Being a DJ (a disc jockey) has become a popular career choice over the last decade. With the likes of artists like David Guetta and Calvin Harris making huge careers out of being a DJ, it is no wonder why so many people are wanting to pursue it. While being a disc jockey used to be reserved for only those who had a huge following and could afford the expensive equipment, it has now become much more accessible, meaning more people are venturing down the path of being a DJ. Certainly, the internet has had a huge influence on this, as people have access to a wide range of tutorials and can put their music out there with a click of a button. So, if you are thinking of pursuing a career as a DJ, then here are some things you need to know.
Is Being A DJ For You?
The first thing you need to consider before pursuing a career as a DJ is whether it is right for you. It would be a good idea to do your research on the role of a DJ, before you venture into a career. Entering any new career can be a little daunting, so it is always best that you prepare for yourself for what the role will entail.
While there is potential to make money from being a DJ, you will likely end up working for a long time before you start to see lots of money entering your bank account. This is definitely an important thing you need to consider because you can’t expect to jump into being a DJ and immediately start making a lot of money. You will likely have to consider DJing as a hobby on the side while you build your career and develop your skills.
What Sort Of DJ Do You Want To Be?
The next thing you need to consider when pursuing a career as a is what sort of DJ do you want to be. Most of the time when people think of DJ’s, they assume they need to be out at the clubs every weekend playing to a huge crowd. But this is not necessarily the case. Certainly, club DJs are one path you can go down if you want to live in the world of partying, but there are a couple of other options out there.
A radio DJ is where the concept of being a disc jockey originated, so it is considered the classic form of DJing. Being a radio DJ can be a great option if you are after a more stable career as radio stations offer full-time DJ work. The great thing about being a radio DJ is that it is very versatile. All radio stations operate in their own way, so each day on the job can be different. Although it may be considered a more stable option, being a radio DJ still gives you the freedom and creativity to play the songs you like.
Another option you could pursue as a DJ is to be a producer. While some DJing is about playing pre-recorded music to an audience, as a producer you are the brains behind the music and the one who creates the music that is played. Being a producer requires much more knowledge about music production and audio engineering, so you may need to consider acquiring further education if you want to pursue the producer route.
Work At Your Local Radio
One thing that could help you with pursuing your new career is working at your local radio station. Assuming you are already a big music fan, working at your local radio station is a great way to get your foot in the door of the music world. Even if you are not presenting on radio, you will have the chance to be around a lot of like-minded people who share your passion for music. When it comes to expanding any career, networking is the number one way to do it. Meeting other people in your industry can be extremely useful as they will be able to connect you with other important and interesting people.
Not only this but working at your local radio will hopefully give you access to a lot of technical equipment that can help you with developing your skills as a DJ. Being a DJ is not an easy job, it involves a lot of knowledge about technical pieces of equipment. Working at a local radio station can help you learn all about the equipment and you can get excellent advice from some experienced disc jockeys. It is important to remember that the people you will meet at your local radio station would have been in the same position as you, so they will be more than happy to give you advice so you can get to where you want to be.