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DJ Equipment
DJ Prices
DJ Style
Requesting Music
Paying Your DJ
Ivy Entertainment - 57 Questions To Ask A DJ
This is probably your first time hiring a DJ.
I have compiled this list of questions that you can ask any
DJ that you are considering hiring. I have included
my answers to the questions so that you can learn more about my
services. I hope this page
is helpful to you. Feel free to use the feedback page to ask us question
that are not on this page. Also, I have added short essays regarding specific
aspect that I hope help you to hire a DJ.
- How much can I expect to pay for a
DJ?
This price range is only good for the Greater Phoenix
Metropolitan area in Arizona. You should expect to pay between $800
and $1400 dollars for a Quality DJ. Still,
some services charge as little as a few hundred dollars while others
charge over $5000. When deciding on the price that you want to pay,
you should take into account the level of organizational skill if your
DJ will be in charge of your reception, the type and amount of equipment
if you will have over 250 guests, and how responsible you expect your
DJ to be for the success of your party. The DJ services that can satisfy
your needs will have higher prices as you demand that the DJ be more
responsible, more organized, and better equipped.
DJ services will often offer discounts for
off-season, mid-week or very simply
events. See my
DJ Prices page for more information.
- How much do you charge?
My pricing is itemized
for your flexibility. See my DJ Prices
page for more information.
- Does your price include everything that you offer as a
DJ?
I only list
some of my talents on my prices page. I have talents and services that
are not listed. I can also subcontract with other entertainment services
to satisfy your needs.
- Do you have any hidden charges?
I have no hidden
charges.
- Do you charge extra for lighting?
I charge $200
for my standard dance floor lighting package. That package includes
4 intelligent lights that move with the music and two Rotopods that
simulate a disco-ball effect.
- Do you require a deposit?
In order to reserve
the date of your event,
I require a deposit. See my DJ Prices
page for more information.
- Can I pay you the day of my
event?
Balance is due before the date of your
event. Failure to
pay may result in cancellation of service and forfeiture of my retainer.
- What are my payment options?
I have a PayPal
account and can bill you via the internet. You can also use Pay Pal
through my always available client login and online event planning service.
Through Pay Pal, I accept all major credit cards. I also accept cash
or checks. Checks must be delivered at least a month before the
event.
- Does the price include music during the cocktail hour and/or
during dinner?
My 4 hour pricing package includes a single
amplification system. If you would like music in a separate room at
your event during a cocktail hour, I can provide a system and music
at an additional charge.
- Can I choose from a song list?
I welcome your
suggestions for songs and you can browse a section of my library through
the link at the bottom of this page. Since I am constantly updating
my music library with client requests and current radio hits, the music
library is almost always missing 10-20 CDs. I will make a good faith
effort to play all requests.
- Can I choose a "no play" song list?
It is typically
better to describe a type of music that you want me to avoid at your
event. However, you
are welcome to submit a no-play list.
- Does the DJ have a wide variety
of song selections?
My library includes Latin, Italian,
Rock, Blues, Swing, Hip Hop, Pop, Rhythm and Blues, Ballroom and lots
of others. I am continually expanding my DJ
music library.
- Can the DJ play songs to suite
the tastes of ALL my guests?
If your guests like music,
I am sure that I have music that they will enjoy.
- How do you stay current with your DJ
music library?
I subscribe to Top Hits USA. It provides
us with the latest hits on the radio through several genres.
- Do you take and play requests?
I am approachable,
friendly and will gladly take and play requests. Requests are a great
way to feel out the type of guests that are at an
event. Good requests
simply allow me to do a better job.
- Can I see a list of your songs?
My
DJ music library contains over ten thousand
songs. It will be much easier if you just tell me what songs you want
played. You can look through part of my music library by clicking on
the link at the bottom of this page. If you want to see a complete list
of my songs, then I will show you my electronic database of music when
you and I meet in person.
- Do you have Spanish/Italian/Ballroom/Jewish/etc music?
The Ivy Entertainment
DJ Music Library has many different types of
music. I am continually adding both current hits and client requests
to my music library.
- How many songs do you have?
My
DJ music library includes over ten thousand
songs and I purchase new CDs each month to keep my
DJ music library up to date.
- Are you going to pressure me to decide if I will hire you
right away?
I want you to be confident that you are hiring
a great DJ. I will present
Ivy Entertainment to you in a way that allows
you to make a decision that you can stand on. In fact, I encourage you
to speak with several other DJs. Ask them some of the questions on this
list and compare their answers to mine.
- Are you insured?
Ivy Entertainment
DJ service has a $1,000,000 liability insurance
plan from Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. I can provide documentation of
my insurance policy when you and I meet in person.
- How do you dress for an
event?
I dress appropriate to the
event. For your
corporate event,
I will usually wear a business suit. For your
wedding, I will usually
wear a tuxedo. At your request, I wear particular themes of clothing
like Hawaiian or Sixties.
- Do you have references for your DJ
services?
Upon request, I will to provide you with references at our
first face-to-face meeting. I do not carry around references with me
so please make your request before we meet for the first time. These
may include reference letters and persons to contact for a verbal reference.
- Does Ivy Entertainment belong to
any disc jockey associations?
I am a member of the
Arizona Chapter of the
American Disc Jockey Association.
It is a national organization providing mobile entertainers with training
and networking opportunities.
- Do you sell
events to other DJs?
No, I always provide my DJ
services at the
events that I book,
and I am happy to recommend other quality DJ
service providers if my
services are not available on the date of your
event.
- Do you bring a complete backup DJ
system with you to each
event?
I have a
Fender Passport Deluxe 250 as my backup and ceremony system.
- Do you have professional DJ Equipment?
Yes, I have three complete DJ systems designed for three
sizes of parties. The systems include professional brand names like
Bose, Fender, Gemini, and Pioneer. I DJ with high quality digital
files as well as CD decks. My system also allows for the input of
musical instruments, extra microphones, and other audio devices.
- What does the appearance of your equipment set-up like?
The look of my system is dependent on the needs of you event.
For large parties with lots of equipment, I'll use a complete DJ
booth setup and you guests will only see a 4' tall black wall in
front of me. Other events require a smaller setup and you'll see a
computer, Pioneer CDJ-400 (DJ CD player), mixer sitting atop a
table. Depending on the size and purpose of the event, I may bring
Fender Passport Deluxe, Bose Compact L1, or Bose L1 Dual Bass
speakers to amplify the sound.
- Will you have a sign or banner on your
DJ table?
I do not bring signs
to events or announce
the name of my DJ service. I find that even
high quality signs and banners draw attention away from your
event. In addition,
I will not lay business cards on your tables. Guests who are interested
in my services are welcome
to approach me personally and I will happily give them a card
at their request. I will simply announce myself as Joseph, your DJ.
- Do you need a table and/or table cloth?
I realize
that you have enough to worry about without the added stress of helping
us by providing a table. I have purchased equipment that will allow
me to perform my services
without you providing me with a table. If the banquet hall gives me
a table, I will usually use it to lay out my CD cases.
- Why would I want lights?
Lights give a party
a club feel. If you are looking for a club style reception then lights
are a great idea. They are often considered a must at school dances.
Since I have decided to specialize in
weddings, I have separated
the cost of my lighting package from the rest of my services. I provide
a quality, intelligent lights for an additional $200.
- Do you have a service guarantee?
I offer a
100% Money Back Service Guarantee on all of my
services.
- Can I meet with you before my
event?
Pre-event consultations come with some packages but not
with all packages. If you would like to meet with me before your
event, just ask.
- Do you have a promotional video?
I do not have
a promotional video.
- Do you perform at any nightclubs or on any radio stations?
I do not perform my
services for nightclubs
or radio stations. That is a different section of the entertainment
industry and it requires a different set of skills.
- How long have you been a Disc Jockey?
I entered
the mobile entertainment business in the late 1990s. I have worked as a DJ, a
DJ's assistant, a dancer, and a private dance instructor. I founded
Ivy Entertainment in January 2006.
- Will you make announcements at my
event?
I will make the announcements. I recognize that a truly
great DJ knows to minimize the amount of time
they spend speaking through microphone. It allows the guests to focus
on each other and your party.
- Will you be on time?
I will typically arrive
at least two hours early. This gives me time to set up all of my
equipment, check the sound, review the notes that I have taken for your
event, practice the
announcements, and change into suitable DJ
attire before your guests begin to arrive.
- How early will you be Set-Up?
I will arrive
about an hour before your
event and complete
my equipment set up at least15 minutes before your
event begins.
As you request additional services such as a cocktail hour or
lighting system, my set-up time will increase.
- Will you go over what we need to do at my
event?
I am happy to assist you by answering any questions that you
would like to ask me. However, if you require a significant amount
of planning assistance, I suggest you consult with a professional
event planner.
- Are we guaranteed the DJ of our
choice the day of our
event?
Absolutely, one of the great things about contracting
a single-operation DJ service is that I will never stick you with a
low-quality employee.
- What is your policy on food and alcohol?
I never
drink alcohol while I work. As a rule of thumb, I do not eat while I
work either. If you or your guests will be offended if I don't eat then
please let me know so I can plan accordingly.
- Who is Day-Of-Event
Management?
I will typically perform the day-of-event
management. That means that I keep track of the schedule, make announcements,
and keep an eye on the honored guests so that everyone is able to have
a great time. If you hire an event coordinator or planner then they
will often perform the day-of-event management.
- Are you a full-time DJ?
My
DJ service is not my only source of income.
I have a traditional job working in higher education.
- What do you do to get people dancing?
There
are a lot of things that I can do to get people dance. With a dancing
crowd, I can just play good music. With more shy groups, I can lead
line dances, a barn dance, and play games to get people relaxed enough
to get out on the dance floor. Of course, one huge thing is to simply
dim the lights. I do not use crazy hats, glow sticks,
maracas, inflatable instruments, party beads, hula hoops or any
other party favors unless I am specifically requested to do so.
- Are you going to talk a lot?
I use the microphone
when I make announcements and for some minimal interaction. The rest of my talking will be person to person.
- How can I find other DJs?
The best way to find
a DJ is at an
event like the one
you are having. In other words, if your have been to a great
wedding then ask that
couple about their DJ. If they are booked,
then the DJ will usually be able to recommend several other
talented DJs. The second best way is through
professional organizations like the one that I belong to, the
Arizona Chapter of
the America Disc Jockey Association.
- What does a DJ do?
DJ stands for Disc
Jockey and generally refers to anyone who plays music for an audience.
The DJ industry also has many subgroups. There
are those who focus on scratching and mixing music, particular types
of music, or particular types of
events. I specialize
in weddings. As a
great wedding DJ, I have to keep track of the
music, your guests, your vendors and the timeline that we create. Honestly,
the easiest thing that I do is play the music.
- Do you know the proper etiquette for your type of party?
I have always interacted well with each group at every event
for which I have provided
services.
- How do you describe your style?
I am attentive,
appropriate and detail oriented. I believe in asking question so that
I know exactly what you want and planning ahead so I can deliver exactly
what you want.
- Explain how you will handle the introductions, first dance,
cake cutting, garter, bouquet and special dances.
That
depends on what you want. I make sure that key people are in the room,
make the announcement, and get out of the way. It is your moment. Enjoy
it!
- Can we see you in action?
I am happy to provide
you with references, but I must also be respectful my clients' privacy.
You are welcome to attend any
public events that
I am servicing. I sometimes volunteer at the
Best Sunday
Night West Coast Swing Dance in Phoenix.
It is a non-profit WC Swing organization. However, I do not invite potential
clients to watch us at
private events. They
are private.
- Do you have a website?
Ivy Entertainment's official website address is
www.ivydj.com.
- Do you provide a contract?
As part of my insurance,
every event that
I perform at must have a written contract.
- Do you have a reception planning form?
I have
a reception questionnaire that helps us to develop a timetable for your
event based on your
answers and our verbal discussions.
- Are you licensed?
Arizona does not have a licensing
agency that applies to DJs. However, I do have insurance and several
trade names registered for my DJ service.
- How many breaks will you take during the reception?
I do not plan to take breaks during your
event.
- Will there be music played during these breaks?
If I took a break, I would continue to have music playing.
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