DJ's make an impression by cleaning up their appearance
Way back when, in the mid-1970′s, when Scott Foell and I founded Music Man Mobile DJ Service, off-the-shelf casing or consoles were not widely available for mobile disc jockeys. In order to look good, we had to design and construct our own. Having a partner who was an engineering genius didn’t hurt.
Scott designed and built a 1-piece console that he covered in black Formica. It looked stunning. It took a great deal of effort and money, but it was worth it. We always looked good.
Today, Mobile DJ’s can buy from a wide assortment of industrial-style cases, carpeted consoles, and electronic equipment designed to fit in those units. One can buy big or modular, depending on individual needs for venue access, transportation, and size of crew (1 or more people).
In spite of availability of professional, clean looking disc jockey equipment, I am thoroughly amazed and perplexed that many disc jockey entertainment services have an incredibly weak presentation (click on the image to show it larger). Here are some of the deficiencies I see again and again (not necessarily just in this case).
Loose, unconcealed wires: From the customer’s point of view, it’s a mess. A guest should never be looking into the a jungle of wires.- Use of venue banquet tables, typically draped in white, for the purpose of placing a DJ console on it. COMMENT: To me, a DJ service should arrive self-contained. If they require a table to place equipment upon, they should bring it. And, it should be consistent in look to what is placed on it. At a minimum, it should be skirted in black or fold-open facing should screen out the gear. The only requirements a DJ should have are: 1) A place to set up console and speakers. 2) Electricity.
Browsing the internet, I found a couple of photos explain the possibilities quite well. Grundorf, manufactures a hinged-DJ facade that wraps around gear that is not permanently mounted. It magically ‘cleans up the clutter’ to the casual guest.
As well as facades there entire 1-piece consoles, stacked consoles (full width or podium width). Any of those manner of presentation give the DJ a more permanent and polished look. There is no one right answer, as different disc jockeys service different sizes and types of events. Their individual needs, for the local market and their clients will dictate what gear they choose to use, and how it’s organized.
In the photo on the right, DJ Astrid Monroe (Musique Nonstop) shows off a custom white-covered podium-style console. You can see a white speaker in the right side of the photo. The company has beautifully 
constructed charcoal grey covered booths, and features the ‘white system’ as an upgrade, for an even more elegant presentation.
THIS SYNDROME IS NOT LIMITED TO DJ’s: There are plenty of photographers who need to carry lots of gear, and must keep it in a reception room for security. Yet, many never really address a clean way to stow it, in plain view. Videographers have some of the same challenges. Even vendors who don’t participate in the reception, such as florists and bakers, must deliver and set up in a professional manner.
The 1-piece console featured (lower right) belongs to Alan Franco of DJ Connection. His 1-piece unit displays at a comfortable height, showing the top portion of his laptop computer, and the microphone, well above it, on a gooseneck. It’s 
really quite an elegant presentation that is going to ‘show well’ in any situation.
Moral: It’s not enough to sound good and perform well it you want to earn top dollar and be referred at the highest possible rate. You must look good, too. When the wedding pictures come back and the set up looks like a cobbled together set of roadcases on a banquet table, you are not at your best. Brides and grooms are often oblivious to many things that go on around them at a wedding. That’s no excuse. They will see it in the wedding pictures. Guests and family will see it at the event.
Don’t kid yourself: People do care about how you look. And you’ll never know how many referrals you’ll lose, because you’ll never hear about them.
PS: If you’re a DJ with a particularly great looking booth, email it to blogger at weddingmarketing.net and we might just post it, with a link back to your website.
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I cringe when I hear that the clients are not using our preferred vendors, especially DJ’s. In this day and age anyone can appear professional on a website, but that appearance is certainly not carried through on-site. We ordered a case of tape to use to tape down wires because of bad DJ’s, and last year we had a DJ come in so late we didn’t get the wires taped down in time, a guest tripped over the wire and broke his wrist, guess who he sued – not the DJ.
I have had guests complain about DJ’s chewing gum, drinking, helping themselves to food before the guests, we even caught a DJ stealing our flatware, our very expensive flatware! One of my biggest pet peeves is the DJ completely butchering the names of the bridal party. They get paid good money, and spending time with the client and getting the names correct is a very big part of their job. Most DJ’s just need to learn that the 4 hours they are here is not the only reason they are getting paid.
I wholeheartedly agree! Everyone that is servicing the event should be very conscious of how they represent themselves by both their attire, the manner in which they speak to staff and guests as well as how they showcase their product.
I can live with the DJ requiring a table and chairs at the venue, however it should not prearranged in advance with either the caterer or coordinator.
The positioning of the speakers is another factor, I’ve encountered DJs that didn’t bring a long enough cable and placed a speaker directly behind the bride and groom at the head table where they not only spent a lot of money on pipe and drape and lighting behind them but on table decor.
As professionals we all have to work together and take into consideration ALL of the needs of the event.
I absolutely agree!
I do everything possible to present a polished and professional image on behalf of my clients AND myself so that I will make a good impression with Catering Directors and Catering Managers as an independant, professional Wedding Consultant. I want to work at many of these places again!
I do whatever I can to ensure that the DJ company (and the entire wedding team; floral designer, photo, video, etc.) also present themselves and their company in the same way as it is also a reflection on me as a wedding planner.
When I have the luxury of being able to guide my clients to DJ’s and other vendors who ARE professional in every sense of the word (from arriving on time to dressing appropriately and having a polished setup and presentation) they make me LOOK GOOD!
I also feel it is my job to do as much as I can to assist the process in advance to ensure that I make it easy for everyone to look good by providing feedback between all parties no matter who is hired (my preferences or not). This way, we are all on the same page and have similar expectations so we do a great job for our mutual clients…the BRIDE AND GROOM!
However, as much as I am able to do, I still need to be able to count on the professionalism and willingness of the DJ and all wedding team members to make those first impressions memorable for all the right reasons!
To further my point about having “similar expectations”, I concur with Carolann above in that the DJ (and all wedding team) work together to ensure the clients wishes are being met and that the DJ do what they can to ensure the ambince and decor that the clients put so much care into selecting is kept intact as much as possible.
Again, communication beforehand between all parties is the best way to ensure that the DJ, works with the floral and decor and venue and others. This way, they can get it right, dress appropriately and bring the appropriate high quality looking equipment setup for that particular event.
Good post Andy!
Gone are the days of hauling in 12′vinyl in milk crates…
If you want to keep charging like its 1970, then keep setting up on 8′ banquet tables with pleated, clip on table skirts…
It’s 2008 and mobile entertainers want the same respect and profit margin as the bands…
Then present yourself like you are worth it…
My Favorite Comment: “Putting a dress on a pig doesn’t hide the fact that it’s still a pig.”
So on that note, other pet peeves-
- Wedding professionals who drink at weddings
- Wedding professionals who complain about their meal. If you don’t like it write it in your contract.
- Entertainers who can’t learn the bride and groom’s names – it’s your only event of the night, can you please call them by their names and not “our bride and groom”
Image is everthing. These are once in a life time events that should be treated as such.
Imagine my surprise when I visited this site today for the very first time, Clicked on this article and say my set-up and pictures in this Blog. I am, in a word, “Flattered”.
As a Professional Emcee & Entertainer for the last 22 years, I definitely take a lot of pride in my appearance as well as the way my company & set-up are portrayed to my clients and the general public.
Thank you Andy for writing this article and addressing a common problem that has plagued our industry for many years.
Alan Franco
DJ Connection
Jacksonville, FL
—–
Alan,
You should be flattered! It is certain, by the comments posted about this topic that catering managers and other venue contacts appreciate the type of detail work that you put into your presentation.
Andy
I agree that the overall appearance of any vendor (especially DJs!) is important. My employees and I wear what our clients want us to wear (style and colors), we set up our equipment how and where our clients want us to, and even discuss the setup and flow of the event prior to the event so that we do exactly what they want! Playing music is the easy and fun part!
As for the issue of the table, I have to disagree with most of what has been said on here and agree with responses 37, 42, 44 and 46. My company uses SKB podiums and most of my employees don’t have the means to haul a table to the event. These podiums look very professional if the cables are wrapped around them, under them or even under the table behind the skirt and we don’t hide behind laptops. I’ve never had a problem with having the client or venue supply a table and matching linens. Perhaps it depends on what part of the country you are in. And if we’ve never been to a venue before, I make every effort to visit the venue prior to the event to discuss the setup and expectations.
And when we work with live musicians who prefer corded mics and need to hook up their guitar to a line level mixer, you can only conceal a cord so much! There are many ways DJs can set up and we all have preferences. For those vendors out there who reccomend DJs, work with them so everyone can be happy with the space required and what equipment will be used in any given setup. Tell them what you think of their particular setups and let them know what your expectations are. You’ll be happier for doing that and everyone’s job will be easier as a result.
Since I made my post, the pictures and content changed at the top of this page!
The first DJ is at a club, or an event where they wanted a “club style” DJ complete with a turntable style setup and truss style lighting rig (not completely shown). This is just how it is! As for the other pictures, I don’t like the grundorf because it is for smaller tables only (not 8′ tables) and is too high concealing the DJ, too! As for the white podium and picture…that’s one of the cheesiest setups I’ve ever seen! (Looks homemade and heavy!)
I’m sorry, but I still side with matching the rest of the linens at the event, with a table and small podium.
I will agree still that to conceal as much as possible is great…especially at wedding ceremonies. Trees, flowers, etc. are great for this.
I agree and disagree. If a mobile DJ is too self contained, ie, bad grey/black carpeted box on wheels, you look like a mobile DJ. If you come in using the table from the venue/designer with draping that uses matching colors of the event, you look like a professional DJ doing a mobile event.
I do agree with no drinking at the event.
I also hate tuxes for DJ’s! Wear a dark black suit, black tie, shirt and shoes. You blend in better.
My biggest rule: YOU as a PERSON is more important than your Equipment. If you are not in good shape, it doesn’t matter what equipment you have. If you present yourself well, you can make any equipment look good.
Well done Andy!
As an Event Producer, I work hard to get the whole event designed to my client’s requirements.
This needed to be addressed.
Thank you.
Jaimie Hastings
Churchill House ViP Events
I agree with you! Presentation is everything. Equipment and attire of the DJs are so very important. Good post!
There are no two venues, or events that are the same. I’ve been hired year after year to DJ corporate events for the same company or firm. It is always a different venue with different needs. 18 years as a DJ/EMCEE/EVENT COORDINATOR/ENTERTAINER. The basics are the same, well groomed and professionally dressed for the occasion. A well designed, aestheticly pleasing, great sounding system to meet the room and guest requirement. (Decided months before the actual date of the event.) Whatever it takes attitude is everything, what can I do to make your event more than you ever dreamed of? Getting to know my clients, not just to be on the same page, but to know and understand their expectations, allowing me to help my clients create great memories.
Its a great post, I believe it was about a clean, professional appearance that will be seen before the entertainer is ever heard. An 8′ table or not, your set up is your first visual marketing tool. (no signs needed). Set up on time, neat and safely organized, try to blend with the environment of the venue, and be ready for your clients arrival.
You will reap what you sow…
In my opinion the gray carpeted laptop set up looks like crap as does any carpeted case. Being both a musician (the worst slobs) and a DJ I do not agree about the table. I want the table to coordinate with the rest of the room. The white case looks real goofy as well, in fact every set up pictured above looks stupid. The main problem with most cases is that in order to get a good DJ Case like an Odyssey or equivalent you have to be willing to carry some weight which sort of bites. SKB and Gator cases are plastic and although light, look like plastic.
Well, I’m going to say how I feel about your comments about “setup” and “looks”. I’m comfortable with my setup and the look of it. Who gives a rats’ butt about it. If you do the job you’re hired to do, you will get the referrals. Period. If you are a “pig”, you’re a “pig”. Don’t hide behind a pretty setup. If you can’t DJ, don’t DJ. Don’t get in the way of those who can. I’ve never had a client say, “I loved the way your setup looked.” I’ve never heard anyone comment on any setup. Are you telling me that is a selling point? I must be missing a lot of business then. Because mine (my setup) is simple and clean. I don’t want to look like the bar and I don’t want to look like the podium. I’m a damn DJ, not the guest speaker or guest of honor. Stop dogging DJs’ setups. You all think you’re better than someone because of how your setup looks? I know DJ’s that make far less than some of you and would put you out of business. They would get hired quicker than you (with the wires exposed). Do your jobs.
A pet peeve of mine are IPODs and Laptops. C’mon. That’s not DJ’ing. That’s being lazy and bland. What are you doing there? Is the client really impressed that you know how to use a laptop and your cute little IPod with a zillion songs? I don’t think so. You can’t have every song. Even if you did, all songs don’t work in all situations. Do some work you lazy laptop, ipod shuffling DJ’s. To make it worse, a lot of you download music from Limewire and other sources and call yourselves a business. I know kids in school that do that. They don’t call themselves DJ’s. They are hobbyists. That’s what you should report yourselves to the IRS as.
Anytime you want to come and see me DJ, come on out. I don’t sell “looks”. I sell and offer service unmatched. They get me, the DJ. Not some stupid setup. It burns me to see so many of you trying to be pretty but not work. How many of you bring cell phones to your event and talk on them? Why? Aren’t you suppose to be focusing on the crowd? Of course you should be. Many of you couldn’t start to name any artists and their songs. You couldn’t find your music in a room full of other things because you are too “techy”. You want to see some real Dj’s? Go to the clubs. Go to the houses. Go to the “hood”. Pretty boys and girls with there ipods and laptops aren’t DJs. You can add Seratos and PCDJs too.
I’m sure you really loved my comments. Let’s be for real everyone. Bring back the skill and love for the job. Let that be what the customer/client sees. Don’t short change the client or you will be out of a job quicker than you think. Spin that!
Not only is looking GRAND necessary it is Imperative. We all enter a room and size up what is there and at the front of the room, center of attention is the entertainment. Even before the first tune plays your guests have decided how great the evening will be. I will not partner with entertainers with shoddy equipment or who do not dress to match the event. AND haveing a jacket on the back of your chair is not wearing a jacket! Heres to looking Good!
There are some great options out there for table Facade’s, DJ Skirts makes a nice table topper if your client wants the traditional skirt on the table to match the decor; especially if specialty linens are involved.
They also make a new full length wrinkle free cloth draped version that provides full cover now and is awesome. I also like these facades because people cannot put drinks on the table in front of you, or touch things. It looks clean and sharp as well.
As for The Bose Bashers who are dogmatic or naive about The Bose PL 1′s. Perhaps they couldn’t justify spending the $4500- to buy a set as I once did. I broke down and bought a set and love them so much, that I’m considering a second set, they really “ROCK”. We use them in select venues and they do sound better in some places over others just like the JBL’s, Mackies and the rest…However it is a “look” people like, and The Brand is well respected and associated with great sound so it’s an easy up-sell.
We love having them in our collection for when the clients want them. They have paid for themselves twice-over in a year as we charge additional for them. We actually remove the flap on the base units and tie the cords together with velcro and tuck them in. We also hide the bass bins under the table to conceal them. They are a little more work to set up, but I love the extra bucks they bring in, “Cha-Ching”
As DJ equipment evolves the hardware may change but these facades will help us maintain a clean appearance. Some of the high end wedding planners we work with have created some beautiful facades which are back-lit and have looked very sharp.
The worst I’ve seen is a white table cloth wrapped around a console, pathetic… and why would you turn your back on th eaudience and have your stuff on a table behind you? Hello? Mc-fly…
Cheers guys!
The DJ facades are awful. All of them! I see one picture up posted by Alan Franco that really promotes a feeling of cheesy. The DJ setup in that picture promotes a real feeling of disconnect from style of the room and venue. These facades are poor substitute for lighting trussing and video screens that will actually enhance the party. Why sell your clients something that they don’t need?
Listen to the decorators! They are almost all saying the same thing; use a tablecloth that integrates into the decor. Plan these things a head of time instead of bringing a facade.
Lighting trusses can be clothed if it seems to have too much of a club feel.
I sent 2 pictures of a set-up without a facade that may blow the 20 years of experience of some mobile DJs out of the water. I hope they publish them on this page.
I’ve been in the business for less than a decade but I’ve worked at almost every venue in the Philadelphia and South Jersey area. I’ve worked with several of the top DJ entertainment groups around, all with different styles in set ups.
Most of these DJ companies share one similarity that keeps them from excelling over their competitors. Cheesiness. The groups that are the most successful can bring a level of fun and sophistication in to the niche group of entertainment (social events).
The venues, the photographers, the caterers will all say the same thing. Do your homework a head of time. Actually help your clients by figuring out the things that make the most sense for them, instead of up-selling a DJ facade.
I’d love to hear feedback from anyone still checking this blog..
I totally agree! The perception of the ability to do a job starts with how you look and act. If there is a lack of professionalism in the appearance of you or your equipment, you can not expect to close the deal much less receive top dollar for your services. One must dress for success by dressing for the occasion! Believe me, I have pointed out on several occasions when DJs and bands have made a mess of their area with a lot of unnessary clutter and those groups are never placed on my list of recommended partners for my clients.
For those of you who pay your DJs exorbitant fees are creating the real problem. I have been going to clubs and events for 30 years in the tri-state area (Jersey Shore to NYC to Long Island); I’ve never met a wedding DJ that wasn’t cheesy in some way; no matter how well he was dressed, or how impressive his equipment. It becomes a matter of taste. Some people are saying “DJ’s must wear tuxes” others say “tuxes look tacky” “Facades give a neat appearance” / “Facades look cheesy” you can’t win. I have co-workers that have hired DJ’s charging near 2 Grand and delivery nothing different than a DJ who knows his music and equipment and charges $400.
For those “old school” DJ’s that like to slam the DJ’s using the latest technology (read laptops, Serato and PCDJ); please don’t hate the player; hate the game…. I have been DJing “professionally” for only 3 years and using solely a laptop, PCDJ, Amp and speakers. That is all you need to get the job done; lights, trusses, smoke machines is needed to take the event to the next level. But please don’t slam me for not setting up 2 (or 3) turntables and carrying 6 crates of records or CD’s. It’s just not feasible and it’s going out of style FAST. I’m not doubting your DJ skills on the wheels of steel but a laptop with 5 thousand songs searchable in a split-second SOOOO beats flipping through stacks of records/CD’s. A patron can request a song and before they finish their sentence I can have the song playing.
My opinion; Banquet tables with skirts look tacky – tuxes look cheesy.
Not allowing the DJ to be human is wrong. If he wants to eat; let him eat; your music is playing isn’t it?
What is really wrong is, paying a DJ $2000 and NONE of your wedding guests want to dance; know how to dance; finally get up the nerve to dance in the last hour and then start demanding “Grease” or “Ozzie” when you’re right in the middle of 5 of the hottest mixes.
OK, a bunch of people are missing the point here. I do 250 dates a year (150 events and 100 in clubs). I dress in a nice tux at a function, conduct myself in an appropriate manner, play what the CLIENT WANTS and know how to kiss ass!!! They are paying me and I do what they say, especially for brides. I also bring my expertise in reading a crowd into the mix at functions which is why clients hire me. At clubs, I dress very casual, turn it up REAL LOUD, have a few cocktails and have fun. At a function I am there to execute the objective of the client. At a club I am there to tear it up, get people to shake their ass on the dance floor, not leave and buy drinks. Once you accept the fact that at a wedding or corporate event that you are not the star and learn how to schmooze you will see an increase in your business.
Do I deserve $2,000.00 for a wedding? Yes, because it’s not just the 5 to 6 hours that I am working that night. I meet with bride and groom for the initial “sell myself” meeting. I meet with them again prior to the reception. I edit intros and special dances for them on my own time. I coordinate with the event manager at the facility. I buy equipmet like laptops and SD players and speakers. I LIKE MY LAPTOPS (2!! One for a spare and I carry spare everything) because I am also not cheap and use iTunes and Napster that I pay for and not Limewire. I also pay $59.00 a month for my high speed Verizon card so there is never a request that I do not have. In other words, I KNOW how to satisfy a client.
As to the DJ Booth versus table. My set-up now takes up a 3′x’3 footprint so I don’t need an 8 ft. table. I still think that table versus some of thoose God awful DJ setups is a better option especially for coordinating to the theme or event ‘colors’.
Finally, as to the BOSE speaker systems. I have been a Mackie/JBL guy for years but I just walked into a facility that had the L1 Model II’s and they said “Hey, you can use these if you want.” So I did and I must say that I was very impressed! The only thing I hated about them was the input/output configurations but otherwise they were excellent and LOUD when it was time to crank it up!
Overall the general premise of the post is spot on.
I do agree that providing your own table is pointless. The facilities have them, so why the need to provide your own? Do the bakers bring their own cake tables? Ice sculptors bring the water tray and light but never a table. Do the decorators bring their own head tables?
For those that say this or that is cheesy, well we all have individual tastes, so everyone does something that is cheesy in someone else s eyes, no matter how professional you dress or behave.
Are DJ’s worth $2000 +. The good ones are worth a lot more. if 80 to 100% of the success of a wedding reception is due to the entertainment, why are brides budgeting 95% of the budget on items that only contribute 20 to 0% of the success!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This equation applies to everything this, clubs, birthdays, weddings, corporate and schools.
I also notices that a lot of banquet managers and planners chimed in here. All I would say it, kindly get your own act together before you criticize others. While I realize that some DJ’s are awful (personality, tact or performance), at least 90% of events I do, something is screwed up by the manager or planner. Usually it’s the champagne toast or the cake cutting. I am always amazed at the amount of staff at their disposal, yet during speeches, not a single banquet staff member will be in the hall. I run around trying to find someone to pour the champagne or find a knife, plate, fork and napkin for the cake cutting.
I also believe a skirted table is better that a facade, even though I own a custom made facade and charge extra to use it. A facade draws attention, when all attention should be on the Guests of honor!
The Bose L1 have the best presentation of any speaker on the market, sound awesome and are less visible in photographs. All wedding Dj’s should be using them.
Tardiness is unforgivable.
By the time the actual event rolls around, I am a friend of the Bride and Groom, and they want me to have as much fun as possible. So I eat at every event. I hate being sent to another room to eat with the vendors because even during dinner, guests have requests, planned schedules change, dinner may finish early or any variety of things. I always get my food after most of the guests. I’t just the right thing to do.
Going back to the wedding planners and banquet managers. What are you guys thinking when you assign the furthest corner to be the DJ setup location. Just who are we supposed to entertain over there. We need to be in touch with the dance floor. I hate it when you tell me that the Bride wanted you there. This is the first wedding for the bride and it is your job as the experienced professional to educate the bride and help he make the best choices.
I don’t know how to schmooze or kiss up, I simple know I have to do everything I can to make the event elegant, organized and most of all FUN! I love what I do and it shows!
Balvinder
Just to address a couple of issues.
Why doesn’t a baker supply their own table? Not really a good comparison. A wedding cake is a drop-off item. And, an extension of food and beverage service. It is cut and served by venue or catering staff, not the baker. A baker would then have to come back at a later time to retrieve a specialty table.
For get what I might think. Listen to the caterers and event planner’s comments. What they are saying, in summary, is two things.
* A disc jockey’s equipment should be clean in appearance, not an eyesore
* They would strongly prefer if disc jockeys came self-contained
The issue is not whether a venue CAN supply a table. We know they can. What their comments say, clearly, is that it would be preferable if the only thing a disc jockey needed was electricity.
One could set up a bar on a banquet table, but when bar areas are not built-in, then a single, roll-in, self-contained bar is much more efficient and easy-on-the-eyes.
In the end, this is a marketing issue, as much as anything else. If coming self-contained helps differentiate you company from others, and creates a better relationship with the venue management and staff, an improved referral situation usually results.
Andy
I wish more members of the industry would follow this advice!