Podcast
Click here to download my latest Podcast. "5 minutes of free advice on booking a DJ for your function".
Vodcast
For private & corporate bookings contact Kelly on 07968 397798 / 0121 688 0845
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Here's a Podcast transcription (just in case you have any technical issues!)
Hello! This is Dave Clarke from clarkey.co.uk with a little bit of free advice on the best way to go about booking a DJ for your event. With over 20 years experience as a DJ and radio broadcaster I’m confident that I can help you out a little over the next few minutes.
The first question, where do you look and who do you look for? Traditionally the first stop has always been Yellow Pages. There are a lot of good guys in the Yellow Pages – unfortunately there are a lot of cowboys too. You need to make sure you get testimonials, get references, if you can speak to some of the clients that the DJ has worked for before, then will give you a good idea. Obviously there’s always going to be a favourable bias there but I am sure you can probably work that out. Best thing to do is to go on recommendation or to use somebody who does have a reputation. Internet search engines are becoming increasingly popular too. Have a look at the disco’s website. Playing music is a performing art and if your DJ has little interest in the appearance of their website, that speaks volumes about their attitude to presentation as a whole.
Is the entertainer legal and legitimate? Well there are a lot of DJ’s who do a day time job and then just do discos to earn a little bit of money at the week-end. Surely if you’re a confident and able entertainer you can make a living from your trade? Ask your DJ if they are a VAT registered trader or if they operate as a proper limited company. Do a little bit of research with Companies House or a good Google search online. After all any trustworthy and capable entertainer will have a good reputation that’s documented and clearly visible. Always ask for proof of Public Liability Insurance. This is very, very important. If you’ve got a DJ coming to your venue then you have got someone who’s using electrical equipment that is often heavy, light bulbs in lighting effects can get hot, little fingers, as you find a lot of the time at weddings and family parties like nothing more than putting their hands on them. It can hurt. You need to make sure that your DJ has got some Liability Insurance, also that the equipment is PAT tested (this means Portable Appliance Testing) and it confirms the safety of any electrical item. Tell your DJ that you expect a Health and Safety Risk Assessment to be carried out and ask to see the report too. This is important for the safety of you and your guests.
The choice of music, now this is a really tough one. What do you do here? You have the songs you would like to have played at your event and you may also have 200 guests who have their music choice. It is really difficult but book a good DJ and they will know exactly what the best choice of music to play is by reading the room and this is again where it is important having a proper DJ, not just someone with a record or CD collection.
Sit down and talk with your DJ before the event. There is no way you should book someone who is just going to turn up on the night. You need to sit down with them, have a chat, get to know them, find out what to expect, talk to them about what they think the best music choice is, give them a few ideas of songs you would like to hear at the event by all means. There are a lot of people who will recommend this idea of ‘Oh get all your guests to suggest a song or two’. That is all fine and good but you tend to find a lot of personal choice comes into that. Some random stuff will come out here and you will be getting asked for Bob Dylan and just bizarre stuff. Many guests mistakenly think you’re asking for ‘first dance’ selections and a whole heap of love songs will end up on your list. Yes, a wedding reception should have its tender moments, but not all night!
When you sit down with your DJ and you get together for a face-to-face, tell them the running order, are you having a buffet, is there anybody who is doing any other sort of entertainment, If so, it is something your DJ has to work around so tell them in advance – let them plan all that for you. Your event should to be stress and worry-free for you. You’re paying your entertainer to worry so give them the information and let them plan it all out. Your DJ should liaise with the Conference or Banqueting Manager at the hotel or your wedding planner too. The venue or planner will probably want to see Public Liability Insurance & PAT certificates let you DJ worry about this.
Now the first question we always get asked is about money! How much do you charge? I always quote one all-inclusive price with no hidden extras. Some DJs will quote a figure and then add £50 on the night because they have to carry equipment upstairs! Serves them right, they should’ve site checked first! Like with everything else you get what you pay for. The disco industry is riddled with cowboys who will let a client down a week before because a better paid job has come in at the last moment. Again, the cheapest option isn’t always the best one. What do you do about payment? Most DJs are going to accept cash or cheque. A lot will ask for a deposit. I personally don’t although I do ask clients to pay me in full a few days before the event. You should be comfortable enough with your DJ to pay them a week in advance without any worries.
My names Dave Clarke and I really hope that your event is special to you in every way. Whoever you book to entertain I hope you’ve found this podcast of use and I would appreciate any feedback. If there is anything else I can help with or if you would like me to quote for entertainment at your event then please feel free to e-mail me through the website at www.clarkey.co.uk
Thank you