Tips for booking your entertainment

Mobile DJ services and mobile DJs vary considerably. Some are excellent, some are appalling, some are highly experienced, some are not, some will listen and provide what you want whilst others may do the opposite! So how do you tell if the DJ you choose is right for you? How much should it cost? What should you expect for your money? How far in advance do you need to book?

Our motto is “your day – your way” and whichever DJ service you book, you should remember that it is your day so it should be your way!

Questions To Ask

Will you listen to my requirements and provide what I want? Probably the most important question of all. Can I request my choice of music in advance? Can you play something for everyone? A competent DJ will have a wide selection of music eras and genres and should be willing to match your requirements. If your prospective DJ is happy to meet you before you book, so much the better. We’ll be pleased to visit you before you book for a free of charge, no obligation meeting so that you can decide if our service is right for you.

Will you provide a formal contract? It is imperative that you receive a written agreement with details of times, venue, costs, etc. Make sure you agree with the terms and conditions before signing!

Is your equipment of a good standard? Your DJ should be using professional equipment designed for on the road use. Professional DJ gear is extremely reliable but he or she should also carry back-up equipment, just in case.

How much experience do you have and are you aware of the correct etiquette for my party? A good DJ will have the experience necessary for your type of function and, importantly, will have discussed it with you in advance.

Do you carry Public Liabilty Insurance? Anyone offering a service to the public should have the appropriate insurance. Your DJ should be able to produce a certificate of Public Liability Indemnity insurance (otherwise known as PLI) on demand. The management of some venues may insist on this being provided.

Is your equipment safe? Common sense suggests that equipment should be tested regularly for safety. As with PLI some venues will insist on seeing a PAT ( Portable Appliance Testing ) certificate as a condition of entry for an entertainer. DJ's who have their equipment tested do so every 12 months, and should be able to show you the test certificate on request. At the same time your DJ will reasonably expect your venue to provide an adequate and safe supply of electricity. .

Will you dress appropriately? Your DJ should fit in with the dress code for your party. If it’s a formal affair such as black tie then your DJ should be dressed accordingly. If it’s smart casual the same applies.

How much do you charge? The cost for a mobile DJ can be anything from £100 to over £1000 for an evening. The national average for a good quality, experienced, full service DJ is £500. Although a DJ may be playing for around 4 hours, he or she will spend probably 4 more in getting to and from your venue, setting up and breaking down. In addition there will be time spent in visiting you to discuss your function, venue checking, music sourcing and other preparation so that, in total, the time spent per function amounts to a great deal more than the average person’s working day!

As with most things it’s very much a case of “you get what you pay for” and you’ll be very fortunate if the cheapest DJ turns out to be the best! If a service is sold on (low) price there’s usually a reason for it. A service should be sold on just that - the quality and amount of service provided. A variety of surveys conducted after the event have shown that clients have been disappointed with and regretted going for the cheapest entertainment. With important functions, such as weddings, there’s only one chance to get it right.

“It's unwise to pay too much, but it's worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money — that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot — it can't be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is as well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better."

How soon do I need to book? Once you’re sure the DJ you’ve chosen is right for you then book as early as you can. Most wedding clients, for example, book at least 12 months in advance.

Unsurprisingly, we can satisfy all the above criteria. Contact us to arrange a meeting or request free brochure.