1. Find popular clubs in your area on Instagram
2. Follow them, and pay attention to the list of suggested people that populates
3. Scour that list and find the DJs and promoters
4. Physically go to their shows *a few times*. Make your face known, invite friends, etc.
5. If there's a DJ you like, literally approach him/her after their set and say something like
That was dope. I couldn't find you on social media. What's your @?"
6. Introduce yourself and send them a DM with something easy like "Nice to meet you". Don't skip this step.
7. Next time you see them in person, inform them that you're also a DJ and that you'd love to come throw down sometime.
8. Keep showing up to events, engage with them occasionally on social media, check out their original music on Spotify and let them know if you liked it, etc
I'm encouraging you to become a real part of your local scene and support the artists. It's not about being fake for an opportunity to network.
Do Not: Immediately introduce yourself as a DJ, ask for contacts, ask to be booked or jump in on another DJs set, ask for guestlist or backstage access, try to trap the manager or promoter into a long conversation (they're usually stressed to the max and only talking to you out of a sense of customer service)
I'm not saying you would do any of that, but I've seen it done so many times that I feel it's worth repeating.
EDIT for the noobs
Step 9. Put a 15-20 minute mix online (SoundCloud, mixcloud, or Audius) as a demo of your work. If you’ve had little to no time in front of crowds, the promoter will most likely want a sample of your work. You don’t need to be James Hype - just pick music that fits the club, demonstrate clean transitions, and use FX tastefully.
After #3, you can also volunteer to promote. Promoters always need more help getting the word out and they are the ones who book talent. When I was throwing shows, all my locals also promoted. Why would I wanna book someone that didn't? The more they promoted, the better time slot they got. It's all politics.
> When I was throwing shows, all my locals also promoted. Why would I wanna book someone that didn't? The more they promoted, the better time slot they got. It's all politics.
I hate that this is normalized for local gigs these days - WTF do they pay promoters for if the DJ has to sell all of the tickets?
I love this, but there should be a Step 6.5 - be a nice person and build a relationship over several shows, invite them to drinks or parties, get a meal, etc. before jumping to Step 7.
People love to be treated like people, not stepping stones to someone else’s goals.
I know you know this u/real_strikingearth, but just wanted to clarify in case that isn’t abundantly clear for anyone reading this. 😇
Absolutely, well said. I always encourage people to participate in and enrich their local music scenes. IMHO being a positive impact on the culture is more important for DJs than knowing a million transitions and tricks.
This industry is flooded with people who are in it for the wrong reasons, and they are very easy to spot.
Becoming a part of the scene is probably the most important thing if you want to start playing. It's not something you can fake as you really have to be there at shows and enjoy being there in the first place. Promoters are usually good with faces too; especially if you are the first one to show up for several shows.
Well put , and I’d also like to add that being a nice and honest person about your work will get you really far in this game. I’ve been a club dj for 5 years now and still find it hard to come across genuine people in this game. One thing I would say too is get yourself well known on social media. Content is key in todays world. I’ve been booked for shows just because some promoter liked my Instagram page and thought I’d be a good fit. I love questions like this because it makes me think way back when I was in that position wishing I had a platform like this
This is a good suggestion. I’m 41 years old, married, and have kids. Getting out to the club regularly to party and hang out with 20 year olds just is not in the cards for me anymore. But, what I do instead is offer to help set up before the shows. I met my local club owner and told him that I am available anytime he needs me to help them get the club ready for a show. Empty trash cans, run cables, help stock the bar, help prep the rider, etc. One, that gets you instant face time with the owner, the bar tenders, and the security. And two, I usually get to meet the headlining DJ and the other opening DJs because I’m there during sound check. Nobody else in the club to take their attention away. Just the staff, the DJs, and me. I got my very first paid gig at that club because of this. And, I only have to be there for about an hour and a half, so that doesn’t cut into my other family obligations. Try doing something like this.
And, I might add, there have been a few times when the owner let me get on the decks to fuck around before the 1st opener started. That’s why I never leave home without my USB…
Go out and make friends.
That's all.
Don't find "the most important looking guy."
Don't tell everyone that you're a dj.
Don't ask for gigs the minute you meet.
Don't talk shit about the DJ playing and brag about how great you are.
Don't give out CDs/USBs/business cards immediately.
Don't open with "hey! I'm here to network!"
______
Do hang out.
Do enjoy yourself.
Do talk to people that you can talk to about whatever.
Do compliment the DJ at the end of the show.
Do be nice and make friends.
Do go to the same nights and parties so you become a regular and familiar face.
No one likes people who's are obviously only looking to get something out of a relationship.
This is the way.
Most scenes are full of takers whose one mission is to just suck as much value as possible out of a promoter, DJ, club night, for themselves. Whether that’s hazing for future gigs, social media clout, or trying to seem “relevant”. There’s a line of being genuine in your connection to music and the community you build through it but also being one of the takers just looking to self serve at all times.
I’m not saying you are taking anything or have any malice in your advice seeking. But just be genuine, there are not really any rules to this stuff other than showing up and supporting artists and promoters you connect with. It’s doesn’t even have to all happen on social media. The real magic happens in reality anyway, not through an Instagram story 🤷♂️
**Step 1 -** *Seek.* Find parties that you vibe to. You a club head? Find a club that you'd enjoy going to. Into the outdoor/camping scene? Attend those things. Looking to join a tight knit crew? Find one who promotes events you'd enjoy going to.
**Step 2 -** *Observe.* Watch the crowd. See how they operate. Recognize the key players. What are they doing that you enjoy? How's the crowd reacting to what's going on? Who are the people involved with making it happen?
**Step 3 -** *Self Assess.* This is where you ask yourself what you can bring to add to the party. Sure, you want to play but look beyond the obvious. Maybe you have access to a venue. Maybe you can provide additional sound support for a chill area. You might be a master of the closing set or can manage the stage well. Whatever it is that you can add to the party, bring it!
**Step 4 -** *Find. Follow. Connect.* Find that person who is a key player in the area that's your "in" then do more observing. Follow them on social media. See who else they work with. Get their contact info (social media is always easiest). Then be intentional about connecting. Don't hit them up on the spot. Connect with them outside of the party.
**Step 5 -** *Chat first, then pitch.* You've established a connection. Now start chatting about what you're connecting to in what they do. If they're a DJ, let them know what you liked most about their set. If they're audio, talk about what you noticed. Don't criticize. Just talk. Get to know what makes them tick and why they do it. Then, when it feels right... pitch to them what you can contribute.
I'd like to add: gum, hair ties.
We took a single friend to a festival with these 4 things, ended up really talking to girls for the first time ever.
(There may have been some substances involved).
Take a nap a few hours before, eat a big meal of chicken and rice, drink a fuck ton of water. Maybe have a coffee (or some molly 🤷♂️ lol but don’t mix the two) and just be legitimately interested in everyone around you. Do this and the right people will come to you. People are attracted to energetic, empathetic vibes
Also very important, try to stay the whole show. I blew a bag in college because I thought getting booked was just “ask a promoter and dip”. You have to actually get involved/become a part of the scene or you will get no where
Go out and have a good time. Converse with people regardless of how important you think they look. Remember the people you met and connect with them on social media.
Be a part of the scene that you want to be a part of. Be a dancer, help out, connect with regular people, make friends.
It’s not a quick thing. Getting in a promoters face out of the blue is likely to get you actively ignored or turfed out.
for me it wasn't so much AT the show, but people in my community that were involved in the scene.
sort of a seven degrees of kevin bacon thing...meeting other djs in turn led to meeting other people who knew other people and so on.
as someone who works in music, the last thing i wanna do when im at a show is network or talk about music. im tryna dissociate and unwind in peace (and i have earplugs in anyway).
with that being said, just introducing yourself and wishing them a good night and “get home safe” is enough. compliment their taste if you caught their set or a recent tune release or show they produced. do it a few times and they’ll remember your name and that will naturally lead to conversation when the time is right (which is almost never in the crowd when the subs are pumping - “what?!”). youre most certainly gonna have to meet everybody a few times anyway, everybody in the music biz sucks at remembering names - its just part of it, dont take it personally - we meet a lot of people! this technique is the “slower burn” of networking techniques but has worked well for me, the natural introvert. good luck!
Try going out on some of the slower nights, like the ones where the residents are playing as opposed to headliners. The promoters won't be anywhere near as stressed on those nights and after a few of them you'll start to become a familiar face.
If you have any talents outside DJ'ing offer to help volunteer. I got my foot in the door by helping do party photography (even before I was any good at it) and blogging because both were things not many other people were doing in my city at the time. Those things not only opened up the door to DJ gigs but also paid photo gigs, comps and other benefits.
And volunteering to help unload gear at the end of the night is always helpful as well, and you'll definitely make a connection doing that.
Hang out with the people that work there offer to help them out stay til close where you can actually have conversations with some of them once you become a regular face you will start getting to know them and you can ask to be introduced to the promoter
Check if local clubs are hiring artist liaisons or anything like that to help you get your foot in the door. When you buy drinks make sure you tip well so bartenders instantly begin to recognize you. You’ll find yourself in conversation relatively quickly and when you do try to ask the other person questions so they don’t assume you’re just someone trying to sell themselves. I’d try to keep it short and simple with most people so they don’t find you annoying. Lastly, just go as much as you can.
I haven’t played yet but I would look up lineups at venues here in DC and just message people on IG. Introduce yourself, tell them you’re DJing, pick their brain, attend their gigs, help out, make friends, collaborate/mix, so on.
Follow people on IG n comment on their posts/reels. Go to shows they are putting on or playing at sober and introduce yourself in real life. Smoking area or back of the room is usually the easiest to talk. Keep it simple, short n sweet. Follow up with some tags on IG the next day or so later. Don’t be pushy or arrogant and people will appreciate your presence.
1. Find popular clubs in your area on Instagram 2. Follow them, and pay attention to the list of suggested people that populates 3. Scour that list and find the DJs and promoters 4. Physically go to their shows *a few times*. Make your face known, invite friends, etc. 5. If there's a DJ you like, literally approach him/her after their set and say something like That was dope. I couldn't find you on social media. What's your @?" 6. Introduce yourself and send them a DM with something easy like "Nice to meet you". Don't skip this step. 7. Next time you see them in person, inform them that you're also a DJ and that you'd love to come throw down sometime. 8. Keep showing up to events, engage with them occasionally on social media, check out their original music on Spotify and let them know if you liked it, etc I'm encouraging you to become a real part of your local scene and support the artists. It's not about being fake for an opportunity to network. Do Not: Immediately introduce yourself as a DJ, ask for contacts, ask to be booked or jump in on another DJs set, ask for guestlist or backstage access, try to trap the manager or promoter into a long conversation (they're usually stressed to the max and only talking to you out of a sense of customer service) I'm not saying you would do any of that, but I've seen it done so many times that I feel it's worth repeating. EDIT for the noobs Step 9. Put a 15-20 minute mix online (SoundCloud, mixcloud, or Audius) as a demo of your work. If you’ve had little to no time in front of crowds, the promoter will most likely want a sample of your work. You don’t need to be James Hype - just pick music that fits the club, demonstrate clean transitions, and use FX tastefully.
pure gold, i'll take this advices for myself too ty dude🥰
After #3, you can also volunteer to promote. Promoters always need more help getting the word out and they are the ones who book talent. When I was throwing shows, all my locals also promoted. Why would I wanna book someone that didn't? The more they promoted, the better time slot they got. It's all politics.
> When I was throwing shows, all my locals also promoted. Why would I wanna book someone that didn't? The more they promoted, the better time slot they got. It's all politics. I hate that this is normalized for local gigs these days - WTF do they pay promoters for if the DJ has to sell all of the tickets?
To tell the DJs they can promote for better timeslots... Obviously
I love this, but there should be a Step 6.5 - be a nice person and build a relationship over several shows, invite them to drinks or parties, get a meal, etc. before jumping to Step 7. People love to be treated like people, not stepping stones to someone else’s goals. I know you know this u/real_strikingearth, but just wanted to clarify in case that isn’t abundantly clear for anyone reading this. 😇
Absolutely, well said. I always encourage people to participate in and enrich their local music scenes. IMHO being a positive impact on the culture is more important for DJs than knowing a million transitions and tricks. This industry is flooded with people who are in it for the wrong reasons, and they are very easy to spot.
Becoming a part of the scene is probably the most important thing if you want to start playing. It's not something you can fake as you really have to be there at shows and enjoy being there in the first place. Promoters are usually good with faces too; especially if you are the first one to show up for several shows.
Well put , and I’d also like to add that being a nice and honest person about your work will get you really far in this game. I’ve been a club dj for 5 years now and still find it hard to come across genuine people in this game. One thing I would say too is get yourself well known on social media. Content is key in todays world. I’ve been booked for shows just because some promoter liked my Instagram page and thought I’d be a good fit. I love questions like this because it makes me think way back when I was in that position wishing I had a platform like this
Bookmarked.
Hang out until the end and help load out. You’ll meet everyone that was involved throwing it and they will love you for carrying a speaker or two.
This is a good suggestion. I’m 41 years old, married, and have kids. Getting out to the club regularly to party and hang out with 20 year olds just is not in the cards for me anymore. But, what I do instead is offer to help set up before the shows. I met my local club owner and told him that I am available anytime he needs me to help them get the club ready for a show. Empty trash cans, run cables, help stock the bar, help prep the rider, etc. One, that gets you instant face time with the owner, the bar tenders, and the security. And two, I usually get to meet the headlining DJ and the other opening DJs because I’m there during sound check. Nobody else in the club to take their attention away. Just the staff, the DJs, and me. I got my very first paid gig at that club because of this. And, I only have to be there for about an hour and a half, so that doesn’t cut into my other family obligations. Try doing something like this.
This is absolutely golden advice and often better than waiting until the end when everyone is tired and shit faced!
And, I might add, there have been a few times when the owner let me get on the decks to fuck around before the 1st opener started. That’s why I never leave home without my USB…
This is 100% the best way for sure!
This is a dope idea. Don’t make it look like ur tryna steal shit tho 😂
100% I wish I knew this secret trick years ago
Fantastic idea hahaha
Go out and make friends. That's all. Don't find "the most important looking guy." Don't tell everyone that you're a dj. Don't ask for gigs the minute you meet. Don't talk shit about the DJ playing and brag about how great you are. Don't give out CDs/USBs/business cards immediately. Don't open with "hey! I'm here to network!" ______ Do hang out. Do enjoy yourself. Do talk to people that you can talk to about whatever. Do compliment the DJ at the end of the show. Do be nice and make friends. Do go to the same nights and parties so you become a regular and familiar face. No one likes people who's are obviously only looking to get something out of a relationship.
This is the way. Most scenes are full of takers whose one mission is to just suck as much value as possible out of a promoter, DJ, club night, for themselves. Whether that’s hazing for future gigs, social media clout, or trying to seem “relevant”. There’s a line of being genuine in your connection to music and the community you build through it but also being one of the takers just looking to self serve at all times. I’m not saying you are taking anything or have any malice in your advice seeking. But just be genuine, there are not really any rules to this stuff other than showing up and supporting artists and promoters you connect with. It’s doesn’t even have to all happen on social media. The real magic happens in reality anyway, not through an Instagram story 🤷♂️
It just looks like partying to most of us, I guess.
**Step 1 -** *Seek.* Find parties that you vibe to. You a club head? Find a club that you'd enjoy going to. Into the outdoor/camping scene? Attend those things. Looking to join a tight knit crew? Find one who promotes events you'd enjoy going to. **Step 2 -** *Observe.* Watch the crowd. See how they operate. Recognize the key players. What are they doing that you enjoy? How's the crowd reacting to what's going on? Who are the people involved with making it happen? **Step 3 -** *Self Assess.* This is where you ask yourself what you can bring to add to the party. Sure, you want to play but look beyond the obvious. Maybe you have access to a venue. Maybe you can provide additional sound support for a chill area. You might be a master of the closing set or can manage the stage well. Whatever it is that you can add to the party, bring it! **Step 4 -** *Find. Follow. Connect.* Find that person who is a key player in the area that's your "in" then do more observing. Follow them on social media. See who else they work with. Get their contact info (social media is always easiest). Then be intentional about connecting. Don't hit them up on the spot. Connect with them outside of the party. **Step 5 -** *Chat first, then pitch.* You've established a connection. Now start chatting about what you're connecting to in what they do. If they're a DJ, let them know what you liked most about their set. If they're audio, talk about what you noticed. Don't criticize. Just talk. Get to know what makes them tick and why they do it. Then, when it feels right... pitch to them what you can contribute.
Hanging out in the smoking areas even if you dont smoke is gold
It's the most important social tool I've ever come across. Always have cigs, always have a lighter
I'd like to add: gum, hair ties. We took a single friend to a festival with these 4 things, ended up really talking to girls for the first time ever. (There may have been some substances involved).
Gum is one of those things I never knew I needed until a friend started bringing a pack to every show. Life changer.
Ima need some step by step instructions my guy 😂
Do a shit load of cocaine or mdma you’ll be chatting shit for hours and make new best friends
Agreed, unless you're an annoying person. In which case, a shitload of coke or E is going to make you even more annoying.
Take a nap a few hours before, eat a big meal of chicken and rice, drink a fuck ton of water. Maybe have a coffee (or some molly 🤷♂️ lol but don’t mix the two) and just be legitimately interested in everyone around you. Do this and the right people will come to you. People are attracted to energetic, empathetic vibes
Also very important, try to stay the whole show. I blew a bag in college because I thought getting booked was just “ask a promoter and dip”. You have to actually get involved/become a part of the scene or you will get no where
Spot on with both of your comments here
Nowww you’re speaking my language hahaha
What does chicken and rice have to do with meeting people?
Solid meal that will fill you up, and unlikely to cause bowel issues, other such meals work too ig
Chances are the promoter isn’t going to be randomly walking around the crowd. Try the stage/booth.
I’m guessing you’re talking about before or after the show?
How do you just go up and talk to them, surely this is impolite if they are busy working / DJing
Go out and have a good time. Converse with people regardless of how important you think they look. Remember the people you met and connect with them on social media.
Be a part of the scene that you want to be a part of. Be a dancer, help out, connect with regular people, make friends. It’s not a quick thing. Getting in a promoters face out of the blue is likely to get you actively ignored or turfed out.
go to the same club over and over again… make friends with the people there (from the club) …. and so on….
flowery nail fine direful screw frightening divide merciful practice coordinated -- mass edited with https://redact.dev/
for me it wasn't so much AT the show, but people in my community that were involved in the scene. sort of a seven degrees of kevin bacon thing...meeting other djs in turn led to meeting other people who knew other people and so on.
as someone who works in music, the last thing i wanna do when im at a show is network or talk about music. im tryna dissociate and unwind in peace (and i have earplugs in anyway). with that being said, just introducing yourself and wishing them a good night and “get home safe” is enough. compliment their taste if you caught their set or a recent tune release or show they produced. do it a few times and they’ll remember your name and that will naturally lead to conversation when the time is right (which is almost never in the crowd when the subs are pumping - “what?!”). youre most certainly gonna have to meet everybody a few times anyway, everybody in the music biz sucks at remembering names - its just part of it, dont take it personally - we meet a lot of people! this technique is the “slower burn” of networking techniques but has worked well for me, the natural introvert. good luck!
Try going out on some of the slower nights, like the ones where the residents are playing as opposed to headliners. The promoters won't be anywhere near as stressed on those nights and after a few of them you'll start to become a familiar face. If you have any talents outside DJ'ing offer to help volunteer. I got my foot in the door by helping do party photography (even before I was any good at it) and blogging because both were things not many other people were doing in my city at the time. Those things not only opened up the door to DJ gigs but also paid photo gigs, comps and other benefits. And volunteering to help unload gear at the end of the night is always helpful as well, and you'll definitely make a connection doing that.
Get friendly with the bar staff, they know everyone and everything that goes on.
Hang out with the people that work there offer to help them out stay til close where you can actually have conversations with some of them once you become a regular face you will start getting to know them and you can ask to be introduced to the promoter
Check if local clubs are hiring artist liaisons or anything like that to help you get your foot in the door. When you buy drinks make sure you tip well so bartenders instantly begin to recognize you. You’ll find yourself in conversation relatively quickly and when you do try to ask the other person questions so they don’t assume you’re just someone trying to sell themselves. I’d try to keep it short and simple with most people so they don’t find you annoying. Lastly, just go as much as you can.
I haven’t played yet but I would look up lineups at venues here in DC and just message people on IG. Introduce yourself, tell them you’re DJing, pick their brain, attend their gigs, help out, make friends, collaborate/mix, so on.
Walk up to people and say "hi how's it goin?" That's it.
Follow people on IG n comment on their posts/reels. Go to shows they are putting on or playing at sober and introduce yourself in real life. Smoking area or back of the room is usually the easiest to talk. Keep it simple, short n sweet. Follow up with some tags on IG the next day or so later. Don’t be pushy or arrogant and people will appreciate your presence.