"What you need to know BEFORE you choose an ipod for your event."

Today, a trendy topic is DIY receptions by using an ipod and a rented sound system instead of using a professional wedding entertainer, the DJ/MC. This idea is fraught with peril, because a great event is more than simply gear and music. It is the talent that a qualified professional brings to the event that matters most. It is what allows for a smooth flow to the event, with no embarrassing surprises. A Professional DJ provides you with confidence that your event will flow smoothly and will be an event that you, your family and guests will never forget, instead of one they would like to.

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Finding the Right Price

Start by setting a reasonable budget for your entertainment needs, it may be as high as 10 percent of your overall budget, and then search for DJ entertainment that falls within or reasonably close to that budget.

Price alone speaks nothing with regard to the quality or experience of the DJ. You need to uncover more information if you intend to land great results at a fair price.

A very high price can be indicative of popular demand or simply the expression of an enormous ego. Likewise, a low price can be a great deal if the DJ is a dedicated part time enthusiast, or a disaster if he's a complete novice. The size of a company, how long they have been in business, the depth of resources, and the breadth of it's experience, plus the experience of the individual DJ are all things you need to evaluate.

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Common sense and you're own good instincts should tell you when a price is too low for the service you expect and too high for the service you're requesting.

Gauging Experience and Talent

Unless his/her talent is known to you by way of your own experience or a trusted referral you should take the time to interview any prospective disc jockey. DJs are moved to the endeavor by a variety of motivations, and you want to be confident that it's more than just fun or money.

I recommend checking references because in the absence of your own personal experience you have no way of distinguishing a DJ with an established following from the casual player waiting for that one big pay-day. To check our references click here.

The DJ's depth of resource is an important clue to their breadth of experience and level of commitment. Is the work a career, a hobby, or a vehicle to showcase some other talent? What kinds of event planning skill or experience do they posses? What kind of events do they work most often and how many events of the type you are planning have they performed? What other diverse experience can they offer that might benefit your event? The more you know about the DJ the better position you're in to compare prices.

article from: http://www.proformancedj.com/djhorror.htm