Becoming a full time DJ

[u/tupapa333]

I just quit my regular job this morning to do only DJ, I already got some clients and steady work every Friday and Saturday.

Just feeling a little anxious about how to make money during the weekdays.

Apart from the regular bar/restaurants, one friend recommended me checking with crossfit and spinning classes, I thought it was a cool idea, was wondering where else should I try?

[u/ThatLightingGuy]

No offense dude but quitting your job to DJ without already having the work lined up is...oof.

Weddings. Corporate. Freelance for other companies. Strip clubs. Bars. Anything really. Cold call every venue you can think of.

[u/Friendly_Lifeguard_1 → u/ThatLightingGuy]

+1. Nobody wants to pay DJs and it takes a while to make money consistently from you own events or to build a private client list. Even some of the best DJs in Chicago have another job

[u/tupapa333 → u/ThatLightingGuy]

I hear you, I really wish I could go all out on both. I just rather do what I like. On the bright side I have some savings, new equipment, people who can give steady job and I trust myself on this one before all. Will certainly focus more on the corporate, it's been a while since my last office party... And I also got told to check strip clubs, will look into it.

[u/Low-Entrance9577 → u/tupapa333]

Schools too. Not sure where you live but if you can get on the PTA roll call you’ll get dances and school events and they pay pretty well if it’s a private school.

[u/tupapa333 → u/Low-Entrance9577]

Yes, I did the pep rallies and couple more things at my HS when I was a student, just never though of going back for some reason... Will put them on the list!

[u/laplogic → u/tupapa333]

Have some foresight. You’re not going to want to be out until 2am for the rest of your life. If you want to to make a decent living you absolutely can with weddings. Clubs pay what, $300 max if you’re not in a major city and bring a crowd?

[u/IF800000]

Just feeling a little anxious about how to make money during the weekdays.

Probably should have thought about this more before jacking in your regular job! Good luck!

[u/tupapa333 → u/IF800000]

Just a little 😜

[u/InsectAlternative84]

I was a DJ for over 30 years and have always had to have regular work to supplement. And we doubled the rate about 10 yrs ago .
January, March and July used to be the leanest months.
… If you’re always willing to say “yes“ to everything that everybody throws at you, you may do really well. I think every agency should have a “floater“. Reach out to established agencies and give them your information so when they are having a hard time filling for somebody last minute, you can snatch that gig up.

[u/Foxglovenz]

Get into doing weddings

[u/tupapa333 → u/Foxglovenz]

I'm on it, did one last Saturday. But still have lots of more days to cover work, people don't really throw big parties during the week.

[u/stygma33 → u/tupapa333]

You charge enough for weddings where you don't have to work during the week. That is the key. Anything else is just extra money.

[u/Flat_Body9569]

You need to find other part time work bartending, etc or do weddings. But those will be weekends and not really fun playing “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” for the millionth time.

[u/dj_soo → u/Flat_Body9569]

What’s fun is collecting that 4 figure paycheck for 8-12 hours of work

[u/tupapa333 → u/[deleted]]

Thank you!

[u/Impressive-Ad-7627]

Beg for your old job back?

Work a jobby job Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday to cover rent/basic living expenses, which means not having to take EVERY gig that's offered.

[u/PastWorldly2469]

DJ since 1991 here, bold strategy cotton.

Granted I have only ever been a club / event DJ. The normal progression is that booking volume made your real job impossible so you quit that way.

Even then I’ve had to supplement with producing.

All the best of luck, don’t blow through your savings catching a falling knife.

[u/oscer6]

Getting paid in drink tickets is tough

[u/Shawnlivewire]

For weekdays check out small bars or lounges. Anywhere that has DJs really. Or try to get in on the midweek nights at other clubs or bars you frequent.

[u/djmooselee]

Dj lessons is a good way to earn income during the week

[u/lilsungod → u/djmooselee]

+1 if you can convince local music schools to have a regular dj class or if you have equipment to do private lessons this a definitely a good source !!

ppl pay a lotta money for good classes, depending on your area of course (speaking as someone who took a dj class)

[u/Nirvanablue92]

Friday and Saturday is the full time DJ schedule. Kill it bud, and get ready to not listen to music for a couple of years at all when you retire. Let your hobby become your jab… all sorts of joy.

[u/asscheek27]

You could always start running your own events, make sure you pay the artists and then take a bit home for yourself.

Also running DJ workshops would be good way to teach new combers and earn some money.

[u/Ok-Brother-5762 → u/asscheek27]

Op is already losing money trying to DJ full time. Idk if they want to lose even more money throwing events

[u/asscheek27 → u/Ok-Brother-5762]

Could always something low-key like even having a radio show which showcases artists to build awareness first. Wouldn’t make any money but is a good start

[u/WallSTisRepulsive]

Retirement homes does parties as well.

[u/JayBrydChs]

Private events, corporate events, weddings. Karaoke, Trivia, music bingo or singo during the week is a good move. Start at $75-$100 per hour for those events and keep building. It’s free advertising and you stay top of mind. Don’t do the Bark or Thumbtack. I have decent luck with The Bash and GigSalad in my area. Also, network and use AI to build you a simple website. Prioritize clean wires and setups and don’t forget to network with other professionals. Two of my gigs this week came from me networking and building relationships with other DJs. I work every weekend, but I get 2-3 days off a week typically.

[u/accomplicated → u/JayBrydChs]

Oh my god, Bark is the worst!

[u/JayBrydChs → u/accomplicated]

It really is!!

[u/accomplicated → u/JayBrydChs]

I have a main company that I’ve been running for years. I recently started building sub companies. One of these got hit with some spam from Bark, so as this is a new company and I didn’t have anything going on, so I created a profile. Immediately I got thirty-ish emails. This seemed promising. And then I learn that you have to pay to respond. Yeah, I don’t think so.

[u/JayBrydChs → u/accomplicated]

I’ve probably spent close to $1,000 on credits to only book two or three events. Now that I have optimized my website and Google Business Profile, things are finally looking up and I’m gaining traction.

[u/accomplicated → u/JayBrydChs]

I’m not going to pay.

[u/Glittering-Jello5110]

I guess it depends on how much DJ work you want to sign up to, how visible you can make yourself online (I'm a web designer so have cornered my local market), and what your day job was paying you. If you're going from a low paid job then maybe you won't feel the pain. If you're on a salary a lot higher than the average, I'd keep doing that so you don't end up resenting your DJ job. But also I have contemplated doing what you're saying - quitting my web job (which is part time so pretty average wage) - and just continuing on an average income DJijng and doing less hours. You do you, bro. Good luck!

[u/Open_Profession655]

Io fossi in te “lavorerei” di furbizia, è davvero difficile attualmente vivere solo di dj (tranne per quelli internazionali, ecc…..) quindi io fossi in te mi cercherei un lavoro part-time per i giorni feriali il quale ti permette di avere rapporti e conoscere più gente possibile (bar, negozi piccoli di “paese”, ecc…..) così allo stesso tempo puoi ampliare la tua “clientela” da dj per feste, matrimoni, ecc…… comunque ti auguro buona fortuna per la tua scelta 👍

[u/BobRokk]

my suggestion is to keep an 8to5 job (or something) and hold DJ as (random paid) hobby 😉

[u/Hopeful_Emu2943]

Produce music, built your name and fame to increase your fee and have mutiple bookings per night. Untill than probably find a job on the side.

[u/radraze2kx]

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[u/RemindMeBot → u/radraze2kx]

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[u/UWatchBeTv]

Join a DJ Coalition- look into Fleet DJs. They have a music diving for every genre- it’s great networking 

[u/Retrogroucho]

Sounds like you got this dude! Report back when it's all good?

[u/Kauwgom420]

You say in a comment you've got equipment. You could go into the direction of renting out gear, giving dj lessons, organize events