You've been hustling, learning the ropes, perfecting your mixes, and even shared a few on social media. Yet, booking your first gig seems to be that elusive trophy at the end of a seemingly endless maze. If you’re an emerging DJ and you're wondering how to break into the game and get booked, we’re here to help.
We had a deep-dive conversation with Westend who was generous enough to share his story and his advice on getting booked. Check out the full episode here:
Let's face it, the DJ world is packed with talent, yet only a few make it big. You may have the potential, but what you need is the right platform to exhibit your skills. Remember, you're not yet a household name who can sell tickets for an event just by showing up. So, the question is, how do you make promoters and venue owners notice you?
Westend, a DJ who started from scratch and worked his way up, shares some invaluable advice. The key to starting isn't necessarily to aim for the big nights or weekends but to target the "soft nights" where there's already a built-in crowd. You know, the nights when it doesn't really matter who's DJing because the venue is popular enough to pull in patrons regardless.
"I was visually always there on social media, commenting on things, connecting with artists, and putting music out.”
Westend was able to book his first gigs by becoming an active community member. "I was visually always there on social media, commenting on things, connecting with artists, and putting music out," he states. This approach can work for you as well.
Visibility is the currency of the modern world. Start by following artists, DJs, promoters, and venues that you admire. Comment on their posts, engage with their content, and share your own mixes whenever possible. Use this platform to showcase your talent and keep an eye out for any opportunity to perform. Social media is a wonderful networking tool; don’t ignore it.
Promoters often look for emerging talent to fill in their softer nights when they can't afford to pay established DJs thousands of dollars. Use social media to directly engage with these promoters, shoot them a message, share your mixes, or better yet, use common connections for introductions.
Yes, you're not famous, but your music can be. Put out mixes and share them relentlessly. Promoters are always looking for new talent that is not just skillful but is also growing in popularity.
When reaching out to promoters or venue owners, suggest playing on their slow nights. This is a win-win situation: they get a DJ without breaking their bank, and you get a platform and an audience to showcase your skills.
Now that you know the steps, it's time to leap into action. Set up a weekly plan to:
— Post and share your mixes online
— Engage with at least 10-20 people in the industry per week
— Reach out to a minimum of 2-3 promoters or venue owners to pitch your work
— Pitch playing on “soft nights”
In the words of Westend, "if these promoters think you're cool and have a song going around, they'll consider booking you for their softer nights." So put your best foot forward, be an active part of the community, and your first gig may be just around the corner.
