7 Steps to Go from Bedroom DJ to Club DJ
Tired of only DJing on your own and want to take your talent to bars and clubs, where lots of people can enjoy your music? Here are 7 steps Muse Inc recommends to start your career as a club DJ!
1. Do your research
If there's a venue you love and dream of playing at, don't hesitate to go and check it out. Show up regularly, introduce yourself and build relationships with everyone there, from the security staff and the DJs to the managers. Be open about wanting to DJ there and always treat them with respect. If you get to know the resident DJs, you might even be able to ask to stand behind the DJ booth to watch and learn.
2. Promote yourself
Without attention and promotion on social media, your DJ career will take a long time to attract an audience. How you perform on stage matters, but being present on social media is also key to success. Ideally, keep an online presence on more than one platform to maximise your reach, since you can link to your work across different sites.
Right now, the most popular platforms for DJs are TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Mixcloud, SoundCloud and Twitter.
3. Test your DJ skills
Before you DJ in front of a crowd of hundreds, make sure you're confident in your skills. You can get used to playing and learn from experience by DJing at family gatherings, or by playing in front of a camera and going live. This builds your confidence and prepares you for real gigs.
4. Know your music
Every DJ should know and stock as many genres as possible, even ones that aren't their favourites. This really pays off when a client asks for lots of different styles or a gig comes up at short notice. In those moments you need to understand the purpose of the party and what the client likes, so you can choose the right music and deliver the best possible performance.
5. Add value
Once you've mastered DJing and have plenty of knowledge and great music, don't forget to share them with your fellow DJs. What you share can help other DJs grow and bring real value to the community. Adding value for others also builds long-lasting relationships.
6. Warm-up
This is an important step for new DJs, and it's where most of them start their journey in bars.
A warm-up slot can be the perfect platform to experiment, polish your skills, build your confidence and, most importantly, learn from your mistakes!
7. Be professional
Make sure you've got the basics covered, starting with arriving early for your gig. That gives you plenty of time to set up, check your playlist and get a feel for the space.
Be polite, introduce yourself to the venue staff and talk to the organisers or the other DJs so you clearly understand the music policies they have in place.
Be specific about what you plan to play. Mention particular songs and artists so they get a feel for it. This removes any doubts about your upcoming set, so you can relax and perform at your best.
Muse Inc hopes these tips will put you on the right track. But don't forget to keep investing in your knowledge and skills too! We wish all future DJs every success with their passion!
