• Don't just play the music like everone else, play it with passion.
• Go all out every time.
• Do whatever it takes to do the job right.
• Put the effort into every party like it was your own. However, listen to the customers needs because it's not your party it's theirs and everyone has special needs and different ideas of what they want their party to be like - and they're paying.
• You're in a service business - so you technically work for them.
• Never ever get content with where you are. Always try to improve no matter where your competition is relative to you.
• Learn from every party you do. Always ask yourself at the end of the night "how could I have done a better job" no matter how good the party was.
• Do it better than the competition and at a lower price.

There are many people out there who think all DJ's are more or less the same. Let me tell you that nothing can be further from the truth. While it's true that some DJ's can be a little similar, there are no two DJ's alike. Here is a list of some of the things that you should look at when comparing DJ's.

• Music Style

  The most obvious difference between DJ's is the style of music the DJ plays. While most DJ's tend to carry a large selection of music and can play a variety of music, a DJ usually has his own signiture, so to speak. (A lot of people tell me they can tell whether or not I'm playing at a party just by listening to the music!) Some DJ's tend to lean towards playing underground house while others will prefer the Hi-Energy sound while still another might like to get into the classics more. (I prefer Euro-Club myself.) So the first decision you have to make is do you like the type of music the DJ likes to play.

• Mixing Technique

  The next factor to look at is mixing style. Does the DJ keep a good flow while changing from one song to the next. One of the things that can kill the rythm of the dance floor the most is choppy mixing where the music is off beat or not "slammed" properly. An experienced DJ will keep a good uninterupted flow while with an inexperienced DJ you'll see people standing (instead of dancing) in between songs waiting for the mix to finish. While most DJ's nowadays are capable of beat mixing (the most elementary DJ skill), the flow of the party will still be off if the songs aren't "spaced" properly. Basically what this means is that even though the songs may be mixed on beat, the intro or outro to the song was too long or not mixed at the proper point thus leaving everone on the dance floor waiting for the lyrics to come in. Only experienced DJ's are good at this simply because they know every record like the back of thier hand and know exactly how and when to mix the two songs - thereby keeping the energy of the party pumping. The inexperinced DJ may get the beats together but the adrenalin rush is lost. So even though two DJ's may play the same two songs in a row, the final outcome will usually vary greatly.

• Timing is Everything

  Perhaps the most crucial factor that a DJ has to be able to do - even more importantly than mixing - is have good judgement while playing. Playing the right song at the right time is everything. Give two DJ's the same songlist not in any particular order and you will have two very different parties. Even though all the songs played throughout the night were the same, the order is different because each DJ "feels the crowd" in his own way thus determining what he will play next. The DJ who has a pulse on the crowd will play the right song at the right time. Needles to say, this comes only with a lot of experience or a lot of luck! I'll never forget when I once asked someone about a party one of my competitors played at. This person said "I gotta tell ya, he didn't play a bad song all night". I then said it must have been a great party and the person replied, "it was O.K. nothing great though". (This was a true conversation by the way.) Anyway, you get the point.

• Selection

  Most DJ's today have somewhat of a selection of music. But do they have enough of the right selection to suit your needs? Let's say you're having a big arabic crowd or a big hebrew crowd. What about getting deep into classic disco? What about new stuff, oldies or spanish? Most DJ's probably have (I would hope) a little of each but do they have enough to handle your special needs or do they only have a few of the basics to cover them for a typical party? These are questions you need to ask if these are your needs. I personally carry a very large selection of the best arabic music and am capable of doing a whole wedding with just hebrew music. My oldies date back to Glenn Miller and the Big Band era and my spanish disco section contains the latest commercial songs being played here as well as the hottest songs from Mexico and South America! And, of course, I always have the latest domestic and European club music. Needeless to say I try and prepare for everything. Is your DJ prepared? Find out before you hire him, not the night of your affair!

• Service

  I have always felt that for most people, making an affair is not an easy task. Whether making their first party or their 20th party, a lot of people can use direction in their planning. The DJ is an integral part of any party because almost everything during the night revolves around the music. I have, therefore, always felt it necesssary to be there for my customers in every way possible. Taking the time to sit down in person to review the party in detail, helping brides find a first dance song for their wedding, or supplying lists of other professionals in the industry are only a few of the things I feel are part of a DJ's job description in this community. Will your DJ take the time to go over your music in detail to make sure you get the songs you like played and to find out if you have any specific needs? Will he come to your house or go to a new catering hall to check out and help you with the setup of the room(s) if you need it? What about going out and buying a special song that you want played? Will he listen to your needs? These are all things you should consider when looking for a DJ.

• Experience, Price and Value

  Obviously price plays an important factor when hiring a DJ. The price range of DJ's can vary greatly. The question is are you getting what you pay for and are you getting a good value? I have always tried to set my prices at a fair value relative to my competition. Would you pay the same amount of money for a DJ with half the experience of another? Probably not. What if he charged only a few hundred less? That might be something to consider depending on how much less, but should you consider this option you'd then have to ask youself another question. Is it worth saving a couple of hundred on the most important part of the party - when you're spending sometimes tens of thousands of dollars on the night- only to get someone with half as much experience? Another thing to consider is what exactly does experience mean? Someone can be DJing for a lot of years but not have done that many actual parties. Although an unlikely situation, someone could be in business for a very short time but have done hundreds of parties. Usually years and actual parties go hand in hand but if I had to choose one, I would say actual parties count more. I can't speak for my competition, but I personally have done well over a thousand parties (I have no clue as to the actual amount). And as I mentioned before, there are a lot of important things about being a DJ that only come with experience. Just remember, in the DJ business you usually get what you pay for but you must also consider how much value of a DJ your getting for your money.

• Reputation

  Probably the best way to shop for a DJ is to simply ask around. A DJ is only as good as his reputation. If he's not known to do a good job, he doesn't do as many parties and visa versa. Ask as many people as you can to gauge what type of job he does and how happy or unhappy they were with him overall. Or, even better, do your own scouting and go listen to him at a party. (if you do this, keep in mind that all parties are different and people have different needs and what you hear may be a DJ catering to a specific crowd). I am proud of the jobs I have done and the people I have played for over the years and stand behind my reputation. Make sure your DJ can do the same.