Working with your DJ - 3 Top Tips

Want to know how to get the best out of your DJ for your event? Look no further. From my experience these top tips will help you have a great experience.

#1 Communicate, Communicate, Communicate!

Its really important you set clear expectations and share key information with your DJ when booking and preparing for your event. Can they just show up and work the room? Yes, as any experienced professional should be able to, they can simply turn up and do their job (hopefully pretty well too). However, being fully prepared means both you and your DJ can relax safe in the knowledge your party will run smoothly and you can enjoy your evening.

The obvious stuff to communicate would be:

• Venue Details - remember to include information about stairs or narrow access points, if there is a sound limiter on site, parking facilities etc.

• Timings of your event - knowing when they can access a space and what time they need to leave by is helpful, but it is also really important to share things like times you plan to serve food or any specific activities that might be taking place.

• Song Requests or Must Not Plays - Most DJs will take requests on the night, but you may have some songs you really do not want to hear at your party for a variety of reasons. You should make sure this is communicated, as well as any specific songs you want playing. Remember your DJ is not a jukebox, but a few song suggestions will help them get an idea of your tastes.

The less obvious stuff to communicate may include:

• Refreshments - will there be food and drink available on site, if not let them know so they come prepared. 6-10 hours is a long time without food and drink.

• Other Entertainment - If you have a band on or singing waiters, a performer of some kind, please tell your DJ so they know they are sharing the space or will have some down time.

• How you want to be introduced - Most of the time your DJ will also act as a kind of Master of Ceremonies for the evening, communicating information to guests etc. But they will also be responsible for any introduction you may want, such as "welcome to Zoe's Birthday Party here at the Plaza. We hope you have a wonderful time this evening". So if you have any preference on Mr & Mrs, Bride & Groom, First Name, or no introduction at all, let them know!

#2 It's not about the size of the rig, it's how you use it!

A bigger disco doesn't always make a better sound or provide a better party, however you do need enough lighting and sound to fill a room well. Ask your DJ about the room you are using and if they feel they can provide a good sound and lighting experience. They may have up-lighting solutions to help illuminate a room, or they may decide they need an extra sub to help pack a punch. Either way, if you don't talk about it, or at least see and hear their disco (always ask to see a video or photos), you are at risk of them being lost in a space or overwhelming it.

#3 Trust your DJ

It's really easy to want to plan your party down to the very songs that get played - please, don't. Trust your DJ to read the room and feed off the energy of your guests. If people keep asking for thrash metal but they have a floor full of people dancing to Motown they wont kill the vibe. They will work into the more obscure requests if they can. But if you have provided a 'playlist' that's four hours long and expect them all to be played and in that order, there is little room for them to do their job.

Also, bear in mind they do this for a living, so they can sense when trouble is brewing. Trust them to use the music or their skills on the microphone to help keep on evening on track. A good DJ can use music to build up a crowd and mellow them out as they want to.