The Clever DJ
Meet the dynamic duo discussing everything DJ related. Diverse perspectives from a Novice and a Pro.
The Clever DJ
Your DJ Career Blueprint - Ep #38
What if your DJ career could skyrocket from your bedroom to the main stage? Join me, Ilia, as we uncover the secrets to transforming your passion for DJing into a thriving career. This episode is packed with actionable insights on how to position yourself as a unique brand, continuously refine your skills, and tackle the ever-present imposter syndrome. With personal anecdotes and wisdom from successful DJs, you'll learn how to build confidence and consistency in your craft.
Navigating the challenges of today's economy, especially for young professionals facing high living costs, can be daunting. Yet, we'll explore the wealth of opportunities the digital world has to offer. From leveraging online resources to building your portfolio, this episode is a blueprint for making your DJ dreams a reality, regardless of your starting point. We'll cover critical aspects such as marketing, networking, and the importance of not waiting for perfect conditions to begin your journey.
Visual branding and self-promotion are essential for DJ success, and I’ll share practical tips on creating engaging digital content and establishing a solid online presence. Learn how to manage client expectations, coordinate events, and wear multiple hats to stand out in a competitive industry. We also delve into the significance of building genuine relationships within the music industry, sharing stories of mentorship and overcoming initial fears. Equip yourself with the knowledge and tools you need to start strong and keep progressing in your DJ career.
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welcome back to another episode of a clever dj. My name is ilia and I've been a dj for just about two and a half years now. Uh, this podcast is for people who are just getting into this industry and maybe even up-and-coming DJs who are looking to learn new skills and just improve their business, or just learn a few fun things that will give them an edge, something new that they're going to add to their show, to their set, something new that they're going to add to their show, to their set. Now, the information learned on this podcast, everything broadcasted here, is actually my own experience, along with something, some things that I learned from way more experienced DJs and people in the music industry. So I learned, I researched and then I know for a fact that certain things work. So I bring it here on the podcast and I just broadcast it to you guys. So everything here is proven to work. It's stuff that I saw, that helped me and my colleagues and some people that I just met recently and learned their story, and this is what today is going to be about.
Speaker 1:Today is a step-by-step guide to building your DJ career. I know we spoke about similar stuff before, maybe even had a podcast with a very an episode with a very similar title, but the way I structured this episode today is to make sure that I don't skip anything. That's absolutely important because we focus on certain aspects in certain episodes and I feel like this one is going to be kind of the complete package, while I'm sure I'm going to be able to add on to it in the future and improve, and this is what it's all about. Right, this is going to be a good guide. I know this is a good guide. I wrote it down based on previous experiences, my experiences, my friends' experiences, colleagues. I work with up and coming DJs, different interviews from online of successful DJs. This stuff works. This is how you turn this from a hobby into a full-time career.
Speaker 1:And hey, let's stop here for a second. Maybe you don't want this to be a full-time career. Maybe you're saying, but that's not what I want. I just, you know, I just want to get a little better, and that's fine. I just said that you could do that. You could just use this information to give yourself like an edge or something that's going to make things easier for you. So, whatever your goal is, use this information as necessary, and I know a lot of people who are watching this podcast or listening, depending where you are, whether you're on YouTube or Spotify or any of the other platforms. You're here because you want to learn how to make money consistently, how to not lose clients, how to not sell yourself kind of too cheap and how to really enjoy the process and be more efficient with everything, and that's what this podcast is all about.
Speaker 1:This is really my journey from an absolute beginner to where I am now. I wouldn't say I'm a professional DJ yet. I've only been doing this for a couple of years, but when I do something, I go into it, I go all in. So if I want to learn something, I make sure that I put in hundreds of hours into it to make sure that I can actually call myself whatever it is that I want to call myself. So if it's a music producer or a DJ because nobody likes the imposter syndrome and that was really hard for me to deal with when I just started Um, I'm at first gigs when, when I put the headphones on and you know, when I was dancing and raising my arm and taking the mic and yelling, let's go into the mic and I'm like what am I doing?
Speaker 1:I'm not really a DJ yet Like, why am I acting like one? And it was almost like a secondhand embarrassment because I felt like I'm kind of acting like someone who's like you're not a DJ. What are you doing? Like, stop acting like one and it's normal. It's normal because we all have our anxieties and we all have our. You know things we have to get over and normally, when you feel that way, it's a good thing because it shows that you really want to earn, um, that title. You really want to earn that, um, you know that that name. Dj, whatever you are, whoever you are, right, um?
Speaker 1:I spoke to some really successful DJs who I started with. I'm not saying they're extremely professional, you know it's not like they've been doing it for 20, 30 years. They've only been doing it for up to three to five years, but they still say they feel the imposter syndrome big time they're in big clubs syndrome. Big time they're in big clubs. Some of them have amazing businesses with consistent clients or calling them for weddings, birthdays, whatever it is, and it just takes time to make this feel natural. So join me on this journey from absolute beginner to pro. And yeah, let's start today's episode.
Speaker 1:So, in order to be able to get to anything I'm going to say today, we have to start with the most important point. If you don't have this, you don't have anything. Nothing else matters, and that is the product. And in this case, you are the product. As the DJ, you are the product. If you don't know who you are and what you're doing, then and, by the way, if you see me looking over there, that's where my notes are, but yeah, you are the product. If you see me looking over there, that's where my notes are, but, yeah, you are the product. If you don't know what you are, what you're doing, you know nothing. Past this point matters what? What it means is that you are not a decent DJ with a certain brand. If you're not a decent DJ with a certain brand, then none of the points I'm going to mention going forward after this one are going to even matter. So, in order to start off right, we're going to start focusing on you as a DJ, who you are. So what do you love?
Speaker 1:There are so many different genres and ways, methods, manners that you can go about as a DJ. You can find DJs who only play one genre, djs who just play house or specifically tech house, or focus on something else which isn't very specific, which is very specific, and some do it all, for example, and some do it all, for example, djs who are open format DJs, especially the ones who do it all, do all the genres, but also play instruments and sing, dance, right, some people add more acts or bring in acts to their show, to their set. Neither of that means better. Any of this could work. Better is when you know how to do what you do and if you can cater to the audience you picked, that's good.
Speaker 1:So, whatever it is you're doing, oh, he or she are just doing tech house. Oh, they're not real DJs. Well, guess what? Some DJs just do one thing, just one genre, but they kill it. They're so good at it and you know what, they mastered it and that's what they like. There's no better. And a lot of beginners will say, oh, I want to be an open format DJ because then I'll know everything. And while it's kind of true where open format DJs have a lot of skill and they can really adapt to pretty much any situation, it's it comes with with, with what it is. I mean you're playing every genre and meaning you have a lot more experience with different structures of songs, right? So, um, it's not going to be one of one, two or three methods to transition something. There's so much more. But you know what, if you watch any guide online for EDM DJs, they also can learn a plethora of transitions and more complicated ways to do things. So, again, there's no better. Whatever you can do well and enjoy enjoy that is what you should be doing. So that is the product. Um, so what you should do is find out what you enjoy.
Speaker 1:So some djs choose into, choose to mix in no pun intended, other talents. For example, I like to sing and I play guitar, piano and I also have good rhythm. So I want to get one of those like drum pad machines where you can use a drumstick and you can add certain elements to your set. And adding all those talents, or even someone else you know who might be tagging along to your show, helps you stand out, and being special is really important in this industry, but it's not a deal breaker. It definitely will help you. It's a huge bonus, but it's not absolutely necessary Now.
Speaker 1:Now, if you want to do things quicker, you want to be successful overnight, quote, unquote. Uh, then, yes, it's important to do, but you know, if you give yourself a year or two years and you're thinking, you know I'm going to grow, I'm going to get to this level consistently, then again it's not a deal breaker. Yeah, so it's just an aid. Anything that you add to it is just an aid, but it's not a must. The must is to know what your genre is, for you to know the music, for you to know the crowd who listens to that music and knowing how to cater to them. So, now that we got this out of the way, that is the absolute basic. And, by the way, one more thing, one more like honorable mention If you're doing this just for the money, I'm not saying it's not going to work out.
Speaker 1:Some people just do it for the money. I know a few people who did it just for the money. Yes, they got fired from a few venues because they just stopped caring and you know they don't have the passion, which means that certain things get get past them and and the venue owners or the clients, or both, did not like certain things. But let's just say a lot of this won't apply to you, because you probably won't do it, because you're just in it for a quick 200, 300 bucks a gig and maybe you'll maybe you'll end up doing this more professionally, but that goes, that is true for anything. If you're just doing this for the money, likely it's, um, not gonna work out the same for you. So this is more for the people who really want to build a successful business or improve their hobby, which they really enjoy. So that brings us to an extremely important point Practice, practice, practice, practice.
Speaker 1:Now that you know who you are, you need to actually become good at it. Sure you? You feel, uh, it is your nature to listen to that music, um, or dabble with whatever instrument that is, uh, you know, but does it sound like that to others? I mean, is it going to be smooth? Uh, do you know everything you need to know in order to actually carry out the gig from start to finish? And again, don't kind of quote me on this in a way that, oh well, that's not true. You should go out there and you know experience, because that's the best way to learn. I'm not saying you shouldn't, but you do need some sort of a few hours of practice, you know, under your belt before you go out and, you know, potentially destroy someone's event.
Speaker 1:So I really care about people's events as one of those djs who caters to their clients the way I would cater to my family. Because you know what, if I hired someone for my wedding or birthday or doesn't matter what mine family members and somebody just bombed it, because, whatever, they don't care, I'll be livid. I don't care about the money, like the 400, 500, 1,000, 3,000 bucks that I pay them. It's not about that. It's about the fact that that event, we worked for it, we cared about it, there was a sentimental value attached to it and then that DJ just bombed it as one of the most important people of the night, right, uh, acts of the night.
Speaker 1:So that's why I'm saying, sure, at some point you will have to go out there and, uh and try to try your best to run through a gig and you may crash and burn. It may, it may happen, but to minimize collateral damage, practice. So you need to make sure that you can sell your skill. You need to make sure that, or skill set. Maybe you have more than one thing you can do which is better. Now you need to practice and there are so many resources online, which brings us to another point, right, it brings me to another point. In just a, in just a moment, uh. And once you're at the right level, uh, it's time to promote and get gigs and network. But we'll get to that, uh.
Speaker 1:The other point I started bringing up is resources. Uh, you must be resourceful. I started bringing up is resources. You must be resourceful. Sure, you can get by if you're I'll use this term a boomer, and sometimes I feel like that. I'm 35 years old at this point and I'm not saying I'm super old, but you know lots of DJs out there are in their early 20s, right, but I also know a lot of DJs who are in their 30s and, within a couple of years, built a very, very successful business. But if you're going to be a boomer let's use that word and not really aware of the internet, or a loner who doesn't speak to anyone, it's like shooting yourself in the foot with a 12-gauge shotgun. It's going to slow you down significantly.
Speaker 1:In this industry, like many others, you have to be able to network and research and find means to achieve certain goals. I mean, it's true to a lot of different industries, but in something like if you're a social media creator, like a content creator, especially that, of course or a DJ, you know, a coordinator of some sort. You work with people. You have to know how to build a certain skill set and find certain tools online, for example, a lot of people go on Reddit and they're and they're asking this question oh, I want to start DJing, what should I do? And, and every time I see that or anything like that and don't get me wrong, I help, I go on there and I give them a beautiful answer. Sometimes I even have templates that I just copy and paste and then I add it, you know, add to it, depending on the situation. But, uh, I think to myself, are they that dense that they didn't check anything? I mean Reddit itself, like on each subreddit, there's so much information. But also, if you go on Google or YouTube, especially, and you write down what how to start djing I mean, everything is there. Sure, maybe they're looking for a more like personal approach and they want to start a conversation. Well, okay, then maybe say that right, and then people, especially on reddit, will appreciate you more for being more direct and explain what you want. Um, but you just you need to be resourceful. People will respect you more and you'll get to your goal quicker.
Speaker 1:I remember speaking with a client from my day job who told me how tough it is to be you know, how tough it is for, how much tougher it is for the younger generation to buy a house nowadays and just overall, how everything is expensive, etc. Everything is expensive, uh, et cetera, and uh, but, but you know what I told her? I told her uh, you know what you're right, and uh, I sometimes, sometimes preach the same thing. It's, it's so much harder, right, like we pay for we pay two $3,000 for one bedroom apartment here in Toronto, uh, canada, um, and that was, I wouldn't say, half of that, but it was much cheaper than that a few years ago. And inflation is real and shrink inflation is real and everything is difficult, sure, but there's one huge difference between our generation and our parents or grandparents, right, and it is the fact that you can practically become anything you want. Hey, anything you want. If you know how to study online, how to use your resources, you can do anything you want, or almost anything you want. For certain things, you still have to go about it the old fashioned way, but still there, you still have the online aids and certain resources that that people in that generation of that generation did not have, and I'm getting to my point.
Speaker 1:So I met a few people over the years that would never make it 30 or 40 years ago. They're just not cut out to do regular work and go about life the regular old fashioned way and like our parents or grandparents lives. You, you know how they, how they lived back then and how they got by, etc. And you know they actually managed to find their niche online. Not that it's only online work, but they went online, they start researching and, um, and they found what they love, or they knew what they love and they found out how to do it better without. Some of them couldn't afford school or have, like severe ADHD and cannot sit in a classroom.
Speaker 1:And I know so many different people who fall in this category who managed to find something online because of their resources or because of the way they can research, yeah, and they found their like lovely little corner and they did some work, they learned some skills and all the skills transferred into the physical world. You know they went and went. They went into an interview, explained why they can do what they do. They showed a portfolio, something that really you couldn't do back then you had to really go through the process. You would go through, you know, regular school and getting a job.
Speaker 1:You can do so many things nowadays. You can become anything you want. Five-year-olds have businesses, so technically things are more expensive and the competition is real. But you also have a lot more opportunity nowadays. And I'm not just being a relentless optimist. Right, that is true, this is very true. Once you recognize all the opportunities you have nowadays, you will understand that it kind of balances itself out. But again, if you don't take those opportunities, yes, it's much tougher to live today. So, yeah, so once you feel you can call yourself a DJ, even if you're still feeling the imposter syndrome which we discussed earlier, it is normal and it's time to move on to the next stage.
Speaker 1:So that brings us to you know you've done everything you needed to do. You know your niche, you know your music, you have some resources under your belt and some hours of practicing. You know you have some connections and now you want to make it real. You know you want to make it into, turn it into a career of some sort. Maybe it's just something you do for fun, like I said, could be it, most people that I see watching our podcast, because we have statistics and everything that I see watching our podcast because we have statistics and everything I know want to actually turn this into a career, at least part-time. Right, what I'm doing is I'm turning into a full-time career and I'm still able to work my day job, but at some point I won't be able to right, and even with hiring people, and just at some point I won't be able to right, uh, and even with hiring people, and just at some point you can't, uh, kind of take care of the business and your regular job and respect both of them at the same time to the level they deserve.
Speaker 1:Um, but, yeah, uh, while I will stress out that you shouldn't necessarily wait to have and that's really important you shouldn't have wait to have all to have all of the stuff that we spoke about in order to begin, or all the stuff we're going to cover or about to cover in order to begin DJing and getting careers. It is the best time to do so because now you can stand behind what you're saying, you know you have a product, you did it right and you can execute all of those steps immediately if you get presented with an opportunity. Also, many people will get stuck doing this, what I'm about to say, instead of practicing and that's the next point and instead of building a business. But it's not going to be enough without having what we covered first. So, without nitpicking too much, this is step two. So this is what I was building towards Marketing, networking, promoting, and if you say, oh, you say advertising, advertising is a form of marketing and we will have an episode that's going to be more in depth when it comes to that, I'll make sure to do that.
Speaker 1:But before I get to this point, I want to say that I'm going to skip a lot of important details when it comes to marketing and promoting, because this episode is not about how to do that, but what to do. So I will say you need to focus on marketing and then you'll have to research right, and it's not hard. It takes two seconds to find the correct information online. But again, I will give some pointers. It's not like I'm going to skip everything. So you're in good hands.
Speaker 1:Today I promise that I will release a couple episodes which will actually cover each topic in depth with respect to DJing. So not just marketing, but marketing for DJs or marketing for DJs, who are bedroom DJs and they want to maybe succeed on Twitch, or they want to go from the bedroom to the venue, and we spoke about some stuff like that as well. But I'm going to go more in depth and more categorize things in a way that will be easier to learn. For now, I'm going to just tell you once again become resourceful and go online and start typing away and learn. If there's something you do not know, like I said, you can go on Reddit, udemy, youtube, instagram and really there are so many places to learn more about these topics. But the point is, you need to know this. It's important. Also, if you listen to Off the Record podcast, one of the recent episodes, there was a guest on there and she said sometimes she goes on people's Instagram and there's nothing there.
Speaker 1:Like, how would I know what you do, right, as a DJ who would want to hire you or maybe connect with you, or you would have wanted to connect with me, and now you're trying to kind of tell me what you do? I mean, how, how would I be able to see that? Believe you? Or really, how will you be able to showcase anything if you don't have anything. What about clients? How many times clients told me, especially in the very beginning um, oh, can you show me something? I mean, I want to see how you. I want to see how you, how you, what you look like when you DJ, what it sounds like, and I'll I'll speak about what I did towards the end, but and and you you might even guess that, but there are ways you can showcase yourself, even if you didn't have gigs yet or you know what. I'll jump ahead just for a second to give you something.
Speaker 1:You can create gigs, free gigs. You can your friend has a birthday, go with your DJ set. I mean, they'll appreciate it. I mean, especially if you practice and you have a working knowledge of how to DJ, it's better than just you know clicking on their iPod or whatever, or Spotify. You know Spotify DJing. A lot of people will appreciate that. So you can create gigs, you can create experience, you can create videos. It's it's all very doable, but we'll get to that. Um, so let me just catch up here. Let me just catch up here, Anyway.
Speaker 1:So what I was trying to say if you don't know, you need to know marketing, you need to know how to promote yourself. Otherwise, what really separates you from your competition? You're just another DJ who hopes to get someone to notice them. Sure, you may be. Maybe you posted an ad on Kijiji which is to our US or Australian or European audience. It's pretty much like the Canadian Craigslist, just without all the inappropriate content. It's just an ad. You post ads there and you can sell things. Maybe you're your, your child's scooter, or maybe you have a service, maybe you're a plumber. So a lot of DJs promote on there and normally on there you get people who are trying to save money. But if you present yourself correctly, you'll get the right clientele, which I do.
Speaker 1:That's one of the places where I, where you can find me, um, some people also have, you know. They go as far as creating a Facebook business page, uh, maybe. Uh, an Instagram, um. Or go as far as creating and that's that's big already uh, creating a wedding wire account which is not free and paying real money to get noticed and find clients. But if you don't do all of this correctly, then it's just kind of like a weird mash or like a weird salad of information or skill and there's just no end, no start and end and you're just spending money without actually getting real value or the full value to what you have.
Speaker 1:You have to learn everything. I remember about four years ago and I'll try to find it, because I don't remember what company it was but I found through something else, some other course I was doing. I found a course about Instagram and maybe today it's not 100% up to date, but they were speaking about Reels. It was fairly new back then, or just it was on the rise, and it was four or five years ago and they were speaking about how to use Reels to your advantage and there were certain extremely amazing secrets of the trade. And that's what I mean. You could have an Instagram, but you're not doing anything to really learn how to use that platform. You could have a Facebook business page, but guess what? Facebook just came out with so many tools, sure, to make them money, but also to make you money to help you stand out, to help you find clients. Are you using them or do you just? You know, check mark. I have a Facebook page, check mark. I have an Instagram. I mean it's good, it's already good that you have that, but don't stop thinking, okay, I'm done.
Speaker 1:There is so much work as a DJ. You're not just a DJ, you're a photographer, a videographer, a marketer, an advertiser, a coordinator. You do everything. You're a one-stop shop because you have to make that business work and you have to make sure that you take the right content, create the right content to promote yourself. And also, if you're in weddings or other big events where there's no coordinator, sometimes you'll be surprised. There's no coordinator in wedding. Some weddings have three, four coordinators working together, uh, but some have none.
Speaker 1:And the bride and groom will come to you, or especially the bride will come to you. We don't know what's our first dance, and that's like a day before the wedding, um, or so what do we do now? They don't know how a wedding is supposed to be structured. Guess what? They'll come to you thinking that you are the person in charge, because, guess what? You are kind of in charge, especially if you're the emcee. So you will have to have those set of skills. You'll have to have more than just one thing to create a brand.
Speaker 1:So when you promote yourself on either one of those platforms and whatever gig you're going to, it is clear what you do and why someone should select you as the talent for their event, um, and why should they trust you, right? I mean, hey, I I've done a hundred weddings and, uh, I have so much experience as, uh, someone who actually coordinates the wedding as well, alongside my DJing. Oh, you don't believe me? Okay, well, here are 50 reviews on Google or whatever platform, or WeddingWire, for example, where everyone thanks me five stars, five stars, five stars. And again, if you don't have those platforms set up, there's nowhere to give you reviews, there's nowhere to really prove it, and everything works on proof nowadays. I'm very good at selling myself, but often I will have to prove myself and it is what it is. And if I don't have something, then somebody who does, they'll go for that person.
Speaker 1:Anyway, I did jump ahead and mentioned social media and other tools to promote yourself. And if you're not doing that already, get online. I almost spilled my drink, which, by the way, give me a second here. Throat's getting dry, all right, so get online. How will anyone find you? And if you're watching this and thinking, can this guy get ahead, obviously you will be surprised how many DJs don't have an instagram account. Um, and they want to make it. Oh well, I don't like to showcase stuff. I'm very shy in front of the camera. Well, you're in the wrong industry, buddy, um, and again you can make it without that, but it's again you're shooting yourself in the foot, um, and you know what.
Speaker 1:It's great if you have some business cards and maybe some word of mouth business, but this is an online world and a digital world and you need to get at least a small piece of online real estate in order to get noticed and leave a proper footprint in this industry, this industry. Now let's get back to establishing a brand. So you have your social media and your other platforms set up in order to find clients and get gigs, but you need to present yourself in such a manner that which will help you showcase your abilities and why you are the best for their needs, the client. Let's say, you have an incredibly charismatic personality and you are an amazing MC, master of ceremonies. You want to showcase that you will automatically find more gigs which require that skill, because people who are looking for it will naturally find you, especially with the algorithms online, and will want you specifically you because and you and only you because you are perfect for their needs.
Speaker 1:You know, I don't have my phone right now it's over the recording, but I would have read a message to you. One of my clients just messaged me a few months ago for a baby shower and he said and I remember, uh, I just got him as one of my, my first clients when I first started doing this and he told me, um, uh, we, you know when, when, when she gives birth, she, uh, you know, right before that, you, you are going to, you're going to be our DJ for the baby shower, so I'll tell you the date when we're expecting and I'll, and I'll update you, but you are our DJ, so do not take anyone else's gig. And I told them I'll do my best. I can't promise that, especially if you don't tell me well ahead of time, but I definitely want to do that. I definitely want to, you know, be there for you as you were for me. He trusted me with one of my first gigs, right Without much to show him, cause I also made certain mistakes in the in the beginning, where I did not have certain content that I should have had, and you got to practice what you preach.
Speaker 1:And this podcast actually really helps me as a beginner because some things that I already knew for a while and I did not need anyone to tell me how to do them. You know, I'm preaching them now and I'm like Ilya, you're saying that to all the people people listening to you and watching you but you're not doing it yourself, right? So in the beginning, when we were in episode what is this episode 38? So in the very beginning, I did not do everything. I was speaking about Um, but that was a long time ago, right and um. Now I practice what I preach, um. So it's not enough to just know, you have to do it. You don't get paid for your knowledge in this industry.
Speaker 1:When it comes to actually being the DJ, if you're a consultant, sure, um, but um, yeah, what, what you look? What if you're a virtuoso, like a musician who plays several instruments? Um, sure, you can have a couple of videos on your social media if you're playing some edm tracks on your guitar or keyboard, and even if you're doing it with a drum machine. But did you think to showcase that talent in a proper video, like a DJ set where you set everything up and show how you can incorporate that into a show? Did you actually think about it? Because my instagram channel used to have certain videos of me singing or certain videos of me playing guitar or piano and it was just kind of okay. Well, so he plays guitar and piano, so he sings. But then you take all those skills and you start a video, you create a video where you're DJing and then you can maybe incorporate that into your set.
Speaker 1:So I have one video where I have my guitar on a stand and I'm playing the intro to a song and it's mic'd and everything. And then I continue on the piano and it's playing the intro to a song and it's mic'd and everything. And then I continue on the piano and it's, I mean, on the keyboard, and it all goes very well with a master track and it's just, it's really cool. Now would anyone put this together for you? No, you have to show it. You have to show it, not just say that you can do it, you have to show it. So you know, and then you'll be like, oh, but I didn't have a gig like that yet.
Speaker 1:Well, in that case and we're getting to what I was saying in the beginning that I will talk about different ways to still show how to do certain things, even if you didn't have the opportunity to show it in a gig, you will have obviously have to need to set up a camera in your apartment house wherever you are or, better yet, some cool remote spot, like you see in some YouTube videos. For example, andrew Riel, a great producer, slash DJ, has has a video on on some rooftop really cool video. And he's not the only one who did that. And it's really cool that you know you have a way to capture someone with visuals. And because I mean you're just playing music, I mean they'll likely just want to listen to it, but now they have something to watch, so it's interesting, right.
Speaker 1:Or you know, suat walks around. I'm going to do that. I'm going to do that. I'm going to do that at some point. I loved it. I had that idea before I even learned about him that he does that and sure enough, I mean it's not that original. I'm sure I knew somebody else thought about it, but he walks around with his DJ set, dj gear and just MCs and DJs and runs around and he's incredibly charismatic.
Speaker 1:But that's what I mean. You need to create something visually that will showcase your skills. So let me see where I was. Yeah, so if you can do that, even at home, set up a camera, set up a backdrop, something to make it look a little nicer. Get a couple plants in Ikea, you know, like, set up a set, set up a set, get a couple lights, maybe nothing too cheesy, but make it interesting visually. If it's going to be a video, of course, right.
Speaker 1:And get on SoundCloud. Make sure to not cut out a certain audience just because you know. Well, I don't want to upload it everywhere now. Well, you should, because you don't know where people are going to listen. This podcast gets uploaded in like almost two dozen separate places, right, but we get listeners from all kinds of uh platforms. So it's not just spotify or youtube, believe it or not, or apple music, it's everywhere. Um, and whoever was listening on google uh, which now got discontinued, they're going. They're going somewhere else now. So now they have somewhere to go because I have that. I made, made it available for you guys, right. So let's move along.
Speaker 1:Create a show, create something for potential clients to see. So if you didn't have an opportunity to do that live yet, for an actual gig, they'll see. You know what he knows, what he's doing and a lot of people. They'll be extremely reasonable with you, especially if they want a good price. I'll give you an example. Okay, I'll give you an example.
Speaker 1:That guy that I told you about that then told me that he wants me to come to the baby shower and do the baby shower gig. He asked do you have anything to show me? And I had a couple of videos. I had something. I'm not saying I didn't have anything, but it wasn't the best and you know, I had some lights. I did put some work into it, but not everything that I'm preaching right now. And then he said and then he said, email it to me. And I thought to myself you know what, once he has that file, he has that file. I wish I did a better job. So I did email it to him. I did send him that, but then I took the time to create overnight, to create another set. I got some nights from friends.
Speaker 1:I created a nice set for myself and created another video and created a better kind of video to sell myself, to sell my skills, and he could see that I'm really trying. He could see that I don't really have any gigs to show him yet because I'm very new to this. My friend used to call me DJ new to this and you know what he's like. So what's the best price you can give me? And I gave him a price that was about 20% less than the standard, like the market standard, cause I knew that you know what he's giving me an opportunity. But I don't also want to sell myself too short to I mean to to cheap. I didn't want to sell out, but I knew that at the same time, the the way I was reading him is that he will either tip me and or, uh, I'll get more gigs from him and I'll be able to increase my price as I go. And guess what that? That is exactly what happened. I got tipped, which brought me up to only 10% less than the average rate for that gig, and then I got two more gigs from him, so one that I already did and one that's coming up in almost a month, and each gig I do something special for him. But it is getting higher in price, but not as much as it would have been for a brand new client, cause I'm trying to kind of show him that I appreciate him. He's kind of in like my top five clients, cause I started with him. So there's a special relationship there and you can go about it however you like you know, that's how see where we are.
Speaker 1:I've been talking for almost 43 minutes now. Uh, these, these last two episodes are longer. Uh, as, as you know, I am uh on my own now. Uh, this became a solo podcast. It used to be, uh, my, my buddy, nino, and myself, and now it's just me, um and Nino, just for personal reasons, had to step away from the podcast. For now. It's temporarily, and he may be coming back. We'll see Um but um, for now, this is going to be a solo podcast. It may continue like that, uh, but, yeah, let's keep going.
Speaker 1:Um, so you, you, you send your client that proof, uh, something that will, you know, cover your, your skills, and um, and something that will, that will, that will ensure. That brings us to the next point building relationships, but also, extremely importantly, establish boundaries, something I did not do in the very beginning, because not because I didn't know about it, just because I thought, hey, you know what, they'll never do this to me, right? They'll never screw me over, guess what it happens, or they'll never get too comfortable, right? People get comfortable. People, you know, are mostly selfish when it comes to their business, their lives, you know their. They will likely do something for themselves to save themselves instead of saving you. And that's just. You know. I'm not trying to be a pessimist here, it just that's what happens, right? Especially if they're just, you know, a contact, a colleague, I mean, sometimes they don't really owe you anything, right? It's every you know, every man for himself sometimes. So don't just, you know, just be naive and think, okay, I built a relationship, this is going to be forever, I'm going to trust this person with everything. So it is very important to build relationships in the music industry.
Speaker 1:As a DJ, you will do much better if you attend different gigs where your fellow beginner DJs require some support, or even the more up-and-coming DJs require some support, or even the more the more up and coming DJs, artists who you know don't really need your support a hundred percent. But that's where you can maybe get more value out of it. So they're not that big now that they're not even going to look at you. But and, by the way, some bigger artists, some bigger DJs still, you know, you can still contact and they will still give you the time of day, and I'll get to that. But start with supporting people you started with and you'll go to their gigs. They'll come to your gigs and you know the up and coming artists, without being too nosy or trying too hard. You know, try to get close to them and I'm not going to tell you exactly how to do that. There's no way to tell you exactly how to do that. Every situation is different. But you're going to have to show your value. You're going to have to just like for a client, right? You're going to have to just like for a client, right? You're going to have to show your value. You're going to have to. Maybe you're fun to hang out with or maybe you have a skill which you can, which can help them right.
Speaker 1:The way, nino decided to take me along and, you know, mentor me for like a year and a half was, or maybe even two years was. I approached him as a bartender and I said hey, I also am a music producer, it's a hobby of mine, but I know what I'm doing. I want to learn how to DJ. Maybe I can do something for you if you can teach me, if you let me shadow you. He did not need me whatsoever technically, but he said you know what? He told me like I didn't know that, but after the fact he told me, like I didn't know that, but after the fact he told me, I was actually, for the last few months, was thinking back then about getting into music production and also elevating my my djing business with with music production skills. So you said the right thing to me. So huge business makes hundreds of thousands of dollars some months. But I said the right thing, I came in the right time, I sold myself and it made sense. And now Nino went his own path. He has a bunch of other businesses, other things he's doing, and I'm going my way.
Speaker 1:So you're not going to be. You're not going to be always. People are not going to always hold your hand or continue inviting you to the gigs or just be there for you all the time or, you know, put the neck on the line for you at every single opportunity. It's in order to get create a relationship like that. It takes a lot of work and it both people have to really benefit from it. Not everyone is that nice, but yeah. So maybe you have a skill that can help them, or maybe they're just nice, which you know, and they don't mind helping you at all, which I'm going to get to the point, which I'm going to get to the point. A little story that I told you in the past. But yeah, you just need to make friends as an adult, as adults, you need to make friends in this industry that you like. If you're extremely introverted, then guess what. You will have to change that or find a way to make it work for you. Some people really don't have what it takes. They don't know how to make friends or contacts and guess what? I know someone like that.
Speaker 1:He was extremely awkward. You know, he read a lot of books and that's not what made him awkward. He was awkward. He just did not have a social sense and he read a lot of books. He had a coach that he paid for and like a life coach, and watched a lot of videos and he saw some therapists and you know what. He found a way to fit in and he didn't do it for someone else, right? He didn't suffer because he felt like everyone is expecting him to do that. He did that because he believed it will make him happier and sure enough he did.
Speaker 1:He is now a fairly successful dj. He's just starting out. He's been doing this for a couple years as well, and he is also in music production, which is something he is more comfortable with because he doesn't have to show himself as often. But he decided he wanted to be a DJ as well and he has a business with a bunch of contacts. He has, I think, 10 people, 10 or more than 10 people, working for him, working with him, and you need to see where you fit in this category. To make it happen, however it makes sense for you, you have to make it happen. That's how this guy made it happen and it's great and I'm proud of him.
Speaker 1:So keep in mind people, especially in this industry, people can be kind of, you know, act like snakes and show their true colors. To act like snakes and show their true colors, and sometimes they themselves are not aware of that. When money is on the table, success is involved people normally behave differently, and I didn't forget I'm going to tell you the story I told you about. It just all ties into that. Competition in the music industry can be nasty and people you consider to be your friends or contacts will talk about you behind your back, you know, not in a very nice way, or try to get ahead while keeping you in the dark, and you know thinking, okay, well, if I do this and not tell them about that, then I will be so much better. And you know now he's not my competition, especially if you intimidated them, especially if you did that, then again, some people in this industry are absolutely fantastic. They know the struggle and while they might be at your level, they will not shy away from sharing contacts with you or you know, and potentially risking some opportunities, because maybe you're the snake and again I'm just I'm just kidding, but I'm trying to make a point here. They might do that because that's just their personality or maybe they're taking a risk in order to really make, make real friends in this industry real friends, real contacts in this industry and give something to get something right. And that's what I did.
Speaker 1:You get burned sometimes, but really more often than not, you make really good friendships, really good contacts in this industry, if you can exercise some caution and you're not too naive, and some people might be already very successful, but they didn't forget where they came from. They didn't forget, you know, their humble beginnings and how hard it was when they started and they advocate for beginners and and help when they can. So I know a few people like that and I'm always dwarfed by those people, by their success and by just like. I feel very humble to know to get an hour with them online, like on Zoom or Google Meet or whatever, and chat with them, or maybe in person if they're local, right. There's a few people that I know like that and it's funny. I met them in different ways every person but I know that their time is extremely valuable and they're spending an hour with me, and when you become an entrepreneur, you understand how much an hour is and how much it can affect you to give someone certain information as well, not just the time, and they do this because they love to help and they are genuinely good people. Now, usually these sort of people got screwed in the past themselves and have lots of experience knowing who to help and who to stay away from. So don't take their their you know their kind heart as weakness, that they know who's in front of them. Be real with them. You know if you're not a threat to them, they'll know and they will help you. You have no idea what kind of people, the kind of people who will agree to become your contacts, your friends, if you just try to talk to them. You got to dare in this industry, which leads us to that story that I was talking about.
Speaker 1:I told you about this one DJ from Philadelphia. I'm not going to say too much about him, it's you know. I want to keep his life private and who he is private. He's not an official guest on this podcast, so until he is, I'm just going to give you the absolute basics to explain the story I was talking about earlier. He's extremely successful. He doesn't need my help in any way. Like he just.
Speaker 1:We met online I still don't remember how, but I just I have him on my Instagram and checks up on me from time to time had a conversation with me, helping me set up a really large event and told me about, told me that I cannot imagine the things he's been through. He's seen it all Right and he told me like hey, this industry is, this is just like that, and that's why a lot of people don't survive it, because it's just, it's too much. It's too much to handle for some people. It's just. I'm not trying to be negative here. I'm not trying to be a pessimist. It's an amazing industry. I love this industry. He loves this industry, but you're going to come across certain people who are just going to rob you of the wrong way. And it's just, you know, there's a reason why you go and get paid 400, 500, a thousand bucks, just like that, right, like, just like that. Because it's you know, it's it's an awesome industry and and and it's it comes with certain struggles. So nothing that good, it's easy usually.
Speaker 1:So brings us to the next point. You will likely not be ready, and that's what I was talking about earlier. I understand the whole ready, uh, that word is is very, you know, very heavy. You will likely not be ready for anything I mentioned here. Uh, you will likely find an excuse why you cannot or should not do something. Uh, this is an industry where you have to dare and where sometimes you just have to. You have that one chance. You have that one chance and one chance alone to do something. Sure, you can get more chances later. Another way if you're, again, very resourceful and if you're just lucked out. But you got to be in the now and think about hey, I got this, now I gotta, I gotta do what I can with this opportunity right now. And again, that's why it's good to have contacts, because they can help you. If you're not ready for something, they can coach you.
Speaker 1:Um, again, there's people on Reddit. Uh, I just got a couple of messages. I messaged about something, um and um, you know, you know I started this, a certain topic, and they really helped out. Some of them even reached out through direct messages and DM'd me and said hey, if you have any more questions, message me, I can help you with that. And they didn't ask for anything in return. We're all just building connections right. Building just creating relationships. It's good for everyone.
Speaker 1:An example let me give you a few examples in case you'll say well, he probably doesn't get my situation. So an example for practicing, if you're not ready to practice, would be oh, you don't have the right gear or tools, you don't even know what you're doing. Guess what? Again, it's all online and likely, if you're doing this, you're at least 18 to 20, 22 years old. You can make money a certain way. You can get a part-time job. You can do something. I'm not being insensitive towards some people's financial situation.
Speaker 1:I know that sometimes it's really hard, but if you want something, you can make it happen. You can rent something. I know that. You can get virtual DJ and it's actually better for people who don't have the actual physical gear. I almost never used it, but that's what I heard. I use Serato and sometimes Rekordbox when I teach. So when I teach people who want to learn on Rekordbox, I use Serato and sometimes record box, uh, when I teach, uh. So when I teach people who who uh, want to learn on record box, I use record box and I just had to learn it, the, the, the interface, enough myself so I can actually teach it, uh, teach DJing through through that interface. And um, yeah, um, don't, don't make excuses, you can practice.
Speaker 1:If you really want to buy everything brand new headphones for like $25 to $50, and that's all Canadian prices on Amazon and local stores you can get some cheap computer speakers, again $50 to $100, and they're actually going to be pretty good. You can even get cheaper ones and get like a small Bluetooth speaker as well. You can do that with like an aux through the aux port and through the settings you can make it so it plays through that. The actual controller there's some controllers for a hundred bucks, 200 bucks, 300 bucks, 400 bucks, most of them will will be just just enough, right, and if you want to start from a like, from a proper one like the FLX four is a really good one to start with. There's also I forget what it's called I got one that was uh uh. What was it by? Who was it by, I forget, but it was.
Speaker 1:I went on vacation for a month. I needed to practice because I had a lot of gigs coming up in the beginning of the summer. I got this like tiny one. It wasn't a really, really small one, but it was like it's like the size of this Rodecaster, maybe a little smaller, a little narrower. I forget the name of it, but it was like 150 bucks and it had lots of the features. It get the name of it, but it was like 150 bucks and it it had lots of the features.
Speaker 1:It works, worked with my serato. It works, works with everything. Um, and then you know, you can get serato light. You can pay for it if you want. It's not that expensive. Point is I've been talking about this point too much you can do it. It's not an excuse like can, you can find time to practice, you can find gear to practice and, by the way, there's also spots you can go to, which they where they have gear, and you can pay by the hour and practice there. You can also do that. If you really have to do something like that.
Speaker 1:Now, an example for marketing and promoting would be oh, I don't have the capital for to market, oh, I don't know how to market, or I don't have the time for it. Well, again, this is a business you're building, so you'll definitely have to create the time, because at some point, I just can't help you. Uh, you know, if you don't have the time for it, well, okay, then you don't have the time for it and it's going to take you much longer. Um, but um, it doesn't cost much. You know what?
Speaker 1:I got a Google Workspace account for this podcast because I had to collaborate with several people and it was also a very good decision to get that and I got a bunch of like 600 bucks to start me off with my marketing. I'm not saying that's enough, I'm not saying that's all, but you know what? There are so many ways you can do that, and the Google Workspace is not that expensive at all. It's like 10 bucks a month or something. 15 bucks a month. Again, you don't have to do it that way. There's also free. What is it called Like sponsorship, endorsement, people who will actually and it's online for beginner podcasts and they will provide you the income that you need or the tools that you need in order to create something you need to create. So, whether you're a podcaster who's using the podcast in order to leverage their other business, or whether you're just a DJ or you or you want to be a DJ and you want to find a tool online, there's something for everyone. And again, I said, I'm not going to go in detail because then we're going to get to like a two hour podcast again. So we're just over an hour now, so I'll try to keep it a little shorter today.
Speaker 1:An example for networking would be that, let's say, you don't really know anyone or how to approach them. You're just very kind of shy, introverted. I already spoke about it before. You're going to have to find out, you're going to have to learn, you're going to have to get out of your kind of comfort zone and try to be comfortable in certain situations where in the past you weren't. You're going to have to change a little bit and nobody forces you to do it. You know, at a pace that you're not you're not comfortable with and, again, the best thing you can do is to gather the courage to speak to someone and see if they'll coach you. That's the best thing you can do. They will. They will hold your hand and take you step by step.
Speaker 1:I was terrified to do my first gig, but I did it. I did it. I was, you know, I was pushed towards it by a mentor and and I for the first gig he came with me. For the second gig he. So for the first gig he came with me and did half the work. For the second gig he came with me and didn't do anything but you know, maybe help me set up a couple things so it's quicker. But he was just there for support and just hang out and take some photos and videos for me and then the rest of the gigs I went by myself. So you know, I was terrified at first, but I you know what it's, I did it and it was easier with a mentor, it was easier with coach, but that's also because I provided great value for him, right? So think about it. Can you provide great value? Maybe you're a graphic designer, maybe you're, you know, maybe you can create something for them, for for their business.
Speaker 1:You'll find a way to connect with someone if you really want to. An example for your first gig will be you know, oh, I'm not ready for that gig. I need more time to prepare, and that's what I just said. If you practiced a standard amount where you know how to do things when you're at home, if you really care about the event, you'll feel it. You'll know that, okay, you're nervous, you don't really know what you're doing because you've never done it, but you do because you've done it at home. So go two hours early, set up, do a sound check if you have the opportunity to go early. If you don't, then do it at home. Do like a test at home of like setting everything up. Always set up all your gear at home, especially if you're a beginner. Make sure you have everything you need you didn't forget a cable or something and create that situation where you're comfortable. You're like okay, I did it, I know what I'm doing, I just need to take, take what I did here and do it again in front of those people and and you'll be fine. So it's always going to feel like you're not ready, but you are ready Now.
Speaker 1:If you didn't practice at all for like half a year. You've been just talking about it. From time to time you dabble in it. Okay, Maybe it's not the right time to take a gig, right, think about that person that you're taking their gig and the responsibility that comes along with that. But again, in a normal situation, you are ready. Don't worry, you'll be fine. You can always find excuses. You need to find solutions. Now, all this goes to show that it's not one thing or a few things. It is a beautiful recipe which needs to be respected. It is a process and if you enjoy it, it will all happen naturally for you.
Speaker 1:I remember in the very beginning, I would not practice much. Like I said, I would not practice properly, and I had my reasons. I had legitimate reasons. We all do. But if you want to get somewhere, you got to do what it takes. Most of you are not kids, most of you are older and I don't need to explain what it takes. Okay, most of you are not kids, most of you are older, and you know I don't need to explain this to you. You should know that A great kind of analogy that I came with, a great like story that I came up with and I can't remember names right now or anything like that. But you've seen these stories online of these kinds of situations.
Speaker 1:Imagine two people. Both of them want to participate in the Olympics. One is naturally physical, naturally physically, like a physical marvel and maybe even has some connections in this industry and an athlete. And the other one is just an average person with a passion for sports, you know. But hey, he's also missing a leg or a limb, some limb. Different people will get dealt different cards. Life is not always fair and you might have to work more than your neighbor to get to the same goal. Now, the goal doesn't really care if it were a person. It doesn't really care if it's fair or not. That is what it takes. That's what's required to get into the Olympics. Right, can you do it? That is it. That's for you to decide, that's for you to prove. So the person who's missing a limb found a way to get a prosthetic and and a limb uh, found a way to get a prosthetic and um and um. Sorry, I was just looking at the time. I thought I thought I thought it cut out. So the person who was missing a limb um, found a way to get a prosthetic and trained uh, and now uh, through training and know various other things they did and they're in the paralympics. So now that is what I'm talking about. They made it happen. Some people that have those prosthetic legs run faster than me. They're doing things that I'm incapable incapable of doing, and I have two perfectly working legs.
Speaker 1:It's not about that. It's about what you want and that passion, that drive to get yourself there. I know I'm talking about Olympics and sports, but it's a really good way to explain that. I needed to give you something extreme, like an extreme example. Don't think that you're so unlucky that there's no way that it's going to happen for you. I'm not going to lie.
Speaker 1:It might be tougher for you than others. It might be, but, uh, life has a funny way of balancing things out. Um, now, where were we? So, logically, you're going to do, you're going to assume that this situation doesn't happen often. It's such an extreme example, but a lot of people are in kind of like we're dealt a tough hand, right, and that's where I'm being very empathetic. I'm trying to understand some of the people who are like you know what that was too much. I mean, like you know, I'm trying to do everything I can, but I don't have that extra $100 to buy the gear, I get it. A lot of people are in different situations that are difficult. I'm very spiritual, but I'm also realistic, and I know that certain things in life are tough to achieve, but I believe that with the right attitude and resources, everything is possible. If I haven't stressed this enough at this point be unique.
Speaker 1:Find something that you can do differently than others and that adds value to your show. Find a way to stand out from the thousands of DJs in your city. And also keep in mind many DJs you encounter online are just that online DJs. They do it as a hobby and, while the market is very saturated, not every dj is your competition, even if they're not just online djs. Everyone has their own niche and everyone has their own you know something they're good at. If you're, the point is, if you're a decent dj, and especially if you, if you can show how, how you're a little different in a good way, you will find plenty of work. There are many more points, many more points, lots more information. I could have crammed into this episode, but I believe that we created I created a pretty good start to finish kind of blueprint here, and while there are many more versions of kind of that kind of blueprint.
Speaker 1:This is a good one and I know from experience that it works. Uh, my experience, uh, colleagues, uh, these episodes don't just happen on the fly. I I speak to people, I make sure the information is correct, I make sure the information is uh understandable that you know that I can back up what I'm saying, and um, understandable that you know that I can back up what I'm saying. And, um, if you have a different way of doing this, if there's something that I didn't say and you think it was important, definitely mentioned in the comments, definitely send us an email. Um, you know, there's going to be similar episodes to this one in the future where, again, I'm also learning. Right, I'm I'm a beginner DJ, technically, a beginner, intermediate DJ. Right now, there are things that I'm learning too, and I haven't been podcasting for years.
Speaker 1:This is, you know, I started this podcast, started in January of 2024. We are now in September. So what? The second week of September, yeah, so it's all about caring, loving something, practicing, uh, validating, making sure the information is correct. Uh, you know, because you care about it, you, you do not want to um, kind of misinform someone or or go somewhere not ready, whether it's a podcast or a gig.
Speaker 1:And yeah, it's very important to love what you do. If you love what you do, I believe the universe, life will bring you more opportunities, and especially if you're actually putting in the work and you're promoting yourself. It's not that expensive to promote yourself, especially if you have a full-time job and you're able to do that. But maybe you don't wanna spend the money, but you should Give it a shot. It's a business. It's a risk. You might lose it. It might work. Some months I was spending 50 to a hundred bucks every month and I got no gigs. But then, guess what? Two or three months later, I got all those gigs that I should have gotten before. Everything will balance out. Everything will stabilize. So, um, yeah, thank you very much for joining another episode of the Clever DJ. My name is Ilya and I thank you for joining me and see you next week. Take care.