** Choosing the RIGHT DJ**

Choosing the right DJ for your function is one of the most important decisions you can make to insure the success of your event. Even if everything else is perfect, without a good DJ your event is likely to fizzle before it begins. There are more than 15,000 DJs in the United States, all of whom will promise to do a great job. The purpose of this Blog is to help you be more be a little more informed.

The best way to find/hire a DJ you're certain to like, is to hire someone you've seen perform. If you can't remember his or her name, it shouldn't take too much scouting to find out who he or she was. If you didn't take a business card at the event, the person who put the event together (and invited you) will probably remember who he or she was. If that doesn't work then your host, hostess or the manager of the venue, where the party was held, should be able to pull that information.

If you haven't seen a good DJ recently – go social!! Ask friends, family, neighbors and/or people with whom you work.

If you have not seen a DJ you like and your social network can not offer suggestions, your job gets a little more difficult. It's time to hit the Internet!  Do some local internet research. Jot down the DJ's who's websites seem appealing, professional and have some personality. I'd say write down at least 10 companies. Then drill down a step deeper and find out the names of those DJ's..... and now for the good part.... GOOGLE the names you get in the local market like this: “Raleigh DJ Jim Unger”. You'll get pages and pages of references, referrals and valuable information! Believe me – if there are any bad seeds on that list you've created – this is the way to shake them loose!

Time to whittle down that list a little further....

The worst way to make your decision - is based on price alone. Some DJs are more expensive than others - and prices can range from $200 to $2500. The range can be huge and it can be tempting to choose the least expensive solution. Remember this.....there are good reasons why some DJs charge more than others. The more expensive DJ tend to be the more experienced ones. Their reputations and their availability allows them the well earned flexibility of charging more than their lesser known, less experienced, mostly available colleagues. DJ's on the low end of the price scale tend to be new to the business, trying to get established. If you elect to gamble on a less experienced DJ, there is the risk of error, glitches, sub-par equipment, cancelling on you at the last minute because they got a better paying gig and worst case scenario.....they don't show up at all!

Time to get a few on the phone....

When you speak with the DJ's, pay attention to their level of professionalism. Are they articulate? Do they seem genuinely interested in working with you or are they interested in your budget? Do they have references they can send you? Any DJ who hesitates to give you information about previous client interactions and performances should raise a RED FLAG for you. Get at least three to five names and phone numbers of people for whom the DJ has recently worked. Regardless of whether you call them or not – get them.

You've short listed to 2-3 now....

Now that you've fine tuned your list to perhaps 2-3 DJ's meet them and let them tell you about themselves. If you're  not satisfied with the DJ "schpeel" you get from them, keep them talking a bit more. Ask them about their experience with the type of event you're planning.  Ask about his or her equipment. You've done your research – you have the short list. At the end of the day you can now pick your favorite DJ based on the one you like the most! The planning phase should be almost as fun as the event itself. If you can't see yourself enjoying working with the DJ BEFORE your event in addition to him or her actually performing the event – you've got the wrong entertainer! Working with your top choice DJ should be fun from day one!!

I hope this helps a little!

Keep on dancing!

Jim Unger

Professional DJ & Owner

Ninety Nine Entertainment

Raleigh's Source for Professional DJ Entertainment