How To Choose a DJ For Your Prom Or Homecoming

Choosing your prom entertainment is one of the most crucial decisions that you will make. The entertainment that you choose will literally make or break the event. It doesn't matter if the décor, food and venue are perfect, if the entertainment bombs, your classmates will remember how bad the event truly was forever. When it comes to prom's, like weddings, there are no do overs. These are once-in-a-lifetime events. Many prom committees make the mistake of hiring the entertainment last, after the decor, venue, and food have all been purchased. What is left is often left for the DJ, resulting in terrible or mediocre entertainment.

Our recommendation is to spend wisely. The difference between a $500 DJ, and a $1000 DJ can vary greatly. Quality is everything. A $1000 DJ with 500 students in attendance comes out to a mere $2 per student. Would you rather get a great deal on entertainment and spend $500 only to have the night ruined by bad entertainment, or would you rather spend more, knowing that your prom is going to be forever memorable and unforgettable!

As you begin your DJ/Entertainment search, begin by forming a budget that you and your committee would like to stick with and then start surfing the web for various DJ/Entertainment websites. The internet is a fabulous resource, and can offer so much more information than any brochure or information that could be mailed to you. Develop a list of questions to have answered. Have your prom committee create a list of questions that are important in deciding on your DJ. Here is a great list to help you get started:

How many years have they been in business?

Experience speaks loudly, especially in this economy. Some businesses are here today, and gone tomorrow. Look for at least five years of experience.

Do they have references?

Make sure they can provide past references from some recent school events, so you can find out first hand what others have experienced with their company. Companies can promise everything under the sun, but can they truly deliver on it?

How many other proms/homecoming events have they done?

While experience is important, finding out how much experience they have with proms/homecomings will help you determine their level of experience with students, and this type of atmosphere. Having 10 years of experience in the wedding industry won't help you with a school event.

How current is their music library?

Some DJ's are wedding entertainers and only carry 1200 classics. Find out the size of the music library, as well as how current it is. Do you really want to hear Barry Manilow's greatest hits at your prom?

Can they provide you with a sample playlist from a recent prom or homecoming type of event?

Again, a sample playlist will give you a true understanding of the music that will be played at your event. It will also speak to their song library and experience level.

What is their system for taking requests?

It's your event, you and your student body should have some input in the songs that are played.

How much aid will they give you in the during the planning process?

Look for an entertainment company that has planning forms and tools to help you along the way, so you stay organized during the planning process. Most of their tools should be on their internet website. Look for them as you narrow down your decision for companies to compare.

What kind of equipment do they use?

If you have 500-1000 students packed into a gym or local area venue, do they have enough gear to cover the space. Do they have subs as part of their speaker system? What kind of lighting do they use? All of this is important and key to a successful prom event.

Once you have narrowed your list, made calls, and visited their websites, try to get it down to two to three companies. Ask them to come in for a meeting. Ask questions, ask questions, ask questions. This is critical. Their body language and presentation will also give you an indication of how they will perform. Once you have it picked, get an entertainment agreement signed, and pay the deposit. A good entertainment company can book up pretty far in advance, and it's important to have everything signed and in writing. Remember to Have fun!

Ed Eaton is the owner of Sound Sensations Entertainment, the wedding Division of AZL Entertainment Group, a small multi-system Wedding Entertainment company in the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin. In addition to providing music and entertainment, they also provide full wedding consultations, and planning advice, and can be reached at dj@soundsensationsent.com, or by phone at 920-420-5929, or visit them on the web at http://www.soundsensationsent.com, or their wedding blog http://www.soundsensations.wordpress.com