DJing is a popular career for music lovers, allowing you to share your favourite tracks and show off your skills in London’s best clubs. It’s also a great way to earn a living from music, with experienced DJs making hundreds of pounds a night. 

This blog post will help you to take the first steps in your DJ career in London.

Go Out and Network

All DJs need to be a familiar face in their scene. Go to the club nights you love and keep going back. This will help you to become a fixture at clubs that play your kind of music, and promoters will always feel happier working with DJs that support their night.

Networking for DJs will often mean going out multiple times a week. Ensure you always stay within your limits so you can still focus on your music when the sun comes up. 

Approach Promoters

If you want to get hired, you must always communicate well with promoters. Experienced DJs might have promoters going directly to them, but all beginners in London need to start by approaching promoters directly with a mixtape or footage of you performing. This is easier if you follow the networking advice in the previous section.

As a new DJ, you may need to offer to DJ for free or at a discounted rate. Reducing the costs incurred by promoters heavily reduces the risk they are taking by working with you. Most will relish getting you on board to start the night, reducing the night’s operating costs at a time when it will be less busy.

However, make sure that you don’t become a pushover. Any discounts or free sets you are offering have to be a short-term strategy to unlock properly paid gigs in the future.

Become a Social Media Whiz

Being a recognisable face in London is one of the best ways to get a crowd on the side, and a buzz following your work is the best way to make promoters want to hire you.

In the current music scene, you must use social media to cultivate this attention. Take videos when you are practicing and at your gigs, and regularly upload high-quality content that showcases your skills and personality and displays how you are offering something different.

Make your Own Scene

Finally, if you have no luck breaking into pre-existing scenes, why not start your own? Most DJs have their own club night. This solid residency is the perfect launchpad for building your brand and the community around you. Meanwhile, if your work dries up, you always have something to fall back on.

Starting a club night is hard, and you will need to put your money at risk to get hold of equipment, produce fantastic marketing, and hire other DJs. The best way to approach this challenge is by starting small and hosting free parties at small venues that aren’t getting the love you think they deserve. 

Practicing with All Nighter Studios

Wherever you begin your DJing career in London, you need to make sure that your sets are seamless. All Nighter Studios is the perfect place to become a DJing machine, whatever your budget. 

You can practice 24/7 at our DJ Room (£6/h) or Pro DJ Room (£10/h). These rooms have Pioneer decks, mixing and controlling equipment, and state-of-the-art RCF speakers.

When you practice in these rooms, you will also have the opportunity to be featured on our social media, which could help you to get on the radar of the best club promoters