This topic is posted on another board and I've copied my reply for the consideration of the readers of this board. Some of the names you might not recognize, but their suggestions are universal and should be heeded. Here's my reply as it appears on another board:
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We need to separate the performance from the rest of the business. There are things that everyone does during their actual performance that they determined their crowds will enjoy, or that they were asked to do or play by the people at the party that might not work at another party or might be considered tacky by another DJ.
But it pleases the customers in the room, so can it be all that bad?
Where the truly tacky comes into play are areas that have nothing to do with what you're playing, saying, or doing.
This is in regards to how you conduct yourself as a DJ, as a professional.
Based on replies in this thread, I've compiled my list of the things that real professionals would never do, and given props to the poster who submitted it. Remember, these things are mostly non-performance, but go far in how professional the public perception of us and our industry advances or retreats:
DJMC: Asking for a TIP in the contract, Asking for a MEAL in the contract, Won't play B/G's request list, Charge an exorbitant fee for the service and sends a $50 an hour DJ to perform at the event.
DJ Salt: Asking a bridesmaid to "flash 'em" to get a request played, Drinking alcohol at the reception, Hitting on guests.
DJ Fatman: The one thing I would like to add that I think is tacky is to subcontract the event without the client knowing that you've pulled the switcheroo.
lovestimulator: playing the music too loud
len: Criticizing what other djs do when what those djs are doing makes the client and the guests happy.
Dan Leithem: promoting the old "smashing the cake in face" routine during cake cutting, inviting future job prospects to someone else's private event to view your work, advertising materials laid out in an obvious manner as to promote your business on someone's special day, packing up early.
djbenjaMMin: mispronouncing some Bridal parties names
I believe that paying attention to these things should be universal and commonplace amongst truly professional DJ's. Even the most professional DJ on the business side is only continuing to do their job and be a professional if playing the customer's request of the Hokey Pokey, YMCA, Mickey, The Stripper, Who Let The Dogs Out, etc. will make them happy.
Becoming a better speaker, being able to beatmix seamlessly, playing the proper remixes, etc. are all facets of the job that can be worked on, but if you are the greatest speaker, the best beatmixer, and have every remix ever made it all adds up to squat if you don't get the job.
Working on those performance things might make you a better DJ playing live for the people at a particular event, but paying the proper attention and adhering to the things I've highlighted makes you a better (and more professional) DJ for everyone who deals with you and places you in a position to book more jobs, where you can then showcase your performance skills.
Remember, in our industry, perception is reality. If the public views you as being unreputable, unreliable, and unprofessional, then you are...despite the fact that you might be the best speaker, beatmixer or remix collector.
Rather than inject personal opinions about music (which are totally subjective) I've chosen to focus on the realities of what makes any business successful (positive public perception, offering a product they want at a price they deem acceptable.)
Becoming and remaining professional, both in what we do and how the public perceives us, we can all do much to raise the proverbial bar.
Thanks for reading.
__________________
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