Whether you like it or not, being a DJ turns you into a type of low-level public person. People feel entitled to start conversations with you (also whether you feel like it or not!). You’re more attractive to the opposite sex. You get free drinks and requests. To make this persona last, you need to think about where it’s taking you. Here are a few tips from the pro DJs on how to survive and thrive in an often insane environment.
Popularity isn’t coolness
Popularity is often confused with coolness. Being popular is about how others treat you, while being cool is about how you treat others. Getting noticed for your work is actually the easy part. Always treating others with respect is the tricky part, especially if they don’t deserve it. But as a DJ, you’re expected to be able to deal with difficult situations and keep your cool. So even if you have an army of people who want the incident to end so the music can continue, try to be cool.
Have an alter ego
A lot of people will probably go against this advice, but here it is anyway: to be noticed, you have to be more than just another person who DJs a little on the weekend. You’re going to need to create some kind of superhero origin story, hide inside a DJ mask or do something creative with your ability. Because let’s face it, selecting tracks and DJing isn’t technically that challenging for anyone born after 1970. What’s your story? Why do you love music the way you do? Why do you show up to share it, even when there’s no money? And most importantly, who’s it all for?
Be a good person
Even old people get starstruck when they meet their heroes. And the story they want to tell everyone after meeting them? “She was so cool. Even though she’s popular, she seemed so normal and humble.” That’s the type of story you have to give people when they come up to you. Don’t get caught up by the dark side (because there is one, and it can be dangerous). Make it your aim to give people a good time. Say please and thank you. Make your connections with people real ones. Don’t be a snob.
More than one DJ has been seduced by the near-instant gratification that you can get from acquiring a set of decks and playing some tunes at a drinking spot. After all, it’s, like, the most fun you can have wherever you are in the world. But keep it real. Give the people a chance to forget about pandemics and problems, and just take them for a ride. And while you’re at it, take yourself for one, too. Get into the spirit of it with one of these online DJ courses today.