| I see a lot of DJs all making the same mistakes and | | | | charts. So it amazes me that I see some DJs trying to |
| very often they don't even realise they are making | | | | play tracks to a packed crowd that they clearly don't |
| mistakes. They normally end up blaming the crowd and | | | | know. Makes me laugh even more when you realise |
| then the club managers for not booking them when | | | | the only person dancing in the club is the DJ himself! |
| really they caused these problems for themselves! | | | | 3) Not promoting |
| 1) Not reading the crowd | | | | There used to be a time when DJs would be able to |
| Reading the crowd is one of the most important skills | | | | get gigs ahead of other DJs simply for having better |
| a DJ has to learn. This can only really be built with | | | | tracks and mixing skills. Back in the days when vinyl |
| experience so don't worry if your crowd reading skills | | | | was the main format for music, some DJs would gain |
| are not quite there yet. However, most crowd reading | | | | access to tracks which really were exclusive. In this |
| is just common sense. You turn up to a gig and look at | | | | digital era almost every DJ has access to the same |
| the crowd. The average age, race, what they are | | | | tracks and laptops can mean that most DJs don't |
| wearing and ratio of men to women are all factors | | | | even have to try too hard to perfect their mixing skills. |
| that should tell you just what type of music you should | | | | Therefore, most DJs are at the same level music wise |
| be playing to them. If I turned up at a gig and the | | | | and technically so the only way to really stand out is to |
| crowd was mainly 30+ women I know that a great | | | | be able to attract a crowd with your name. Most DJs |
| selection of 80s & 90s classics would go down better | | | | hate this fact and say they should just be booked |
| with them then the latest electro house! Its just | | | | because they are good but it's such a competitive field |
| common sense but you will be surprised how many | | | | these days that you need to stand out. If you can |
| DJs try and force feed music on to a crowd and then | | | | promote your name to such a level that wherever you |
| wonder why they aren't dancing! | | | | DJ you attract people to come and attend then you |
| 2) Being Self Indulgent | | | | will get booked a lot more then the other DJ who just |
| This is quite similar to not reading the crowd but | | | | turns up and plays music. Some clubs will even pay |
| actually even worse. This is when a DJ will be playing | | | | you extra money per person you bring so it can be a |
| just for himself then trying to entertain the crowd. For | | | | good money spinner too. It's not really too hard to do |
| example, I know some DJs that really love their House | | | | with social networking sites so just put in a bit of effort |
| music. They are really deep into it and know the latest | | | | and you will reap rewards. |
| and most obscure tracks. Most average club crowds | | | | So if you're a DJ just starting out, try hard not to make |
| don't share the same musical knowledge as DJs and | | | | those mistakes and you should have a longer career |
| normally only really know tracks that have been in the | | | | then most. |