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Helpful Articles from Professional Alberta DJs

How to become a DJ - What to do? All Events How To / Instructional

So, you want to be an independent DJ. Clearly a DJ entrepreneur does things differently, but what are the inherent advantages of being an independent DJ, compared to those of a larger multi-system DJ company? With profit as the end goal, how can independent DJs achieve success operating on their own?

With so many different choices available, it is difficult for any entrepreneur to decide which business strategy to undertake. The career choice of an independent DJ is a difficult one because the independent is operating entirely alone, dependent solely on the skills and music selection that he or she brings to the event.

There are, however, many advantages to being an independent DJ. They include:

Focused Customer Attention

As independent DJs usually operate one function per night, they are afforded with the ability to provide the customer with the best in personal attention. When the customer wants an immediate response at the function, the independent DJ is right there for them. Independent DJs also have the ability to be market focused and choose customers selectively.

Equipment Quality Control

The ability to invest in one main system with a focused attention to backup equipment allows the independent DJ to offer higher-quality equipment than larger companies are able to invest in. In addition, the chances for equipment damage are also reduced significantly, as the independent DJ is the only one handling the equipment.

Schedule Flexibility

Independent DJs have greater flexibility in scheduling clients. One customer per night means that independent DJs can have more freedom for other money making ventures, as they are usually people with other careers and often subsidize the DJ business with monies earned from other sources. This is in contrast to the larger DJ companies that have multiple DJ units in constant circulation.

Sub-contracting

Independent DJs have the flexibility to not only work for themselves, but for other DJ companies as well.
Sub-contracting also enables the independent DJ to maintain market awareness with reduced advertising costs, since the independent DJ is networking with other DJ companies rather than directly with the client. It is imperative for independent DJs to be mindful of the companies that they are working with. Always ensure that the parent company is reputable and organized to avoid confusion and possible damage to your reputation.

Tax Benefits

Tax deductions are helpful regardless of the business enterprise. Independent DJs generally have less tax to pay than their multi-unit counterparts. Remember to obtain a business number from CCRA in order to receive your GST return. Independent DJs are able to write-off all of your music and equipment purchases.

Who's the boss?

Independent DJs are in absolute control of their own businesses. The only individuals that independent DJs have to please are those on the dance floor.

Identity

As with any business, there is only one chance to make a lasting first impression. When customers book the services of an independent DJ, they are getting everything at face value – literally. The customer is not booking one individual for the event and getting a complete stranger when the event begins. There is a definite comfort for the customer in knowing that there is only one point of contact. A lot to be said for familiarity in the DJ business, and independent DJs have the added advantages of capitalizing on this familiarity through complete control of company logos and all marketing initiatives.

Operating as an independent DJ is not for everyone. There are clearly many advantages to working towards operating a large multi-unit DJ service, however for those with a true entrepreneurial spirit there is much to be said for going it alone.

Written by Quests End Mobile Disc Jockey of Calgary, AB

How to Choose a DJ Wedding How To / Instructional

What is a Pro Mobile DJ?
How do you find one?


PROFESSIONAL : pro·fes·sion·al : Noun:
person following a profession, especially a learned profession.
One who earns a living in a given or implied occupation
A skilled practitioner; an expert.

By the dictionary any one who gets paid to be a mobile DJ is a professional. If your uncle Ed has some loud speakers from when he was in a band, connects his laptop and you pay him.. uncle Ed is now technically a “Pro”.

Is uncle Ed a “skilled practitioner” or an “expert”? Probably not.
Is Uncle Ed a good value for the dollar? Perhaps.. depending on what your expecting.

If the ONLY goal is to have some music in the background, and the quality of the entertainment is not important, Uncle Ed is probably a much greater value then attempting to connect an Ipod or CD player to an available (rental or Venue) sound system yourself.

But What If you want something more?

Many people feel that the Entertainment can make all the difference in the success of a party or reception, while others might feel that ‘music’ is just music, BUT don’t want the Entertainment to be another task or problem on their already full plate.

How do you tell the difference? How do you know that the mobile DJ your considering is “a skilled practitioner; an expert” or “following a profession” or maybe he is just some guy with some speakers?

In the Entertainment world a “skilled practitioner” is an entertainer with Talent and Experience. No one wants an ‘untalented’ DJ, but “Talent” is subjective and can not necessarily be judged from an advertisement or a phone call..
You want a professional who is Talented and an Expert, but you haven’t personally seen any lately, what do you do?

Do you call every DJ you can find and choose the one you want based on price?
Definitely not, entertainers are not a commodity to be equally compared by price. They are individuals with their own strengths and weaknesses. If you simply compare them by price, you might as well get ‘Uncle Ed’, at least you KNOW what your getting for your money with him..

What about asking friends or family (or ‘Word of Mouth’)?
This is probably your best bet! You might not have had the opportunity to witness a great DJ lately, but other people you know might have.

Word of Mouth can help in finding “a skilled practitioner”, but does it help find the “expert”? In most cases it does, because the people recommending them usually know what kind of celebration your planning.

There are also questions you can ask to help determine if the person is an experienced “expert”. Since you can’t “do-over” a wedding reception, graduation celebration, or a 50th birthday party, and ruining someone’s ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ event, can actually destroy a DJ’s reputation & business, the majority of Mobile DJ’s who have survived in their profession a long time will usually have same basic things in common.

Most experienced professional mobile DJ’s have;

1.) Contracts: many clients feel a lot more comfortable when the basic details of their event are written down and signed by both parties. A contract details the expectations of both parties and ensures a level of protection for everyone involved.

2.) Backup Equipment & Backup Plan: Does the entertainer you’re considering have a plan for sickness, injury or equipment failure? ASK!

3.) Liability Insurance: The chances of a guest being hit over the head with a speaker (and then suing the DJ who is EMPLOYED by the host) is probably a million to one, but an experienced DJ usually doesn’t feel the need to take that chance, (with their clients and with their DJ company). Many venues are now asking to see a copy of the entertainments liability insurance to help them keep their own liability insurance costs down.
(note: the person who hires the DJ can become liable if the DJ does not have liability insurance)

4.) Legal Music Library: Most DJ's are required to have an AVLA license in Canada. The chances of A DJ’s company being shut down because he was caught breaking the copyright law is even LOWER then his chances of being sued. Still, if a DJ can’t even be bothered to support the artists he makes his money from, how ‘professional’ and reliable do you think he is with the rest of the most basic things?

5.) Referrals: Not only from previous clients, but local wedding professionals & Venues.

In conclusion, it is entirely possible to find the entertainment that is right for you with just a little perseverance and the proper questions. Don’t be afraid to voice your concerns and listen for the answers that make you comfortable with that entertainer.
Remember, quality isn’t expensive, it’s priceless!

Submitted by Kerry Jackson of Hippydog Music.
Additional ideas and editing curtesy of Bill Smith "Magic of Music"

Written by Hippydog Music of Leduc, AB

Quality Vs Budget All Events General Party Tips

Have you ever had to make a decision between quality or budget? That's fine, if you're trying to save a few bucks on a commodity or appliance, but when it comes to service that is another thing. When it comes to special occasions like weddings, grads, anniversaries, or anything that inspires a celebration, the entertainment is one of the most crucial aspects of your event.

When it comes to hiring the right entertainment, you must keep in mind that it's only worth what it can do for you, not what you choose to pay for it. Quality is the result of hard work, and effort, it doesn't come by accident. A very wise man once said "There is hardly anything in the world that someone cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper and the people who consider price alone are that person's lawful prey".

I'm sure just about everyone who's been to several celebrations or dances have fallen victim to a "Dud" DJ or band! There's nothing worst then having to put up with an entertainer or DJ who knows very little about people skills or how to read a crowd. I've seen some DJ's who should have been a clown or stop sign. One of the reasons I built an entertainment business is because I love dancing, singing and having fun. I knew I had better skills at it than just about anyone I had seen at the dances I went to.

When I started to meet with couples to consult for their wedding, I knew that this is definitely the work for me. I believe that service is the highest purpose, so why not be the best at what you do. I've honed my skills with years of practice and hundreds of weddings, dances and countless celebrations, to where I feel I can call myself an expert in the entertainment trade.

John Ruskin once said: "It is unwise to pay too much, but it is also unwise to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money, that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything because the thing you bought is incapable of doing the thing you bought it to do."


At the end of the day, one has to assess if it's wise to compromise quality for budget, when there's only one oppportunity to get it right.

Written by Coady Entertainment of Edmonton, AB