DJ technology has evolved over the last two decades.Beat matching, tracks on the web and online DJ courses make it easy for beginners to master the technical side of DJing in a very short time.One of the biggest challenges for DJs is finding paid work.The advice shared here will make it easier for you to learn how to DJ.
Step 1: Prepare yourselves.
Make sure you are prepared for the job hunt.It's worse if you get the chance to play, then you screw it up.It would make sense to go through the list if you did your homework already.If you can answer all of the questions with a confident "Yes", then go on.Your time is better spent preparing.Are you familiar with the equipment you will be using at the venue you want to play at?What kind of equipment have they installed?Is there enough space in the booth to set up your controller?Do you have the skills to mix?Is it possible to play a three-hour set at home without messing up a single mix?Are you able to react to the crowd with enough material and sets?You have to be prepared in order for it to happen.Pick what's best during the gig by having at least three sets in place.Do you own a demo CD?If you are going to meet club owners, you should have a demo CD with a printed label on it.Do you own name cards?DJing is a business and to leave a professional impression, you need a decent name card that includes your DJ name, email, mobile number and your web links.Do you have a website or at least a Facebook Fan page that links to your SoundCloud or MixCloud profile so that potential customers can check you out online?Do you have at least two to three mixes on your pages?
Step 2: Get heard.
When it comes to finding a job, it's not about what you know, but who knows you.In the beginning of your DJ career, not many people will know you are a DJ.That's okay.Every star was a beginner at some point.A network can be built.The section explains how to do that.
Step 3: Go through your contacts.
Do you know if any of your acquaintances are related to the DJ scene?Ask them if they know of a gig opportunity for you and be honest about where you are in your DJ career.Ask if they can introduce you to someone who does.Even if they can't offer you a job, you'll still know someone who might.Continue with those introductions.
Step 4: Get to know event organizers.
It is easy to do because these people will be present and accessible most of the time.Ask the bartender to find out who is the manager of the club, then introduce yourself with a prepared 30-second presentation and hand over your demo CD.You can find the people you met on Facebook.It's important to know that club managers don't care about music.These folks are mostly interested in the cash they bring home at the end of a night and this can be difficult to digest for enthusiastic young DJs.That's their job, no way to blame them.In order to cater for your client's needs, you need to focus on how you can bring a spending crowd to the place rather than how fancy your music is.
Step 5: Follow up every now and again.
The most important part is to follow up after you have a list of potential clients.Walk away after the first "no" is the biggest mistake you can make.A rule of thumb in marketing is to get into your client's face seven times before they will buy from you.Be persistent.Always being polite, come back again and again.A relationship can be established.People are impressed with persistence.They will know you are determined if you don't give up easily.Nothing can stop determination.
Step 6: You can be available for special events.
The clubs focus on making their weekend happen and other special nights.A lot of risk is at hand so they will be very particular about who gets to play the music.It's hard to get in for a new person.The odd nights are there.It doesn't make sense to book a DJ during weekdays since it's not economically viable.If you come up with a proposal to play for little money or even better, it can be a very successful strategy to get your first foothold in a club.Chances are you will be offered a weekend night as soon as you make those odd nights a success.Here comes your residency.
Step 7: International DJ names make six figures per gig.
How did they get there?Do they mix better than the average DJ?Absolutely not in most cases.Some do worse.
Step 8: At some point in their career, producer DJs had a hit.
They produced and published a track that got international attention.When people around the world know your name, love your music and want to see you play live - that's when the bookers will start calling you and asking you to play in Ibiza.Production is not for everyone and is a topic to be covered in books rather than articles, but if you have some musical talent and a drive to make music, this could be very well worth the effort.A label deal will probably take a long time.If you make it happen, you will become an internationally renowned DJ.