In the last issue we discussed the 1st part of professionalism as an artist.  We dove into the artist’s general professional behavior and his attitudes toward professionalism.  I think that we laid a pretty good solid foundation to build upon.  I thought it was important to do that to understand the general behavior of a successful artist.  We now will move onto more meat on how to secure gigs that will help your career locally, regionally and so on as you expand your influence.  We will also discuss ways to hold onto the connections you desperately need to maintain your money making ability.  Hopefully we as a community are using some of the thoughts from the first part of this two part series.

As an EDM performer it is crucial for you to have lots of options.  What I mean by that is if you only have one or two promoters that like you and are interested in booking you, then well… you are bound by those two.  If your rolodex or better yet, cell phone contacts are filled with numerous promoters from various locations then you have a better chance at some bookings.  Also it is important to clearly define the type of shows that you will do.  Are you interested in doing a car show at a coffee shop for free?  Is there a benefit there for you?  What about DJing at Aeropostale or another higher-end clothing shop at the mall?  Is it worth it for you to spend a couple hours there DJing?  These are questions that only you can answer.  It is so important to keep your options open, but in the same regard to clearly define what events have at least a small benefit to you.  I believe a good rule of thumb for DJs and EDM artists to have is a list to go by to determine if the gig is worthwhile.  Here is an example.  I must have almost all things check marked yes for me to take the gig.

1. Do I have the chance to build new fans?  Can people come up and interact with me who may have a serious interest in this music and me?
2. Can I meet a promoter, club owner, DJ, radio station manager that I can get some contact information from?
3. Do I have a chance to get booked again at a good rate of pay.
4. Is this atmosphere in which I’m DJing represent me in a great light.
5. Does this show look good on the ole resume.

These are sample questions that you need to ask yourself.  I’m not saying that these questions are for you.  Maybe you are just starting to DJ/perform out.  You probably would have a more lenient list.  I have been DJing out 11 years.  I am more picky about events that I’ll do.  When I first started performing I would take any show, any time, at any place.  I soon found out that this was a waste of time.  Since January I have turned down about 6 potential shows because they did not make sense to me and my career.  In fact I believe I could have turned a crowd off to what I was doing at the event.  So keep your options open, but also have a clear point of view as to what events are for you.

Every artist is looking for creative ways to find new gigs.  I’m going share a few simple ways to find the gigs you are looking for, close the deal on them, and of course secure future gigs.  Remember that this is a good way to do this.  I am not saying it is the only way.

Craigslist.com.   Here is one way you can get gigs.  Go to craigslist.com search for “DJ” under gigs, events, community, and jobs in the closest city to where you live.  Also search for “Disc Jockey” and any other word that seems appropriate.  I have found some good gigs that pay using this.  I got to be honest.  It is a lot of digging with little success rate.  But honestly all it takes is another big connection for you to get the gigs you want right?  Take a shot and something may pan out.
Email blasts to churches and community groups.  Are you interested in performing in front of youth groups?  Send something like this out to them:

Hi, my name is ______and I am a ______________.  I just wanted to introduce myself and see if I could be of some service to you and your ministry.  I currently am booking shows for the ____and ____ of ____.  I have done almost ___ DJ shows and have ___ years experience under my belt.  I can provide your event with lighting, sound, and of course an experienced DJ.  Some of the events that are in my expertise include youth lock-ins, concerts, pool parties, proms, JR/SR banquets, receptions, dance parties, celebrations, grand opening events, anniversaries, skating rinks, fall/spring festivals, and car shows.

I can play a wide range of music for your event from Christian contemporary music, Christian hiphop, Christian Dance music, or just mainstream dance music.  My rates are very negotiable at this point as I really view what I do as a ministry to churches, youth groups, and schools.  If you are interested in more information, you can view my website: ________________and check out a few mixes and photos of some Christian events that I have done.  I also have numerous churches in the ______ area that I have done events with and can provide all kinds of references if needed.   All of my contact information is below if you are interested in booking or just chatting about the services that I can offer your group for your event.  Thank you very much for your time.

In Christ,
___________________

This blast to churches can be a very effective tool to introducing yourself to groups of youth leaders and community groups who may not even have considered a DJ or EDM performer at their events.  This type of letter with a CD inserted inside the package will get you gigs with youth groups and Christian leaders that you haven’t met yet.

Another way to secure gigs with production companies is to provide a service for them.  If you want to DJ for the largest or second largest crew in the city, offer to help them for free.  You can pass out flyers, offer to set up the event, post on the internet about the event, or offer to clean up when it is over.  I personally believe if you do these things that you can make connections with promoters and fellow DJs.  There are many production companies who are booking their friends.  You certainly must have some talent and I believe if you are reading this far you probably do.  Get out there and network.  Kevin Oneel wrote a brilliant article about this: http://www.tastyfresh.com/content/view/299/32/.   I will not go into the details as he really delves into it pretty heavily.  If you network properly then good things are going to happen.

Another way to secure gigs is to get a reputation for playing what the crowd wants.  I DJ in Augusta, Georgia at the largest positive teen party in Georgia once a month.  I get paid very well for doing this event and I want to keep doing it.  I only had to do this once that I realized at the beginning of my first set that trance, house, D&B, and electro were not going to work.  I drive around 4 hours to spin funky breaks. 

It goes over extremely well and fits the type of crowd and demographic beautifully; which is teens and some pre-teens.   I have a very good reputation up there.  I certainly would not want to blow that by playing exactly what I want to play.  This is crucial for maintaining gigs and contacts.  Once you get gigs you play what the crowd demands.  You certainly will figure this out the more you do events.  This is the very essence of holding onto future gigs and a consistent flow of gigs coming in.  You must play the crowd.

The last thing I wanted to discuss on the idea of getting gigs is gig-trading, city-swapping, etc.  Basically you let a performer/DJ in your city and then they hook you up in their city.  I will use an example.  Aric Wilde of “da gathering” brings me down to Gulf Shores for shows.  I am bringing him up to Atlanta twice for shows.  Kevin Oneel has brought me down to DJ in Birmingham.  I am bringing him up to Atlanta.  This is networking to a degree, but in essence it is a good resume-builder to have more cities on your “previous gig listing” then just your hometown.   It benefits both DJs and accomplishes the purposes for both of them.  Keep in mind too that when you DJ out of town you have a chance for more fans, more contacts, and pretty much a fun road trip in general.

I hope you enjoyed this mini-series.  Hopefully this has been of some use to you and your career as a professional.  If you have any questions at all contact me in the tastyfresh.com forums and I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions, concerns, or disagreements you may have.