Being a DJ and making money doing what you love has got to be about the coolest job in the world. There’s nothing better than playing music that you have chosen to an appreciative crowd and seeing the joy that your mixing and delivery can bring.
But there is a huge difference between being a bedroom DJ, mixing MP3 files using some DJ software, and being a professional, working DJ. As with any new business you really need to start out with a good business plan.
Researching your prospective market is probably your first step. Are you a DJ specialising in one type of music, maybe house or hip hop, and if so how will you get your gigs? What will it cost to produce a professionally presented demo CD, essential for getting those all important gigs? Your business plan will need to estimate how much you are likely to make and what it is going to cost you to make that money.
A viable business plan means that you may be able to attract investment from either private backers or from your bank. Some of this money will be allocated to equipment costs which are likely to include some top quality, professional DJ headphones, some good quality record cases and maybe a good laptop with the latest DJ software installed. You may even need to invest in wireless microphone system if your style of DJing means you get out into the crowd. In business planning the key is never to leave out any detail.
Most independent DJs operate as self employed business owners. You may like to get some advice from a small business advisor or accountant. You might even consider teaming up with some DJ friends in order to offer a range of DJ services for various functions.
Clearly there is a lot to think about beyond the records to select and play at each gig. Business planning can be tedious and boring but its an essential step in making any potential business a success. But doing some thorough research and planning your prospective DJ business carefully will hopefully identify everything you need in order to be an immediate success.
Tags: career, disk jockey, djing