What is a DJ worth?
People have a great deal of difficulty shopping for a DJ for so many reasons, not the least of which is that hiring a DJ isn't something that people do on a regular basis. DJ services are highly specialized and require the talent of a unique individual. But, as with every professional, there are many ways a DJ can continue to improve the caliber of the service they offer. There are workshops, DVDs, courses, websites, books and all manner of other resources. Like every craft, being a DJ is a never-ending opportunity to be a better DJ.
Most people, not knowing how to shop for a DJ, simply ask how much we charge to provide our services. One of the things that happens when we quote prices to some people is that a few of them say, "well, I can get a DJ for less!" Since a DJ is such a significant part of your celebration, is pricing really your best determining factor in the hiring process? But how do you find a qualified professional who will make your celebration match the vision that you have?
Shop references, experience, ask what sort of training the DJ has had, whether they carry back-up equipment, what they guarantee, whether they use professional or home-grade gear and what they feel sets them apart.
While many people insist "I can get the same thing for half the price" here is an example of how that is not true. The following video is a cover of the song Firework by Katy Perry. However it's being sung by Yoko Ono.
Most people, not knowing how to shop for a DJ, simply ask how much we charge to provide our services. One of the things that happens when we quote prices to some people is that a few of them say, "well, I can get a DJ for less!" Since a DJ is such a significant part of your celebration, is pricing really your best determining factor in the hiring process? But how do you find a qualified professional who will make your celebration match the vision that you have?
Shop references, experience, ask what sort of training the DJ has had, whether they carry back-up equipment, what they guarantee, whether they use professional or home-grade gear and what they feel sets them apart.
While many people insist "I can get the same thing for half the price" here is an example of how that is not true. The following video is a cover of the song Firework by Katy Perry. However it's being sung by Yoko Ono.
Now imagine someone of that level of talent being in front of your guests at your celebration. After all, it's the "same thing," right? The song Firework, originally by Katy Perry. We're sure Yoko Ono will tell you she's offering the same thing - the song Firework sung by a celebrity - and may even say that her version is better because she's been a celebrity for longer than Katy Perry has even been alive.
But it's clearly not the same thing. I will go out on a limb here and say that Yoko Ono is essentially assaulting us with a spewing of a complete lack of talent and grace, a lack of rehearsal, a sad tribute to not honing her talent as a performer and a total disregard for the audience. She doesn't care about the audience's enjoyment of the celebration or what pleases them. Well, unless they came to laugh at her.
Yoko Ono is also using a beautiful piece of gear - that's a Bose L1 speaker system which is arguably one of the best speaker systems available for a vocal performer. So you see someone who has a disregard for the audience and a lack of talent and training can have the best gear available and still be an embarrassment to the hosts. The problem is Yoko Ono has neither talent nor has worked hard to perfect her craft. She doesn't care about you. But I bet you can hire her for half of what you can hire Katy Perry for. In fact, based on this performance, Yoko Ono may actually pay you to have her come "sing."
So the decision on who represents you in front of your family, friends, coworkers and guests is yours. But let's hope that discount DJ you're thinking of isn't a Yoko Ono.
Whether you like this song or not, here's that same song sung by someone who has rehearsed, does have talent and actually wants to make sure the audience and hosts get what they asked for - in a good way:
But it's clearly not the same thing. I will go out on a limb here and say that Yoko Ono is essentially assaulting us with a spewing of a complete lack of talent and grace, a lack of rehearsal, a sad tribute to not honing her talent as a performer and a total disregard for the audience. She doesn't care about the audience's enjoyment of the celebration or what pleases them. Well, unless they came to laugh at her.
Yoko Ono is also using a beautiful piece of gear - that's a Bose L1 speaker system which is arguably one of the best speaker systems available for a vocal performer. So you see someone who has a disregard for the audience and a lack of talent and training can have the best gear available and still be an embarrassment to the hosts. The problem is Yoko Ono has neither talent nor has worked hard to perfect her craft. She doesn't care about you. But I bet you can hire her for half of what you can hire Katy Perry for. In fact, based on this performance, Yoko Ono may actually pay you to have her come "sing."
So the decision on who represents you in front of your family, friends, coworkers and guests is yours. But let's hope that discount DJ you're thinking of isn't a Yoko Ono.
Whether you like this song or not, here's that same song sung by someone who has rehearsed, does have talent and actually wants to make sure the audience and hosts get what they asked for - in a good way: