DJ GriF8, Southern California DJ, on Booking Gigs

If you want to become a successful DJ in the music industry, playing gigs is necessary to get both your name and music out there. DJing is not an art that was made for playing by yourself at home; it’s a passion to share with anyone who loves dance music all over the world. For first-timers, it can be overwhelming to try and figure out how to book your first gig.

Regardless of whether you are looking to perform in your hometown or a new city, there are a few essentials to keep in mind. Seasoned DJs who have had the opportunity to perform in different venues and nightclubs around the world have most likely mastered the art of booking gigs. Now it’s your turn to learn the best tactics for DJ booking.

Becoming a successful DJ is not solely based on the music you make and the skills you possess. Being a successful DJ is also about branding yourself and your style. When you start to think like a promoter, you understand that even though the right DJ name is important, it’s not as valuable as having a specific brand that your audience can associate with you. Once you start selling a brand and not just a DJ, opportunities will present themselves that can open doors for getting booked in clubs around the world. It is much easier to sell yourself to a booking agent when you have a designated brand associated with your style.

A tactic that goes hand in hand with branding is creating social media representation for yourself. Before you can start to book gigs, you will need to create an online presence for yourself. There is an abundance of profiles to choose from depending on what best suits you such as, Twitter, a personal website, Facebook, Instagram, etc. Once you’ve established an online presence, begin to create a poster for the bar or club you are looking to get booked at as well as business cards. You can take this to the manager to let them know you are a professional DJ who is ready to be booked.

Another great way to book your first gig is to know the people who own and work at venues you want to perform in. Although it may sound like the obvious strategy, it is one that many beginner DJs often forget. You will most likely discuss a potential performance with the club’s booking agent, so having an in beforehand can be very beneficial and work to your advantage. Networking is a big part of getting your name out there and becoming well-known in your surrounding area.

It can seem like there is a lot of effort that goes into booking nightclubs and venues. The truth is when you’re passionate about what you do and the music you produce, this all becomes part of the process and takes you one step closer to fulfilling your dreams and becoming a successful DJ.

DJ GriF8 is a Southern California based DJ who became heavily interested in music, specifically EDM, when he was in middle school. He began mixing and producing his own music and at the young age of 19, and has played at venues and nightclubs in Laguna Beach, CA. He plans to further his career in the music business and make a positive impact on the dance world. DJ GriF8 hopes to perform in venues all over the world. This article was originally published at DJGriF8.com on April 10, 2019.