A special thanks to our newest guest blogger Ray Martinez! Today Ray offers his expert advice for hiring entertainment! Enjoy!
Many brides seem to think that choosing entertainment is as difficult as choosing a health insurance plan. But with a little research, the choice should be fairly easy. With the economy being a big factor in comparison shopping, brides can also rely on advice from friends or referrals from other vendors they may be working with.
Many entertainment companies offer packages raging in prices to suit your particular budget, but will also offer a number of upgrades that will determine the final cost.
Here are a couple of important things to remember when choosing entertainment.
Reliability: One of the most important factors is the reputation of the individual or company you are dealing with. Experience and longevity plays a big part in knowing that if they have been in business as long as they have, there is a reason for it. They are reliable and dependable. They will be there to take care of your needs.
Service: Entertainers are in the entertainment industry, however they are also in the service industry. When they understand that they chose their profession, one of the things that came with the job was to serve you the client, not for the client to serve the entertainer. Some entertainers are better than others, but the service they provide can make the difference between an ordinary event or an extraordinary event. That difference is how much extra they give to you in regard to service and dedication. Keep in mind that you are hiring a personality to fit your needs not a tool.
Performance vs. Technology: It's been said that people don't mind paying good money to be entertained. That is true to some extent, but the rest of that statement is how much value comes with that entertainment. There are two types of entertainers, performance entertainers or technological entertainers. A performance entertainer can use his skills to motivate an audience, know what music to play at the right time, read the crowd, where as a technological performer only knows how to push buttons. There is no entertainment value.
Standards: When you walk into a car dealership you expect a certain type of service based on the brand of automobile you are purchasing. However if you walk into a Mercedes dealership, the standards of workmanship, customer service and care are extremely higher, but also at a premium. The difference in those standards and price is someone that genuinely cares about the well being of their customer and the personal fulfillment the client and the company both receive as a shared experience.
Options: Yes, you have many options that may fit into your budget, but do not skimp on the budget for entertainment. People will remember if they had a great time or a horrible time at your event due to the entertainment you chose. You can not fire a bad entertainer on your wedding day. Choose carefully. Also remember that one thing that God gave a woman that he did not give a man, is intuition. If your gut tells you to go with that particular vendor, then go with it. If you have any reservations then do not hire them. The same holds true for any vendors you may be considering hiring.
Insurance: Many venues insist that their vendors have liability insurance before allowing them onto their property. Chances are if an entertainer charges a very low price, he is doing this as a hobby and does not have liability insurance. Besides the entertainer having insurance, make sure you insure yourself and hire a professional who knows what they are doing. You may pay slightly higher than what you have budgeted, but with the headaches, and problems that could arise by going the cheap route, the best insurance is knowing you can't put a price tag on peace of mind.
Easy: Choosing entertainment really is easy. May I recommend that you visit http://www.weddingwire.com/ which is a site for brides to post their reviews of vendors they have used. Search for the vendor by name and let them sell you the services of their vendors.
Don't Forget: There is a network of many great professional entertainers to choose from. Many will range in prices, but make sure they are a member of N.A.M.E. (National Association of Mobile Entertainers) or A.D.J.A. (American Disc Jockey Association). As a member of one of these fine associations, you can be assured they will adhere to the professional standards and services that can meet your personal needs.
Written by Ray Martinez
American Disc Jockey Hall of Fame Inductee
Two-Time So. California Entertainer of the Year
National Male Entertainer of the Year
Author: "Performance Beyond Expectation"
"Music from My Heart-Orchestrating Your Business and Your Life"
Ray Mar Productions
P.O. Box 5511
Goodyear, AZ 85338
(623) 386-8891
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