So you want to be a DJ? It’s a common question and one that’s not always easy to answer. The first thing you need to know is that there’s more to being a DJ than just playing music. In fact, there are a lot of different ways to make money as a DJ.
Don’t believe us? Keep reading. We’ll break it all down for you and show you how to start making money as a DJ, today.
Sources of a DJ’s Income
There are a few different ways that DJs can make money.
One way is to play at nightclubs and other venues. DJs can also get paid to play at private events, like weddings and birthday parties. Some DJs also work as radio personalities or create mixes for sale online.
How to Become a Succeeding DJ
Now that you know how DJs make money, it’s time to learn how to become a successful one. There are a few things to keep in mind:
First, DJing is all about your ability to read a crowd and give them what they want. If you can’t do that, you won’t make it very far as a DJ.
Second, DJing is all about being versatile. You need to be able to mix different styles of music together, and you need to have a large library of music at your disposal.
Third, practice makes perfect. The more you DJ, the better you’ll get. And don’t be afraid to experiment – that’s how you’ll learn what works and what doesn’t.
Fourth, always be professional. Be on time for gigs, dress appropriately and always act with courtesy towards your audience and fellow DJs.
Fifth, market yourself! Make sure people know who you are and what you can do. Get yourself a website and social media accounts, and start spreading the word.
What Does a Typical DJ Set Look Like?
So you want to be a DJ? There’s more to it than just playing music. A lot more.
In fact, most DJs don’t make their money from playing music. Instead, they make their money from setting up and running sound and lighting systems for events. This includes weddings, corporate events, and even school dances.
A typical DJ set might include music for the cocktail hour, dinner music, and then a dance party at the end. But this can vary depending on the event and the client’s preferences.
It’s important to be able to read the crowd and play the right music at the right time. This takes experience and a deep understanding of music history and culture.
Making Smart Choices With Your Gigs
One of the best ways to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck is to be picky about the gigs you take. Of course, when you’re first starting out, you might not have a ton of choice in the matter. But as you start to get more popular, you can be a little pickier about the shows you play.
So, how do you choose which gigs to take? First, take a look at the venue. Is it a place that’s known for attracting your target audience? If not, it might not be worth your time.
Second, look at the size of the venue. If it’s a small club, you might not make as much money as you would at a huge music festival. But on the flip side, smaller venues can sometimes be more intimate and offer a better experience for both you and your fans.
And finally, consider who else is on the bill. If you’re playing with other big names in your genre, that’s great! But if you’re playing with unknowns or artists who are in a completely different genre, it might not be worth your time.
Monetizing Your Music Products
Another way to make money as a DJ is to monetize your music products. This can be done in a few different ways, such as charging for downloads, setting up merchandise sales, or selling physical copies of your music.
If you’re selling digital downloads, you can set up a platform on your website or use a service like Bandcamp or iTunes. For physical copies, you’ll need to manufacture CDs or vinyl records. And for merchandise, you’ll need to design and produce items like t-shirts, stickers, and posters.
The key here is to make sure that whatever you’re selling is high quality and that your prices are fair. Remember, your fans are buying your music because they love it, so give them something that they’ll be proud to own.
Offer your abilities and also talent
E-Learning is readied to flourish with the sector anticipated to grow to $325 billion by 2025. Use your skills to develop and market ‘how to DJ’ tutorials, giving video presentations of specific skills and methods. This can additionally be about the sort of software program you advise and the equipment that you think to be most helpful.
That does it well? Udemy is a fantastic discovering system.
Set up your very own celebrations
Reserve a big name, get a location, settle on the pay split and also promote the hell out of it. What could fail? Well, plenty might as well as plenty does. But if you obtain the best ability as well as you strike a good deal with the club or bar owner after that you could be onto a champion.
Who does it well? AJ and also Dolan fill out the 5,000-capacity Printworks club in London with their night the Hydra. They began their journey putting on small celebrations in the back spaces of new york bars.
Investing Smartly in Your Skill Set
You need to think about your investment in your skill set as an ongoing thing. You should be regularly attending workshops, classes, and conferences to stay up-to-date on the latest techniques. In addition, you should be investing in high-quality equipment so that you can produce the best possible sound. And last but not least, you should be networking with other DJs and industry professionals to get your name out there.
Conclusion: How Do DJs Make Money
So now you know how DJs make money. It’s not as simple as some people might think. There’s a lot of hard work and dedication that goes into being a successful DJ. But if you have the passion for it and are willing to put in the work, you can make a good living doing what you love.