How to Get DJ Gigs With Under 500 Followers (No Social Media Presence)

You don’t need 10K followers to land DJ gigs, you need to understand your unique selling point (USP) and formulate a strategy. Having a large fan base on social media certainly helps, but spending time on social media can often detract you from easier ways to land DJ gigs. DJ bookers often care more about a DJ's professionalism, USP, music, crowd response and word-of-mouth reputation than follower count. Here’s how to bypass the algorithm and get booked for more DJ gigs without the endless scroll!

1. Define Your Unique Selling Point

The DJ industry is a marketplace based on the simple economic rule of supply and demand. If what you're selling is common and easy to replicate, the price will be lower. If you are rare and have something unique, you'll benefit from increased demand and ultimately get paid more. There are thousands of talented DJs an event organiser could choose from, so what makes you special?

Find ways to differentiate yourself from the crowd. You need to stand out to attract attention and get paid DJ bookings. Here are some common things that DJs use the stand out:

✔ Produce Music: DJs will often learn how to produce their own tracks and remixes. This is the number one way to differentiate yourself from other artists. Once you've defined your own sound, you'll need to release music either through a record label or by self-publishing.

✔ Sound Different: If you want to be ahead of the pack, you need to sound different. Think about how you can elevate your style to become a new genre, way of mixing or something that is distinct from other DJs.

✔ Look Different: DJing is also a visual art form. How can you take advantage of your looks to get more attention? DJs often wear costumes, have incredible or outlandish style or simply emphasise something about their look. Think Daft Punk, for example.

✔ Play Different: Your performance behind the DJ decks can be a signature identifier. Perhaps you go mad behind the decks, bouncing up and down, mixing on ten turntables or throwing cake at the crowd! What performance stunts could you become known for?

✔ Get a Narrative: What is your unique story? Imagine you were a DJ magazine journalist and wanted to interview a DJ, wouldn't you want a cool back story in your article? So many DJs don't really have anything to say, take the advantage and fashion your own script.

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Having a USP will help you attract attention rather than constantly begging for it online. Think of inventive ways you can use the power of a unique selling point in your DJ career.

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2. Become a Scene Queen

Real-life networking is the best way to make contacts in the DJ industry and start getting booked. Most club promoters book people they know from real life, rather than online. Find the best parties and clubs to visit, get to know the promoters, spread your real-life social wings and you'll start getting booked. Take a business card, get their phone number or email and arrange meetings IRL. In a world of social media, real-life encounters are so much more valuable and respected.

3. Use Traditional Promotional Tools

Let's face it, everyone is sick to death of social media, we're addicted, but we also know we don't want to use it as much. People are screaming for ways to exit the matrix and go off-grid. You can use that to your advantage. Why not send out a paper invitation to a party in the post? Most people haven't received anything other than a bill in the mail for years, imagine how much more impressive a pyhsical invitation is than a facebook invite? Here are some old school methods to promote yourself:

✔ Collect Phone Numbers & Emails: It's more powerful to contact someone directly by phone or email than social media. People pay more attention to messages by text and email than spammy instagram or facebook notifications. Don't just sit on these contacts though, actively engage with them.

✔ Printed Invitations: Everyone loves the joy of a printed object instead of a throw-away digital flyer. People only tend to print invites when it's special, like a wedding, so it has far more impact. Make your event, release or DJ gig special by inviting people with a special printed keepsake. Deliver it by hand or by post for maximum impact.

✔ Send Demos & Promos by Mail: Do you want to get signed to a big record label but never hear back when you email or send messages online? Skip the spammy social media messages and aim for the real-life inbox. In the digital age, sending a physical piece of mail is far more effective. Why not send your demo on a special USB in a custom box to the label with a themed cake or gift? It will certainly by more eye-catching. How can you make a IRL impression?

✔ Network In-person: Meeting people in person is more memorable than online. Making the effort to take time out of your day for someone else will always create a deeper relationship. If you're trying to network, find ways of doing it in person over online. DJ networking events, music conferences, seminars and masterclasses are all excellent places to start.

✔ Make Phone Calls: Many younger DJs are accustomed to avoid phone calls. However, phone calls are the most convenient way for direct contact. Once you enter the business world, you realise how the simple phone call reigns supreme. Become comfortable with talking on the phone. In today's day and age it's a superpower!

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Explore these ideas on how to get DJ gigs without social media and let us know about you progress!

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If you're still looking for your first DJ gigs and want to improve your DJ skills, productions or music business acumen, get in touch! We offer industry-led DJ courses, music production and music business courses from our studios in the UK or online.

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FAQ Section

Q: Can you get DJ gigs with no experience?

A: Yes. Graduates of DJ Gym and London Sound Academy have access to DJ gigs at incredible venues. Join these DJ academies or find a local DJ school that offers the same.

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Q: How do you get DJ gigs?

A: Once you've learnt how to DJ you can focus on contacting promoters and DJ bookers directly. Normally, you will contact a booker through their social media profiles, website or by calling them directly. We recommend trying to meet them in person where possible for maximum impact.

Q: Do you need a license to DJ?

A: No, you don't need a license to DJ but having a recognised certification like the LSA Pro DJ Course Certification will help.

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Q: Do UK clubs care about follower counts?
A: Smaller venues care more about ticket sales than followers. If you can bring a crowd and deliver a great set they won't care about your social numbers.

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