How to Choose the Right DJ for Your Corporate Event

Use our guide on how to find the perfect DJ for your corporate event in London if you want to avoid common booking mistakes.

If you’re planning a corporate event in London that includes a DJ you’d be wise to avoid these common pitfalls and adopt our advice on how to choose the perfect performer.

Whether you’re organising a company party, launch event, team building day or just want a weekend office send-off, a professional DJ will always bring the party and make a memorable event.

We’ve created this DJ Booking Guide To help you plan for your corporate event and book the right DJ. We’ll walk you through all the factors you need to consider when making the final choice.

1. Understand the Role of a Corporate DJ

Corporate events require a different calibre of DJ compared to normal events at bars and clubs. Music is an integral facet of branding and must reflect the company ethos and vibe. In addition, corporate DJs need to be extremely professional, punctual and reliable. There’s no room for error or a laissez-faire attitude.

As a corporate event organiser, you’ll understand that the buck stops with you, you’ll ultimately suffer if your DJ underperforms. Furthermore, the DJ is the focal point of a corporate event and the most memorable, by choosing the right DJ you can make your event an instant success.

Corporate DJs need to be able to read the room and play an inclusive range of music styles to cater for a diverse audience. This is a skill that only comes with advanced-level DJ training and many years of corporate DJ event experience. We’re happy to say that all of our DJs fit this brief!

Your corporate DJ booking will set the tone of your event so invest wisely!

2. Look for Corporate Event Experience

As a corporate event organiser, you should book a DJ who has experience playing corporate DJ gigs and working within a company structure.

Many DJs are freelancers and some club and bar DJs have never experienced working within a team, to a brief or had to answer to a boss. A hierarchical company structure is often misunderstood by club DJs. This can result in problematic miscommunications between corporate bookers and DJs.

To get the right DJ for your corporate event you need a skilled DJ that recognises the importance of professional and respectful communication. Someone who can work within a team and communicate in a way that is conducive to a productive corporate partnership.

When booking a DJ for your corporate event don’t be afraid to ask for references from previous corporate clients. Be sure to ask how punctual and how polite they were in official communication.

Booking your DJ through a reputable DJ agency, such as Epic, will ensure that your DJ has already passed these tests.

3. Verify Their Skill level

Booking a DJ who can’t read the room, play the right music or mix will significantly impact your corporate event’s success. As the booker, your reputation is on the line.

Find a DJ who has corporate event experience and who knows how to read the room. The best DJs can spontaneously change the music to suit the vibe of the crowd, playing the right tempo and creating a good atmosphere. This is a skill that can only be learnt with extensive DJ experience and professional training. All our DJs are trained at London Sound Academy and also have years of DJ experience under their belts.

When you book a DJ make sure have mixes and videos of their performance with a long history of performances and bookings.

4. Assess Their Equipment & INSURANCE

Most corporate DJ events happen in offices, conference centres or pop-up locations. Many of these spaces don’t have DJ equipment and so you might need a DJ that has their own sound system.

Check your DJ has access to a sound system that fits the size of the event you’re organising. Pay special attention to the number of guests you are expecting and make sure you book a DJ with a sound system big enough for the event.

In addition, you might want to enquire about lights and decor depending on the scale of your party.

Check that the DJ has industry-standard, pat-tested and insured equipment. DJs working for corporate events should provide a risk assessment and have valid public liability insurance.

If you need a corporate DJ who has equipment and the correct insurance feel free to contact our team.

5. Consider the Music Selection

Corporate events typically require a range of music styles. Modern workforces are diverse and you’ll want a DJ who can cater for everyone within your team.

Communicate clearly about what styles of music your team would vibe to. Often the best way to do this is by creating a collaborative playlist with your colleagues on a platform like Spotify and share it with the DJ.

Bear in mind, the DJ should also have room to manoeuvre and as long as you’ve booked an experienced DJ you should be able to trust their judgement. Try and find a good compromise.

While the DJ should bring their expertise to the event, they should also be willing to take requests and adapt to the audience’s energy throughout the night.

6. Pay Attention to Their Personality & Stage Presence

The DJ is often seen as the leader of the pack. A pied-piper of sorts. Good stage presence and personality will help communicate their enthusiasm for the job and help your team unwind and enjoy the music.

You want a DJ who is charismatic and engages with the crowd. Schedule an in-person meeting with your potential DJ to check their body language before the event or watch videos of their performances.

A good DJ will always look up from the decks, encourage people to the dancefloor and smile while they work!

7. Check for Reviews and Testimonials

Don’t take their word for it. Do your due diligence and check online reviews of testimonials. When booking with a DJ agency check their corporate partners and track record of delivering successful DJ events.

If you want to book some of the best corporate DJs in London click here to contact Epic.