quote:

Originally posted by Ricky Tan People wanna do business w/ people they like.

exactly, you have to be approachable, personable, people have to like you

that's why you become EVERYBODY's best friend, not literally, but when people talk to you, they should feel like they are the only thing in the world mattering to you ATM

smile, wave, shake hands, work the room when you're out, don't stay in one place, go around and introduce yourself to groups of people, drop off a couple free cds here and there

make yourself known

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Tony Morello Dot Com
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Get to know some of ur favorite locals in the city that you think are good and look friendly and not full of themselves. Make promo's monthly and give it to them. If they listen to them, they will give you feedback and see your improvement from set to set.

Connections are important, but they have to be with the right people. Lots of people say they can help but really they cant do shit.

Get to know some of the promoters in town, give them ur promos as well
etc etc.

I hate this shit aswell hehe, but once u have that magical gig, it becomes easier cause people see what ur capable of doing

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VIKTORDESTIN.COM

gotta remember that nightclubs are a business and owners / promoters priority is to make money. their concern is not "is this guy a crackin dj?" but "will this guy get the punters in?"

you could be the greatest dj, if you can't get people through the door you're worthless in the club world

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THat's all so true...

It's all about people skills really. In the end, the average person doesn't know what a good DJ is. But if htey like you, they'll attend.

Ofcourse, it helps if you can get them discounts on drinks...

quote:

Originally posted by RJT Unfortunately, the "right people" also often seem to be of the "lowest common denominator" variety of human.

Some are, some aren't. I know loads of really really nice people in the industry with a lot of influence. Admittedly these people are rarely the big promoters, but they've got the respect of the big promoters so if you can impress them, word gets passed on.

I also know a lot of complete wankers! But again, in any other industry you have to deal with people you'd rather not - you just have to get on with it.

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Stu Cox |

i went to every club in my city and ended up getting 3 nights every week... networking, demos, and having some talent got the gigs. i never thought i'd be playing in these clubs, but i bit the bullet, walked into the clubs, and put myself out there... it paid off! by the grace of god, i was in the right place at the right time and i got some steady gigs.

the one place (gay bar) was unhappy w/ there dj, but didnt go looking for a replacement ~ i showed up and they liked the demos. they gave me a shot, the crowd loved it, and they let the other dj go (i play there 2x a week). if you wanna play house/trance, check out some gay bars, they love the music and you can do your thing and get paid.

i heard of another turntable dj (hip hopper) in town and went to see him. i introduced myself and said i was an aspiring vinyl dj. he told me he was looking for a vinyl dj to work under him (he has 2 amp/speaker/light setups). he let me open for him and the next thing i know, he gives me 1 night a week at a local club and other various gigs when they pop up. im strictly hip hop when working for him...

that's how i got my gigs

quote:

Originally posted by Tony Morello get out and network, because it is about who you know, not what you know

I'm tired of hearing this......!

Surely it's about who you know AS WELL as what you know.

Jarv

quote:

Originally posted by Tony Morello you could be the greatest dj, if you can't get people through the door you're worthless in the club world

Again, questionable I feel.

It depends on how high you want to go of course but.....

If you're the greatest DJ you will get people through the door regardless. Fuck sake, the public aren't stupid, they don't hear good music and pass it by just because it's played by Jonny Noname.

Where I come from, the local scene thrives on the venue, the attendees, the vibe. Most of the time I don't care who's playing - unless he/she is doing a crap job, and neither does anyone else. I already know they're not famous so I have no interest in them. They're getting paid to do the set - they're happy.

This new breed of DJ is selfish, caring only about themselves, networking and 'befriending' in a false manner just to get more gigs. The word befriend stinks of falseness and shallowness when used in this context. I make friends with people I believe to have good honest qualities, like myself.

I'm damn good at the job I do, and I'm extremely highly valued.... reason? I make sure I deliver an extremely high standard, the highest standard I'm capable of. I put all my effort into it. Others I see around me 'befriend' senior members, they waste their focus on this passtime, I beleive, because the skill they have at their job, and the standard they deliver does NOT speak for itself.

Like Stu said, it's the same in all industries, but make no mistake, that doesn't make it excuseble. I'm talking about basic human values here.

What happened to letting the music speak for itself?

YEAH! DAMN FUCKING RIGHT I'M ANGRY!


Jarv

So remember children. Whore yourself and play cheesy music if you want to survive. Otherwise be thankful that you like music for music and you don't need to resort to DJing to pay your bills.

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It's just one of those days where you want to bend over everyone you know and kiss their ass goodbye with a big sideways boot.

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quote:

Originally posted by Zild ...Otherwise be thankful that you like music for music and you don't need to resort to DJing to pay your bills.

WTF, I dunno about you but since I have gotten into this whole dj'ing thing, it's made paying bills a lot harder!