4 steps.
Sounds simple, right?
And it is simple, but it’s not easy.
Step 1 takes money (or a generous friend with the right equipment); steps 2-4 take incredible amounts of dedication and perseverance.
Anyone can be a DJ. It’s easy. Becoming a successful DJ is much harder. If you’re willing to put in the work, these steps will get you there:
Step 1: Best DJ Equipment For Beginners
Step 2: Lean how to DJ
Step 3: Get your first gig
Step 4: Grow your DJ career
Like Reading? Here’s more…
Some people want to get started on something right away; others (like me, unfortunately) prefer to read more and put off getting to work. For those people, I’ve written everything below. But know this: every important piece of information on this page is also repeated in one of the 4 steps. You should really just get started….
How To Become A Successful DJ
So you’ve chosen to read more…I’ll start by repeating this: becoming a DJ is easy; becoming a professional DJ who earns enough to live comfortably is monumentally difficult. You’ll start out working a lot of crappy gigs for very little money, if you get paid at all. Or even work at all.
If you don’t absolutely love what you do, it is highly unlikely you’ll have the drive to continue doing it through the hard times. But if you love it, DJing is the greatest job in the world.
Follow this 4-step guide on how to become a DJ and put in the work and you will be one of those lucky few who make a living doing what they love.
1. Getting only the equipment you actually need
You can’t be a DJ without the proper equipment. Unfortunately, that equipment is expensive, which is why I recommend you hold off on purchasing anything until you absolutely have to.
If you have access to DJ equipment to use for practice, take advantage. I’ve seen too many people run out and blow a ton of cash on gear only to discover a few weeks later that DJing isn’t really for them. Then they end up selling their equipment at a huge loss.
You also want to make sure you know exactly what you need before buying anything. If you don’t know the difference between a mixer and a controller, for example, then you should probably hold off on buying anything for now.
Whether you don’t have access to DJ equipment or you’ve been practicing for a while and you know without a doubt you’re ready to buy your own, eventually the time comes where you need to spend some cash.
Some of you may already know exactly what you want and need, but if you don’t, I break down the best setup for beginners on my equipment page.
2. Learning the Skills
If you know an established DJ who is willing to take you under their wing, then you’re set; that’s the best way to learn. Attending a DJ school can also get you access to a professional, but schools aren’t cheap. Most aspiring DJs will have to learn on their own.
I taught myself, as did probably the majority of professional DJs. And many of them will insist it’s the only way to become a DJ. I’m not personally opposed to paying someone to teach you, but not everyone can afford it—I certainly couldn’t when I was starting out. You can get started right now, and just listen to the way professional DJs mix tracks.
If you plan on learning on your own, you’re actually much better off than most current DJs were five or ten years ago: these days, there are a large number of resources available to help you speed up the learning process considerably and a lot of new technology is now much more affordable, like mixing software.
This is great news, if you want to play gigs as soon as possible. Of course, most of the best online lessons and resources are not free, but they cost far less than traditional lessons and there are actually some really good resources available for free as well.
The page on learning how to DJ lists some of the better resources and lessons available online, both free and paid.
3. Landing the First Gig
So you’ve got your equipment and you’ve learned how to use it. You’ve been practicing every day and your mixes sound great. You’ve even played your cousin’s 8th birthday party and totally stole the show from Binky the clown.
Unfortunately, that is currently the highlight of your DJ career. You need some real gigs—preferably ones that give you money because I’m guessing you enjoy eating several times a day and sleeping indoors.
If you follow the simple step-by-step guide in this section, you will get that all-important first booking. The guide is simple in that the steps are easy to follow; it’s not simple in terms of work. It will require a lot of hustling.
You’re going to have to market yourself and you’ll need to do some networking. There’s no way around this unless you already know the right people. Luckily, social media and other digital tools make this much easier than it used to be.
Anyone who tells you otherwise, is lying or already knew the right people when they were getting started. You’ll also want to create your own DJ website. Follow the steps here and it’ll be surprisingly easy.
If you hate the idea of promoting yourself and just want to play your music, that’s fine. Do it as a hobby. If you want to become a professional DJ, you absolutely have to market yourself.
In fact, you’ll have to spend more time on that than on actually playing music. That’s just the way it is. I don’t like it either, but it beats the alternative: a real job. So read the guide and implement the steps!
4. Growing a Career
Now that you’ve gotten over the hump and have played that all-important first gig, it’s time to think about your long-term career. That’s right, the hard work is far from over; it’s only just begun.
Getting more gigs, actually drawing a crowd, and then scoring larger gigs, will involve a lot of marketing and I know how much most of us hate marketing.
Unfortunately, marketing is absolutely vital. All the top DJs are on top because they know how to sell themselves. You need to sell yourself, too. It’s the only way to gain a loyal audience.
If you follow my tips in this section and put in the necessary work—hard work and a lot of it—you, too, will succeed in this industry and become a DJ. A successful one!
jad khazen says
so i borrowed the pioneer XDJ-AERO and i’m wondering if it’s a good set to begin djying with.
Camila says
Yeah, why not. Anything’s fine when you’re starting out and short on cash.
Presh says
Hello…pls what is d best way to approach a dj so he can take u under his wing…
i know quite a no. of djs now(they dont know me) buh i want to approach one 2 take me in…pls hw can i do dat
Camila says
I’d just strike up a conversation with a bunch of DJs until you meet one you get along well with. Then there’s a good chance you’ll end up becoming friends and he or she will be willing to help you out.
DJSpecX says
My friend and i are becoming dj’s beacuse we like music
Camila says
That’s as good a reason as any. I hope you succeed!
Tjee says
Sir I’m young and I want to be a professional dj so give me some idea’s for starting my career
Camila says
Read this guide. All the info is here.
Smorr gee says
Have always wish to be a dj,but i never want to do it because i see anyone doing it,have just get a real passion for it. Now my question is that what does it take to be a successfull dj most expecially when you dont have money
Camila says
Read this guide. I had it written to answer this exact question.
NST says
Hey!!
I’m a beginner..I really dont know the basics on how to DJ..so is that really necessary to go n buy the instrument without any basics or else to come up with some basics..and last question..I’m 20 now,when I once saw Garrix’s performance I was gone mad cause he s jsz 20 n he s turning the world crazy and I really felt like where am i..one thing which always pull me to start djing is because of my age..I feel like I’m bit late to start this…so can u help me through this feeling
Camila says
A lot of DJs start later than you. Age doesn’t matter. What matters is drive and perseverance. And no, you don’t need to buy equipment at first, if you can find some you can borrow.
Captain k says
Lol
igster6694 says
ok thanks bro
igster6694 says
hey camila so i am going to start djing and i have been trying to find equipment
and i dont know what to use to produce music
Camila says
I really like Mixcraft Pro Studio 7. You can check it out on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2gX1vAw
DjStargod says
i am a 14 year old from India inspired to become a dj. i dont have money to buy me the equipment but i use my phone to dj. is it ok to dj using a phone??
Camila says
Sure, why not? If it works, then go for it. It’s actually pretty great that you can do that. When I was 14, smartphones did not exist and I’ll be honest, I hadn’t even thought to use one for DJing until I read your comment.
The truth is, most of us start with no money and the cheapest equipment we can get. Once you start having some success, you will be able to upgrade. And you’re younger than most, so you’re getting a great head start. Good luck!
Ian says
Hey Camila, can give some advice about self confidence. I actually wanted to perform on stage as a DJ. I mean I have da skills but not not the bravery to do so
Camila says
This is a tough one to overcome. I was also shy when I first started and it definitely made things more difficult. I drank a lot, but that is probably the worst thing you can do. I’ve seen ads for online courses on building self-confidence, but I don’t remember that they were called and I don’t know if they’re any good.
Maybe you could perform while wearing some kind of disguise. It could even become your calling card.
Pedro Cruz says
Guys everything he is saying in this article is pretty much right. I been a DJ 6 years now. I’m 23 and loving it. One thing I like that you put was if your shy do start. Wait til you break the shyness away. I can tell you how many beginners DJs I’ve seen that were shy when doing an event.
Camila says
Yeah, shyness is something that hurts you in pretty much anything you do in life, including DJing. And it’s not an easy thing to get past either. I was painfully shy through high school and into college and really struggled to get past that. But once I did, everything changed for the better.
anasa says
i want to become dj so i can remix song like the djs
Camila says
You can do it! The first step is to just get started.
john mark jacalan says
I want to be dj…..because i like a dj music
Camila says
That’s as good a reason as any…..the best thing you can do is just get started!
kamohelo says
i would love to become a dj like black coffee but i dont want to use the same songs he uses
Camila says
That seems like an easy enough problem to solve: just use the songs you want to use.
Alex Angelone says
Hopefully i can buy someones equipment from one of those huge loses! I currently run my own business and i understand it is all about building relationships and taking risks. Becoming a DJ has been a dream of mine. This article has helped tremendously!
Camila says
I’m glad my article helped you out and wish you good luck in becoming a DJ. You can do it!
Kay says
I currently don’t know anyone that is a dj or know a dj right now. How can I get to know some to start learning dj-ing? THank you Camila.
Camila says
It’s not easy, but the best way is to go to the same club a lot and get to know everyone who works there. Eventually you will get to know the DJs, too. If they like you, they’ll probably be willing to help you out.
Jcraw says
one other thing can u be a young DJ
Camila says
Sure, most DJs start out when they’re young.
Jcraw says
I’m young and i want to be a Dj like marshmello but i dont what type of music he makes and what equipment he uses. I just need help with that.
Camila says
I don’t know much about Marshmello either. He’s probably got a website though. I’d start there. If you don’t find the info you’re looking for, get the contact info and ask.
arya says
sir is it compusory to learn to play the keyboard as it is the main instrument for producing new music?
Camila says
I wouldn’t say it’s necessary, but it would certainly help. It really depends on the type of music you want to create.
A.j says
Sir,
What kind of equipments?? Like DJ controller or native instruments or something else??
Camila says
We cover some of the equipment you might need on the DJ equipment page: https://musicaroo.com/best-dj-equipment-for-beginners/
john mark jacalan says
I want to be a dj
Rahul says
Thank you sir. But I can any work for earning mony during the practice?
Camila says
If you need money while practicing, you may have to get a part-time job outside of DJing.
If you’re already good enough to play simple gigs, start with things like birthday parties, weddings, etc. Sometimes fraternities hire DJs for their parties, if you’re in a college town.