5 Ways to Promote your DJ Business WHILE DJing

One of the most important things I can stress is to remember you are a Business Owner and Marketer FIRST.  A DJ second.  (A lot of people don’t like to hear that, but if you want to book MORE events at HIGHER prices, that is the FIRST thing you must come to terms with)   This does not mean that your ability to read the crowd and play the right music at the right times is NOT important, it just means you can’t do what you LOVE into you actually book events (the business side).  In this article I want to focus on FIVE simple and easy ways you can promote your DJ services WHILE DJing.

REMEMBER!  At every party/wedding/event you do, EVERY guest is a potential customer OR knows a potential customer.  Your first few events will probably have you focusing the majority of your energy on how well you perform, but as your confidence builds, you want to focus on marketing YOUR services.  Here’s how…

1.  The Business Card-Don’t leave home without it!

DUH!  No brainer right?!  Have business cards and bring them with you!  Genius concept, I know!  Let’s look at a few Business Card Strategies you can use.

First, put cards on your DJ booth so that anyone who approaches will want to grab some. Make them clearly visible and put them next to your Song-Request forms.  Secondly, keep more cards in your back pocket.  Anytime you walk around and leave your booth (even for a second) you can strike up a conversation and pass your card out.  Another great tip is to put some cards on the Bar!  The guests will frequent the bartender more than the DJ so quickly befriend the bartender (tip him) and put your cards next to his!  Towards the end of the evening, I’ll also walk around and hand out cards to all the guests thanking them for coming.  It works!

For specific tips and tricks for designing the PERFECT Business Card, check out a previous article of mine on Mobile DJ Business Cards

2.  Mingle!

Depending on the type of event you are working, there may be plenty of down time.  This is a great opportunity to get out from behind your DJ booth and interact with the guests.  Walking around, introducing yourself and handing out song request forms is a great way to connect with the audience and promote your services.  Just don’t let it distract you from your actual work!!

3.  Other Promotional Material

This is your chance to really go the extra mile.  Have your created a Promotional Packet for potential clients?  What about a DVD about your services?  Do you have brochures that you can hand out to guests who are interested in your services?  ANY additional information you have to help persuade the guest on the spot is going to help.  Think out of the box too!  What about customized pens, cocktail napkins, keychains, magnets, etc!  Get creative here!

4.  Cheese!  It’s Picture time!

Here is a very sneaky trick I use all the time!  I bring my camera and start taking pictures of the guests as the night progresses and the energy kicks in.  These pictures are really for my website, BUT I also want to give a copy to each guest.  In order to do that, I’ll need their email address.  No one ever says no to that request!!  With their email, I put them on my enewsletter list and they’ll get my weekly updates.  NOW I stay fresh in their heads and when their friend needs a DJ, they just forward my latest email over!

5.  Excel!

This is probably the most important tip (hence why I saved it for last!)  I think hands down, the most effective way to get more business is to EXCEL in what you do!  Give 110%, hustle and always stay busy!  If this means you are helping the client take out the trash, (I’ve done stuff like cut & served birthday cake and help set up) you have to realize that people see that!  YOU are an entertainer!  Eyes are on YOU! (Sorry for the pressure!) You have to be on your “A-Game’ at all times!  If you EXCEL, others will want YOU for their event and the four steps before this one will all be a slam dunk!)  So…to drive this point home and risk being redundant, remember: while you are being paid to perform at this next event, you are also being evaluated by every single guest as a candidate for THEIR next DJ.  Do you have what it takes?

In Conclusion:

Your goal as a DJ business owner is to have a consistent flow of incoming events.  The more the better, right?  You get to choose the ones you want and ignore the rest while steadily increasing your prices.  The best part is that the MORE events you do, the more NEW clients you’ll start meeting.  Don’t ignore the business and marketing side of promoting your services at your events.  Make a rules for yourself like getting the names and email addresses of 10 people before the end of the night.  Or handing out at least 20 business cards.  This is the first of many steps to create that constant surge of events coming your way!  Good luck!