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How to Start a
Mobile DJ Business
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"What a fun and entertaining career - and surprisingly easy to start." Bookmark This Page
Start & Run a Profitable Mobile DJ Business
If you want to get ahead in the DJ business, you need to beat out your competition. That's what Ryan Fine and several Professional DJ's will show you how to do.
Professional Disc Jockey Ryan Fine has been making a good living as a Mobile DJ for the past decade. He actually works just a few hours a week, and can show you how to do the same.
Let's be real, though - we all know that it will take more than a few hours to get your mobile dj business off the ground. However, with Ryan's start-up outline, you'll save yourself tons of time, not to mention money. In fact, he includes instructions on how to promote your DJ business for free using simple social marketing techniques.
Ryan also gives you his professional contracts, business templates and forms, so you don't have to buy them. This alone could cost you over $100.
If you're looking for a "DJ business outline" or simple steps to follow, this is the most complete Mobile DJ Course I have seen.
Mobile DJ Business Resources:
Get DJ Equipment:
Get all sorts of DJ equipment online at Music 123
. They've got a great selection with low prices, even free shipping.
Whether you need turntables, DJ CD or MP3 players, DJ controllers and interfaces, complete DJ packages or entertainment accessories, you'll find it here.
Music 123
Just Starting your DJ business? They have complete DJ Systems in a wide range or prices - to fit any budget.
Check out the popular DJ package below that the pros use. It includes two direct drive turntables, a dual channel DJ mixer, a pair of flexible 7-position dual headphones and all necessary cables.
How do I Become a Mobile DJ?
The Pro's (and woes!) of becoming a Mobile D.J! So how do you become a Mobile D.J?, easy!, just call yourself one!. There are no diploma's or qualifications and no graduation ceremony. However the time may come where you are called upon to demonstrate your D.J'ing skills and often this will be in front of 100's of people at your first gig. Entertaining such a a large number of people can be a very daunting and nerve racking task.Not just music and flashing lights
Mobile D.J'ing is different to club or radio D.J'ing. Just spending a fortune on the very latest equipment and latest chart music won't make you a successful D.J or get you re-booked. Being a Mobile D.J is also about being an entertainer, rather then just being a Jukebox surrounded by lots of pretty lights!. You will also have to play a lot of music genres which you may not otherwise choose to listen to by choice.
A successful D.J is one who plays to his or her Audience, who can break the ice at difficult functions and who isn't out to satisfy their own ego's. Most D.J's learn to "read" the audience, and are frequently watching the dancefloor to gauge what music will work next. At Mobile Functions such as Weddings, your audience may take some time to get onto the dancefloor and this is where Microphone work is important in order to break the ice, make your audience feel welcome and encourage them onto the dancefloor.
Where and how can I learn D.J skills and get advice?
Some people simply may not be cut out to D.J. Others may pick up the skills in a few months, others may take a year or longer. There is no hard or fast rule to learning the basics. The best, and often the most successful route to becoming a D.J is by helping another D.J at weekends.
Consider volunteering your services to another D.J locally. Helping out as a "Roadie" may not be financially rewarding but you are essentially learning new skills for free, which would cost you $100's on a course. Most D.J's will often cover your expenses and refreshments, some may even pay you, in return for your help, but don't expect to live off it, after all they are doing you a favour by teaching you a trade, and sharing their knowledge.
Learning to D.J by becoming a Roadie is the fastest way to learn the business and by actually watching another Professional D.J at work can teach you more than in a classroom or College environment. Most D.J's themselves got into the business this way, so don't be afraid to ask.
What music will I need?
This is entirely dependant on the type of functions which you are attending. Most Mobile DJ's will set themselves up to cover all types of functions from Childrens' Parties to 75th Wedding Anniversaries, and this means playing music to all age groups. Ideally you will need to invest in virtually all types of Genres. Rock & Roll, 1960's, 1970's, Disco, Funk, Soul, Motown, 1980's, 1990's as well as the latest chart and club dance music.
If you are setting yourself up as a specialist DJ, offering services for one age group or type of function, then this will be a lot easier to fund and build a music collection. However you may wish to gauge the demand for that type of music and DJ in your area.
What Equipment do I need to buy?
Again it's not the equipment which entertains, it's the D.J. By having the latest equipment it won't make you any better as a D.J. It is possible to start up on a budget of $1000, which will get you a sound system and a few lighting effects. If your budget won't stretch to this, then you may need to consider buying 2nd hand or hiring the equipment. More information on choosing equipment is covered on another article.
Any good reason to start off by helping another D.J, is that you gain the experience and also find out if D.J'ing suits you BEFORE spending a lot of money and committment on buying equipment.
Buying a comprehensive music library is far more important than how much lighting you have, and should be your first consideration. You can build up your lighting, and upgrade your sound system (if required) once the work starts coming in to justify it.
What else do I need?
Committment, dedication and enthusiasm is a must. As is patience and a good sense of humour. By definition, most Mobile D.J's work the weekends, so if you get a good reputation and a full diary, you may have to cut down on your own personal social activities, and this can also put a strain on relationships, so make sure your partner / spouse is also agreeable!.
From a professional prospective, you should also obtain some level of PLI (Public Liability Insurance), as a business within the UK it is a requirement to have some minimum level of insurance cover in order to protect you in the event of causing harm to a third party through accident or neglect. The amount of PLI cover required varies from $2 million to $10 million. You may find that $2 Million cover is adequate for your area, although some hotel chains may insist on a minimum of $5 million to work at their venues.
You may be asked to produce evidence of your PLI cover before being allowed to set up in some Hotels, and Council run establishments, so it is wise to get cover sooner, rather than later.
How about a D.J Course or Workshop?
These are few and far between especially in the UK, and usually aimed at teaching you beatmixing or turntable skills, which are of little use to the Novice Mobile D.J. If you are aiming for club work, then you may find a course to be of interest, however these courses have limited use on the Mobile Circuit.
D.J courses can cost between $100 and $1000s ($100 - $3000). Like any industry there are risks, so it is important to find out exactly what the course involves and whether the information is of any value to you before parting with your money!. Some courses may of little use, others may teach you the basics find out exactly what each one offers and weigh up the benefits to you.
If you are still in education and want to find a list of official College / University courses on further education opportunities in media, radio, stage and technical then ask at your High School for further information.
For more information on becoming a DJ, then why not join our DJ forum at http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/ or visit my blog at http://blog-community.net/mobile_disco/
Using Myspace to Promote Your DJ BusinessMarketing and promoting your DJ business is one of the most important things to consider which will result in the effective growth and development, and of course the profits, one would love to see. Social media sites have proved to be great tools for marketing any sort of business. Myspace has proved to be a great social media site for the effective promotion of businesses. Hence there are various reasons why you should consider Myspace as a good site for promoting your DJ business.
Reasons To Consider Myspace
A social marketing site like Myspace has members who share various networks and communities to stay in touch with each other. Most of these communities are created by a section of the members of a site like Myspace who share identical interests. Myspace has various communities with users who share a particular interest or hobby and use the community to keep themselves updated about their interests.
Finding a community that has people specifically interested in music or even DJing can be quite easy. You can effectively become a member of such a community for free and effectively participate in the discussions with the other members. Directly marketing your business on social media sites is never a good idea, though. Hence it is best if you become an active member and every once in a while refer to your business or the latest events you are hosting to get the other members interested in you.
You can even post very interesting articles related to the DJ industry and DJ events, and you can occasionally refer to your business or a website that your business might have. You can even invite interested members to come to your shows and offer them complimentary invitations if they seem to be potential clients or someone who can get you more contracts.
There are thousands of businesses that use Myspace for promoting their services effectively and for free. The news you want others to know on such communities spreads virally with each person carrying forward your information to the next if you are interesting enough with what you post. If you are well aware of these tricks, Myspace can be a great tool to promote your DJ business.
Want to start a DJ business quickly and easily right now? You could be making great profits by this weekend - Click here to find out how
Marketing Your Mobile DJ Business
Another resource is Stacy Zemon's The Mobile DJ Handbook.
- Get Listed in Search Engines
SubmitExpress will submit your mobile dj business website to the 20 top search engines free. All you do is enter your website address once, and their automated submission tool will do the rest. To use this free tool, you agree to receive their free newsletter by email. Submit now >> SubmitExpress
- Get Found Locally - Online
Some people don't use the yellow pages or local newspapers or publications to find products and services in their city - they look online, and you don't want to miss these savvy customers. Local Search is a quickly-growing advertising space that is an easy, low cost way to reach your local target market.
- Postcard Marketing
Do a postcard mailing to introduce your disc jockey business to potential customers in your neighborhood. Using low-cost online services makes this an easy marketing task. First, decide on a special offer or hold a grand opening event. Second, design your postcards online using professional postcard templates with VistaPrint (you can get 50% off here). And third, get targeted leads from a lead generation company like Resource Nation.
- Email Marketing
If you have a website for your mobile disc jockey business, you can save even more money by marketing to your customers by email. No email list? No problem. Email marketing companies like ConstantContact will help you build a customer list with their customizable website sign-up form.They also give you email templates you can use to design professional emails. Their program delivers emails for you, and they include real-time reporting. You can try their service free for 60 days, no credit card is required. Start now: ConstantContact 60-day free trial. Have a list over 100,000? iContact.com
has special pricing for larger accounts. Watch free video.
- Step-by-Step Marketing Dashboard
Step-by-step marketing guide from Marketing Veteran Marlon Sanders to help you launch your mobile dj business online from A to Z, from setting up a website to writing a sales letter to search engine ad campaigns to getting traffic.rated by customers
With over 25 years experience as a Mobile DJ herself - in addition to being a club a well-known radio disc jockey - Zemon was an actual pioneer in the DJ music industry. She shares what it takes to be a successful DJ, with some creative ideas on "making it" in this exciting field, like...
- Where to find DJ schools and apprenticeships
- How to register your DJ service & obtain insurance
- Bookkeeping, accounting and legal advice
- How to successfully deal with clients and establish a reputation
- Different money-making party ideas
- Where to get your equipment, what gear you need, how to transport it, set it up and more
- 17 ways you can advertise your business and how to maximize your profit
- Helpful hints for getting the crowd going, music library essentials
- Letterhead and contracts samples
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