I am a hard working night club disc jockey who is trying to move my
way up the ladder.  I got a job at a small lesbian club in a bad
location in town, and I've been working there for about 8 months now. 
I have gained a lot of experience, and perfected my mixing skills, but
the club is not giving me what I need as a DJ - a large crowd.  How
can I get a job as a DJ at a bigger and better club?  How can I market
myself, and sell myself in a world which seems to focus mostly on "who
you know", not how good of a DJ you really are?  Do I need to come up
with a fancy name for myself, or should I stick with my real name?  I
have a demo CD (I usually make a new one every month), and a web site.
 I need to get these into the DECISION MAKERS hands at various night
clubs around town, and I also need to convince them that I can do a
better job then their current DJ, or find them at the right time when
they are firing their DJ so I can take the open spot.  I feel like I
know what needs to be done, I just have no clue how to execute, and
sell myself as a good DJ.

---

Request for Question Clarification by journalist-ga on 28 Oct 2002 12:13 PST

In what region of the world are you seeking the position?

<In order to get work in a top club you need to start promoting
yourself. The competition is fierce so you need to get noticed. It is
not easy. It is hard work and you have to be relentless. It is done as
follows:

1. Your image.
Decide on a name that is distinctive and easily remembered. Get an
image that stands out from the crowd so that people remember you.

2. Be professional at all times.
Get a reputation for always turning up on time, never missing a gig
and performing to the best of your ability.

3. Prepare promotional material.
Get business cards printed. 
Make a good quality CD and ensure your contact information is
physically attached to the CD as covers get lost.
Have copies of a good quality photograph available for the press. 
Print a biography.
Assemble all of these items into a presentable form for example as an
insert in your CD case.

4. Do your research.
Look for the best opportunities in your local area. Find out who
organises any one off events and offer your services. Find out who
owns the club where you want to work and get them to see you. Read the
local news. Be ready to act if a new club is planned or a club changes
ownership. If this happens make contact as soon as possible with the
new owners (before they get the chance to advertise for staff).

5. Your approach.
For the best clubs there will be a lot of competition. If the club
owner agrees to see you give him or her a copy of your CD and other
promotional material. Offer to do a warm-up for free before the main
DJ comes on. Let the owner of the club know that you are available at
short notice. Offer to take over if the regular DJ is off sick or on
holiday.

6. Build up a network of contacts.
Talk to the regular DJ and ask him if he’s planning a holiday. If
you’re the first one to know he’s going to be away you may be able to
take over. Make contact with staff members at the club. Give them one
of your cards and ask them to call you if the DJ gets fired or is
sick.

7. Get your name known. 
Get yourself in the local press. Visit the local newspaper office and
ask to see the journalist who covers local events. Give him/her a copy
of your promotional material. Persuade him or her to come and see you
and write about you. It may cost you a few drinks but the exposure
will be worth it. If the place where you are working now does any
advertising, persuade the owner to give your name a prominent mention.

8. Learn to deal with rejection.
Don’t get upset if you get turned down. Many successful people are
familiar with the saying ‘as one door closes in your face, another one
slams’. Those DJ’s that have made it have done so by not giving up. Be
persistant. If a club owner turns you down. Try again a few months
later.>


<Additional links:>

<Advice from the BBC.>
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/so/dj/how_to_dj_7_9.shtml>

<Survival guide.>
<http://www.take5tv.co.za/html/survival%20guide/music16djfist.html>

<How going to Ibiza helped this DJ to make it.>
<http://www.jings.com/jings_clubbin/dundee.html>

<Jive magazine.>
<http://www.jivemagazine.com/featured-local-talent/12242001gruvgirl/index.shtml>


<Search strategy:>

<dj "getting gigs">
<://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=dj+%22getting+gigs%22>

<"how to make it as a dj">
<://www.google.com/search?q=%22how+to+make+it+as+a+dj%22&hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1>


<Hope this helps.>

I found an article from which you could learn how to effectively
promote your talents to club owners.  Using the criteria in the
article, you can have a knowledge of what they may want and present
yourself in a professional manner.  Please read "When Hiring a DJ" at
http://www.byrequestmusic.com/When%20Hiring%20a%20DJ.htm.  If you
would like similar advice, please post here and I will gladly answer
your question with this type of strategy.

When Hiring a DJ
http://www.byrequestmusic.com/When%20Hiring%20a%20DJ.htm

search phrase: 

club DJ ideas hiring