To MC or not to MC

As a DJ should we MC as well for no extra cost? I mean can both jobs be done well by one person? I personally have always just handled the usual announcments and let the music do the rest of my talking, however after seeing so many relatives do a amateurish, unorganized job of being the MC :sqembarrassed: I started reading a couple of books on how to be a great MC and feel that it is not really that big an add on. Any thoughts?

You're from Canada... much different than in the US... I think "most" clients expect us to be the MC, or supply the MC at no extra charge. In my area - Philadelphia - I don't know of a single company that doesn't MC. There must be some, but I don't know of them.

You're from Canada... much different than in the US... I think "most" clients expect us to be the MC, or supply the MC at no extra charge. In my area - Philadelphia - I don't know of a single company that doesn't MC. There must be some, but I don't know of them.

Not here, when I ask the BG at the first consultation if they want me to MC they almost always say no they have a MC. Most of them are confused as to what an MC is they think their best man is the MC because he is giving a speech. What they do not get is how the hell is the best man going to do the bridal party introductions Etc? Oh well it will be easy to stand out as a DJ/MC here.:sqbiggrin:

If the B&G want a relative or friend to MC I have no problem with that. (Never has happend yet) Still does not change the rate of pay.

It's business as usual when it comes to the intro of the wedding party along with other announcement.

I guess I've only had one wedding where someone else MC'd, I am almost always by myself but manage to get it done, although it would be easier with a dedicated MC. Now as for corporate or organizational events, they almost always have an MC for all but a couple of announcements.

One of several promotional points of sale that I utilize is the fact that I will Emcee your event. It's only natural that the DJ act as Emcee. In this way the event is perfectly coordinated by the person who will actuallt make the introductions and initiate the various events.

A question was posed "As a DJ should we MC as well for no extra cost?"

A simple very diplomatic and workable response is, that in order to guarantee uninterupted continuity with the event, a second deejay is recommended and the cost is XYZ.

There is never a discussion on price for the EMCEE. It is included in the service, and is recommended. But you can garner some extra bucks, as well as make your job easier, by billing in a second DJ.

Emcee duties are included in our service. We usually remain at the console during the formals so it isn't a chore. Well, not if ya don't have to read the intros from scribblings on a cocktail napkin, that is, lol. :)

It is a rare wedding reception when someone doesn't get the mic. You've got the bridesmaids giving speeches and patting the B&G on the back. Of course, all of 'em have to have a turn at playing MC for a day. You know the routine... "Mary and I grew up together and we used to..." I try to stay awake, lol. ;)

Then there's the best man giving a toast, the bride thanking everyone for coming etc. What is it with young women and microphones anyhow?

It's especially nice when a guest is a professional vocalist and the B&G want her to do a voiceover song. We've seen a few of those, too.

We've done several shows where a professional MC was hired to manage the event. For my part, I'm happy to turn the MC duties over. It frees me up to work on programming music. :)

According to (whatever his name is at Moblie beat) We all should be perfecting this service and selling it as an option not providing it for free.

What a load of crap!

I agree most DJ's can be better MC's with a little bit of practice, and maybe a collage class on public speaking. In my market I know for sure that I could not charge for MC services.

The only people here that can charge for MC services are famous on some level. Some of the radio and sports announcers here MC events.

I started reading a couple of books on how to be a great MC and feel that it is not really that big an add on. Any thoughts?

Hey, man! What books have you been reading and do you feel they did anything for you?

--Will

I think its our duty to Mc.Why to pay someone only to Mc and get the same money as you playing all night long???

Here on Long Island, people pay extra for an MC. I'll MC if I have to, if they didn't pay for an MC. Depends.

Hey, man! What books have you been reading and do you feel they did anything for you?

--Will

Hey, there is a book called Speaking Our Minds. It is pretty good. I have a copy somewhere; if I remember to, I will look for it later, but, if I forget to do so, you should remind me with a PM or something.

Not that I ever did a wedding across the pond but whenever I went to a wedding I never once saw the DJ MC anything - the DJ was that - the DJ.

D

The norm here...Eastern Canada; I will do the Grand Intro...then usually the B & G have an MC, usually a firend of the couple/family handle the rest.....

Much more "personal"......imho

I know being digital it makes it much easier to MC the event. I just have my songs all cued up where that should be and point a click. I'm a multitasker so its not that much of a stretch if I had to use CD's it would be a real pain in the butt.

... if I had to use CD's it would be a real pain in the butt.
It's not bad, Dave. Just burn a couple discs with all the needed tracks and there you are. Being digital means you don't have to make the discs at all. :)

True Dat

Hey, man! What books have you been reading and do you feel they did anything for you?

--Will

These two books helped me alot (keep in mind I did not know much in the first place was just used to showing up and playing the music):sqwink:

1) The Master Wedding MC By Ken Day & Peter L Miller

2) The Wedding MC by Tom Haibeck

According to (whatever his name is at Moblie beat) We all should be perfecting this service and selling it as an option not providing it for free.

What a load of crap!

Most of it is - same old egos waffling on..........

BTW I love the MC side of weddings it brings out the personality I have somewhere in me

I've always thought that MCing was just part of the job, but I am hearing that more and more DJ's are charging for doing it. It seems strange to me.

If a B&G have a friend they want to MC, and it happens here a lot, that is cool, I'm not charging any less.

Personally I would MUCH RATHER MC a wedding then let uncle Bob do it.:sqerr:

However the "norm" here is to let a friend or family member do the MC work. .... SO, as it is more work, We do charge for Master of Ceremony duties.

I’m going to echo what Dave mentioned... When we MC, it allows out Personality to come out much earlier in the evening, and allows our guests to get to know us better before we are "sprung" on the guests for the dancing.:sqeek:

These two books helped me alot (keep in mind I did not know much in the first place was just used to showing up and playing the music):sqwink:

1) The Master Wedding MC By Ken Day & Peter L Miller

2) The Wedding MC by Tom Haibeck

I sat next to Tom on the way back from Mobile Beat not realizing he actually lived in Vancouver. He is one very prolific MC's he even has been credited for helping Regis Philbin MC his own daughters wedding. He is also a very nice guy. He gave me his new book to read on the flight home. Perhaps he heard of my famous phone calls and thought he might get some sleep on the flight. LOL!!
His new book here in my hand as I type.
''Wedding Toasts Made Easy.''

Keying in on what Scottie just said. I have done more than 2/3rds of my weddings as MC having performed in California, Washington, Oregon and my prior to Canada in Las Vegas at many of the LV Strip venues. Here in BC it seems natural to have someone MC who knows the bride and groom and family as well as friends. So far though due to my past experience with MCing I find more and more I am being asked to do these duties.

It has increased my skills in this area since I must be even more personal knowing more about the clients and guests so as to allow the same typical feel of the previous style with MCs amongst their group. It is actually an awesome part of my event.

Here it is the norm to have a dj/mc all in one person up north in the DC area MC was an additional option most often for the same person.

It's a given here as well that if you're the DJ...you emcee the gig too! The only exception is at some of my corporate functions. Sometimes the mgmt likes to pick up the emcee duties, whether good or bad, I've dealt with both.

I feel that MCing is part of our job. I rarely refer to it as MCing when I am talking to a client. Normally I ask who will be making the announcements. At that point I usually I find out that they either don't have anyone or expect some family member to do it. I MC 100% of my events. I don't charge extra for it....but I charge several hundred more that most of the DJ's in my market.

If you perfect it, go to toastmasters, and learn to control your voice you will begin to notice that your referrals will start going up, your crowd response will will be faster and more attentive, and you can charge more and they are willing to pay you for your services.