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Is being a DJ your dream? You might be treating it as a hobby now, but it’s also your passion and the thing you want to do for a living.
It’s not always the easiest road to take, and there are sure to be some obstacles on your way, but it is very possible for you to earn some money as a DJ, and you don’t even have to be famous.
Here are six helpful tips for making the transition from hobby DJ to money-making DJ. If you’re thinking about making a living at your passion, there are some great tips here for you too.
#1 – Get the Gear & Master the Craft
You probably have the basics covered already. But just in case – you need the basic kit for mixing, playing music, and getting everything connected.
You should also make sure you are learning (whether in person or online) how to get everything set up. You should also master your spin, and the ability to create killer remixes. All you need once you have the gear is a plan, and the next few tips should help you figure things out.
#2 – Get Online
Your online presence is everything, and you should have all of your social media profiles set up, and secure your business page on platforms like Facebook. These will help generate interest in your work, and ultimately, customers.
Keep your accounts updated, share your music, and interact with your audience. The best place to start is by asking friends to like and share your page so that you have a wider reach. After that, you can begin combing through social media posts for potential opportunities.
The most important social media platforms for you, as a DJ, are YouTube and Sound Cloud. These are where your fans are going to be, and you must ensure that you upload quality content and interact with your followers and commenters as much as possible. It’s all about promotion, and that’s how you get your first gigs.
Pro tip: You first few gigs will be the hardest ones, and if you have a dead night, you are unlikely to get rebooked. Reach out to friends, get them to come, and boost your chances for a repeat show.
#3 – Start Small: Weddings are Best
Weddings are the easiest way to earn money as a DJ, and you can make a respectable living from it, so it is nothing to be looked down on. You can find event firms that will book weddings and birthdays for you, but you can also browse social media for couples in desperate need of a DJ and offer your services that way. GigSalad is also worth a look.
Of course, you often don’t get to play your own stuff, and you might end up with some difficult clients, the money is good, and it is a great way to support yourself – especially if you are looking to move onto club DJing in the future. We look at this form a little later, as it is the hardest one to get into.
#4 – Don’t be a Diva
No one likes a difficult DJ, and being a diva is the best way to run yourself out of business. Don’t be dramatic or complain, as no one wants to work with a brat or someone who thinks they are better than everyone else.
It always gets out in the end, and you will lose fans, support, and possibly even future gigs because of your attitude. Be the kind of person who stays to help clean up afterwards, who is relaxed, friendly, and flexible. Most importantly, never be late for a gig.
#5 – Work with Trustworthy People
There are a lot of people out there who will try to take advantage of you, so always be cautious of those who are offering you opportunities that seem too good to be true – they usually are.
These are the people who want to make money off you, the manager who does nothing, the promoter who never gets you a gig. Always watch who you trust. There is nothing wrong with doing all the work yourself at the start.
There is nothing wrong with doing all the work yourself at the start. Click To Tweet#6 – Be Willing to Put in the Work
Most DJs want to make it to club DJ, but it is a path that requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and determination if you want to succeed. You must create a name for yourself, because most clubs have a certain sound or a DJ that everyone knows and wants to hear more of.
Prepare to start making friends with club owners and promoters, offering to send them examples of your work, and producing unique content that you know they are going to love. It’s much harder than being an event DJ, but you might just breakthrough.
To Conclude
Hopefully, this has given you some good advice when it comes to breaking into the DJ industry, and you can look to make your hobby into a career. It might not be the easiest path, but there are loads of benefits if you manage to get it right. Just be prepared to work hard, give it your all, and show everyone what you’re made of.
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- Hobby to Money Earning DJ: 6 Great Tips to Make the Transition - June 12, 2018
