Research venue
- When preparing for a DJ gig, you need to know your environment. Researching your environment will give you a better insight into what music best suits the venue you are going to be playing. In big cities, they're multiple venues with different music scenes scattered all throughout, a simple Google search and maybe a youtube video if any are out there, can help you make a successful gig. Another tip that can help you with your research is that if you are somewhat close to the venue that you will be playing at and your gig is spaced out from when you're booked, try visiting the venue at least once to get a feel of what the vibe is like so you can have a better understanding of what to do when it is your time. Listening and watching other DJs who are in the same venue as you can help you grow and be unstoppable.
Know your client's request
- Understanding what your client wants for the gig is very important, not only for making a successful gig but it creates trust that gets passed to other clients, who are in need of good DJs. You always want to leave a good impression. The best tool that gets all of your client's requests in order is to make a contract for your client. I will elaborate more soon on How To Make a DJ Contract, but let's get the gig first! Making a contract protects you financially and sets the rules straight, but it also gives your client the ability to detail their event and select their playlist. Playing what they want to hear is all you should focus on unless instructed otherwise by the organizer which is likely to happen so be prepared.
Budgeting expenses
- For some DJs, expenses are included in the budget and that includes travel and hotel. Travel should never have a huge impact on your budget. This should only apply if your gig is so far away that you know for a fact your not coming back home on that same day, you need to make a plan. You don't need a fancy hotel that cost two arms and an eyeball for one night, just a nice one that's clean and not too pricy. If you are within driving distance of a gig, know how much you will need to spend on tolls and gas. If you are flying to a gig, I hope this gig is worth it.
What setup are you bringing
- Knowing your setup is crucial. You never want to bring too little or too much to a gig. Most venues will have speakers and all you will need to bring is your controller and laptop, or even just a laptop because clubs have their own controllers. Know what the venue has as well. Make sure all wires are compatible with your setup for connectivity. Make sure everything is working properly and that you are ready to go.
Get the music ready
- You are all set to go for the gig. Your client signed and finished the contract, your expenses are calculated, and you know what setup you need to bring to the gig. Now it's time to get your music ready for the event. If you are using Serato or any other DJ software, make and organize your DJ crates. Structure them how you want them to appear when you open your laptop. Go through some songs and see if you can make creative transitions to show during your set. Categorize all your music so you know where to find it when you need it.