DJs who are not as busy as they would like to be may have painted themselves into a corner. If you only play in one market, or on one side of the town, or even one style of music, then it’s going to be hard to keep a regular schedule.
This is mainly directed at those in a niche market such as deep house. Main stream DJs who play hip-hop and pop etc. may not experience this problem as much. One thing to know about House, is that there are different styles of house and several different markets in a big city like Chicago. There is the North side where you are more likely to hear more of “today’s” house and many different genres of it. The South side is known more for classic disco and tracks. There is also a Latino market for House in Chicago. This crowd is spread out…North, South, and West. They like Latin house, old school, freestyle and a touch of the new joints. Of course I don’t mean to generalize here. It’s about knowing your market.
The real trick is being able to play on every side of town without changing your style and your identity. I love playing for a crowd that expects old school all night and I give them new music. Now I don’t bombard them with it, I mix it up or play new tracks with old school samples to keep it familiar and meanwhile feed them the new joints in between. Giving them what they expect builds trust. Once they trust that you know your stuff and you know what they like, you have the crowd in the palm of your hands and they are yours to play with. Then when you come back, they “expect” you to play new music…or YOUR style of music, and you have now separated yourself from other DJs and created, or maintained, your identity. When you have a specific style or identity that people want, you create demand. It is then easier to reach new and different markets. Of course this doesn’t happen over night or in one gig…just something to think about.
David Sabat
DJ Marketing 101 
a real DJ should be able to play all types of music anyways.
Being able to play everything and choosing to play it are not the same thing. I used to play everything but now I only play deep house. I focus on that niche market because it is the only music I find fulfilling. I was burned out on pop and main stream music. For me, playing everythign is not appealing at all. I would rather not DJ then become a jukebox…again. Howeve, there are man yDJs who do play several different genres and are very talented at keeping the flow.
GK, David, I agree with you both. If a DJ really has skill, he can play all types. (The club & radio DJs in Panama (as in Panama Canal) HAD to be musically versatile (else they would be unemployed). However, as David pointed out, some would rather not be versatile. Similarly, I do not like playing pop or pretty much anything mainstream that people can here on the radio or is the latest dance track “burning up the club dance floors”. (I look at it like this… anyone, even my 5-yr old son, can get people to dance to music they know!! Versatility has to be by choice.
Of course Being able to play everything and choosing to play it are not the same thing. i never gave the impression that i did not no the difference, after 30 years of DJing how could i not.
i choose to be well versed in everything because thats how i grew up in the 70s and 80s playing music, there was no house back then so you had to play all types of genres.
i take pride in this and i am able to have great time making a living by doing this..i love my house but reality is reality…..
i love Djing professionally period……
to each his own…
i predict for most of us its gonna come back to that too.
which supports your tips on Branching out ….
hahaha
s’cuse the typo on “Know” i spelled no instead…
Years of experience is the key!
Question: Aside from working directly with a party promoter, what are some proven strategies for marketing directly to a club or bar for a guest appearance or a residency?
Thanks!
What up Nick?
Man I would say it’s all in the numbers. You know bar owners mostly worry about making money. If the numbers are there in terms of head count and bar ring, then they will be down for whatever. A solid demonstration of promotion is important as well. Otherwise they will be taking a big risk. Now some owners know what’s up and what’s worth taking a risk on and may work with you.