Top 10 Mobile DJ Mistakes
As a entertainer for High School Dances, Sweet 16s, College Events, and Weddings, I have come to know for myself what separates the truly great djs from the 'self-proclaimed' great djs. I share this with you to make you aware of the pitfalls that may come with other djs. I also want you to know that by choosing Swell DJ Productions you can rest assured that these situations won't occur. And by that I give you the Top ten most common mistakes that other mobile DJs make.
10. Small Sound System
I understand why many djs choose a smaller sound system, quite frankly because it is more friendly on their backs and their wallets. However, this is the one of the most common mistakes djs make. How many times do you want your guests to ask him to turn it up because they can't hear the announcements or feel the music in the back of the room? Smaller Speakers are limited on their range of quality sound output. Even though he may try to turn up the volume, the quality eventually fades and the sound becomes more distorted. Larger sound systems have more headroom when it comes to volume and can generally be more intelligible at louder levels than smaller systems.
9. Repeat songs
I don't know why djs do this but it seems that this still occurs too often. BAD DJs will play songs again for a number of reasons, lack of any other choices, because he mistakenly thinks you want to hear a song 12 times, or maybe just because he is lazy.
8. Wrong songs for crowd
Have you ever been on the dance floor with your friends having a great time dancing to one of your favorite songs and then all of a sudden the DJ switched songs to a mood killer? This may be because he wasn't watching the crowd. A great DJ watches intently like a hawk to see what is working and what isn't. He looks to see who is singing along, tapping their feet, and ultimately shaking it on the dance floor. He uses this to decide what songs or style of music to play next. If he sees people getting tired and catching their breath from a high energy mix, his next track should still be exciting but have a slower tempo until they are ready again.
7. Too much talking
I don't know about you but I've been to some dances and receptions where it seemed more like a bad audition or stand up comedic act than dancing. I suppose many djs, after conquering their fear of public speaking, start to enjoy hearing themselves speak too much. Although Djs need to talk once in awhile, make announcements, and get the crowd hyped up a bit...Too often DJs go over board as if they are trying too hard.
6. Jukebox style of mixing
This next style of Djing is the opposite. These are the Djs that don't try hard enough. That's right, when it comes to mixing and creatively blending songs in an energetic way, they never step up to the plate. This is the kind of DJ that sits behind a playlist on a computer, or uses his Ipod. Something so easy that you could have done yourself, so why did you pay him to do it? Either they are too lazy, they don't care, or they never practice.
5. 'American Idol' DJ
I call the next contestant this because they aren't there or you. Although they say they are there for your party, the truth is that they are only there to promote themselves and play the kind of music they want to hear. It doesn't seem to matter that you like one artist or another, he already comes ready to play what he believes to be superior. If a Band plays what is popular it is looked down upon and maybe they are called a "sell-out." But if a DJ takes and plays requests, keeps people dancing by playing popular songs, and switches it up to keep people happy, he becomes the Hero.
4. What Insurance?
Trustworthy and responsible DJs will carry liability insurance for you, your guests, and his own safety. Although precautions can be made such as taping down cables, securing items, and following common sense... Accidents can still happen. Check with your DJ to make sure he has our best interest at heart.
3. Backup Equipment
Self-explanatory. Like insurance, a good dj test and maintain his equipment and still have back-up equipment just in case so that your event is guaranteed to flow smoothly no matter what!
2. Inexperience
Quite frankly this is overlooked too often. Many Part-time, shoot by the hip mentality djs exist that will claim they have the experience when what they really mean is they plan on gaining it by "practicing at your event." Choose a full-time caring professional entertainer that will go the extra mile because he has done it before and he 'knows how' for your event.
1. The Cost of the Bargain DJ
Have you ever heard the phrase "You get what you pay for"? After considering all the aspects of your event such as the location, decorations, catering, etc... The one thing you and your guests will remember is if you had fun or not. Don't take any chances by cutting corners with the single most important ingredient ..the Entertainment.
10. Small Sound System
I understand why many djs choose a smaller sound system, quite frankly because it is more friendly on their backs and their wallets. However, this is the one of the most common mistakes djs make. How many times do you want your guests to ask him to turn it up because they can't hear the announcements or feel the music in the back of the room? Smaller Speakers are limited on their range of quality sound output. Even though he may try to turn up the volume, the quality eventually fades and the sound becomes more distorted. Larger sound systems have more headroom when it comes to volume and can generally be more intelligible at louder levels than smaller systems.
9. Repeat songs
I don't know why djs do this but it seems that this still occurs too often. BAD DJs will play songs again for a number of reasons, lack of any other choices, because he mistakenly thinks you want to hear a song 12 times, or maybe just because he is lazy.
8. Wrong songs for crowd
Have you ever been on the dance floor with your friends having a great time dancing to one of your favorite songs and then all of a sudden the DJ switched songs to a mood killer? This may be because he wasn't watching the crowd. A great DJ watches intently like a hawk to see what is working and what isn't. He looks to see who is singing along, tapping their feet, and ultimately shaking it on the dance floor. He uses this to decide what songs or style of music to play next. If he sees people getting tired and catching their breath from a high energy mix, his next track should still be exciting but have a slower tempo until they are ready again.
7. Too much talking
I don't know about you but I've been to some dances and receptions where it seemed more like a bad audition or stand up comedic act than dancing. I suppose many djs, after conquering their fear of public speaking, start to enjoy hearing themselves speak too much. Although Djs need to talk once in awhile, make announcements, and get the crowd hyped up a bit...Too often DJs go over board as if they are trying too hard.
6. Jukebox style of mixing
This next style of Djing is the opposite. These are the Djs that don't try hard enough. That's right, when it comes to mixing and creatively blending songs in an energetic way, they never step up to the plate. This is the kind of DJ that sits behind a playlist on a computer, or uses his Ipod. Something so easy that you could have done yourself, so why did you pay him to do it? Either they are too lazy, they don't care, or they never practice.
5. 'American Idol' DJ
I call the next contestant this because they aren't there or you. Although they say they are there for your party, the truth is that they are only there to promote themselves and play the kind of music they want to hear. It doesn't seem to matter that you like one artist or another, he already comes ready to play what he believes to be superior. If a Band plays what is popular it is looked down upon and maybe they are called a "sell-out." But if a DJ takes and plays requests, keeps people dancing by playing popular songs, and switches it up to keep people happy, he becomes the Hero.
4. What Insurance?
Trustworthy and responsible DJs will carry liability insurance for you, your guests, and his own safety. Although precautions can be made such as taping down cables, securing items, and following common sense... Accidents can still happen. Check with your DJ to make sure he has our best interest at heart.
3. Backup Equipment
Self-explanatory. Like insurance, a good dj test and maintain his equipment and still have back-up equipment just in case so that your event is guaranteed to flow smoothly no matter what!
2. Inexperience
Quite frankly this is overlooked too often. Many Part-time, shoot by the hip mentality djs exist that will claim they have the experience when what they really mean is they plan on gaining it by "practicing at your event." Choose a full-time caring professional entertainer that will go the extra mile because he has done it before and he 'knows how' for your event.
1. The Cost of the Bargain DJ
Have you ever heard the phrase "You get what you pay for"? After considering all the aspects of your event such as the location, decorations, catering, etc... The one thing you and your guests will remember is if you had fun or not. Don't take any chances by cutting corners with the single most important ingredient ..the Entertainment.
posted by Swell DJ Productions at
12:27 AM
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