In the search for a new resident DJ for venues, owners and managers often ask us about the options and the process involved with each.
The three main options you have when trying to find a new resident are below, together with the pros and cons of each option.
1. Place an advert on social media or local paper
The pros:
- It’s incredibly easy to get the word out on platforms such as Facebook.
- Due to supply and demand in the industry, it will generate a large amount of interest, and thus applicants.
- The applicants might be happy to work for peanuts.
The cons:
- Sifting through the applications can take a long time.
- The quality of applications will generally be quite low: from Joe Bloggs who doesn’t know the meaning of a CV, to Beyonce Biggs, who is great at talking about herself but who doesn’t know anything about music.
- Once you’ve found the DJ who you think will do the job, he or she stays for 1 week then disappears only to leave you back at square one.
2. Ask around friends and contacts for recommendations
The pros:
- It’s a recommendation, so generally a good bet.
- The DJ should be easy to contact.
The cons:
- Recommendations from friends might not be right for you, despite working well for them.
- You might get tied into employing the recommendation through politeness to your friend, despite the DJ not doing the job.
3. Secure an agency contract
The pros:
- You chat with the agent and discuss exactly what you require in terms of DJ (the music type, the look of the DJ, the need to work certain times/days).
- The agent puts together a list of available talented options to choose from.
- The DJ will have been fully screened for skill, experience, and professionalism.
- You are safe in the knowledge that a backup will always be available should the new resident be ill, or have an accident.
- There will be no chance of the DJ disappointing you, or disappearing.
- The agent will be able to put together a rotation of quality DJs for your venue, so that your customers can enjoy the idea of a new act each week.
- The whole process is fully-invoiced, contracted, trackable, and VAT deductable (if the agency is large).
The cons:
- The cost will normally be slightly higher than employing a DJ directly.
Need to chat about recruiting a new resident DJ? Give our team a call and we will be able to have a chat about your needs and requirements.
