Help & Advice

What are the date, times and venue details for your event?
The most important piece of information is the date of your event. If I am already booked for that date, I will tell you immediately. I do not employ other DJs to go out working under my company name, when you book me, you get me. I will also not go down the route of cherry-picking the better paid work. I have a price structure that I apply to all events, there is a minimum price and then other factors such as the workload, travelling, additional services and venue access that will play a small part in the overall package price.

I provide a tailored service that is linked directly to what my clients want. I do not oversell my services, but I will highlight other enhancements that may be beneficial to your special event. I do not employ the old ‘hard selling' tactics of some salespeople and will not pressure you into any option you do not wish to take advantage of.

If I am unavailable to tender for your event, our contact does not have to stop there. I can give you the option of taking some of the vital information from you and I will personally contact some of my fellow professional DJs to enquire about their availability.  I will only speak to other mobile disco providers with your approval and I will only speak to like-minded DJs that also have high professional standards.

This is a totally free-of-charge service and I do not receive any commission from the work that I refer to my colleagues. If you have contacted me, I already know that you are looking for a professional service and I know that there are only a select group of people I would personally recommend. The very last thing I want you to do is go to someone whom I believe will do a poor job and damage my reputation.

One important factor to remember regarding timings is that it can take over an hour to put in place all my sound and lighting equipment. Therefore, the venue must allow access to the room well before your proposed start time. You will also need to ask yourself if an early setup is required or if you want background music, mood lighting, cordless microphones for personal announcements or any other additional service I provide.

These are all important pieces of information that will help me provide an accurate quotation. If you are unsure about any of the additional features I can provide, leave them out and we can discuss those options at a later date.

How many people are you expecting?
While not a vital bit of information, I need to get to grips with the number of people attending. This will help me decide what equipment is suitable for your event.

Whether you are having a small private function or a party for hundreds of guests, I will bring the appropriate equipment to cater for you and your guests.

What experience does the DJ have and is he/she a professional?
I wouldn't want to bore you with all the details of my previous work, but I can give you some brief examples of the type of work I have successfully completed. I am a full-time DJ and this is my main source of income. I can focus more of my time to meet with you in person and also discuss the plans for your event. The About Me section of this website has additional information on my experience and background.

Every event is different and, as such, there may be some things that are beyond your control, in these situations a cool-headed approach is best. Rather than bring this to your attention, I will allow you enjoy the event and forget about having to worry about things going on around you. You've made all of the preparations before the big day, so allow the professionals to enact your wishes while you enjoy the event.

If you just want a ‘turn up and play' DJ, there are many other options open to you. However, if you want someone who can provide service that is tailored to your dreams and expectations, please contact me to see what we can both achieve.

What type of music do you want and will the DJ accept requests?
It's okay to have a DJ say that they will rely on reading the crowd, but the most important thing to remember is that it is your event and it's only appropriate that you have your say in what is played.

Every DJ will tell you that they have a vast collection of music to cater for all ages. However, much of that music rarely gets played on a regular basis, but the DJ must still have it in order to appeal to as many people as possible. If there is something specific you want or there is something that is a bit obscure, ask about it in the early stages of booking your entertainment. The more time the DJ has to prepare for your event, the more likely the function will be a success.

DJs will always tell potential clients that they will accept requests on the night, but what he/she should be aware of first, is any styles, songs, artistes or genres of music that you do not wish to be played. This is where a potential area of conflict comes up between your wishes and the request from your guests.

A similar approach needs to be applied to any playlist of music and it is not always advisable to send long lists of music. In many instances, it's not possible to play all of the selections because of the time constraints and some clients forget that as well as their favourite styles of music, the DJ also has to fit in music for other people. If you want you and your guests to leave with long-lasting memories of your event you need to try to keep them happy. However, this does not mean the event is not fully tailored to your needs, a professional DJ would be failing in his duty to you if he/she did not highlight any areas of concern and also give you other options.

Can you meet with the DJ before the event?
Where possible, you should ask to meet with your DJ. You can get a feel for how he or she works and also get to know about each other before the big day. A bit of information from clients before the event can help to make their special day have that personal touch.

There are sometimes constraints, such as distance, but a professional DJ will, where possible, make every effort to meet with you and also try to visit the venue and meet the staff before the function. If you are visiting the venue to sort out arrangements, why not invite your DJ along to meet with some of the other people you are dealing with. The staff at the venue may be surprised to see the DJ in attendance, but you should expect this high level of service when you hire a professional.

If the DJ is a full-time entertainer, he or she should be capable of meeting up with you to answer any questions you may have.  I do not have the constraints of another job that takes up a large proportion of the working week - this is my trade and my only job.

Please remember, that in order to prepare for your event, the DJ may have quite a few questions for you. If the DJ does not appear to be interested in gathering information from you, they may not have the dedication and experience to make the event run just as you would like it.

If you are holding a formal event, make sure that your DJ has the appropriate attire. If you are asking your guests to come smartly dressed, make sure that your DJ fits in. If you are holding a black tie event, it is only natural that your Disc Jockey or Compere should also have a dinner jacket and bow tie.

The bear minimum standard of clothing for an event such as a wedding reception should be a suit and tie. However, if you have a more relaxed approach to your event, let you DJ know in advance and let them know how you would like them to be dressed.

Please also be aware that some companies have several DJs working for them. They may also take your booking on and then sub-contract it out to other people. I would never do this and when you book my services, you get me.

Is the DJ a reputable service provider?
Professional DJs should not be afraid of being a part of other professional trade associations. Ask your DJ if they are a member of any recognised bodies that deal specifically with their line of work.

I am a member of the National Association of Disc Jockeys (NADJ) and this body strives to raise the standards of mobile DJ entertainment in the UK. The organisation has minimum standards that are usually a good sign that the DJ is a cut above the ‘turn up and play' DJs.

I am also a member of the Musician's Union – this is the oldest entertainment based union in the world. This well respected union permits professional Disc Jockeys to be a part of their organisation.  The union strives to raise the standard of entertainment that people can hire, while also acting in the interests of the membership.

Ask your DJ if you can personally see some of the comments from previous customers. It's good to see wonderful recommendations on a website, but when you get to meet your DJ, ask them to bring along some of their references.  I have some the feedback from my customers in the Client Comments section of this website.  I can bring documentary evidence to support any information that is published on that section of the site.

You might think it is rude to ask if the DJ is registered as a self-employed entertainer, but do not hesitate to do so. If you get a vague answer, be very wary of that DJ.  Some Disc Jockeys do this as an undeclared income and avoid paying tax, national insurance and buying appropriate insurance for their equipment and vehicles.  Like any business, I have overheads and these need to be factored into any quote.
 

Do you provide a written contract?
I would be very suspicious of anyone who deals entirely over the phone or via e-mail. I would be very wary of someone who only has a mobile phone number as a point of contact.  I would advise all potential customers to ask their DJ for a contract of service.  This document should include all the details of the event, the name and address of the Disc Jockey you are hiring and also your details.  It should also have your specific requirements, additional services and the fee (including any booking fee) and the payment terms clearly stated in the contract.

If you do not get offered any signed contract with this information on, alarm bells should start ringing immediately.

How much do you charge?
This should be one of the last questions you have and it should come near the end of your conversation with any potential entertainer you wish to hire. If the question is asked too early, the DJ may not be able to give an appropriate answer.

If you have read through all of these questions in this section, you may recall the comments about the DJ having more questions for you than you have for him/her. This is where an experienced DJ will ask for additional information before giving a quotation. Do not be afraid to continue with the conversation, instead be assured that every factor in your event is being noted and a price is being formulated as the information comes pouring in.

If you are hiring a professional, you can expect the fee to be higher than from someone who tries to do this line of work as a hobby. If you are looking to hire a cheap DJ, there are other avenues open to you. If you want to hire a professional who will offer the best possible service before and during your event, do not hesitate to get in touch with me.

Always be wary of a company that claims to be a professional outfit when their prices are low. If you feel the need to question why you believe my own fee is too much, please do so. I would be happy to explain why my fee has been tailored to your requirements.

Please bear in mind the time and other expenses you are putting on the line for your event. Do not let that investment be overshadowed by a cheap and cheerful DJ.

Entertainment can make or break any event and if you know a friend of a friend who can cobble together some sound and lighting equipment, please do not mention this. There is a big difference to what I can provide and what an amateur can provide – the two are in totally different leagues. Please think twice about hiring someone because they are a few pounds cheaper, when you can have an experienced, reputable and professional DJ at your event.

Are you comfortable with the person you are speaking to?
It might sound strange, but even a true professional may not 'click' with a potential client. If you have any concerns, raise them with the DJ and if he/she cannot deal with your queries in a way you are expecting, you may not have the confidence to go through with the booking.

If you have any issues, I would prefer it if you would speak to me, rather than for you to dwell on them.

Conclusion
After asking all these questions and gathering as much appropriate information on the DJ as possible, you should now be deciding on what you would like to do. Do not hesitate to tell your DJ that you would like a little bit of time to think about your options. However, please be aware that if you are contacting a professional outfit, they will run on a 'first come, first served' basis and someone else might beat you into hiring the entertainer. If you need a little bit of time to think about things, at least give a reasonable timeframe for your final decision and even if you decide not to accept the offer on the table, please let the DJ know.