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Tips: How to get booked by promoters

Dear DJs, in this article you can find some really useful tips. They will be especially if you’re a new DJ trying to get your start in the scene. From going way too hard in your opening set to hassling promoters on Facebook and not supporting the events you want to play at, there’s a few common faux pas that aspiring DJs are prone to making.

Some top promoters and club bookers advise what to do and what not to do if you want to be booked!

Do: Know who you’re messaging!
Do your research on the party and find out who to talk to before hitting send.

Don’t: Send copy paste emails to every promoter in town
We can tell straight away if you’ve just spammed every one with the same message – it just looks like you just want a gig and don’t care enough about the actual event.

Do: Play good music.
When sending a mix, send one or two mixes at most. If you’re only new to the scene chances are the promoter will take the less risky option and put you on early, so make sure the mix you send is suitable. And nine times out of ten the more different/deep/eclectic the more you’ll stand out.

Don’t : Just send a link to your SoundCloud/Facebook page
Most promoters put on parties for the love of it and have other jobs, so spare time is at a premium. That means we don’t have time to go through all the mixes on your page to find one we might like.

Do: Attend the parties you want to play at
I can’t stress this point enough. As a promoter, I want to book people who have a personal interest in what we do. Make sure the music you play is 100% suitable, and what you love. I also have a terrible memory, so if i see you hanging out at our events it’s going to help remind me to book you.

Do: Be proud of where you’re playing
When you get booked help the promoters out where you can and be excited about it. It’s been pretty refreshing to see most promoters these days booking people on their merits not their guestlists, so return the favour and help out.

Don’t: Hassle the promoter for another gig straight after you’ve played
By all means say you enjoyed it and will be back…but getting a message on the Monday when I’m still hungover asking for another set when I’ve got a whole heap of other DJs I’m trying to fit in comes across a bit needy. Getting an email from you every week asking when you can play again just makes me switch off.

Do: Ask for feedback.
I’m more than happy to listen to your mix, give you feedback on your set if you’ve played for us. Getting feedback from someone impartial is a great way to learn/gain experience and about a million times more helpful than your mates saying “SICK MIX MATE”.

Do: Be patient
Patience will be the key to your success – the booker hasn’t forgotten about you. When the time is right and there is the correct event for you to play at, they will contact you! If you get impatient after one or two days and start pestering them with messages asking for a date, you’re less likely to get booked.

 

taken: inthemix.junkee.com

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