Selecting your music for your event

Selecting your music for your event

As I reminisce about my first party, I distinctly remember a certain nervousness I felt as I was setting up my equipment. To calm myself down that evening I assured myself this was a very common occurrence for someone in the driver's seat for the first time. But why was I nervous I thought? oddly enough, I realized it wasn't because I was unsure of my ability to perform my arsenal of newly learned activities, but rather it's stemmed from my unproven ability to choose the right music for the next 4 hours.

 Years of experience and trial-and-error have given me the ability to master the task of choosing the right music. Music selection should come from three sources. Here they are in order of importance:

1. Client’s Requests - In most cases a client will request five to ten songs if any at all. These requests should always be honored whenever possible. If the songs requested aren't danceable, play them during cocktail hour or dinner.
2. Guest’s Requests - By visiting the tables you'll get a nice list of selections preferred by the guests. We realize as disc jockeys most requests are similar from party to party.
3. Perennial Favorites - This is the group of 25 or so songs you find yourself playing at every party. Selections such as “Celebration”, “Uptown funk”, and “I got a Feeling” are ones that always get people to the dance floor at every party.

The songs from these three sources will overlap because perennial favorites or songs people request the most. A disc jockey must realize the importance of all three sources and learn how to effectively juggle them throughout the party.

You should generally find yourself playing the same 50 or so songs at most parties. You're selection of Music should primarily come from at least one of the three sources and should not come from your personal opinion. DJ's who avoid playing “Celebration” because they dislike the song are missing the whole point.

It is easy to enter into a routine at parties, playing the same sets in the same order week after week. That's not how to be truly successful in this business. Customize the music you play to your clients and guests needs. One of the simplest ways to make an individual impression on a party guest is to play the song they ask for. Remember, that one nondescript person at the table in the back of the room is potentially your next referral.

SMILING Can Change EVERYTHING!

SMILING Can Change EVERYTHING!

A study by the Center for Creative Leadership points out the incredible power behind a frequent smile. For The Mobile Disc Jockey a smile is an essential part of a totally professional image.When a client sees a smile they know their DJ is friendly and ready to have fun making their party great.

Learning to exercise your facial muscles into a lively grin is a simple task that actually requires less effort than is needed to frown. And, smiling can help maintain healthy, youthful-looking skin!

Everyone can benefit from smiling more frequently. It can even give you an edge over the competition. Holiday Inn reports that recently when filing 500 positions at a new facility, managers excluded all candidates from over 5,000 applicants who smiled fewer than four times during the interview. This apply to all people in all categories.

The smile is so powerful it can be seen and heard over telephone lines. Start smiling even before you pick up the phone to call a client. Your conversation will be more friendly and relax. You establish the positive Rapport you need to win their trust and confidence in you as their disc jockey.
So, when you pack up your car for your next party, flash a few award-winning Crimson to the rearview mirror of your car;  then smile your way to success!

Purchasing new equipment

Purchasing new equipment 

You are browsing your favorite site, and see that new piece of equipment that you really want now and not months from now?

 Are you wanting to upgrade your equipment but don’t have that large sum of cash to buy it but really need to get it?

Have you heard of Affirm? Affirm is a company that may be offer you a loan so you can get that equipment you need! They offer payment plans from 3 to 18 months depending on your income and credit. I do know some DJs that their credit is not the best, but were offered a loan. It can’t hurt to look into it. They offer ZERO percent interest if you go through Pro Audio Star, but will also finance from other sites through a virtual credit card. If not going through Pro Audio Star be careful as sometimes they will tack on a 30% interest rate. You can pay it off early with no penalty. I have used them to get most of my equipment and have no problems with them. You can also set up automatic payments so you don’t forget to pay your loan in this busy world. 

Working with Photographers & Videographers

Working together with The Photographer & Videographer

Making the wedding run seamless is a hard task when the DJ , videographer, & photographer all have jobs to do. TEAMWORK and COMMUNICATION are the main keys to keep the event running smoothly and on time. Coordinating activities through communicating with each other will assure the highest quality from each service. Here are some tips to help you:

1. Meet and Coordinate Make it a point to introduce yourself when you see the videographer and or the photographer. Trad cards with them and take a few minutes to discuss the special events involved, such as the time of the introductions, cake cutting ceremony, and garter & bouquet toss.
2. Communication is the key Disc Jockeys must be aware of the need for the videographer and photographer to prepare for each special event. Give them enough time so that everything can be captured as it is happening. They will be able to take memorable action shots if they know when you are planning dances or activities such as the cupid shuffle, chicken dance, item pass, or multiplication dance.
3. Always give warning & check  5 to 10 minutes before you do any special song or activity make sure you inform not only the Banquet manager but the videographer & photographer as well. Just before you start an important ceremony like the cake, make sure they are both in the room or hold it off until you can find them.
4. Don’t Rush Disc Jockeys must watch to make sure the photographer has taken all of the required shots before moving to the next song or activity. For example, wait for the bride & groom to kiss at the conclusion of the cake cutting ceremony, or ask your photographer if it is ok to throw the Garter or Bouquet.

Our common goal - complete customer satisfaction, by working as a team we can achieve this together!

Good morning DJs

Good morning DJs

Good morning to everyone! Thank you Greggie C for having me to contribute to this wonderful blog and be a part of this.

Some of you may know me. My name is Steven “The Voice” Elliot, and I have been a DJ for 25 years and have performed at thousands of different events ranging from Florida to all over New England. I am also a professional emcee for Comic Cons all over the United States.

Some of you may be asking why are you named “The Voice”? Good question. The late actor Richard Hatch, who is best know to many for his work in the Sci-fi show, “Battlestar Galactica” was and still is my mentor for all things Emcee I have ever done for the past 25 years. Richard gave me that name at a convention in Houston, TX. Richard left us last year due to pancreatic cancer. I dedicate all I do to him. In 1991 in Chicago, IL I was fortunate enough to meet James Doohan, who to many is best know as the engineer Scotty from Star Trek. He is my inspiration for being a DJ.

I will be sharing with you experiences that work and some that don’t work, how to be prepared for almost anything that could happen at your show, equipment that I have that guests have told me they love, and some they gave feedback on that they really don’t like.  New ideas and games to try at your events, and music that is getting feedback at events plus more. I really hope to meet you all in person!

PARTY ON!

The Voice

Props and Costumes

The art of wearing Costumes

One of the easiest way to enhance your party and make you more distinctive is to wear costumes and use props. However,  you must be careful in the way you use your costumes. Ask yourself this very important question:  Will the crowd understand why I am wearing this costume?  You may have good intentions, but wearing a mask or  using a prop that just doesn't fit can confuse people and make them feel uncomfortable.

By choosing your costumes carefully, people will remember you at the talented and Lively DJ who knows how to add more FUN to a party.  You can easily see how this can get you more future bookings.

Song related costumes and Props

Here are some examples of matching the costume with the song or artist.

1. Tequila - Perfect for a blow up Sax
2. A pair of nerd glasses or sunglasses with lenses popped out and a blow up guitar can transform you into Buddy Holly.
3. Put a headband on and a denim vest and you’ll be recognized at The Boss Bruce Springsteen.

These are the types of props and costumes that make the music you play more exciting. People will respond because they will understand how they fit with the song. For example: you can use a fruit and banana hat and lyp sync and dance to Day-O with it on.

Conga Line:  Wear a sombrero and carry maracas with you as you lead the line. You lead the line around the room. People will see that you and everyone else on the line are having so much fun, they will want to get up and join you. You are also asserting your leadership abilities by wearing the sombrero. While you go to cue up the next activity, let a guest wear the sombrero and become the leader. When the song ends, thank the person by giving them the sombrero as a momento if you want. It won't cost you a lot to add a special touch that will be remembered!

Chicken Dance:  A chicken mask, a beak, chicken feet, or any other poultry related items will make the chicken dance more exciting and humorous. You can toss a rubber chicken into a circle of people to announce the Chicken Dance.  People will remember the flying chicken and the Disc Jockey who threw it!

In closing, costumes can generate a ton of excitement at your party while making it more enjoyable for you. The more fun you are having, the more fun your guests will have. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on costumes or props. But remember you need to spend a little, to make a LOT of money!

Your Equipment IS your Business

Your Equipment IS your Business

Your equipment is your livelihood and if anything happens it can stop you in your tracks and even put you out of business. Follow the suggestions below to prevent loss and save yourself money and aggravation.

Prevention of Loss

The best way to avoid possible theft is to remove your equipment from your vehicle after every show. This way, the chance of theft occurs only when you are loading or unloading. To prevent loss when you arrive at an establishment, make a quick inside to let the client or banquet manager know you’ve arrived. While you do this and while you unload (if it is an unsafe area), have an employee watch your car and offer them a tip or a give away when you are finished.

For those of you who take the risk and leave equipment in the car, make sure you have a car alarm and it is armed. Remember, any way you can protect your equipment from theft is to your advantage. If you must occasionally leave equipment in your car (Not Recommended),  keep quilts or blankets handy and completely cover every item.

Tile offers a bluetooth tracker you can use to track lost items and in some cases when it is stolen. They have keychain tiles for your keys or even slim tiles for your laptop or wallet or whatever you can stick/hide them in. They last a year and are worth the investment. When you install the app on your phone and/or tablet, you will also be able to find them as well with either another device or any tile that is connected to that device. 2 for $25 and 4 for $75

Get your tiles and apps here: https://www.thetileapp.com


Insurance

Protect your equipment when it is stored at home or in your apartment. Do not believe your homeowners or auto insurance will cover your Professional DJ equipment unless you HAVE IT IN WRITING! There are companies like N.A.M.E. entertainers that sell both insurance for your equipment starting at only $150 A YEAR  for $15,000.00 plus they also sell liability insurance in case someone gets hurt at your event or the hall requires you have it. Visit them at www.nameentertainers.com and tell them The DJ Entertainment School sent you!

The moment when your show actually begins

The moment when your show actually begins

If your answer is “When you call your client”, you are correct.

That’s right! Your show does begin right at that moment. Think about the beginning of each of your shows. You arrive early, you introduce yourself and your company, you break the ice and motivate the audience toward a lively and fun party. So aren't you really doing the same thing when you call your client? The answer is… you should be, and you can be!

Here’s How: When you call each client, get to know them a little and tell them something about yourself. Find out what they want and what they expect. If you know ahead of time what they expect of you, you can get a head start on exceeding their expectations and it will be much easier to achieve.

Don’t be afraid to make suggestions. After all, YOU are the expert. But be cautious and remember it is THEIR party, not yours. In other words, “let a little air out of the ego bag” and you’ll be OK. Listen to your client ideas and suggest improvements to make them better. Then, do all you can to fulfill their wishes.

Finally, give them a telephone number where they can reach you directly. You want them to call YOU, their personal DJ, not someone from the office who is not familiar with you and your style. Your early client contact deserves the same intense dedication as you put into your shows.

Tips to Help a wedding run smooth

Tips to Help a wedding run smooth

Planning a wedding reception can be an arduous task… ask anyone who has gone through it! From securing a hall to hiring a DJ, this once in a lifetime event can consume endless hours of planning and arranging. Although most couples will find it hard to agree on what to do, aside from committing to the “M” word to begin with, all agree the success of their wedding reception will hinge on the happiness of their guests. A professional DJ is the key ingredient to that success formula. Here are some suggestions on how you can turn every wedding reception into a memorable and successful time for the bride and groom and for all their guests.

Introductions

Take down the wedding introduction names during your initial phone call to the client. Write those names out phonetically so as to announce them properly. On the day of the affair, double check the order of the bridal party and pronunciations with the bride & groom or as you line everyone up.

Your introductions should always be upbeat and lively but not rushed. In between each announced couple, take a second to read the next two names while everyone is still clapping. This will help you pace yourself but more importantly, to announce the names correctly.

Your music selection underneath your intros is crucial. Do not be afraid to experiment with different songs, instrumentals especially. You can even try some classical overtures or Movie themes as well.

Singing Wedding Gram

Here’s another way to put those table captains to work. Get all of your table captains to come to the dance floor and create a half circle in front of the bride and groom. Inform the guests the Table Captains will sing a wedding gram to the Bride & Groom. Use “Going to the Chapel” and have them sing into the microphone to the music.

The First Dance

After the bride and groom have danced through the first chorus of their first dance, be sure (if ok) to invite the bridal party and parents out to the dance floor to join the bride & groom. Another nice touch would be to invite the guests as well just after that so you can also fill the dance floor.

Cake Cutting

The general rule use to be sing the bride cuts the cake. Nowadays people want to know a few min before the cake so they can get their cameras ready. Do a Play by play if you can to keep those not close to the cake informed. Make sure you always ask for a round of applause for the bride & groom after the cake ceremony regardless of the outcome.

Garter & Bouquet

The music you select for this is important from girls just want to have fun to Single Ladies and from Macho Man to Hot in Here. Remember whatever leg He runs the garter up is the wrong one. To get more mileage out of it, have the two trade places and have her run the garter up his leg.

Married Couples Dance

This activity is natural for wedding receptions. Play a slow song like “Through the years” and encourage the married couples to come to the dance floor and share this dance with the bride & groom when you call out the number of years they have been married. For Example: “Those couples married 30 years or more please join the bride & groom on the dance floor” and then “Those couples married 25 years or more please join the bride & groom on the dance floor”. Keep decreasing by 5 years till you get to the rookies or newly married couples.

Best Activities

A multiplication dance is more successful when the guests are asked to make a circle around the bride and groom and not by having each partner find a new partner from the tables. Add an item pass and these two activities combined give you two ways to open the dance floor. Visiting tables for requests and dinner trivia can also break the ice. Sometimes line dances like the Cha Cha slide, Cupid shuffle, or Chicken Dance are expected. Throw in a conga line or choo choo train and you have made the party memorable.