Get it in WRITING. Once I got a phone call from a panicked bride on the Wednesday before her wedding on Saturday and she could not find her DJ. When I asked, do you have a signed contract? After a long pause, the reply was no. Be sure to get every thing in writing and a signed contract.

Cost is important, but don't let it be the determining factor. If a DJ quotes you a super low rate for a wedding, BEWARE, they're either new to the business and trying to fill up their calendar or they're not a professional DJ, just someone looking to pick few extra bucks. A professional DJ will base their rate on the date, event type, hours, travel and equipment needed.

A full-service disc jockey company will normally invest 12 to 30 hours in your special event however, it may appear that you are paying for only "3 or 4 hours". Consultations, music purchasing And editing, preparation, set-up and tear-down, education, training, maintenance, and other business related endeavors add up to the overall success of your special occasion.

Your event will most likely require music to satisfy all ages and musical tastes so ask about variety and the policy on requests.

Ask for a guarantee in writing. A professional DJ will be willing to give you a guarantee.

A good DJ will take the time to explain how they will handle the details of your event. They will be able to communicate well with you and should be willing to listen to your ideas and meet any special needs.

Your DJ should be familiar with most of the music you want and should know how to organize the event within your guidelines. Try to determine if your DJ has the ability and willingness to "read" and motivate the crowd.

Most reputable DJ's will be willing to provide you materials, song lists and informational planning sheets.

Be sure to check references and recommendations. Auditioning a DJ at a stranger's event is not usually practical. Remember, a good event is an individually customized event lasting 4 hours or more. The DJ may be providing activities and music as requested by the client and this may not be of the style or type that you require. Also, a good DJ is busy during a event and usually cannot take time out to explain what is going on and why. Some DJ's also consider it tacky to invite strangers to a event just to solicit new business. You wouldn't want that at your event.

The perfect DJ will be affordable, experienced and have good references. He or she will know music, communicate in a friendly and helpful manner, and should be interested in what you and your guests want.

9. To be a DJ all you really need is a few CD's and a home stereo system.

A professional DJ must have knowledge of over 70 years of all styles of music. Many times guests will make requests at a event without knowing either the correct song title or artists, a DJ must have the knowledge to figure it out. There is a big difference in home stereo equipment and professional grade sound equipment.

8. All the equipment fits in the back of his car.

It takes a van or truck to move around Professional DJ sound systems and music libraries. Professional quality audio gear is big and heavy. It does not fit in the trunk of a typical passenger car.

7. Set up is easy and it only takes 15 minutes.

A professional DJ will take up to 2 hours to set up a sound and dance floor lighting system. There is more to it than just plugging everything up, it takes time to sound check and adjust dance floor light. At Some venues it can take longer because access is hindered by lack of an elevator, ramp and parking proximity.

6. Good parties just happen.

Good parties don't just happen on their own. It takes planning and guidance. A professional DJ will know through planning and consultations what your music and entertainment needs are before your event. A professional DJ will meet your music and entertainment needs and through timing and years of experience know how to entertain your guests.

5. It takes no training, anyone can do it!

If a DJ makes his job look easy, it is because he has learned his trade only one way, through years of experience. There are no formal training institutions, training facilities or schools for mobile DJ's. Anyone can learn the control functions of most CD players and Computer software programs. However, a professional smooth presentation, Emceeing, DJ entertaining, an ability to read any crowd and music mixing takes years of being behind a mixing console to master. If it were so easy, everyone would be doing it!

4. DJ's have a lot of fun at parties and get paid for it.

DJ's are NOT guests at parties or event. They are working under pressure and have a huge responsibility for the outcome of the event. People often rank their weddings as the most important day of their lives next to the day their children are born. Yet they will give this responsibility to the LOWEST BIDDER. The stress levels and expectations run very high during these events. After all the planning and expenses are invested the ultimate outcome of a wedding is placed almost solely in the hands of the DJ.

3. DJ's only work for 4 to 5 hours.

The length of a party, wedding reception or any other event is only a small fraction of the time a DJ invests in that event. It is the only part that YOU see. Consultations, equipment upkeep, music library maintenance and the daily routine of business operations are all critical in making that show a success.

2. Why pay allot of money for a DJ a cheap DJ is just as good.

Not to say that a high priced DJ automatically equals great entertainment. But remember the sayings "if it sounds to good to be true" or "you get what you pay for". If a DJ quotes you a super low price for a wedding reception or party, most likely it's just a part time hobby for him to pick up a few extra bucks on the weekend. A full time professional DJ service will spent many hours preparing for you event. There is so much that goes into put together professional entertainment for a wedding reception and it's not just something that you can show up and wing on the weekends.

And The Number One Misconception About Mobile DJs Is