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DJ Richard, Award Entertainment Ltd

Are they available for your date?
Begin your phone call by indicating the date, time, and location of your event. If they're not available, no sense talking much further! If the DJ you want has someone else 'pencil booked', they probably haven't yet secured the date and he could take a paid deposit from you to book the date firmly. Don't leave your enquiry as just a 'pencil booking' for the exact same reason!

How long have they been a DJ and how many events have they performed?
With sufficient experience, a professional DJ will be able to act as your Master of Ceremonies and smoothly direct and guide your celebration from start to finish allowing you to relax and enjoy the party. With experience comes confidence and knowledge too. Many things can happen during an event- some are expected, others are not. The experienced professional has the ability to handle any situation which may arise and will be able to react spontaneously to correct the problem as if nothing ever really happened.

The seasoned professional will also know how to introduce interactivity into the night in a tasteful and energetic manner. With this same experience, your entertainer will read the crowd and intuitively know what music to play at what time.

What type of music do they provide and will they play requests?
It's your party! Will your prospective music entertainer cheerfully accept your suggestions? Can they provide a play list with a wide variety of songs that you can choose from? Will they play additional CDs that you may want to provide?

Let the DJ ask you questions also such as what you do or don't want to hear. You want someone who takes an interest in what YOU want. You want a DJ who is flexible, and has a HUGE selection, so that any request from your guests can be fulfilled, providing it meets your acceptable music criteria. Unfortunately many DJs work on the principle that 'it's got to be LOUD to be good'. A professional will concentrate on quality of the sound, not quantity and will spend time on the night ensuring that your seated guests can still talk comfortably while others are dancing.

What are they like?
Does the DJ you're considering tell you anything about themselves in their website or advertising, or are you hiring an unknown? Most people would like to know a little about the person who will be entertaining at their event, particularly if it's a wedding. What's their appearance and physique like? Will they drink or smoke on the night? These things may not be important to some, but don't be afraid to ask for a meeting if the information is missing. If there are no photos or biography of them on their own website, are they hiding something?

Are they well groomed? Your DJ should be freshly shaved and clean with tidy hair. Will they wear a formal dinner suit (tuxedo), tidy-casual, or a T-shirt and black jeans? Find out ahead of time and make your preferences known. Different events command different attire. If you want your entertainer in a tuxedo or a theme costume, make sure you know whether there is an additional charge as most DJ's in New Zealand don't even own formal attire! Waiters dress professionally, so why not your entertainer?

When you meet with a prospective DJ/MC, how much effort do they put in to learning about your style, taste and preferences? Are they organised and clearly in control? Do they offer you any form of written plan to assist with your preparations?

What kind of equipment do they use & what is their technical expertise?
Determine if the disc jockey uses today's professional technology. You are paying money for a professional and they should have brand-new-looking, quality equipment and know how it operates. Make sure it's pro-grade equipment, not home stereo or consumer grade. There is a difference! You are hopefully hiring someone who takes their job seriously, so make sure they have made the investment in quality equipment. Ask if they own their gear themselves or hire it. If it's their own, chances are it will be looked after better and they will know how to fix any problems that could arise.

Do they have cordless microphones you are able to use for your ceremony or speeches if required? Will they turn your beautifully prepared reception or function room into a mobile night club with overhead lighting trusses, huge black boxes and masses of cabling? It doesn't have to be this way in this day and age! Take a look at DJ Richard's equipment page to see how discreet a DJ's set up can look.

Note: Find out what your prospective DJ will need from you- even now most New Zealand DJs still require you to supply them with a table!

Do they have back-up equipment on hand in case of an emergency?
Even professional equipment can fail on occasion, so it is important to know whether your Disc Jockey has extra components, or hopefully another entire sound system available to them. Usually, only the true professional DJs invest the extra money to ensure that everything works on your event date and backup systems are in place. Booking a reliable DJ is a very important decision for the success of your event.

Will they personally be the DJ for your reception?
This is an important one. If not, when can you meet the DJ who will work at your function so you can feel comfortable with that person and make sure you are on the same wavelength? Meeting with your DJ/MC is the only way to find out if they have the energy and passion for your kind of event. Passion can't be faked.

WARNING! Some DJs will book your event and then pass it on to an apprentice DJ, a subcontractor or even a completely different company to play your night. Some DJs (almost always the cheap ones) don't even bother to turn up! Make sure you get what you are expecting.

Are they reputable and will they provide you with references?
Do previous clients, local venues, hotels, photographers and other event professionals give you a good referral of the company? If the references are from previous clients, don't be afraid to ask to see them. Ask to speak with other wedding professionals or to see the references on paper if you're uncertain.

Are they a current paid member of an appropriate professional trade association, such as the DJ Association of New Zealand?

Have they ever performed at your chosen location?
Ask the DJ if they have ever performed at your venue before. It helps if they have a rapport with the staff, if they already know the place, how to get there, what the acoustics are like, the owners preferences and where the power points are. Knowing the venue makes it less likely that they will have any problems.

How much does the DJ charge?
Not surprisingly, most professional, reputable DJs charge more for their services than a hobby DJ who is just looking to make a few extra bucks on the side. Question a company that is low in cost... there's a good chance you will be putting the success of your event at risk in order to save a few dollars. Be certain that you understand