Amateur DJ vs. Professional DJ
The price tag of hiring an Amateur/Hobbyist DJ may sound attractive at first, but once you weigh in all the factors of doing so what’s the best investment for you?
Keep in mind that the entertainment at your event contributes highly to whether your event is successful or not.
Firstly, I will say hiring an amateur for a simple house party (20-30 guests) where there is not a lot of pressure for preform at a professional standard may be the way to go as a lot of hobby DJs will do such event for the experience of playing in front of an audience, and we all need to start somewhere! Or if your event simply requires dinner and/or cocktail music and having breaks from song to song, will not be noticeable (Or make of break a party atmosphere) then again, an amateur DJ would indeed make a lot of sense in this regard as well. HOWEVER, …
- Amateurs are less invested in their performance than an Event professional. The amateur DJ is doing it “for fun,” and if something goes wrong, it’s not a big deal. An event professional, on the other hand, risks his entire reputation and livelihood with every performance. One bad review can destroy their business and they are aware of this.
- Every event is Unique! It’s about more than just playing music. Your event DJ is responsible for coordinating timelines, orchestrating the introduction and flow of events, working with your other vendors, reading the crowd and making sure the right song is played at just the right time.
- Your best way to a successful event is having a DJ that can read the crowd and build the atmosphere your looking for through the event. Your best bet for success it to play the right songs at the right time and in the right order to maintain dancing. And know when it’s time (If at all) to play a slow song your two. Oftentimes, the mood changes and your DJ need to know how to adjust the playlist along the way.
- The M/C has a huge impact on the mood and can change the outcome of your event. An amateur DJ may not have the mic skills or know how to present what needs to be said in a clear and professional manner, or worse… they may be too scared to speak on the mic altogether as it is something that’s not been practiced.
- An amateur doesn’t have the experience to include your unique requests in a way that truly expresses your personality AND keeps people dancing. Working in request is a skill that most novice DJs don’t have, I’ve seen many times that the DJ plays the requested song WAY too early. In my experience, in order to have the impact they client is looking for from the requested song it is usually best to work it in at the prime time of the event, and not at the beginning of the night as people are usually mingling with other guests and not quite ready to “cut a rug”
- DJs who charge less, usually invest less into their equipment. Meaning you may have inferior sound and equipment at your event. Professional speakers and equipment are necessary for clear sound that has impact at low volumes, so your guests can speak at the tables even while the dance floor is thumping. If you want your guests to clearly hear any speeches or public address, you’ll need professional equipment, and someone that can best optimize the equipment from venue to venue.
In short if you’re investing thousands of dollars (Or even hundreds) for your event, and looking to the DJ to entertain your guest, and create and fun and exciting time.
It makes the most sense to trust someone that has the experience and know how to do so, rather than trusting your big event to someone for a cheaper rate, and far less experience.
Contact me a anytime if your looking for a DJ in the Toronto, Waterloo, Kitchener, Hamilton, and Guelph, area!
