What’s the difference between a $200 and a $1,200 deejay?  DJs rates vary from free to thousands of dollars and are usually based on a variety of factors including:

• their skill
• the size and quality of their equipment and music library
• the date and type of event (a DJ may offer different services for picnics than for weddings)
• whether the DJ is running a business or is a hobbyist

Consider how much of an impact there will be on your event if the entertainer you hire does not provide what you desire.  If you are planning a picnic or family reunion and the DJ doesn’t show up or turns out to be awful, the impact on the event may not be as devastating as when this happens at a wedding reception.  How much does a bad DJ cost?  Can you afford to hire a bad one?

Like most services, there are beginners, novices, experts and a variety of choices in between.  Disc jockeys do not have to obtain a license nor pass any test before advertising their services as a “professional DJ”.  Ever see an ad or business card which includes the words beginner or novice?  Of course you haven’t.

To become a professional DJ, a person has to assemble a few basic audio components, all of which are available at the local Radio Shack, and play music for someone who pays them.  Unlike many other professions, there is no certification, training, degree or requirements of any sort to become a “professional DJ”.  Be aware that most teenagers enjoy playing music, especially if someone is willing to pay them for it.  How do DJs earn your trust?  Usually they proclaim how good they are, tell you they use the best equipment available and give you a price that sounds like a great deal.

What can happen just might.  Have you ever been to an event where there was a DJ?  Were they good, bad or excellent?  If you don’t remember, then they weren’t very good.  What did you like or dislike about their performance?  The stories you may read about or hear from friends are true.  Mishaps have happened in the past and will continue to happen in the future; good, bad or indifferent… as long as there are entertainers of various qualities being hired to perform for events such as yours.

Can you afford a bad DJ?  Let’s take a look at the potential difference between a good, bad and an excellent disc jockey.  Let’s say A1 DJ has offered you a special discount on their special economy package to a point at which you can’t refuse.  Now you’ve paid a deposit and “DJ Ace” gets to your event late because A1 DJ had to donate a kidney (got a better paying client).  DJ Ace gets set up with those Radio Shack components that get wired together by a rats nest.  He eventually starts by playing the best of the Doobie Brothers at your daughter’s graduation party… maybe it’s the Roof’s on Fire song, you can’t tell because it’s so loud and distorted that even the sound of the garbage grinder sounds better to you.  Or maybe it’s another rap song riddled with slang perversions or explicatives?  Either way, this isn’t what you had in mind.  Is this real?  Could this happen?  It can and does happen and to boot, at the end of the show, DJ Ace will want paid.

Fortunately, most entertainers are better than DJ Ace.  Some have been in the business for 30 years and do hundreds of parties a year.  Some DJs charge what they might call a “reasonable” fee.  They have charged the same amount since 1990 and even though equipment, music, insurance, transportation, etc. gets more expensive (3% average inflation per year), they love what they do and it’s fun.  After all, they are retired and what else would they do with their free time?  Or maybe they need something to do on the weekends so they don’t get into trouble.  These DJs will do as many events as they can, sometimes working three or four shows over a weekend.  They are busy as all get out and although mistakes happen, they don’t have time to perfect their show, maintain or replace their worn equipment or worry with customer service because of the volume of work they do.  Off to the next event and the next customer.

Few disc jockeys can be considered to be experts.  What does it take to be an expert and why would you want to spend the money that they charge?  To start with, you may have figured out already, that a DJ’s rate doesn’t always define how good they will be at giving you and your guests an outstanding and memorable experience.  The truth be told though, if they routinely provide excellent service, industry professionals will refer you to them, they will be able to afford excellent equipment and they will reinvest in their music library.  They keep their focus on a smaller number of events, giving you the attention you deserve.  A top notch entertainer will ensure that your event is not only successful but will be glad to stand behind their commitment to you with a written guarantee.  You will receive so many compliments from your guests that you will know that the higher-priced expert was the best choice.

You can’t afford to hire a cheap DJ.

But how can you tell the difference between an entertainer that will be bad, OK or excellent?  Find suggested tips on how to find the right entertainer on our website at www.rhythmsystem.com/tips/right.htm or call and talk with a live DJ now at 717-540-8826.