Step 8: Getting Your First DJ Gigs
ACTIVE SPEAKER FOR ENTERTAINERS, DJS, BANDS, CLUBS, FITNESS AND PARTIES. Offering Value If you’re trying to break in to a particular scene, you need to make yourself a resource to that scene before you expect to start playing shows. There’s no one specific way to approach this. Suffice it to say, if nobody knows who you are, you’re not going to get many gigs. In the club world, it’s largely about who you know. That’s just the way things often work. Befriend some like-minded people in the community, and make yourself valuable to them! Find those people out there who think like you… for there’s power in that synergy. It’s amazing what can happen in the name of common interest. If you do it right, you’ll end up with some great new friends. Start supporting their shows and gigs. Above all, think about how you can make yourself useful to them and your potential audience. Gaining Experience If house parties are your thing, that can be a great way to get some immediate experience under your belt. Book a few local DJs to play, and “warm up” for them. Set them up, just as if you were opening for a headliner. If you’re getting into mobile DJing, try to think outside the box. One of my favorite places to play happens to be a consignment shop. Weird, right? Small fashion shows, grand openings, and street fairs are also great options. Many cities have regular nights for booking local DJs. These normally aren’t paying gigs, but they can be valuable experiences. Throwing your own night is another great way to gain experience and become known. Start shaking hands or handing out business cards to promoters, DJs, and friends at their events. Show them that you were willing to support them… people will notice. What are you doing that is valuable for your scene of interest? When it comes to the club scene, collaboration is almost always preferable to competition. The DJ hustle never really ends. Staying humble and having a value-based approach, will keep you fresh and positive!
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