Four lists appear on a DJ's profile. Three describe what they offer; one describes what they need from you.
Occasions
The event types they play — Wedding, Corporate, Birthday, Nightclub, Graduation, and others. A DJ who lists your occasion has told us they work those events.
It's a real signal. Weddings especially are a different job from club nights: timeline management, announcements, a crowd spanning eight to eighty, and no second chance.
Genres
The music styles they play, from twenty-eight options including Christian and Caribbean. Most working DJs list several.
What matters is whether your genres are there, not how many they list. A DJ with four genres who has all of yours is a better fit than one with twenty who's missing one.
Extras
Add-ons beyond playing music: MC Services, Wireless Microphone, Spotlight Lighting, Dance Lighting, Early Arrival, Photobooth, Sound System, Karaoke, Fog Machine, Visual Projection, Customized Playlist Creation, Themed Event Decor, Interactive Games/Activities.
Extras usually cost more, and prices come on the proposal rather than the profile. When you send a request you can flag which ones you want — the DJ prices them when they reply.
One thing worth checking early: if your venue has no sound system, Sound System needs to be on this list or you'll be hiring one separately.
Requisites
The Policies tab, and the one people skip. These are what the DJ needs you or the venue to provide — parking, electricity, a meal, a stage or platform, storage, WiFi, technical support, security.
Read these before you book. A DJ requiring parking at a city venue with none, or a meal at an event with a fixed caterer's headcount, is a conversation to have now rather than the week before.
Comparing DJs
- Does their Occasions list include your event type?
- Are your must-have Genres there?
- Are your must-have Extras offered?
- Can you meet their Requisites?
- What's the Cancellation Policy?
The first four are yes/no. If a DJ fails one, the shortlist gets shorter quickly.
If something's missing
Use Message to ask before sending a full request. DJs often do things they haven't listed.