Any DJ you’ve ever heard of has followed a similar path to get where they are. You could think of it as three levels: collecting music, playing around town and eventually getting noticed. This is the path you’re going to take. It’s the way of the DJ. For amateur hobby DJs looking to get more paid gigs, check out the DJ Career Tips course. Read on.
Collecting new music
It starts with a love of music, especially new music. You’re hunting new tracks. You can’t resist whipping out Shazam at a bar when you hear a new tune. You’re thrilled to hear about certain new artists, but even more thrilled when you’re exposed to white labels and unknown track IDs. You collect tunes like a magpie collects shiny things. This collection starts to nag you from your hard drive in the corner of the room. “When are we playing?” it calls out to you in the night. “What’s the gig plan?”
DJing out and about
You can’t resist playing a new tune on your phone for a mate. Usually, they listen for a few seconds and say, “cool.” But sometimes, their eyes light up and they say, “send that to me.” That’s how you know you’re onto something. DJing is a skill that can be learned. But making people’s eyes light up is something that you already know how to do. Mobile phones become laptops and controllers. Bluetooth speakers become PA speakers and monitors. You don’t really care about who’s place you’re playing this weekend. You just need to share this stuff with someone.
Getting noticed as a DJ
At some point, someone asks you to play at their place in two weeks, but you’ve already told a mate you’re handling their party music. Then, you’re offered money to cancel the free gig. You politely explain to your mate that you’re actually getting a paid gig, and they’re fine with it. You play the paid gig, and you get a fistful of cash. It went well. Maybe there were a few random people asking for tracks you don’t have. But generally everyone had a good time. Three months later, the same person gets in touch. And you’re off on your DJ career.
This is how it happens. So many upcoming DJs think it’s all about hype and promo and Soundcloud plays. In reality, those things help. So do tutorial video courses by professional DJs. But nothing helps more than doing gigs, being seen and building a reputation as a party curator. The magic word is “referrals”. Build your empire on that.