Emu XL-7 & MP-7 User's Group

Sure glad to help!  I'm assuming you want to know things about how to get 
gigs and get your name out there, not how to DJ right?  Here's some things 
I recommend:

- No matter what, always act professional when you're dealing with people 
in the industry.  Even people at clubs, online and what not, I don't know 
how many times I've been talking to some random person at a club only to 
find out they're also a promoter or something.  Even if someone starts 
talking nonsense you don't agree with, keep your cool and be professional. 
 Promoters don't just want really good DJ's and performers, they want 
level-headed DJ's and performers!  You can be the best Dj out there, but 
if you're a nut case, they won't want to book you regardless (unless 
you're a REALLY entertaining nut case ala Mark EG).

- Get to know the promoters of the clubs or venues you like the most. Your 
best bet for getting a gig is by the old "it's who you know".  Yeah it's 
sad, but this really is how the industry works, you have to know the right 
people to get anywhere, especially now that DJ's are dime a dozen.  Find 
out who's in charge and introduce yourself, tell them you like their 
night, offer to help promote (pass out flyers) etc.  Don't just go up and 
tell them you want to spin :)  This is the #1 best way to get a gig.  Show 
them you don't just want to spin and leave, let them know you like the 
scene and what they are trying to do.  Also I know a lot of promoters will 
be more inclined to book DJ's they know will bring a lot of people to the 
club, so iontriduce tehm to your friends, show them you have pretty large 
following (even just friends), or that you can bring a lot people out when 
you spin.

- Keep copies of your most recent demo with you everywhere you go.  I 
always keep a couple of extra CDs in my car just in case, and it has come 
in handy.  By that same account, it helps to have some simple business 
cards made up with your contact info on them.  Put them in the CD cases, 
and keep some in your pocket if you go out the clubs too.  Nothing worse 
than striking up a conversation with a possible booking only to find out 
neither of you has a pen and the bartender's being a bitch about lending 
you hers. :)

- Don't put all of the biggest tracks you have on your demo.  Promoters 
get tons of demo CDs a week (I used to promote, so I've seen both sides of 
it), and guaranteed most of them will be full of the same 10 big tracks. 
Pick out a set that's unique, something that lets them kow you're 
different from every other DJ out there.  Throw in a little live XX-7 
action and make a point of drawing attention to that on the cover of your 
demo.  The future of DJing isn't about just two decks and mixer....

- Put track markers in your mix CD.  Nothing worse than wanting to skim 
through a CD demo someone gave you only to find it out it's one long song 
and you have to fast forward forever to get back to where you were (chance 
are they won't).  If you've got the skills, put them all right before you 
start your mixes, that way they can skim through and see how well you mix. 
 The key is to make it as easy as possible for the promoter to know what 
you have to offer.

- By that same account, I don't recommend sending promoters email links to 
your new 60+MB DJ mix online.  Would you want to wait that long to 
download a set from someone you don't know?

- Be realistic.  There's hundreds if not thousands of Djs in ever major 
city now, and many of them are just as good as your local club residents. 
It takes time, and you have to be doing it for the right reasons.  If 
you're wanting to get a gig just to make a living from spinning, it'll 
never happen.  Remember more than anything that there's two reasons why 
people become promoters in the first place. 
1.  To make money.  Show them you can help them achieve that by offering 
to help promote as I mentioned before, or that you can bring a lot of 
people to the club.
2. To give themselves or their friends a place to spin!  Yeah, the easiest 
way to get booked is to book yourself, something my friends and I did for 
years (still do occasionally) in order to be able to play out.  These are 
the hardest club nights to get into as a DJ, because their whole reason 
for existance is to give a set amount of people somewhere to spin.  They 
don't want to give up timeslots to unkwown people after all the hard work 
they've done trying to keep it going.  See if any of the clubs in your 
area have an off night free for promoters (some of the best Chicago clubs 
nights are on Tuesdays and Thursday right now).  If you do have a club 
night going, offer to trade DJ's with another promoter.  Tell them you'll 
let one of their Djs play at your night if they'll let one of yours play 
on theirs.

Hope these help, let me know if you've got any questions!  Like I said 
I've been on both sides of it, so I know how it typically really works :)

rEalm






I looked at your IUMA page and noticed you DJ..

I had a question, this is off topic, so feel free to edit..

but i'm wanting to get started playing gigs and doing some promotion. 
I want to do this for fun, but I want to keep my dealings 
professional.

Do you have any tips for osmeone starting off?


thanks in advance..

Erika


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