Whether you find yourself in charge of the music at a birthday party, a school dance, a wedding, or a corporate event, your best bet is going to be finding an event DJ for the party. It is not a cookie-cutter process, though, and no DJ is one-size-fits-all for any party or any playlist. Though live bands have been an option in the past, recently DJs have become the go-to for party entertainment thanks to their efficient equipment, low number of personnel, and lower fees for booking. Mobile DJs also have flexibility live bands do not, able to call up an infinite amount of music to fit any genre tastes or themes for your event.
The biggest step in this process is making sure your DJ fits your event. While any DJ can easily access almost any music style, many DJs have preferences for the types of parties and events they are booked for. This means you probably do not want to book a dubstep or house DJ for a charity event and do not want an experimental techno DJ for your traditional wedding. This requires research and a lot of communication between you and potential candidates. Be honest about your needs and expectations of them from music to duration of service, to prices. Most professional event DJs have seen and heard it all, so do not feel embarrassed.
But you also may be asking, is a DJ right for your event? You might be surprised at the number of entertainment events that not only can be enhanced by booking a DJ but might even require it. Weddings are the most popular social gatherings that hire DJs, and most mobile DJs have done several weddings. In this scenario, you'll give the DJ a playlist and likely a list of songs not to play. Other events might offer more freedom. For example, milestone birthdays like a Sweet 16 or a 50th birthday party might have a theme you'll want your DJ to fit into. You can also hire a DJ for less intensive work, offering up social music for a more casual business or charity event. Proms and school dances will require a DJ, but again, make sure you don't book someone likely to play inappropriate music.
The most important thing to do is make sure you hire an experienced professional. Ask around for referrals and do your research. See if your DJ of choice offers a resume or portfolio of positive reviews for past events. See if possible candidates offer demos of playlists or a comprehensive list of the music they play. And, above all, make sure the cost is within your budget and worth the product you are getting in return. DJs can make or break a party with their music choices and skills as a seamless entertainer. You'll want to make sure you're finding someone who is going to live up to the expectations.
And above all, have some fun in your search. Music is fun, let yourself get creative with your choices and search.