View Full Version : How to promote myself?
I've start djing this year, and i've played already at 4 parties.
I'm thinking of taking this as a part time job , or like a hobby were i can make some bucks.
I'm turning 15 in july and going to high school so i'll have some more free time, and i was thinking how could i promote myself.
And i have another question, when should i buy my oen speakers and amp?
I now use my 100w hi-fi(i know......) and i can get a amp + speakers for 220€.
225 watts is enough for a small party right?
Should i buy the gear first or win the cash first and then buy new gear?
thanks!
morgank
06-04-07, 05:41 PM
See if you can get a small business loan from your parents or close relatives. Make it professional, wear a suit and tie if you have one. Present them with a business plan, reference your previous gigs, get some positive quotes from people who have seen you perform, describe what kind of market you'll cater too. Show them what kind of gear you want to buy and why.
If you go to all this trouble they will lend (or donate) some money to help you get gear and also help you get gigs!
Good luck!
djTthetj
06-04-07, 06:04 PM
your equipment speaks volumes about the professionalism of your setup.
hifi speakers ARE NOT DJ SPEAKERS. a suit will do you no good until you can get a respectable setup.
i'm sorry but if you find a system for 220 euros, it's not worth buying, because it costs much more than that to build a cab with parts worth buying. keep doing little parties and such, get a few years of experience, and save up a few grand, and go from there.
believe me, we all have had our humble beginnings too, but i never tried to sell myself as a "business" until i had something to offer. i'd say stick with your little speakers doing what you do, letting your name seep word-of-mouth. save save and save until you have AT LEAST a grand, then we can point you in a decent direction.
loans of course would speed the process up quite a bit.
what are you playing music from? decks... laptop... walkmans... ipod
just wondering.
DJ'ing is one of the most costly hobbies out there, just warning you.
blazerecordings
06-05-07, 05:54 AM
well i wish you all the best man. I am 15 been djin for the last 4 years man. The best way i found to start with is just word of mouth.. try and get a deccent pa if you can and just go out their do a good job and then you can get heard and ppl will want to hire you. Another good way is myspace and on forums promoting yourself. I did all this man and kept it going and now I gig at clubs in my town and also on a FM station in ipswich. if you wanna have a chat about more stuff give me a buzz.
rent gear if you need to, but don't buy cheap stuff just get an upgrade. It's better to use your home stereo stuff and get your name out there than waste money on cheap speakers that you'll have to replace soon anyway.
If you're looking for a hobby to make you good money on the side though, this might not be it. The more you make the more toys you'll want to buy... at least that's how we are.
djTthetj
06-05-07, 09:21 AM
If you're looking for a hobby to make you good money on the side though, this might not be it. The more you make the more toys you'll want to buy... at least that's how we are.
correct. this is definately the case. if this is something you love to do however, you will cope with the desire to buy:D
DJ Pyro
06-05-07, 03:17 PM
Best way to promote hands down is word of mouth. Whenever
you meet somebody let them know you are a DJ even if they
don't need a DJ they may know somebody that does. And since
word of mouth is the BEST way to promote yourself you have to be
good. If your no good at what you do people won't refer you. Practice,
practice, practice so that when you do have a gig you do a good
job so that you can get more parties and make more money to buy
good equipment. Oh and whatever you do, please don't go by watts
when picking your speakers. Just b/c it says 1000 watts rms does
not mean it is a good speaker or a loud speaker. Check the AMP/ Speaker
forum for more info on speakers. You go by db rating.
Right now i'm using my iPod and a portable cd player.
db rating?
Can you explain please?
I think i'm gonna do a shirt with my dj name and my cellphone number, and i get hired for a gig i'll rent the gear, even if i don't win money it's always fun and promotional....
I'm thinking a website also maybe, but now i'll start saving.
CerpinTaxt
06-06-07, 06:35 AM
I started a myspace and like added people that go to my school and anywhere around me. I also submit any good mixes to like Electro music blogs.
Example-
www.myspace.com/ilovetausif
http://this.bigstereo.net/2007/05/27/mix-tape-sunday-vol-iii/ (guess who number 5 is yo yo yo!)
DJ Pyro
06-06-07, 11:28 AM
Right now i'm using my iPod and a portable cd player.
db rating?
Can you explain please?
I think i'm gonna do a shirt with my dj name and my cellphone number, and i get hired for a gig i'll rent the gear, even if i don't win money it's always fun and promotional....
I'm thinking a website also maybe, but now i'll start saving.
well to start off your going to have to save money b/c if you want
to be taken serious as a DJ you can't use equipment that just
anybody has. You must have actual DJ equipment. If you have
to get a part time job to get the money that is better than using
the iPod and cd player b/c you don't run the risk of people taking
you as a joke. But as far as db thats your sound pressure level
which is how you know how loud the speaker actually is. Your
watts are used to help you match the speaker with the amp. Watts
are power ratings not sound ratings.
Well if i had 250€ for an amp and spekars ( i really don't mind using my iPod, because there are lots of dj's who use them and are not taken as a joke... i think.)
WHat would you guys recommend?
I saw a us blaster amp and some omnitronic spekars that i could use and would be more or less 200€
oates151
06-06-07, 04:25 PM
Yes, best of luck. Strange thing is I am the same age as you, going into high school next year.. well ill be 15 in july that.
I have been working at this for about 3-4 years now. It took me a good 2 years to get on my feet with two speakers, DJ console, laptop, MUSIC (Pain in the ass to keep up to date with these days) a professional carpeted table and I just started with my lighting system.
Really, it takes good investments. Dont waste all this big money on crap when you could save up a bit more and get something that will last you years. My two Samson XP200's, Numark/CD Mix 1, Dell D820 laptop and external hard drive were all good investments for me because even after all these years, I dont see any of them failing anytime soon and they work great for me.
As for promoting yourself, it takes time and practice to be a good and even great mobile DJ. Word of mouth is always best. Always have business cards on hand when around town or at gigs in case anyone asks or you hear people taking about how they need a DJ. Even offering discounts at first to potential customers is a great thing to do to get your reputation in the local area up. Also, volunteering at charity events and school functions is also very helpful, though I do it even now with my reputation high enough, because I am a local person and love helping the community.
Anyway, best of luck!
I see...
SO what would be the minimum value for some reasonable good amp/speakers?
500€(+/-700$)?
That would last me what 2/3 years?
oates151
06-06-07, 05:54 PM
Personally, I use Samson XP200's - I think if you buy them as a pair (i bought them single, one year apart - yeah I was pretty poor :P) for like $550, they're powered speakers though, but so far have lasted me over 3 years now (one is about 3.5 and the other is about 2.5 years old) Quality of sound is great and they use XLR input/output.
If you're looking for an amp and speaker sepeate solution, let us know and someone else may be able to assist you for your price range.
djTthetj
06-06-07, 06:12 PM
I see...
SO what would be the minimum value for some reasonable good amp/speakers?
500€(+/-700$)?
That would last me what 2/3 years?
continue these questions in the amps/speakers thread, you'll get MUCH better help there about speakers at least
quixfader
06-08-07, 11:32 AM
well i wish you all the best man. I am 15 been djin for the last 4 years man. The best way i found to start with is just word of mouth.. try and get a deccent pa if you can and just go out their do a good job and then you can get heard and ppl will want to hire you. Another good way is myspace and on forums promoting yourself. I did all this man and kept it going and now I gig at clubs in my town and also on a FM station in ipswich. if you wanna have a chat about more stuff give me a buzz.
your 15 and djing clubs?..
As for the poster of this topic.. SAVE UP! A IPod and a CD player is going to make you look like a joke. I'm dead serious.. Start investing some money into this if you are really serious and get a decent gear. Then if you can't beatmatch yet then learn.. While you are learning have a part time job to save up on speakers and such. I started out when I was around 13 years old and i'm currently 17. DJing is very profitable, I got a business plan to prove it, with the knowledge and skills the money will come back to you when you start getting out there rocking parties. Maybe you and a friend can just save up and start a DJ group. From there word of mouth and learn a bit about guriella marketing. Good luck! I'm also happy to see a young DJ at work!
Dj Native
06-08-07, 02:35 PM
I've start djing this year, and i've played already at 4 parties.
I'm thinking of taking this as a part time job , or like a hobby were i can make some bucks.
I'm turning 15 in july and going to high school so i'll have some more free time, and i was thinking how could i promote myself.
And i have another question, when should i buy my oen speakers and amp?
I now use my 100w hi-fi(i know......) and i can get a amp + speakers for 220€.
225 watts is enough for a small party right?
Should i buy the gear first or win the cash first and then buy new gear?
thanks!
Lol i know exacly where you are coming from mate, i started off the same way, what i did is wrote letters to people asking if they needed a djing service such as high schools, primary schools etc.. then i moved onto TT'S and to promote yourself there is to obtain your own style and look for a break where people will reconise you and see your ability. What happened with me and now im resident in 4 clubs.
csducks
06-10-07, 08:12 AM
jees somne really crazy advice there, personel preference i guess lol
in my opinion, you do it cos you enjoy it, its fun, it makes you know all the gals, and gets you the most mates.. oh mmmm followers.. they are like shadows, everywhere you bloody turn, but they are goods for carrying your records amongst other things,
im a bit more realistic, learn vewy fast that if you want to take up djn, before long your closest dj mates will backstab you by undercutting you in the pubs and clubs you end up working, dont take anything for granted, change if you need to change, but it hink the most important advice i can give is play the music they want to listen to, niot what you like yourself, its easy look up if people are all around you and not dancing, yeah you can mix or scratch, but there not dancing for a reason, and as the dj your neck is on the line, ie youll be sacked and out of the door b4 your feet touch the ground, know its almost always about the money when it comes to djn in bars and clubs, if profit is up, they love you. if its down they sack you.
and once you do get your foot in the door,
between the months of jan-march dont get disheartened if you get sacked for no reason, as i said its all about profit, i mean who goes out in january not many people.
but then if you wanted a job where your life was mapped out, youd go to uni and get a job in a bank,
now im not saying you dont want that i dont know what you want, but hey..
surely until then dont worry about it, and do it for the reasons why we all do, to go fookin crazy. good look
csducks
06-10-07, 08:15 AM
lol i lost the point there a little, id say sod the suit, wsho hires a dj cos hes in a suit, its all about front, go to your local bars see if they will give you a trial, its as easy as that, you will prob end up jacking another dj out, but thats the life of a dj.
What about dvd players?
I could get 2 for like 60$.
I wouldn't be able to beatmatch or anithing, but it's a start...
djTthetj
06-10-07, 03:38 PM
why do you HAVE to start now?
if you don't have the cash to start, don't waste money (no matter how small it may be) on junk that will not profit you the least bit in the future.
you HAVE to save before you can get decent gear, its life.
You can play golf with a hockey stick, but you're stupid if you do so. You can play basketball with a soccer ball, but it's dumb to do so. You can jerk off instead of sleeping with a woman, but what's the point?
Point being... just because you have the skills to be a DJ doesn't mean you have to be a DJ. Part of being a DJ is having REAL DJ equipment. Not DVD players and iPods with a home stereo and some house speakers. Get a job, save your money, and buy the stuff you need, THEN get some DJ gigs.
It's much harder to fix a reputation of being a cheap DJ than it is to wait and start out with the right stuff. You'll thank yourself in the long run.
OK, you guys convinced me.
So i guess i'll only have enough money around christmas(+/- 700€?).
I can't work yet(i need to have 16) any sugestion on how to make money?
What about working as a helper for other dj's? like setting up the gear an make sound tests?
Thats an ideia i guess....
SO what's the absolute minimum i need to get some decent gear(in euros please!)
DJ Pyro
06-11-07, 11:31 PM
good idea but I know me personally I do not let others hook
my equipment up. And to get my gear inside the club or venue
I am DJing at they do it for free. I guess its just the fact of
getting into a club for free and only having to pay for drinks makes
folks want to help lol.
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