Crown Entertainment

You can plan the perfect event, but if the DJ or music aren't right, the party will fizzle. The right DJ can make or break your event. So how do you find the right DJ? Some people view DJ's as a commodity and choose the cheapest one they can find, not knowing there are differences to look for. Being around for over 13 years, we've heard numerous horror stories of DJ companies that lure in customers with low prices, only to provide an inexperienced disc jockey with poor people skills, an inferior music library, shoddy, horrible sounding equipment, and they either arrive late or don't show at all! This page will give you the insight to help you find the right entertainer!

(Print this page out to your printer and follow along. It could make the difference between a memorable event and an unforgettable nightmare!)

Will you still be in business on the day of our event?	YES. We have been in business over 13 years and never missed, canceled or been late for an event. We are very proud of this fact. This includes horrible New England weather and even a blown engine on the way to a wedding! But this is a good question, many DJ companies come and go. We have gotten calls from couples whose weddings are a week away and the DJ company has gone out of business or canceled. Find out how long the person you talk to has been doing this. We’ll be here for you. You can count on it!
How much do they charge?	Most professional, reputable DJ's charge more for their services than a part-timer who is just looking to make a few extra bucks on the side once or twice a month. Don't just look at how much they charge... look at what you receive! Be careful with a company that is very low in cost... there's a good chance you will be putting the success of your event at risk in order to save a few bucks. If the company you are looking at is in the high end, ask them to justify their cost. You might find you are compensating the DJ for his large sound or lighting system that you have no desire to use, or you might just find that there are added services that are well worth the extra cost. It all comes down to what is important to you for your party. When shopping for DJ, be certain that you understand their basic fee, overtime charges, due dates for deposits and balances, and times for arrival. Finally, keep in mind all the time and money you already have committed to your event, and the impact the DJ has on how everything will turn out. I'm sure you've heard the saying, "You get what you pay for!" If Uncle Billy-Bob's "friend" will do it for $100 less than a reputable, experienced, professional DJ, think twice before jumping at the lower price. There is NO SUCH THING as a ‘bargain’ DJ, and it doesn’t matter how much money you saved if you're NOT HAPPY with the outcome of your event! Paying a little more for a much better disc jockey is often a great overall investment for the party. And think about it, if your DJ doesn't take control of your party and make it a sucess, who is going to take the fall? We have structured several attractive packages in ways to bring our services in reach for most types of parties. We’re not the cheapest in town, nor are we the most expensive. But we think that we bring you the best value. You be the judge. Paying a decent price and receiving an outstanding performance with great customer service is better than paying half that price and getting nothing in return, any day!!
Will the DJ play our song requests and those of our guests?	Yes! It’s your party! Keep in mind that most songs can be played at certian times during the event, but please allow the DJs to play music he/she feels is correct for the type of environment and crowd. If a guest requests "*Something by Pearl Jam" when the dance floor is packed, that probably is not a good idea! Let the DJ ask you questions too, like what you do or don't* want to hear. Any ‘Special’ request you indicate on the DJ worksheet will be played at your function, only *Crown Entertainment* guarantees this!
Do they have experience in the type of event you're planning?	Some DJ companies specialize in only one type of event, like Oldies Dances, but do weddings or corporate functions every ‘once in a while’. Others like us that have been around for a while, have hundreds or even thousands of different shows under their belts. With sufficient experience, a professional disc jockey will be able to act as your Master of Ceremonies and smoothly guide your celebration from start to finish allowing you to relax and enjoy the party. With experience comes confidence and knowledge too. Many things can happen during an event -- some are expected, others are not. The experienced professional has the ability to handle any situation which may arise and will be able to react spontaneously to correct the problem as if nothing ever really happened. With this same experience, your entertainer will intuitively know what music to play at what time.
When is payment due to the DJ’s?	Payment is required in the hands of one of your DJs before the end of the show. Payment before the event is also appreciated!
What kind of equipment do they use, how will it look & what is their technical expertise?	Determine if the disc jockey uses today's technology (compact discs, wireless microphone, enclosed consoles for aesthetics), or yesterday's antiques (vinyl records, music components placed on top of a banquet table, wires hanging out everywhere, etc.)? You are paying money for a professional and they should have quality equipment and know how it operates. Make sure it's all pro equipment, not home stereo or consumer grade. There is a difference! You are hopefully hiring someone who takes their job seriously, so make sure they have made the investment in quality equipment. Ask them what speakers and amplifiers they use. In our opinion, some of the better names in professional audio are: JBL, Crest, Rane, Shure, Samson, Denon, Carver and Crown Audio. Besides sounding great, professional audio and equipment cases look great. Don’t forget, we’re in the pictures too! Have you ever been to an event where you could not hear the DJ announcing the bridal party because the volume was too low and it was VERY muffled. This DJ obviously did not test the acoustics of the room with a simple sound check before they started. This is why they must have good equipment. A DJ with a high quality wireless mike should be standard. This less likely to cause feedback. Also the DJ can easily roam around for speeches or special moments, or even blend in the crowd to help out with the party dances and games.
Do they have back-up equipment on-hand in case of an emergency?	Even professional equipment can fail on occasion, so it is important to know whether your Disc Jockey has extra components, or hopefully another entire sound system available to them. Any number of circumstances may arise between the time you book your Disc Jockey and the date of your event. We test our equipment monthly and bring backup cd players, wires and microphones to every event. These are the most likely components to fail in an professional audio system.
Have they ever performed at your chosen location?	Ask the DJ if they have ever performed at your banquet site before. It helps if they already know the place, how to get there, where to enter the hall and they have a rapport with the staff there. Things like this just makes it less likely that you will have any problems.
Do they provide you with all the materials you need to plan a great event?	Itinerary for wedding events, other entertainment ideas for corporate functions, updated song lists for schools. You are paying not only for the performance, but for the entertainer's experience. Make sure they are able to help you to plan your event, so that you do not have to "reinvent the wheel." And perhaps no better clue in helping you decide which music entertainer to choose is the actual paperwork that they send to you in the mail. If this prospectus includes helpful, well organized, and informative material to assist you with the planning of your event, and a complete and easily understood contract, then your search may be over. The quality of the literature might give you some insight on the professional nature of their company.
Will they regularly keep in touch and can you reach them when you need them?	After you formally schedule an event with *CROWN* with a signed contract and deposit, we will follow-up, and touch base the week before the day of the event. After your event, we will send an evaluation form to receive your feedback on our performance. We have 24 hour paging service, cellular phones for on the go communication, fax, voice mail, e-mail, and a website for additional information.
Do they have a clear, concise, written contract?	Make certain your DJ has a written contract and that everything you expect of them is in writing. If they refuse or give you nothing but a bunch of verbal claims, get up and leave. Do you think they will remember 10 months from now what they promised you? No way, but a written contract will help them remember. If they are using an assistant, make them itemize that as well. Did you opt for any upgrades, like special lighting? Better have that on there as well. Also have them list what their overtime charge is in case you decide to run late. You don't want any surprises there. Make sure all correct dates, times, address, phone numbers (including emergency), and deposits are listed. The best surprise is no surprise when it comes to your event!
How long does it take to set-up and when do you need access to the building?	Depending on the audio & lighting setup, the crew takes about 1 - 2 hours to set-up and test the equipment. We ask for access 2 hours before the start and after the event, just to make sure.
Do they offer lighting equipment if you want it?	If you want event to be like one where nobody wants to leave, additional lighting is another thing to consider. Can your DJ provide additional lighting? All Crown party packages come with some basic mood lighting included FREE. But we also understand some people want the big light and fog show, & some could care less if they want to save money. If you want state of the art lighting, we can master this for you very easily. We have the top notch lighting, including special effects and lasers, to make your event sizzle.
Are you comfortable with them?	Once you feel you found an established disc jockey, in your price range, with the music selection you like, make your final selection based on personality. Some disc jockeys like to steal the show. These DJs are always on the microphone and like to be very visible. The other end of the spectrum is the DJ with a lack of any personality who does nothing except play the music. While other companies are an even mixture of the two. Usually you can get a feel for style simply by talking to the disc jockey over the phone. Let him or her know what is important to you and what you expect, but listen for feedback, this is where you can tell the experience level. If you can tell that they genuinely care, you are in great shape!
What should you avoid? "How come nobody’s dancing, Bevis? Don’t they know that Metallica ROCKS?!"	*The Salesman* *"What will it take for you to sign this contract TODAY?"* This one is all too easy to detect. While there are many great companies in the area, there are also many that simply want to profit off of all the big bucks related to an event, especially a wedding! To these companies, the passion of the event takes a back seat to the profit for them, and once they get the sale, the showmanship stops. *The Rookies* *"Dang! I thought I brought BOTH speakers with me!"* Newcomers pop up all the time. Listen to your DJ over the phone and see if he sounds knowledgeable. It’s not just the questions YOU ask, but the questions HE asks that will help you feel comfortable with his ability……or not. Remember, anyone can print up business cards or take out ads, there is no license required for this profession! The Ego *"The Bride said NOT to play this, but I know what I'm doing!"* If you do not like the disc jockey's attitude on the phone, (when he is putting his best face forward) you can be sure he will be even worse at your event. Absolutely avoid the DJ who treats your event as if it's his performance and he wants to steal the limelight away from you!
Conclusion Hiring a DJ is not easy, but be prepared. Remember, the biggest factor in your event being successful is going to be the entertainment, so whether you hire us or another DJ company, make sure that they understand what you expect from them. Make sure they listen to you, not just blab about how they make people dance. After asking the questions that are *important to you, go with your gut feeling. In our market, just about every DJ will give you a different price, so take notes and compare. GOOD LUCK! -Terry Moran/Owner* *Crown Entertainment* 1.888.632.1207

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We are celebrating 13 years in the business and have over 2,000 successful performances to date.

If you have any questions please email us at Terry@CrownEnt.com or call us anytime toll free at 1.888.632.1207.

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