DEAR DJ's:
Here's a list of things you guys should have (from a marketing standpoint, not physical equipments) if you wanna truly be considered a professional DJ:

1. A registered DJ name
2. A trade license to operate as a DJ
3. A professionally designed logo (vectorized and with no background)
4. A website so you can be found and seen online.
5. An EPK (Electronic Press Kit - pretty much an emailable, downloadable PDF with similar info as your website) to send to potential promoters who wanna know more about you.
6. Social Media pages (not ur personal user page), including FB Fan Page, Souncloud/Mixcloud/Mixcrate/ReverbNation, Twitter, Instagram and whichever else you like.
7. Promotional Mixes showcasing your skills and musical tastes (not necessarily live recordings containing talkovers and efx)
8. Professional photos and videos of your performances (kinda like a model's portfolio). A simple list of (I have played here and there doesn't cut it...people like visuals).
9. Professional high-quality promo photos (and videos if possible) (very important) for flyers, etc.
10. Promotional items to give to fans.
11. Corporate relationships. Developing a relationship with companies (especially whose products you actually use on a day to day basis) can have great marketing mileage and help you to get seen. It's not about milking the companies you work with for sponsorship dollars, but more about finding a happy medium where you can both get the most out of the relationship.

If anyone needs any advice on any of these let me know by emailing me at djdzlbelize@gmail.com. Most of you know am a pro designer too so I can help in terms of your logo, website, EPK and social media presence if anyone wants help (for a small fee of course).

Of course, a DJ also needs equipment, etc., but what equipment to get depends on what scale of shows or performances you're doing, blah blah blah. This post isn't about that. I just wanted to give you guys a heads up on things I have seen work for successful DJ's and hope that you all take some of this advice into account moving forward.

Blessings!!!
DJ Dzl

Being a DJ is like being a Pro Athlete...
 
Everyone wants to but not everyone makes the cut. It is highly advisable that everyone aspiring to be a DJ finds another trade to fall back on in case your dreams don't work out. DJ'ing pays well sometimes but don't depend on it to pay the bills. Almost everyone (including me) has a shelf life where mainstream is concerned. You will always get gigs but not always enough to live off. You cannot get complacent or become a Diva. You need to always stay humble and on the grind...be creative, innovative, hard-working and professional and you may become a part of the 3-5% that make a lifelong career out of it.

If you use "I'm a DJ" as an excuse to not go to school or to get a real job, you're already thinking wrongly. A DJ should also be a businessperson, a spokesperson and a positive influence; always on the go, making connections and networking; honing their craft, working out as an athlete does, perfecting themselves instead of worrying about what the next guy does or has. 

A DJ should do it for the love of music and always be listening to new AND old music in order to come up with creative transitions and remixes instead of just playing what's "hot" right now. Sometimes you need to give back...organize a festival or free party or commit yourself to a charity in order to remind people you're not just into the money...however do not lowball competitors or drop your price when money is involved. That's essentially lowering your worth.

This is certainly no guide to being a pro DJ but instead just some of the things I've learned in my short career as a Pro DJ. I hope everyone finds it useful...feel free to leave your comments!

You can subscribe to receive all my blog posts by filling in your email address in the right column and hitting subscribe. Be sure to share!

COMING SOON! I will be doing write-ups and posting videos and event flyers! Stay tuned and LIKE/SUBSCRIBE to my Facebook page www.facebook.com/djdzl to see when I post new updates.