As a small business owner the responsibility falls to you to figure out how to make money when times are tough. The good news however is that people will always figure out a reason to throw a party and no party is complete without a good set of tunes. That’s where you stroll in with your musical expertise and keep the party going.
To keep your business booming you will have to find ways to secure gigs and keep the money rolling in. Trust me when I say you don’t have to be the smoothest or slickest DJ on the block to make your business work for you. All you need is the determination to make it work, and whole lot of hustle.
Keep reading to find out how to grow your DJ business!
Expand Your Services
Many DJs who fail do so because they’re unable to think outside the box. If you can provide more services to your clients—particularly more than the other DJs—then you have become a hot commodity in a down market.
Unsure how to expand? Consider DJing the whole wedding instead of just the reception. Many brides are creating their own unique atmosphere during the ceremony including choreographed entrances and dances, which require the services of a kick ass sound system, therefore a DJ.
You can also add video services if you have the equipment since many parties are now looking for music and video stimulation. Playing a slideshow of photos can make the party more memorable and open the door for other gigs you can play.
Do The Unimaginable
Think of the type of gigs you swore you’d never take if you got the opportunity to be a professional DJ, what were they? Proms? Bar Mitzvahs? Anniversary Parties? Any of these venues you thought you were too good to play before, often look a lot cooler when you’re looking at them through the eyes of a business owner.
This doesn’t mean that you have to take gigs that you don’t want to, but it does mean that you should at least consider these events as legitimate paying work. After all, everyone has to play in the minors before being called up to the big leagues. Besides you never know how much you may enjoy these gigs until you give them a try.
Add A Gimmick
I know, as DJs we’re predisposed to hate gimmicks but as business owners we need to find a way to stand out in a crowd. It doesn’t matter what your gimmick it is, as long as it’s something that will catch the eye of event organizers.
Whether you have access to a karaoke machine, create special tracks for events, have VJ capabilities or come as a DJ duo; these are things that will allow you to keep your business alive and thriving at all times.
Advertise
Of course advertising is a no-brainer for any business owner but many DJs forget that getting your name out there is half the battle. You’ll need to make sure you do more than advertise online and through social networking locations. Those are viable ways to advertise and expand your brand, but in the early stages of your career it is important to focus on local advertising.
This means putting ads in local newspapers, flyers in strategic locations, and a little bit of self-promotion. You want to make sure you’re able to get paying gigs in your area first, then you can focus on travelling for gigs.
Advertising also means that you connect with people who can help you get your foot in the door. Sure this could mean other DJs but it really means event planners, club promoters, wedding planners, bar & club owners and anyone else who hosts events that need musical entertainment.
If you can’t get a meeting with these people, be relentless. Send emails, Facebook requests, send out a demo and leave messages. Keep your name fresh in their minds.
Team Up
DJs who call a small town home may want to team up with another event professional to help keep business up. This means that you can become a team with a photographer or caterer or other event worker to make sure you’re more than just an expenditure.
When money is tight people often see things like DJs as a luxury rather than a necessity for a big event. But by being part of a package you will seem like a better deal…even if it isn’t.
You don’t have to undercharge as a team, but you do need to know how to market your services. One of the best things about being part of a team is that you make the job of the planner that much easier because they don’t have to audition DJs.
Of course this idea doesn’t sit well with many DJs, but as you begin to expand your business you will need to find creative ways such as this to keep business booming when it might be slowing down.
I hope I helped you with becoming a DJ and growing your DJ business. Email in the box below to get access to Free video DJ lessons that will answer all of your questions on how to become a disk jockey!
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