11 Questions to ask a Prospective DJ

At Disc Jockey Boston we realize the significance of the DJ decision making process. Hiring a DJ isn’t a usual occurrence for most clients. Beyond “is your company available for my event,” and “What are your rates,” many people don’t know what to ask when hiring a DJ. This compilation of questions should help you learn more about your prospective DJ and help you make a more informed choice about your event’s entertainment.

1. Do you mix?
   • This would seem like a silly question, but performing a continuous mix is a skill not all DJ’s have or provide. A continuous mix keeps the party’s energy going, and prevents breaks where partiers would exit the dance floor. Be sure you don’t pay top dollar for a DJ that just scrolls down a list and crossfades.

• 1.5   Can I hear your mixes?
  • An extension of the last question, but equally important. Any professional DJ is going to have mixes available for prospective customers to listen to. Take a listen and ask yourself: Are these creative song choices? Is there continuity in selections? Are they well transitioned?

2. Ask a DJ about their worst event
   • Maybe don’t open with this question, but any DJ that’s been in business has a least one or two horror stories to share. Don’t be freaked out. It means your DJ has had a wide range of experiences. You could learn things you want to make sure aren’t repeated at your event. Also a candid answer here would let you know if your DJ is in sales mode, or is eager to connect and be honest with you.
3. Do you use a contract?
   • This is an instant indicator of professionalism. A professional DJ will always use a contract (and most will require a deposit with it). An amateur typically doesn’t use one. A contract outlines all the privileges and obligations to each party. You’ll almost certainly want one outlining such for your event. Any DJ that even hesitates to answer “yes” should be crossed off your list.
4. How do you conduct yourself on the microphone?
   • While there’s no correct answer here, you’ll want to find a match that’s consistent with the vibe you’re looking for. There’s a wide variety of personalities out there. Some folks are high-energy/involvement, others laid back and reserved, there’s even DJ’s so timid they’d hand off announcements to other people. This could be one of the biggest questions as you’ll want to know if your DJ is going to be cheesy or debonair in front of your crowd.
5. What does your set-up look like?
   • This is an often overlooked question. Here, you’re looking for a picture of your DJ’s setup. Even some really good DJ’s have no appreciation for aesthetics. Does the DJ tape down cables outside the booth? Is there a façade? Does the setup look professional? The last thing you want is your DJ’s setup to look like a bowl of spaghetti at your fancy event. Also ask about the final piece of equipment: the suit. Make sure your DJ comes dressed to impress.
6. How many years of experience do you have?
   • The exact answer is not critical, but make sure your DJ has enough experience for the type of event you’re conducting. A seasoned DJ has learned from years of gigs how to handle certain situations. Just like hiring for a company, a candidate with a little experience is better than one that’s just starting out.
7. Will the DJ I meet, be the DJ at my event?
   • This is relevant for large agencies. Typically, when looking to book a DJ from a large DJ company, the person you’ll talk to first, if not exclusively, is not the person who will arrive to your party. If you decide to go with an agency, try to feel out your DJ before the day-of. There’s no surprises when hiring Disc Jockey Boston; you’ll be clear on who you’re working with the whole way.
8. How do you motivate the crowd if nobody is dancing?
   • Every DJ has DJed to an empty dance floor. It’s part of the job, but how it’s handled varies widely among DJ’s. An empty floor, especially at the beginning, isn’t a sign that’s something’s wrong, but be sure your DJ is ready to approach it in a way you feel comfortable with. Don’t end up with a DJ pleading on the mic for people to start having fun.
9. What if something happens to you and you can’t make it?
   • Barring some large catastrophe, any professional DJ should show up. But if your DJ were injured, it’s good to have asked this question to know if they have a network to fall back on that can provide equivalent service in case of emergency.
10. Do you perform at more than one event in a day?
    • Some DJ’s perform twice in one day if it’s possible, others will strictly do one show a day. Ask your DJ their policy. There’s no wrong answer here, but in case you need to change the times of your event a week before, it’s good to know if your DJ has wiggle-room to accommodate that ahead of time.
11. Why should we choose Disc Jockey Boston over any other service?
    • We believe that we provide the best service in New England. We pay attention to every detail and strive for perfection at every occasion. Most events are centered on 2 main vendors: food and entertainment, the choice of DJ can make or break your celebration. An incredible DJ means a fantastic night you will never forget, even if there are hiccups with other vendors. A bad DJ will send your guests packing early and probably wreck the night. Honestly, your DJ might be the biggest decision in your planning. We believe you cannot find a higher quality DJ service in the region with prices as fair. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you.