Electronic music is among the most popular and lucrative music genres on the planet. Top DJs make insane levels of money, due to the fact from the size the crowds they play in front of. If you’ve been keen on electronic music and therefore are considering starting a job like a DJ, realize that it is very attainable.
You won't necessarily end up being the next Tiesto or Deadmau5, but there are lots of ways in which you can make some decent profit the field. All you need is to locate a few gigs that will permit you to definitely make a name for yourself and constantly focus on your craft and the business of being a DJ. Let's take a look at what you'll need to do in order to become a successful electronic music DJ.
Evaluate Your Motivations
The very first thing you have to do is see if you've your heart within the right place. You should only consider being a DJ if you truly appreciate the music. Your ultimate goal should be to present tracks people have never heard before and showcase your musical taste. But it's mainly about making the audience feel great and giving them a unique experience.
If you just need to make money or look cool, you'll fail on all fronts. Hack DJs get discovered quickly, and when you don’t care about your sets, it shows. You will also have trouble getting taken seriously by the industry and only won't be able to book shows, or perhaps be relegated to obscure venues.
Constantly Focus on Your Craft
Being passionate about music and DJing will even help you constantly perfect your craft. New DJing tools are being introduced all the time and there are always areas where you can improve. Being passionate can also be what's going to allow you to explore other disciplines like producing. Most of the major DJs we all know today got popular through either their production or started producing later on. This provides them with an additional source of income and also enables them to personalize their sets even more.
Work in your Brand
Branding is also very important in the world of DJing. Acts like Deadmau5, Skrillex, and Marshmallow are extremely talented, but none of them of them would be as common as they are whether it wasn’t for his or her distinctive image and gimmicks. Daft Punk is yet another example that comes to mind.
DJs have long had a problem with anonymity because they don't “perform” in the same manner a band or vocalist does. Branding is exactly what allows them to show personality and become recognizable. Branding starts with having a solid name, and achieving a catchy name individuals will have the ability to recognize is very important. If you want to know how to find DJ name ideas, you can check out the linked article from Pirate Studios. They interviewed a few DJs with great names and asked them how they created them. This could give you a large amount of inspiration to find a few DJ name ideas to choose from which will represent you while still being marketable.
Be Prepared to Grind
Your first gigs will always be tough when just beginning when you’re a DJ, but they're a great chance to learn. This is when you really need to create mistakes. You will have to be ready to do a lot of pro-bono work at the start to get your company name available as well. You might have to work on private parties, weddings, bar mitzvahs, and many types of events which have absolutely nothing to do with a club or arena. This really is something all successful DJs needed to grow through and something you will need to go through too if you want to build your reputation.
Use Social Media Wisely
Social media is a superb tool for DJs who want to build their brand. Instagram and Facebook may be used to show the climate at the concerts, or host live streams. Plenty of DJs have been discovered through their live streams and it’s a great way for individuals to obtain a sense of your DJing style. YouTube is another extremely effective tool that you can use as a DJ. But you shouldn’t focus solely on releasing sets there. You may create custom mixes and post them there, however, you can also make use of the platform to bring your audience behind the scenes. DJs who can show their personality can produce a more intimate connection with their fans and your YouTube channel is a superb method of doing it.
You might take your viewers on your journey to being a DJ, for instance. This can be a great way to build an audience of people who will feel personally invested in you. You could even give strategies for artists who want to enter the industry or share several DJing/producing tips. All this will allow you to gain in visibility and make your brand organically.
You Will Need to Develop a Solid Team Around You
No international DJ works alone. You need to treat your job like a business, and you need to have business-savvy people around you. A lot of people decide to manage themselves in this industry, but that’s a really bad idea if you’re green. A manager can provide you with the tools to higher navigate the company side and not lose out on important opportunities.
Another critical player that you will have working for you is a booking agent. With out them, you will have a lot of difficulty booking venues at first. Getting a booking agent who has experience working with smaller acts will improve for you personally. You also have to check their track record of dealing with electronic music DJs.
Have an excellent Website
You will also need to build a professional website if you wish to build your brand. At first, you may be able to get by with one of those self-service platforms you’ll discover there, but it’s easier to shell out a few extra bucks for something professional. People will be able to get some details about you, but you also need some clear footage of gigs you’ve used superior sound. This is why finding a videographer can be really important at the start. Visuals will sell your act just as much as the music, so make sure that you have someone to tape your first big shows. Additionally, you will must have those videos professionally edited. This might cost a bit more money, but it will be essential if you're attempting to develop a portfolio.
Get Involved in the Community
One great thing about becoming an EDM DJ is it isn’t as cut-throat as other sectors of the industry. There is camaraderie among DJs, plus they rarely work alone. Becoming friends with DJs could get you a spot being an opening act. Using a DJ that is more popular than you vouching for you could also help legitimize your act.
Becoming a DJ is not that difficult if you possess the talent and a genuine desire for it. It will require some significant effort, however, and when you aren’t ready to perform the legwork, you will have a very hard time making it.