Hiring a disc jockey is like hiring any other professional – do your market research, establish some evaluation criteria, and hire the best value service provider. 

Let’s assume that you’ve done your research, and you realize that choosing the cheapest DJ from the phone book is not a good idea.  How should you select the best DJ to suit your needs?  What should you look for?  Which questions should you ask?  Here are some evaluation criteria for consideration:    

-       Experience.  How many years as a DJ / how many events has the DJ done?  Do not get confused with the number of years the company has been in existence.  A DJ company with multiple disc jockeys may have been in business for 20 years, but the DJ they send to do your event may be a rookie on his first job. 

-       Who is your DJ?  Is the actual DJ guaranteed, or will he or she come from a “pool” of DJs to be determined later?  Ask to meet your DJ, or request personal references from recent events.

-       Responsiveness.  Are phone calls and e-mails returned promptly?  You should certainly receive a reply to your inquiry within 24 hours.

-       Customer Service.  Is the DJ easy to deal with?  Is he or she knowledgeable and helpful?  Do you feel you can trust them to direct your event?  Will they offer to meet with you in person after signing a contract to discuss all of your event details?

-       Music.  Does the DJ have an extensive music library?  If the music is digital was it legally obtained?  Does the DJ have a vast knowledge of all genres of music?  Does he take requests at your event?

-       Equipment .  Is the music and lighting equipment of high quality and well maintained?  Is it professional in appearance?

-       Business Operations.  Does the DJ company run a professional business?  If so, they should have the following:

o   A business license

o   Liability insurance

o   A business phone

o   Professional business and marketing materials (website, forms, business cards, etc.) 

-       Contracts.  Does the DJ use a written contract?  A contract protects both you and the DJ company.  Normally a deposit or retainer fee is required to execute the contract; is the deposit reasonable?  Some companies ask for one half or even the entire invoice price when the contract is signed.  Do you normally pay for something in full before you receive it?

-       Professional development.  Does the DJ belong to any professional organizations that promote the entertainment industry like the American Disc Jockey Association (ADJA) or the National Association of Mobile Entertainers (NAME)?  Does the DJ attend conferences, seminars and association meetings to constantly improve their business operations and DJ performances?  Do they read trade publications to stay current in their profession?

-       Price.  Of course price is always a factor.  When establishing your price range, you should consider the importance of the event, the overall budget, and the prevailing rate for professional DJs in your area.  Unless your event is very informal and your budget is very low, choosing a “discount DJ” is usually a bad idea.  Sure, you could save $100 or so by choosing the cheapest vendor.  But there is a reason a DJ is charging less than the industry standard.  Chances are he is inexperienced and needs to improve before he can charge higher prices.  Or he does not operate a legal business, is not declaring his income for tax purposes, and is just trying to make a few extra dollars “under the table.”  If the DJ embarrasses you in front of your friends and family and everyone leaves the party early, was the savings worth it?

Consider these points when selecting your wedding entertainment, and your reception will likely be a big success!    

Looking For A Job:  The Perspective Swings

by Ken Petersen / reprinted from Disc Jockey News

School is over, and you enter the employment hunt.

Your resume has all the pertinent information in clearly defined sections:

- How to reach you

- Objectives

- Summary of skills

- List of education

- Additional training

- Certificates and accreditations

- Work experience

- References

You know the next step in the job search is to get the resume out.

You have a great cover letter that expresses how you found out about the job opening and sets up dialogue for scheduling the interview.

You take an extracurricular class or two on job interviews.

You have practiced the interview numerous times with friends, roommates, or maybe even a few family members.

You get the call - a company is interested.  It’s a company you have stock in, you speak well of to your friends, and you really want to work for this firm!

The appointment is set.

This is your big break!  You have been preparing and waiting for this moment.  You know you are ready; you have put in the work to make yourself the best choice for the position.  It is now time to show this company you know what you are doing!

You are excited!  You may even dress one step higher than appropriate for the line of work you are interviewing for.

You’re there on time - actually 10 minutes early.

You can already envision working for this firm.

The HR Department calls you in…

The only question asked is simply, “How much do we have to pay you?”

There is no greeting, no handshake, no welcome, no offer to sit down or get comfortable, no query about anything on the resume.  HR doesn’t probe about history, education, skill sets, references, or even if you are over or under qualified for the job…just a lone question:  “How much are you?”

You are on the spot.  You are the interviewee.  You need to answer that question.

Your mind runs wild.  “What about my qualifications; why aren’t they asking about those?  The entire labor pool is out there, and I know I am the single best candidate for this position.  Is this company really looking for the cheapest labor?  What if I say I want $xx,xxx per year salary?  The next guy in the lobby is wearing jeans and a T-shirt.  He’s got a ticket for the company to sign off from the placement referral service so he can continue to collect unemployment and furthermore he is clueless - I know he is going to ask for less.”

Many couples that are planning a wedding unknowingly do this daily to many service providers within the wedding entertainment field.

Engaged couples are at that stage in life where the job hunt is very fresh in their minds; either they are about to start the search, right in the middle of it, or were recently placed in a nice job environment.

Wedding entertainers (mobile DJs) can be thought of as the candidates waiting in the lobby (your lobby - you are the employer).  They offer a service and a willingness to work for you.  Some DJs position themselves for the menial tasks.  Others, the better ones, can become your right hand.

Wedding DJs have a resume.  It’s their marketing; a website, their printed materials, and informational e-mail.  They have references to check such as thank you cards, happy clients, and reviews found online.  There is a confirmable work history:  ask your other vendors and check training, accreditations, certificates, and associations.  What have they done to earn a spot in your wedding budget?

Have some fun; pay us DJs back with the same thing you are going through (or went through recently).  Scrutinize.  Find the right employees for your own “wedding firm.”

Professional Bio 

Richard J. Anzelone (Rick) is the Manager of Business Administration and Contracts at DRS Sustainment Systems, Inc. (DRS SSI), a strategic business unit of DRS Technologies.  Rick leads the Contracts Department, consisting of two contracts managers, six contracts administrators and an adminstrative secretary.  Their contracts with the US Government and other defense contractors provide supplies and services to support our national defense around the globe.    

Mr. Anzelone formerly served as Manager of Contracts and Purchasing for Engineered Air Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Engineered Support Systems, Inc., before it was acquired by DRS in January  2006.  In that role, he administered the Chemical Biological Protective Shelter contract, valued at over $100 million, and led the contracts and purchasing departments through many sole source and competitive proposals. The company was awarded several competitive contracts, including the Minuteman Environmental Control System, fuel and water distribution systems, chemical decontamination systems, and military heaters.

A retired Army officer, Mr. Anzelone spent the first 10 years of his military career as an infantry officer in various command and staff assignments, including platoon leader, executive officer, and company commander.  He moved into the Army Acquisition Corps for the second half of his career, serving in several Army Materiel Command assignments as contracting officer, branch chief, and deputy director of acquisitions.  In 1999, he deployed to Kosovo and established the Joint Contracting Command at Camp Bondsteel.  As the first chief of this contracting activity, he successfully built the contracting office from an austere tent to a fully functioning contracting team supporting over 8,000 military personnel.

Mr. Anzelone is a native of Pittsburgh, PA where he earned his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from LaRoche College.  He received his Masters Degree in Procurement and Acquisition Management from Webster University in St. Louis, MO.  Rick enjoys teaching and coaching others in the field of contract management.  He developed a course for Saint Louis University titled ‘’Principles of Contract Management’’ and has taught it since 2003.  Students enrolled in the Contract Management course learn from practicing professionals, while they earn a post-bachelor’s certificate endorsed by the National Contract Management Association (NCMA).

Rick is an active member of the NCMA St Louis Gateway chapter, and the Institute for Supply Management - St. Louis chapter.  In May 2008 he presented the NCMA National Education Seminar titled “Solicitations, Proposals, and Source Selection.”  He also made presentations for the St. Louis chapters of the Project Management Institute and the Society of Cost Estimating and Analysis.  Rick’s certifications include Certified Purchasing Manager, Certified Federal Contracts Manager, Certified Commercial Contracts Manager, and Certified Professional Contracts Manager.  He is also Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act - certified Level III in Contracting.  NCMA awarded Rick the NCMA Fellow designation in June 2009 for his “significant contributions to the field of contracting and to the NCMA.”

Rick currently resides in Illinois.   He is the owner-operator of the mobile disc jockey company “Cyclone Sound” and enjoys home improvement projects, music and sports.