Q: How much are your services?
A: My rates are set-up as packages allowing you to utilize only what is required. I have implemented a Flat-Rate-Package structure totally focused on the essentials, talent and music. This means no inflating of rates because of the type of event. The only deviations to my established rates would depend upon a number of factors including size of the event, location, and type of setup. I offer a high-end professional disc jockey service for the area. For your convenience, I have implemented this flat rate package structure keeping in focus with standard Hall rental times. For example, if an afternoon reception starting at 12:00 PM at the Harborview Center and the event has to end at 3:00 PM, so they can set-up for a later 6:00PM reception, offering unlimited hours or overtime prices would be a waste. If you only have the Banquet facility for three hours, my 3-hour reception package would better fit your budget and allow me to accept a booking from a client holding a later event.
Q: Is sales tax or other fees added to the cost?
A: No. There is no sales tax on DJing services. Your Flat-Rate-Package is what you pay. Sales tax is added to rentals and purchases of props or other retail items. Your Flat-Rate-Package is guaranteed. If the State of Florida incorporates such a tax after you have received an Entertainment Agreement, I will pay the tax personally and supply proof to you that I have done so. Either way your rate will be in writing.
Q: How early should we book you?
A: The sooner the better. My most popular dates often fill up close to a year in advance. The earliest I've every been booked for a wedding reception was 31-months by the catering manager of the Holiday Inn Resort. On average I suggest you be prepared to book as early as 9-14 months prior to your event. Remember, Georgia hosts thousands of wedding receptions and other type of events yearly and popular dates fill fast. If you are running on short notice, please contact my office via phone so I may assist you. Don't make entertainment your last decision; If I'm booked on your date I'll refer you to another professional and not leave you to the wolves.
Q: What if we need to cancel or change our date? <<to top>>
A: Life is full of many surprises, some joyous, others not. I will work with you, as long as I'm well informed. I have experienced Hurricanes, floods, tornados and other type events resulting in re-scheduling of events and I've had clients cancel out weddings due to un-reconcilable differences. The key to forfeiting a paid retainer and receiving credit towards another date, or event, is only a call away. You will not lose any money, but all retainers are non-refundable.
Q: Are your rates negotiable to match competitor's rates?
A: No. My rates are based upon my costs and the value of my service, talent and experience. My direct competitors are the professional disc jockeys whose rates, service, talent and experience is similar to mine. There are too many different levels of talent and price is often a reflection of these. Simply stated, "You get what you pay for." I do offer programs very competitive for charities, not-for-profit organizations, and my repeat customers. When you hire me you not only get a professional disc jockey, you also get Reliability, Trustworthiness, Professionalism, Personal Attention, A Written Guarantee On My Contracted Obligations, and Most Important, Peace-of-Mind.
Q: Is setup and takedown time included in your price?
A: Yes. My Flat-Rate-Package structure includes un-obstructive setup and takedown. I request a sixty-minute un-obstructive set-up period prior arrival of first guest. Takedown of a standard system is fifteen to thirty-minutes of the events conclusion.
Q: Do we get a contract? What is the deposit or retainer? <<to top>>
A: I require a signed Entertainment Agreement and $250 non-refundable retainer to reserve your date. I accept payment of the retainer by personal check, money order, bank or credit card draft, please don't mail cash, cash in person is fine as I can hand you a paid receipt. My Entertainment Agreement, designed by T.R. Eunice a contract law attorney, covers all my contracted obligations and is the foundation of my 100% money-back guarantee of service. The remaining balance can be paid off any time up until the start of your event. If you will be paying by personal or business check I request payment during final consultation to allow payment to clear. If you choose to pay by other means at the event, this is not a problem, I must receive it before the guests begin entering the event or after I've setup so that I'm not trying to get payment at the end of the night when you are saying goodbye to your guests. I suggest you select a payment option as soon as possible so that you can relax and enjoy your event.
(P.S. Please don't be offended by my strict business requirements. Overtime, I've encountered individuals not as honest as you.)
Q: Do you offer a service Guarantee?
A: Yes. Click the link to GUARANTEE located in the menu bar.
Q: Are you insured?
A: Yes. I'm covered by a $2 million dollar aggregate liability insurance policy. You and your guests are protected by our service. This is more then my hobby, it's a full-time profession and I take my job very serious and professionally.
Q: How will you be dressed at our event? <<to top>>
A: You Decide. I own a variety of formal tuxedo's, business suites and business casual attire. If your event is a formal affair, a tuxedo is in order. If it less formal a business suit may be in order. I will not show up at your event wearing a company logo for a formal event.
Q: Will you advertise at our event?
A: No. The success of by business has always been a result of quality service and solid references from past clients. As a satisfied client, you, will be my best advertisement. I will never show up at a formal event and set up a banner or sign advertising what company is the disc jockey. At my work area I will have business cards and if asked I'll hand one to an individual, that's all.
Q: Will you be inviting possible clients to view our event? <<to top>>
A: No. When someone calls me about my service, I have no idea who they are. You have placed careful consideration in deciding who would be on the guest list of your special moment and I'm sure you left some individuals for a variety of reasons off the list, now imagine if I were to invite one of them to see me at "your" event. Inviting strangers into your event is just not a risk I'm prepared to take. If a client would like to see me at an actual performance, I mix at a variety of public forums as well as, all the Tampa Bay area parades, that these prospects can view me without intruding on another clients event.
Q: How far will you travel? <<to top>>
A: My local market I commonly serve is the United East Coast - I have booking scheduled across Georgia, Metro Atlanta, Peachtree City, Tampa Bay, Sarasota, Miami, and Orlando. I have performed for events from Los Angeles and San Francisco, California to Boston Massachusetts, I will travel anywhere however additional travel expenses will be incurred and passed onto my client. For specific costs contact me personally for advice.
Q: Will you actually be the DJ at our event? <<to top>>
A: YES. This question is very common. You are booking my service based on my experience and talent, and I will be the individual at the microphone the day of your event. I have a professional network of industry disc jockey leaders, backing me up in the event of any un-foreseen emergency.
Q: When do we finalize our event details? <<to top>>
A: During your pre-scheduled final consultation and event production meeting at my office or over the telephone, which occurs eleven days before your event. Bring all the production and planning paper-work you received once your booking was confirmed. I recommended if the event is a wedding both bride and groom attend, we will discuss every single detail of your event including expectations, music, pronunciations of names, and time-line of events.
Q: Do you have backup equipment? <<to top>>
A: Yes. My system features backup components for each of the major equipment pieces responsible for proper sound projection. If I'm mixing via CD, my cases has four CD players, two concert quality amps, backup corded microphone for my cordless microphone, direct mix capability in the very unlikely situation my mixing board would stop working. I will have an amount of equipment on-hand to ensure the music keeps going. I'm very knowledgeable of the workings of my equipment. If something does fail, it can be easily fixed or switched without you and your guests even knowing.
Q: Do you take breaks? <<to top>>
A: Yes. Does my music play continuously throughout the night; YES. From time-to-time will I be away from the DJ area? YES. The taking a break question is a result of individuals shopping for bands that take a union break at required time periods. If I have to take a small trip to use the restroom or get a glass of water, my being away from the booth does not mean the music stops. Once your event starts I'm interwoven into the flow and time-line.
Q: Will you Blow-Away our guests? <<to top>>
A: One of your greatest concerns should be the type of sound system utilized and its placement at your event. Many of the locations used for social events present unique acoustical situations, positioning equipment un-properly will result in Blowing-Away a section of your guests.
This is not the case with my service. During the planning process we will review my "Acoustics To Event Success" planner clients download copy here As a sound engineer every week for F.C.C.O.T. I balance the acoustics each week for thousands in attendance, for you, this means an experienced acoustical engineer will be setting the volume and making sure the sound is evenly dispersed throughout the hall as possible. I will make sure that your guests can hear both themselves speaking and the background music. When it comes time to pick up the room energy for dancing the volume will be adjusted accordingly. My equipment speakers will be positioned in a manner discussed in my "Acoustics To Event Success" planner. The equalization of the music in order to get the right sound for your specific room is only part of the process, guest seating arrangements adds to the mix.
Q: Can we select the music played at our event? <<to top>>
A: Yes. Keeping your events energy level high depends on a lot of things including the selection of music, the creativity of the mix, my emceeing personality, atmosphere, etc…but not just the music. You can supply me with a comprehensive list of songs to play, some requests. It is all up to you. I only ask that I be given room to utilize my experience and talent, allowing me to mix your selections combined with others I feel would create music sets in-line with your taste. On average clients give me ten must play songs and I mix songs of similar style to complement your request. Remember to select music you like and will want to dance to.
Q: Can we have a selection of "don't play" songs? <<to top>>
A: Yes. For me, this is extremely important. If you tell me not play a specific song or even a specific type or style of music "It will not be played". It's important that you feel confident with my service and my promise to fulfill your event requirements. During the event production and planning phase of your event you will receive a list of songs such as, Electric Slide, Cha Cha Slide, YMCA and others that are commonly requested at weddings. By each of these you are given the opportunity to list "Y", "R", "N".
definition;
"Y" Yes, This song should be played during our event.
"R" Request" This is not one of my favorites but, if one of our guests request the song it's ok to be played.
"N" NO! This song is not to be played at our event. When a song is selected to not be played the day of your event "It Will Not Be Played".
Q: What if we want a song that you don't have? <<to top>>
A: My music collection is exhaustive and comprehensive, spanning over thirty-thousand songs from several decades. Often a client will want a song that is somewhat obscure or had never made the top-ten charts and I may not have it. If this is the case there are two options: you may either supply me with the CD before the event so that I can check it for scratches, or I can obtain a specific song before your event. If your looking for a specific song to purchase I recommended looking here cdnow.com. If you bring music to your event, CD format is preferred and I will return it to you at the end of the event.
Q: Will your music offend my guests? <<to top>>
A: My position is not to push morality onto my clients via censorship of an artists right to freedom of speech. However, I understand the usage of vulgar or suggestive lyrics is not appropriate for the majority events.
In better serving my clients I give you the ability to "RATE" your event <see Voluntary Event Music Rating Program here>>. This gives me the medium which would better reflect your event music flow. Keeping this in mind; Some individuals consider such songs as the "Twist" a reflection of suggestive lyrics. If your event needs special consideration please give me a call.
Q: How interactive of a DJ are you? <<to top>>
A: This is another great concern of my customers. The answer is simple and deserves definition: I'm as interactive as you want me to be. My secret is the ability to remain the background figure that keep's the attention on the bride and groom at weddings, or completely outgoing for new years eve events. It all depends on the event and my clients desires. If your looking for a Pee-Wee Herman personality and ego needing to be the center of attention, to the point of embarrassment I will now admit, I'm not that type of disc jockey and you should start looking elsewhere.
I'm a professional entertainer with the professionalism to energize your crowd without dated and sometime tacky antics. I will never hear me yelling or singing into the microphone. Experiences is my secret in maintaining a degree of professionalism no matter how outgoing you want me to be. I will use my skills professionally and never steal your spotlight.
Q: Are you a member of any professional organizations? <<to top>>
A: Yes. I'm an industry consultant and member of several national and international professional networking associations. Within the Disc Jockey industry my company Wholesale Entertainment Printing supports our industry groups.
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