I have a major pet peeve with illiterate bios. Bios with broken English do not scream “BOOK ME.” On the flipside however, one isn’t usually hiring a DJ because of their excellent use of grammar. I still wouldn’t take a chance on that and get help if you’re having a hard time with it and always have someone give it a second read before you put it out there. It is far more professional to have a well-written bio.
- What is a well-written bio?
- What do I write about?
- Where do I start?
- How long should it be?
Like anything else in print, a well-written bio has good spelling, grammar and good flow. It should have some kind of structure as well. You can start with an outline and answer questions like this:
- Where you’re from?
- How did you start DJing?
- Who are your influences?
- What genre of music do you play and what is your DJ style?
- List a few accomplishments or points of interest.
- Latest projects and direction.
This is really all you need. Some people like to be different though. Like using quotes in their bio, or an interesting experience. If it flows well and makes sense then why not? I would also limit your bio to no more than a page in length. You don’t know who’s going to read it and with short attention spans you can’t afford to lose people.
And don’t forget to include your contact information and websites!
David Sabat
DJ Marketing 101 
Hey David. Good stuff. I didn’t see any mention of this but still just as important, let’s not forget that our bios have to be FACTUAL. I’ve read some bios where I happen to know the author took a bit too much artistic freedom and fabricated a good part of their history as a dj. Got some characters out here that paint an inaccurate picture regarding their status. good point to consider when writing your bio. You never know who might be out there reading….there are people that do know the truth. Big ups. ~cbug (david)
Hey David,
GREAT SITE BTW…. I love the educational aspect your doing here. It’s great! Keep up the good work!
I think a great question to ask, is…. How often should one update the bio? And how should it be marketed? To the average fan/consumer? or is it for promoters/industry types as a way to get gigs?
Depending on the perspective, it can be very different.
Also, I don’t really mind DJs that make up “fantasy” bios because at least they are being original and creative, sometimes even comical….
I also hate bios that are like, I have played with this so-and-so big name DJ, so that makes me cool….. really… we don’t care what bill you were on with who, we care about what music YOU make, not the music the other people you were once booked with made.
-Danny Livewire
Thanks for the great questions….
I think a bio should be a generic as possible. Meaning it should be created in such a way that the information there will always hold true. So if someone says they’re “currently working on…” then it will later have to be updated. I would stay away from this because your bio can get posted in many places that you can’t update…like a promoter uses it on a site to push an event or a mix. So write it so that it doesn’t have to be updated unless something really major happens to you that must go on there.
It can be marketed to everyone but push your mixes first. If someone wants to know more about you they will seek it out. Some DJs think bios are not needed but since many promoters use it for marketing you should have one. Also, if you should get written up in an article or magazine it will be expected that you have one. It’s all part of your media kit.
“Fantasy” bios – Personally, I like to know the real story. However, there is a difference between “fantasy” and “lies.” I know DJs who have fantasy bios because they see it as a joke or a gimmick. That is ok if it suits your needs. But lies I do not tolerate as Cratebug points out above.
Name dropping – to a degree it is expected. I do it when I cite my influences but I don’t talk about whom I’ve played with. You can see that in my pictures on my website….and let’s be honest…I want you to see these pictures, but I’m not going to use that in my bio to gain your respect. As I mentioned earlier, if people want to know more about you they will do their homework….but that info still has to exist somewhere for it to be found.
I get a lot of promo and bios and many…many DJ’s and artists drop names on them. Especially the big names. They frequently drop each others names in their bios…who they have played with, who played their songs in their radio show, and so on.
I can understand the way you guys see it…not wanting to “name drop” and look as if you are attempting to ride someone else’s success, however, a little name dropping is not a bad thing, and many times I think it can help add some familiarity to fans who otherwise would not have noticed your bio….as long as it is factual.
It is not a new concept in the advertising and entertainment world to promote a new product or artist to the fan base or consumers of an already established product or artist.
It’s been done that way for years.
Like I said, it’s not always a bad thing as long as it’s done tastefully.
Consumers are very impressionable, and can for the most part be led around by the nose…and sometimes the association will be enough to get them to check you out.
“it’s not always a bad thing as long as it’s done tastefully.” Agreed….that’s the trick right there. But when it’s obviously being used as a tool it looks bad.
..and I just wanted to add, that sometimes those associations are enough to get someone in the press to run your press or bio as well.
Name-dropping. I do it in live interviews….but it’s usually names that nobody knows. It’s people that ACTUALLY influenced me….local guys (djs) from around my old Neigh’ (Logan Square/Humboldt Park – Chgo).
Much respect to them, but you’ll never see me use the same “standard” Chicago House big names that appear in just about everybody’s bio as their influences. Cracks me up to see people using names in their bios that they KNOW command respect from yesterday and today’s House Heads. Some even use drop names (falsely) to solicit residencies out promoters and venues. I suspect that most people who use those “standard” names in their bio or for personal gain feel that some of that respect those names have rightfully earned for themselves might trickle down on them as well.
The only big names I’ve ever cited are those associated with WBMX (the first 5 any way), because it’s the truth, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t influenced by those cats.
Hey I even name drop when it comes to influences, but like you point out this is the
truth! I was actually influenced by the great pioneers of house because I was 16-17 years old at their live events. Growing up in Chicago in the 80s has that advantage. So I don’t mind the name dropping so much as long as you’re telling the truth as you put it.
Now if someone is really looking at you they will see who you’ve worked with…provided that you’ve put it out there. I’m not talking about name dropping this time but it goes back to having a solid web presence. I don’t have to drop name because if you glanced at my schedule or my photo gallery you’ll find all the info is there. So I am of the belief that you should have it out their somewhere but don’t brag or flaunt it.
hi my name dj thumper i leave in los angeles cali…
David. First off thank you for your web site. Tons of help.
How would you incorporate non DJ related things that would be of similar interest. Such as. Getting a custom car that your built published in an international car magazine? Or if you are a respected as a teacher? If you are making a product that is top shelf?
Thanks again.
Great post. I’ve been looking for this exact information for a while now. Bookmarked!
Well I was just searching on Google for some videos and songs of my favorite singers and just came across your blog, generally I just visit blogs and retrieve my required information but this time the useful information that you posted in this post compelled me to reply here and appreciate your good work. I just bookmarked your blog :).
Love your blog, i recently came across your blog and have been reading along.. I never comment on those blogs, even when the content is great
Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your thoughts? I mean, what you say is important and everything. But its got no punch, no pop! Maybe if you added a pic or two, a video? You could have such a more powerful blog if you let people SEE what youre talking about instead of just reading it.
nice blog
Wow! Great tinihkng! JK
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hey Friend , i like w/ u idea. Do you have twitter or facebook so i can follow you ?
[…] Who are you? How to write a good bio. May 2009 16 comments 3 […]
I’m influenced by djs that let me in their studio like steve haywood, andrew dean and tom newitt and dan phillips
Please help me on how to manage young good Djs because at the moment i am managing 2djs. i am starting
This blog was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally
I have found something that helped me. Thank you!
Thanks!
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Howdy this is kind of of off topic but I was wondering
if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding experience so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience.
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Great article David. I’m not sure if you listed the content in order of importance, but I would say that 5. about achievements is pretty crucial.
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