before or after ur services?

If you are anxious about getting paid, why not charge €50 {I know you're in dollars} before hand as a deposit which will cover the cost of you getting there. Either way, I think you should draw up a contract {doesn't have to big and full of legal issues} but something that will back you up. Remember to include late cancellations etc.

Depends on what kind of event you're doing.

Weddings, Corporate Events: I've found that asking for a deposit to start is best as a "holding fee" for the date; and then in the contract get them to send a check about 2 weeks in advance, dated for the day of the event. Whenever I've been asked about it, I always offer that it takes the stress out of things; the DJ has the check, they don't have to worry about it on the night of (or get bothered for money on their wedding day/party day) etc. etc.

Some may only want to give you a deposit; I suggest you be flexible about occasionally taking the check on the night of (some have heard too many horror stories about DJ's taking off with the money), but NEVER wait until after the wedding is over. That's foolish of the first degree.

Schools: Deposit for sure, and then take the check day of. In my experience it's rare that a school will pay you right up front, but I've also found that this doesn't matter; someone's around at the end of the dance to give you a check (whoever your contact is usually). Occasionally you'll get a school that won't pay on the day of (a common excuse is that the treasurer who signs the checks isn't in that day or is only in once a week or something silly) but I've found that's ok; you know where they are and they always pay.

Clubs: I usually don't get paid until after the night's over, with the rest of the staff. But that's because I take cash and only cash; it works out best for everyone because it just comes off their door float (usually) and so they don't ever have to report it. If you're worried about getting paid (because you've heard a story about that club or something), ask for it in advance and don't be afraid to walk out on them if they don't pay up (I've had to cover for a guy who did that once. Him and the owners were on the outs and he demanded cash up front; they said no, and he walked). You're there for them, not the other way around, and you have the power. If you're on the payroll that's obviously different, but DJ's on payroll are rare (although it's happened to me).

-r-