7 Cara Berhenti Jadi DJ Gratisan

[club2club]

What do you charge for a DJ set? Do you think you get paid enough? Ever wondered how some DJs seem to get all the gigs and all the cash, leaving the rest to scrabble around for the pickings that are left?

Worry no more. Here are seven ways to help you land the gigs that actually pay, and to make sure you earn something from your DJing once you have. After all, nobody wants to be a "freejay"... do they?

1. Go for the right gigs



Not all gigs pay. There are DJs playing gigs that'll never earn them money.

For instance, I DJ in a small bar round the corner from my office. They don't normally have DJs. I do it to test out new kit in public without the hassle of having to put on a real big show. I get a few beers, and they get a real DJ for a change. Everyone's happy.

If they don't have DJs, they're unlikely to have you as their first AND pay you for the privilege.

But unless it's a special occasion (and they've requested a DJ), they can't afford to pay me. That's fine – we both win. But you know what? They gets loads of DJs asking for paid gigs, because they've seen me playing there and assume I'm getting paid. And the truth is, these freejays never get a paid gig from that bar!


Rule 1: If you want a gig that pays, get one in a place where DJs are already being paid.

2. Know how much to ask for

You need to know what the venue you're targeting usually pay for DJs, and what exactly the DJs do for the money. For instance, does the venue have house DJs who play 3 or 4 nights for a set fee? What is that fee? Does the venue book guest DJs and pay them at a different rate to the residents?

Most DJs won't tell you what they're paid, but word your questions well and you'll be surprised what you can find out. ("I wish I could get $500 for three hour' work," may get you the response "Nah, I work from 8 till 12 and only get $200!" for instance...)

However you do it, you need to know the range of payment made to DJs at the venue before you ask for your gig. If they're all freejays, move on.

Rule 2: Know how much the other DJs are getting paid.


3. Find out which person to talk to



If it's a chain bar and bookings are all done centrally or at a big bar in the chain, you need to know this. Do they use different promoters, or handle all of the bookings themselves?

Ask the bar staff who handles DJ bookings.

Can you approach those promoters instead of the venue? If bookings are done here, which manager makes them?

Information is power here, so you've got to start asking. Just get chatting to the bar staff or other DJs and you'll soon find out who to approach.

Rule 3: Make sure you're negotiating with the person who has the power to say yes.


4. Remember what you're worth

You love DJing, and because of that, it's easy to forget the work you've put into it. You've worshipped music all your life. You've collected hundreds of tracks, researched countless other DJs, thought hard about your style and tracked down many hard-to-find tunes to make your set different. You've practised for months or years, made mixtapes...

On top of that, you've now put the time in to find the right gig, and you already know what they pay. You've earned the right to get that payment! Don't forget this as soon as you open your mouth to ask.

Rule 4: Don't forget that DJing is a job and people who do jobs get paid.


5. Give more in value than you take in money



So you've done the hard part, got a gig. You're on the road to stopping being a freejay. Well done! Now it's time to blow everyone away.

Turn up early. Play a brilliant set. Bring a lot of people with you (Facebook, Twitter, bribes, hissyfits, just get them down).
Happy DJs make happy crowds.

Happy DJs make for happy crowds... and higher wages.

Make an effort with what you wear. Behave impeccably. Be friendly.

Don't get irritable with drunks or trainspotters – these guys are buying drinks and paying your wages tonight. Don't get drunk yourself. In short, give more than you get. This helps safeguard your future earnings.

Rule 5: Deliver the most value you can for the money you are paid.


6. Promote yourself to maximise your cash

Look, a Tuesday night in a sports bar is never going to earn you a lot. But if you're there, playing, and getting a few dollars and some drinks, that should be only the start of it.

Give out cards with your SoundCloud page on them. Give out CDs. Ask people who talk to you whether they are having parties they need DJs for. I get offered gigs often by people walking up to me when I'm DJing! (This is easier in bars than in clubs as you are more accessible.)

People are much more likely to book you when they know and have heard you.

Rule 6: Your crowd are great potential customers. Make sure they know who you are and can get in touch with you.

7. Make sure you talk to the manager before he goes home

You want to talk to him for two reasons. First, he can give you another booking. Ask how it went for him, listen if he gives you pointers or asks for changes, then confidently make your request. "Same time next Friday?" with a smile will make it easier for him to get carried along and say "yes"!

Second, he is often the only one who can pay you. You don't want the bar staff to deny all knowledge of your wage at the end of the night because Mr or Miss Manager has taken an early bath. So confirming who's paying you and when, then grabbing them at the end (or at least before they go), is a smart move.

Rule 7: Know who's paying you and who can give you another booking, and secure both things before they leave.


Finally...



The genius artist Picasso was once walking through a park when a woman recognised and approached him, and asked if he'd sketch her.

He agreed, and after studying her for a minute, drew her in just one pencil stroke. She was amazed at the picture, and asked how much it was.

"$5000," said Picasso.

"But it only took you a second to draw it!" she said, flabbergasted.

"Madame," he responded, "It took my entire life."

Take a leaf from Picasso's book when it comes to getting paid. Always try and remember what you're worth. Don't be a freejay!

[iaz_holic]

artikel yg sangat menarik...keluar dari rules yg ada buat naikin pamor or orang" engeh cara dj ( biasanya rookie or junior dj ) main yg biasanya main free tp skrg sesuai kemampuan di bayar...
cuma terkadang kendalanya di manajemen or club yang anggep remeh dj junior or rookie untuk di bayar.mereka pikir lebih baik bayar dj yg udah jadi hhee..

[phitronic]

nice info bro

[lanang hugo]

pembahasan yg sangat bagus.....terkadang dj2 pemula krn ingin tampil dan diakui kadang melakukan hal2 yg membuat dj tersebut tidak di bayar...
hal seperti inilah yg kadang membuat sebuah tempat atau club memanfaatkan situasi ini dengan harapan atau menargetkan dj pemula tersebut membawa teman2nya yg banyak agar meramaikan venue tersebut....

[gung didit]

 
pas banget sesuai title gw sebagai dj junior / rookie se rookie rookie nya .. 
kadang dapet bayaran , tapi bukan d club    tp gpp , toh semua yang besar dimulai dari hal hal yang kecil.
btw , nice article bro  , keep sharing yah

[Doly Bajora]

sarannya oke ni..

[DJ Rangga_Electros]

pas banget sesuai title gw sebagai dj junior / rookie se rookie rookie nya .. 
kadang dapet bayaran , tapi bukan d club    tp gpp , toh semua yang besar dimulai dari hal hal yang kecil.
btw , nice article bro  , keep sharing yah

DJ gak harus di Club.

[yudha4]

saran yang bermanfaat

[arryinferno]

hoho, nice tips!..

[wendmyelect]

ijin menyimix gan a.k.a menyimak 

[damsky orqueedea]

haha gw banget neh..ini yang gw cari selama ini..

harus lepas dari predikat "DJ GRATISAN"..

tinggal realisasinya...hehe

[alsolendski]

pas banget sesuai title gw sebagai dj junior / rookie se rookie rookie nya .. 
kadang dapet bayaran , tapi bukan d club    tp gpp , toh semua yang besar dimulai dari hal hal yang kecil.
btw , nice article bro  , keep sharing yah

DJ gak harus di Club.

bener tuh..acara company jauh lebih gede..hehehe

[olis]

gw ga bakat jadi DJ deh, ga laku palingan...

[eend10]

mantap nih artikelnya 
seperti yang ane rasakan pas masih baru-barunya

[electric]

nice topic

[putra99]

Kalo gitu mulai sekarang buat tarif.
Take it or leave it... simple

[nandi]

mungkin salah satu caranya adalah cari venue yg masih unknown/underground belum banyak dijamah oleh kebanyakan EO yg udah well known terus berkumpulah DJ2 pemula tersebut bikin event disitu..terus dibikin rutin sampe eventnya mulai banyak massa dan menjadi infamous baru deh dibawa ke major venue yg umum..

mungkin lho..mungkin

[vinodii]

Bagus nih artikelnya.. cuma kalo buat DJ yg masih pemula emang masih banyak hal yg harus dilewatin sih semacam magang dulu buat ngisi profilenya.. cuma kalo bisa minta fee yg at least bisa deh buat ongkos (masih mending daripada ga dapet apa2), isi profile dah banyak, mulai pasang tarif..

mungkin cara begitu bisa dipake.. ditambah lagi sering2 ikut kompetisi biar lebih dikenal ama orang2.. sukur2 kalo menang dapet penghargaan.. hehe

[nandi]

cuma mau nambahin aja nih dari artikel yg gw nemu..mudah2an membantu

The Quickie Guide To Get DJ Bookings:

1) Have one or 2 mix CDs ready to go. TRACKED. LABELED. One track CDs with magic marker don't cut it.

2) Have a business card always on hand. The bullshit line "I just ran out of business cards" is on par with "It's not you it's me."

3) In order to get booked, you have to be SEEN. Show up at people's events, network, socialize. If there's a night that you would like to play at, then go out and support it. Pay the cover. Buy a drink. Say hello to the promoter (but don't bug.)

4) Tell the promoter ONCE that you'd love to play for her/him should there ever be an availability. Approach it real laid back without any kind of imposition. Don't make the promoter uncomfortable with your nagging. If you notice the promoter tiptoeing away from you then you're being a pestering pablo.

5) Online threats (which we've gotten) about having to book you will definitely not put you on the DJ Top 100 list. It's childish, ghetto and ultimately lazy. No one owes you a gig.

6) Have a Soundcloud page. A Podomatic page. Your own personal DJ website. A press packet. (Spell check please kindly.) The more professional you look, the more on your shit you are, the more equity you have.

7) Have mixes that show your versatility. You may have a certain style, but all of us have a little of this and a little of that in us. You could have a soulful mix, a disco mix, a jacking mix, a classics mix, an electro mashup (oh how that pains me to write that), you get the gist.

  We're fortunate that we're at an age where anything can be disseminated to thousands and thousands of people via the internet. Get a podcast or a regular show on UStream and slut the hell out of it. Yeah everyone and their mom is doing it but you'd better get in that game because you'll have a better chance of being noticed instead of sitting at home doing nothing.

9) Facebook and Twitter are your friends.

10) Have friends. Friends that will come and support you when you do get that gig. Because you may be the best DJ in the world but if you play and no one comes to see you, then the promoter may think twice about booking you again.

11) Be good. When you play. Duh. But also have friends. I said that already.

12) There could be a whole host of reasons why a promoter doesn't book you. Maybe your style just doesn't suit what they're looking for. Maybe they have to book a whole bunch of DJs before you. Just keep it moving because you have myriads of options.

13) Patience, patience, patience! So your DJ schedule is a little dry right now, so what? Bang out those mixes, keep at the podcasts, make music, find more contacts, send out those press kits. Spread that net as wide as you can and keep at it!

What won't get you a gig? Sitting around and complaining about all the reasons why you don't get booked. Do away with bad skin and be ProActive.

14) Be nice. Assholes are no fun.

15) START YOUR OWN NIGHT. Seriously. So many major DJs have stressed that this is how they eventually made their name. If no one is going to book you, then book yourself! There must be thousands of bars and lounges in Chicago...go online...look in the phonebook...start your own night.

(I remember about 8 years ago I looked up a bunch of listings of clubs in UR Magazine and called each and every one of them until one of them gave me my own Wednesday night at Trace. All my dancer friends came up there and it was our own little spot. That lasted a good 2 years!)

And you know what? Your night might not go well. Chances are the bar owner might cut your party after just 2 slow nights. So you go find another bar. Team up with another DJ who may have more resources. Keep hustling.

*The most crucial ones are #3, #10 and #15.

*side effects of this advice might be pain, nausea, irritability, desire to write a long Facebook rant, inspiration, disdain, hope, lightbulb moments and/or all of the above.

source: http://5chicago.com/blog/2010/12/28/the-quickie-guide-to-getting-dj-bookings/

[djdhemitz]

.... istilah kasarnya .... jangan melacur = gak peduli even nya apa yang penting isa spinn ... please be wise dah

[adithdacatz]

nice...

[dj_adr]

gw rookie harus belajar dari ini