Many people dream of making a living doing something they love. If you love music and want to take this passion and turn it into a business, then becoming a DJ is a great idea. There are over 11,00 DJs working in the United States right now. Over the next 10 years, this industry is expected to grow by nearly 3 percent.
You need to realize that becoming a DJ that makes money is no easy feat. The DJs who get paid the big bucks live and breathe music. A good work ethic and marketing savvy are also crucial to your success as a DJ>
Are you trying to become a great DJ? If so, check out the great tips in this article.
1. Invest in the Right Equipment
If you want to get gigs as a DJ, you need the right equipment. Things like speakers, laptops and lights are an essential part of a DJs arsenal. If you are new to the world of DJing, then you might be a bit confused regarding what type of equipment to buy.
One of the main things you need is a set of quality speakers. If your laptop is set up for surround sound, you will need speakers that can accommodate this feature. By hooking surround speakers up to your laptop, you can generate the noise your clients are sure to love.
If you are unsure about what speakers to purchase, be sure to check out this surround sound guide. The information from this guide will help you narrow down the selection of speakers at your disposal.
2. Build Your Library of Music
DJs that play great music generally create a buzz in their area. Since you want to become a DJ, chances are you are pretty knowledgeable about music. Taking this love and appreciation for music and using it to amass a large collection of recordings is a great idea.
Many of the DJ turntables on the market can operate just with MP3 recordings. In the past, DJs had to collect vinyl records and mix and scratch them by hand. If you prefer the digital approach to DJing, then you probably need to invest in external hard drives with lots of memory.
Making sure the hard drives you purchase are both reliable and durable is important. Skimping on the quality of these hard drives can come back to haunt you in the future. This is why you need to spend a few more dollars to get the best drives on the market.
3. Acquire Some Experience Behind The Turntables
Becoming a great DJ is not something that will happen overnight. Some of the best DJs in the world have been at it for decades. Instead of setting unrealistic goals for your new venture, you need to take the time to hone your craft before expanding. Volunteering your DJ services to friends and acquaintances can help you land a few gigs.
Even though you won’t’ get paid for most of your early gigs, they are worth doing because of the lessons they can teach. Learning how to read a crowd and keep them engaged with what you are playing is an art. The more you perform in front of a crowd, the easier it will be to transition into larger arenas.
As you get some experience under your belt, you can actually start to charge for your services. Keeping your prices competitive is crucial if you want to land even more gigs. Doing some research to find out how much other DJs in your area are charging is imperative if you want to avoid scaring off potential customers.
4. Always Be Professional and On-Time
Some DJs fail to realize just how many people they are competing against. If a particular DJ doesn’t want to show up on time or work for a particular price, there is someone who will. One of the best ways to show clients you are worth the asking price is by being on-time and professional.
Being professional means that you are courteous and attentive when dealing with your clients. Providing your DJ services to a person and exceeding their expectations can help you get word of mouth referrals. With a good work ethic, you should have no problem rising to the top of your local music entertainment market.
5. Cultivating An Online Presence
Every day, millions of people use the Internet to search for businesses in their area. If a person is looking for a DJ to provide music for an upcoming event, you need to make sure your name is at the top of the list. The only way to accomplish this goal is by investing in online marketing.
Modern DJs realize that without a website and a presence on social media, landing new clients is extremely difficult. Your website should provide consumers with a snapshot of what you provide. Taking videos of some of your recent gigs and using them as advertisements is a wonderful idea.
Not only are videos more entertaining for consumers, they also have the chance of going viral. Posting new content to both your website and social media profiles weekly is a great way to keep your audience interested in your company. If you lack marketing experience, then hiring an experienced digital marketing agency to assist you is vital.
6. Be Outgoing At Gigs
Perpetrating the stereotype of the moody musician is a horrible idea if you want to create a successful DJ business. People who hire DJs want these professionals to be friendly, outgoing and fun. In most cases, you are hired to create a party atmosphere.
Creating this atmosphere will be much easier if you learn how to be outgoing at gigs. Getting the audience to participate in your show can skyrocket your popularity. Constantly optimizing the way you approach DJing can help to make you a success in this industry.
Becoming A DJ is Hard Work
Before you pursue your dream of becoming a DJ, you need to realize success in this industry takes time. With the right gear and a good attitude, you can make money as a DJ.
Are you looking for more advice on running a music entertainment business? If so, check out the rest of the blogs on our website.
