{"id":103,"date":"2021-10-25T12:12:29","date_gmt":"2021-10-25T12:12:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spinbad.com\/?p=103"},"modified":"2022-01-01T09:37:15","modified_gmt":"2022-01-01T09:37:15","slug":"how-to-get-djing-gigs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spinbad.com\/how-to-get-djing-gigs\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Get DJing Gigs (Essential Guide)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Being a DJ is a very popular occupation or hobby, and it\u2019s easy to see why. It\u2019s an incredibly exciting and fun lifestyle with the prospect of making good money and opening doors to career opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this also makes getting gigs incredibly difficult sometimes, as there\u2019s no shortage of budding DJs and producers dying for the opportunity to show their stuff, making the world of DJing extremely competitive and difficult to negotiate.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Catching a break is hard, but someone smart and dedicated once said that success is just preparation meeting opportunity! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this guide, we\u2019re going to look at all the things you can do to prepare yourself for the next big opportunity that comes your way and come up with ways to improve your chances of getting lucky!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"How<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Network<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No, we don\u2019t mean wire yourself up to the matrix or spend all of your waking hours on the computer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Networking is a bit of an old-fashioned term nowadays. Still, it refers to making connections with people, building relationships to find opportunities, and learning more about how to improve your chances.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most networking is done at events in person, and while it can be some online<\/a> to some extent, it\u2019s something that\u2019s best done in person, where you can impose your personality on people and show them your enthusiasm.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Networking can be time-consuming, but it\u2019s an investment that can pay off, especially if you meet the right people and are prepared for any opportunities that may come your way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Promote Yourself<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are many ways to promote yourself, but the act of doing this often makes people uncomfortable or shy. This won\u2019t cut it, and to become a successful DJ, you need to learn the art of promoting and become comfortable with tooting your own horn!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether it be by using flyers, attending events, DJing for your friends, or setting up gigs for yourself, promote yourself as much as you can and encourage your friends to support you in any way you can to build your prestige and help spread the word. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve got the skill set, promoting yourself aggressively will often lead you to situations where you get to show what you\u2019ve got and get paid to do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Word Of Mouth<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Word of mouth may seem old-fashioned, but it can be powerful, especially as this sort of hype often seems much more legitimate and can help craft a cooler, more underground image to get you started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reach out to old friends and acquaintances, anyone who may be interested in what you\u2019re offering, and ask them to spread the word about your skills and what you can offer as a DJ. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This could land you that first all-important gig you need to start building your reputation and repeat business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Busk<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many people think of guitarists or violinists when they think of buskers. Still, nowadays, almost every type of musician can busk thanks effectively to how portable instruments and equipment have become.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While this can be more challenging for DJs in some senses, there are opportunities you can try to exploit. Don\u2019t be afraid to plug yourself in wherever you can and start showing the world what you\u2019re made of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join A Group<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the advantages of the internet age is that it\u2019s straightforward to find like-minded people interested in the same things you are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These can be great places to find support for what you\u2019re doing, as well as suggestions, tips, and collaborators to both, inspire and be inspired by! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joining a group can make things a little competitive in some instances, but if you find the right people, you could open yourself up to a whole new circle of potential fans or inspirations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advertise<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Advertise however you can, especially if you manage to secure a gig! This is tied to self-promotion; it\u2019s something you shouldn\u2019t shrink away from! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put up flyers, share on social media, make your own merch, but whatever it is, don\u2019t be afraid to express yourself and think outside the box to promote yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Move<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one is a little bit difficult, and not everyone will reasonably be able to do this. But in the world of DJing, there are certain places where your opportunities will be much richer. That\u2019s a simple fact of the business.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moving to a bigger city or a place with great nightlife can be a way to increase your chances of getting more gigs, but be warned these places will be more competitive, and it\u2019s a considerable risk to change your life so drastically without any guarantee of success.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Craft An Image<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To increase your chances of getting a gig, you can craft an image or persona that makes you stand out from the crowd. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is again tied to self-promotion but is also slightly different, as it can be as gimmicky or artistic as you like and gives you a lot of room to have fun and express yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you like darker music or pop or mixing things up, incorporate this into your persona and create some mystique around your DJ image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use A Gimmick<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You wouldn\u2019t be the first person to rely on a gimmick to break out into success, particularly in the world of DJing and producing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some examples that immediately spring to mind are Daft Punk, Deadmau5, and Marshmellow, but large, flashy headsets aren\u2019t the only gimmick you can use. Find something that no one else is doing or that you find interesting and exploit this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact Promoters And Managers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This can come across as a little desperate in some cases, but if you\u2019re keen and have a good way with people, going directly to the club or promotor and asking for an opportunity can show spirit and confidence, which may just be enough to get you a gig.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gig For Free<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We don\u2019t often recommend this, and we certainly wouldn\u2019t recommend doing this at an establishment that makes good money unless it\u2019s a very unique and special opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DJing for free for friends, at special occasions, or other such events can be a great way to practice your skills and build hype, but take care not to get exploited as too many free gigs won\u2019t pay the bill and will not build the respect and reputation you need to become successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improve Your Skills!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Keep working on improving your skills and becoming a better DJ, as this is the best way to impress people and make yourself desirable to events, promoters, and venues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupling amazing skills with savvy self-promotion and a cool gimmick can be a recipe for success!<\/p>\n\n\n