By Chris Binns
I was happiest behind the booth, focused on the music, watching the crowd react. However, I was then asked to make a simple announcement. That moment hit me hard. My voice felt shaky, the sound wasn’t right, and I wasn’t sure what to say.
It was uncomfortable, awkward even. Looking back, that was the turning point. Over time, those little announcements – calling up the birthday girl, welcoming the bride and groom, and introducing speeches – became a part of my role. And I enjoyed it.
I realised the power of the microphone. When used with intention, it can bring people together. It can shift the energy in a room. And it can turn a standard event into something special.
Eventually, I fell in love with it. That connection. That feeling of guiding the room. Lifting people.
Being a part of the moments they’ll never forget. And, now, the microphone is more than just a tool for announcements. For DJs trying to stand out and stay booked in a tough market, it is the key to survival. The state of the industry Wayne Davies summed it up clearly in the May/ June 2025 issue of Pro Mobile.
In his article, ‘The Wedding DJ Crossroads: Crisis, Correction or a Call to Evolve’, he shared what many of us are feeling. Bookings are down. The middle of the market has almost disappeared. DJs who were once busy are now staring at empty calendars, while the budget end of the market appears crowded with low-cost options.
Couples are watching their spending more closely. Live bands are offering bundled DJ services. Spotify playlists are being used instead of pros. It’s easy to feel squeezed.
But Wayne also offered a challenge. A call to grow. A call to think differently about what we offer. I couldn’t agree more.
The MC is the opportunity If you’re a DJ who’s been wondering how to stand out, let me be honest with you. Learning how to become a Master of Ceremonies has changed everything for me. It has made me more valuable, more confident, and more in demand. The truth is, DJs are already in a strong position to take this step.
We understand how to read a room. We have the gear. We control the sound, the lighting and the atmosphere. We’re used to setting the mood.
But, most importantly, we know how to hold people’s attention. When you add MC skills on top of that – clear speaking, smooth transitions, knowing when to energise the crowd or bring the room to silence – you become more than the DJ. You become the guide, the voice of the event, the person everyone relies on. What Toastmasters taught me about being an MC I can trace a lot of what I’ve become as a Master of Ceremonies back to a single moment.
I was at a restaurant when a friend stood up and addressed the room, clearly, confidently, and with such ease. She wasn’t a performer, but the room was instantly with her. I was stunned. At the end of her speech, she gave credit to something I’d never heard of before: Toastmasters.
For years, the name stuck in my head. I’d think about it, but I never took the leap. Eventually, I dipped my toe into a meeting, but didn’t stay. It wasn’t until DJ and Pro Mobile contributor Tony Winyard suggested I try Berkeley Square Speakers that things really clicked.
I joined in November 2017, and I haven’t looked back since. At the time, I was looking to improve my mic skills. I wanted to feel more comfortable speaking at weddings and events, but I knew I needed a place where I could practise regularly. Toastmasters offered exactly that: consistent stage time, weekly meetings, and an environment that welcomed mistakes as part of the growth process – all at an incredibly low cost.
What I didn’t realise was that Toastmasters would shape me far beyond just public speaking. In 2021, I entered the Humorous Speech Contest and made it to the District Finals (South of England), finishing second. The experience taught me how to construct a powerful speech, how to make people laugh, and how to connect through vulnerability. Getting feedback at every level of the competition helped me see what works and what doesn’t, and taught me how to improve while staying true to myself.
But it wasn’t just about contests. “ NOW, THE MICROPHONE IS MORE THAN JUST A TOOL FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS. FOR DJS TRYING TO STAND OUT AND STAY BOOKED IN A TOUGH MARKET, IT IS THE KEY TO SURVIVAL ” 19WHY DJS MUST MASTER THE MIC TO THRIVE I have served as Sergeant-at- Arms and in other committee roles multiple times, and, in 2023, I was the club president. These roles gave me something that directly transfers to weddings: a sense of ownership over the space.
As Sergeant-at-Arms, I am the first to arrive. I set up the room meticulously, placing chairs two feet apart, lining up agendas neatly on every seat, making sure the lighting, sound, projector and environment were perfect. But it wasn’t about perfectionism. It was about creating a space where others could shine.
That belief is now part of who I am as an MC. I have also trained with the likes of Mark and Rebecca Ferrell, Peter Merry, and Randy Bartlett, but Toastmasters gave me the platform to practise what I had learned on a regular basis. At weddings, I’m still the first to arrive. I check everything.
I light candles if the staff forget. I walk the floor. I make sure the vibe is just right. It’s the same philosophy: create the conditions for everyone else to feel amazing.
When you do that, the magic happens. Toastmasters has also helped me develop confidence, warmth and, above all, authenticity. People tell me I make them feel at ease because I speak with heart and humour. That I’m not trying to be anyone else; that comes from getting up every week, being willing to fail in public, and getting better because of it.
I’ve mentored over twenty members through the club and love giving back. I’ve always mentored people in both work and life, and now I also mentor them in speaking. Stephen Bartlett once said, “If you want to learn something, obligate yourself to teach it.” That’s how I live now. Every time I learn something new about presence, tone or timing, I strive to share it with others.
That’s part of what I hope this article does, too. More than anything, Toastmasters has given me the ability to be myself on stage. I no longer fear the mic. I welcome it.
I don’t have to pretend to be perfect. I just have to be real. And that, I’ve learned, is what makes the best MCs. The ones who care.
The ones who prepare. The ones who show up, not just physically, but emotionally, and hold the space for others to celebrate the most meaningful moments of their lives. More than the music As DJs, we’re often seen as just the music. But when you step into the role of MC, you become the person who connects the dots.
You’re the one ensuring the couple capture the moment they've imagined. You’re the one making sure guests aren’t left wondering what’s next. You’re the one who lights the candles when the staff forget. You’re the one who calms the nervous groom or finds tissues for the teary maid of honour.
That’s not extra. That’s the job. And when you do it well, people notice. They remember.
They recommend you. And they value you more. Looking ahead Wayne was right. We’re at a crossroads.
DJs are fighting over scraps at the budget end of the market, and others are trying to charge what they’re worth but struggling to explain their value. The space in the middle has shrunk. That means we either slide down or we step up. If you’ve felt the bookings slow down, or if your calendar looks thinner than usual, maybe now is the time to invest in yourself.
Learn the skills. Get the training. Start small if you have to, but move forward. Because the DJs who are still going strong aren’t just pressing play.
They’re leading the room. Final thought If there’s one thing I want DJs to know, it’s this: The mic is not the scary part. The scary part is being left behind. Learning to be a Master of Ceremonies will make you more useful, respected and confident.
It will give your clients more reasons to book you and more reasons to refer you. It will provide you with control of the room and pride in your work. And, in a time when the market is uncertain, that kind of control is something we all need a bit more of.
