In this episode of The Mobile DJ Mastery Podcast, DJ 2FOUR7 emphasizes the importance of building a small network of like-minded DJs, highlighting how such connections can significantly enhance a DJ's career. DJ 2FOUR7 discusses the benefits of sharing bookings, supporting one another, and exchanging valuable insights and music. DJ 2FOUR7 also addresses the negative impact of trolling within the DJ community and advocates for unity and collaboration over competition.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Build a Small DJ Network: Every DJ should establish a small network of at least two other DJs to share bookings, support, and ideas. This network can help enhance your business and provide a sense of community.

• Share Bookings and Recommendations: When unable to take a booking, recommend your network members to clients. This not only helps your peers but also maintains good customer service and can lead to reciprocal recommendations.

• Support and Learning: Having a network allows DJs to share experiences, struggles, and successes. This support system can provide valuable insights and learning opportunities that can enhance your skills and business.

• Avoid Competition Mentality: Shift your mindset from viewing other DJs as competition to seeing them as potential collaborators. This can lead to shared resources, ideas, and ultimately, more business opportunities.

• Engage in Physical Meetups: Attend DJ events and meetups to connect with other DJs in person. Building relationships in real life can strengthen your network and lead to more meaningful collaborations and support.

BEST MOMENTS

"Every single DJ must have a really small network of other DJs... you're looking for three of you."

"One of the worst things as a DJ is getting bookings and then throwing them out into the ether."

"Don't throw them out to the winner. Don't just be like, oh, I'm not available and hope you find a DJ."

"The only people that think about competition are people that are scared."

"Having that network is so powerful in so many ways, not only with bookings, but when it comes to support."

OUR SOCIAL LINKS

https://dj2four7.com/

https://www.instagram.com/dj2four7/

https://www.instagram.com/mobiledjmastery/

https://www.tiktok.com/@2four7dj

HOST BIO

With over 20 years in the entertainment industry, DJ 2FOUR7 brings a wealth of experience to this podcast. From DJing in bars, clubs, and festivals to hosting nightclub events and promoting large-scale festivals, DJ 2FOUR7 has done it all. As one of the first urban promoters to launch an international independent festival in Malta, he also built and managed his own distribution and marketing business. During the lockdown, DJ 2FOUR7 created a groundbreaking pop-up DJ concept that achieved massive online success. Today, he leads a thriving entertainment business specialising in weddings and corporate events. Combining innovation, passion, and humour, DJ 2FOUR7 is the ideal guide to help aspiring DJs elevate their careers.

In this episode of the Mobile DJ Mastery Podcast, DJ 2FOUR7 welcomes Afaron Gordon to dive deep into the world of talent agencies with a seasoned talent agent. Afaron shares valuable insights on the importance of branding, marketing, and legalities such as public liability insurance and PAT testing. Afaron emphasize the need for DJs to showcase their skills through engaging visual content rather than traditional audio mixes, and they discuss the significance of setting appropriate pricing structures for different types of events.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Importance of Branding and Marketing: DJs should focus on building a strong personal brand and effective marketing strategies. This includes having a consistent social media presence that showcases live performances and audience engagement, rather than just audio mixes.

2. Legal Requirements: DJs must have public liability insurance and a PAT test certificate for their equipment. These legalities are crucial for working with venues, especially post-COVID, as many venues now require proof of these certifications.

3. Unique Selling Proposition: DJs should strive to differentiate themselves by offering unique experiences, such as collaborations with other musicians or incorporating live instruments into their sets.

4. Pricing Strategy: DJS need to have tiered pricing based on the type of event (corporate, private, etc.). Having a single price for all events can undervalue their services.

5. Content Creation: Regularly producing visual content, such as videos of live performances or engaging social media posts, is vital. This not only helps in marketing but also provides potential clients with a clear idea of the DJ's style and capabilities, making it easier for them to make booking decisions.

BEST MOMENTS

"I thought, why not bring on a talent agent and find out what do they want from DJs?"

"I realized I could do A&R. I could be a music producer, do music for film. There’s so much more I can do."

"I kind of stayed away from DJs mainly because, A, I don't think they know how to brand themselves properly."

"Don't send me a mixtape. No one cares about the audio. I need to see you mixing in that video."

"Today's price is not yesterday's price. When you join the agency now, what your undercut price is, we immediately double it."

GUEST SOCIALS

https://www.instagram.com/afaron_gordon/

https://www.instagram.com/mmtauk/

https://linktr.ee/momentummusictalentagency?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadPI8jpyWZHCjiWw74qXJaEHegTJlcfBtZSQfjg3eCOJiYIa0fazQHiTPE1lw_aem_KGG0nxv5wKKdrIAAHApJGQ

OUR SOCIAL LINKS

https://dj2four7.com/

https://www.instagram.com/dj2four7/

https://www.instagram.com/mobiledjmastery/

https://www.tiktok.com/@2four7dj

HOST BIO

With over 20 years in the entertainment industry, DJ 2FOUR7 brings a wealth of experience to this podcast. From DJing in bars, clubs, and festivals to hosting nightclub events and promoting large-scale festivals, DJ 2FOUR7 has done it all. As one of the first urban promoters to launch an international independent festival in Malta, he also built and managed his own distribution and marketing business. During the lockdown, DJ 2FOUR7 created a groundbreaking pop-up DJ concept that achieved massive online success. Today, he leads a thriving entertainment business specialising in weddings and corporate events. Combining innovation, passion, and humour, DJ 2FOUR7 is the ideal guide to help aspiring DJs elevate their careers.

In this episode of the podcast, DJ 2FOUR7 introduces a new segment called "Story Time," where he shares a personal experience from a challenging DJ gig that nearly escalated into a fight. He recounts the events leading up to the incident, including a corporate Christmas party where he faced disrespect from a drunken attendee demanding specific music. DJ 2FOUR7 reflects on the lessons learned from the experience, emphasizing the importance of maintaining professionalism, the dangers of discounting services, and the need for clear communication in high-pressure situations.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Avoid Discounts: Accepting lower fees can lead to disrespectful treatment and negative experiences. It's important to stick to your pricing to maintain the value of your service.

• Maintain Professionalism: Keeping your cool in challenging situations is crucial. A moment of lost temper can overshadow your professionalism and affect how others perceive you.

• Understand Client Behavior: Recognize that intoxicated clients may act out of character. It's essential to manage interactions with them carefully and not take their behavior personally.

• Know Your Rights: Having clear clauses in your contract regarding abuse and the right to terminate services can protect you in difficult situations. Always ensure you are legally covered.

• Communicate Clearly: If issues arise, it's important to communicate clearly with the client about expectations and boundaries. Providing warnings and seeking resolution can help avoid escalation.

BEST MOMENTS

"What you're paying for is what you saw... You're not just paying for a DJ, you're paying for what you saw and you want that to happen again."

"I thought it was fine. I thought it was okay. Anyway, there comes a point when the woman who booked me comes out... she is also intoxicated."

"When the guy said that, I haven't heard these kind of terminologies since I was in college... I literally, I saw red and I grabbed the guy by his shirt."

"One of the most important ones for me was keep your cool. I lost my cool guys for about eight seconds."

"Discounting your price, sometimes you don't know what you're getting yourself into... the respect just wasn't there from the get-go."

OUR SOCIAL LINKS

https://dj2four7.com/

https://www.instagram.com/dj2four7/

https://www.instagram.com/mobiledjmastery/

https://www.tiktok.com/@2four7dj

HOST BIO

With over 20 years in the entertainment industry, DJ 2FOUR7 brings a wealth of experience to this podcast. From DJing in bars, clubs, and festivals to hosting nightclub events and promoting large-scale festivals, DJ 2FOUR7 has done it all. As one of the first urban promoters to launch an international independent festival in Malta, he also built and managed his own distribution and marketing business. During the lockdown, DJ 2FOUR7 created a groundbreaking pop-up DJ concept that achieved massive online success. Today, he leads a thriving entertainment business specialising in weddings and corporate events. Combining innovation, passion, and humour, DJ 2FOUR7 is the ideal guide to help aspiring DJs elevate their careers.