points to remember when you interview a DJ or Entertainment Company: Prompt return of your phone calls or Emails. You should expect to get a call back or an E-mail back within 24 hours. Many professional entertainers are out working or meeting with potential clients and may not be able to return your call within an hour or two. A DJ may be working a 40 hour job and DJ on the weekends so it may take them longer to reply by phone or e-mail due to other commitments. Willingness to meet with you and present his/her/their service. Will your professional entertainer meet with you soon in person, or is he/she just trying to book the date sight unseen? Is their material neat and professional looking, and is their presentation informative? With a DJ who is employed 40 hours a week you may find it difficult for them to meet with you during times that are more convenient for you. Will they be able to take a vacation day to set up for your Friday evening wedding? Is the price too good to be true? It seems that a professional entertainer is often the last service chosen, after much of the budget is expended on a venue, food and clothing. This often leads brides and party planners to shop for the cheapest price possible because of a lack of resources. This often backfires when holding out for the lowest price. However, if you have adhered to the guiding principals noted here, you will know to avoid services that have a rock bottom price because they will not be able to display the level of quality and attention to detail that EVERY client deserves. Do you LIKE the person(s) that shows up? There is nothing worse in the world than having to do business with someone you do not like. Choosing the person who “feels” right is the most important factor in picking the right entertainer for your party or reception. The entertainer you choose should be open about what he/she can do for you and should volunteer information and “show” you that knowledge base. Is the person(s) knowledgeable about your type of event? There are all kinds of DJ’s. Club DJ’s, Radio DJ’s, Rave DJ’s, High School DJ’s …the list is endless!! Typically an entertainer will specialize in weddings and corporate events. Can the entertainer you interview handle your type of event? Ask how many events of your type that he/she has done. What sort of documents does the entertainer use to procure your business? First and foremost is a planner. This planner should impress you enough to the point where you begin to understand that the entertainer you are hiring is a professional, and is capable of handling your event. A sample copy of the CONTRACT to be used should be available for you to view. An entertainer may also provide you with a list of references upon your request. CONTACT THEM!! Ask if there were any issues or problem areas when the person dealt with the company. Does the entertainer have a music list that shows you what sort of music he or she has available? Many entertainers do not use music lists, others do. In some fashion, you the client, need to be assured that the entertainment you hire not only has a sizeable collection, but has a variety of music, especially for wedding receptions, where many different styles of music and guests will be in the same room together. Be sure that your entertainer’s music is legal and is in compliance with the R.I.A.A. Professional, full-time entertainers will use a subscription service as their source for obtaining legal music suitable for public performance. Does the entertainer use professional grade equipment? If the entertainer does not have pictures of his or her gear, you should ask to set up a time to see the equipment or see pictures of their set up. Although there are many fine stereo equipment components made, they are not suitable for commercial or repeated use and varying room conditions. The entertainer should be able to tell you what he/she uses and characterize the equipment as professional grade. Will the entertainer offer to meet with you AFTER signing the contract to plan your event? A professional entertainer is ALWAYS willing to discuss your event at any time before the event starts, and should display the flexibility to accommodate changes and help you solve problems. Meeting your entertainer to plan your event is of paramount importance to a successful event such as a wedding reception. Will the person(s) that you interview be the person(s) that will perform at your event? This is THE most common complaint about the entertainment industry. The person you meet turns out NOT to be the person that actually does your show. Often, you are not made aware of this. Ask the entertainer you interview if he/she will be the actual person performing, or will someone else perform the event. You need to know this UP FRONT before you sign a contract. Consider this when pricing your entertainment company: You should consider your entertainment company an insurance policy that ensures that all of the other money you spend will not result in bad memories or a less than enjoyable occasion. You do get what you pay for! Great entertainment is NOT cheap, and cheap entertainment is NOT good!! And yet many people will pay far more for a cake, flowers, or food than they will for the most crucial ingredient at a party – the music. When was the last time you saw a cake reading a crowd and spinning a CD, motivating a dance floor crowd, or making announcements in a dignified elegant way? Further, when was the last time you heard a guest tell you “Boy, that prime rib was great, I can’t wait until I go to another party to have that again”? No, that does not happen. Instead, they mainly talk about the entertainer and whether they had a good time or not. Furthermore, according to Bride Magazine, the average wedding will cost approximately $20,000 for a 6 hour wedding which translates to $3,333/hour. If your guests leave just 1 hour early because of a bad DJ, you will lose that money in quality time with your guests. Your entertainer, if you have chosen a professional and experienced one, will display many of the following skills and attributes before and at your event:
In addition, a professional entertainer will act as the Event Manager by coordinating plans with other vendors so everything during your special day happens flawlessly. As a result, their expertise will ensure a memorable affair not an unforgettable nightmare.
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