Do They Know What They Are Doing?
The main thing to look for in any wedding vendor is a comfortable working knowledge of what they do, how they do it, and how it can be adapted to your needs and wants.
With DJs, we feel that a skilled professional is personable and has a vested interest in how the night will feel to the client and their guests. If you find that in your potential vendor, then look for how they will manage the night for you, present to your crowd, and adapt musically.
Additionally the DJ service is responsible for
creating what your guests are watching and experiencing. They should be flexible and learn your crowd as the night goes on.
If there are multiple DJs in the company, see what kind of training they go through and what the owners expect of them.
If there is consistency in the company, then the assigned DJ(s) will know how to take care of a
client and have the skills to do so.
There are literally dozens of DJ companies in Akron and
even more toward Cleveland and the surrounding
Northeast Ohio cities. In part because anyone can start a DJ
company. Anyone.
So do not be afraid to "test" their
knowledge.
Be wary of the company that presents their sales
pitch as "being the best" as best is
subjective. As an owner of The DJ Crew, I
constantly hear feedback from our clients of how
the "DJs were amazing" or "played
the perfect music", etc.
I truly appreciate the comments. especially as
an owner. It lets me know that our guys are
doing what they have been trained to do, but our
crew knows that doesn't mean we're the
"best". It means that for that
particular client and crowd, the DJs paid
attention and learned THAT crowd. The music was
perfect for THAT crowd. The following week will
be a different mix of friends and families and
we get to start all over.
But not all DJs think this way.
One of my favorite
comments I hear from potential brides is how she
talked to a DJ who claimed to know what music to
play to make her crowd dance...during the sales
call. That's smoke-and-mirrors DJ-speak for
"I play the same music at every reception.
Hope it just happens to work for your
guests".
Another telltale sign to see if they know their
craft is if they talk about it like it's fun for
them. Throw a different kind of entrance or
dance at them and see if they want to help you
make it happen or shut it down..
We recently had a bride and groom who wanted us to
"auction" them off instead of a
honeymoon (money) dance.
Different? Yes.
What the client wanted? Yes.
The Lead DJ figured "why not have fun with
it?"
(This is fun for us too :)
Bottom line is that if you like what they say
they are going to do for you, ask questions and
weigh their answers.
If you don't believe they can do it (sometimes
just a gut feeling too),
move on.
If you do, book them.
Getting all your questions answered to
satisfaction will build trust.
On your wedding day you NEED to trust the
vendors you hire.
