Here we go again. I’m on the road to Snow King in Wyoming for another wedding, but I’ve got something on my mind. Let’s talk about the business side of being a DJ.
Now don’t get it twisted — I absolutely hate the corporate world. The lifeless meetings, the jargon, the fake smiles, the “maximize shareholder value” bullshit. None of that is me. But here’s the thing: if you want to be more than just a bedroom DJ, you’ve got to learn how to flip the switch into a DJ business mindset.
Why? Because if you want gigs, people need to know who you are. If you want to sell music, fans need to know where to find it. And the way you make that happen is marketing. That’s it. Marketing is tied to business. If you want to support yourself as an artist, you need to learn how to get your brand in front of people’s faces.
Why Marketing for DJs Matters
I’ve got experience running businesses — taxes, partners, the whole mess. And every time I spin up a new project (DJing, running a label, promoting events), I have to shift gears and think like a business owner. That means separating personal from business, keeping friendships and deals clean, and realizing that promotion is part of the job.
My weapon of choice? SEO. Go Google “Progressive House DJ in Idaho” or “progressive house event promoter.” You’ll see me pop up. That’s not an accident. I’ve been putting in the time. And guess what? Because of that, I’ve been contacted by booking agents and artists who headline festivals. Not bad for someone who isn’t the biggest promoter in Idaho Falls.
The reality is simple: marketing works. And if you want to grow, you’ve got to use the same tools.
The Cost Barrier
As a married 44 year old male, I have certain advantages over younger DJs and producers. What I lack in time ahead of me, I have an abundance of wisdom and experience built up from the time behind me. I have always been of a spend he least amount you can to get the job done mindset. That’s why I have embraced using AI in my marketing strategy (and you should, too).
That all being said, the most valuable piece of information/advice given to me when I started was to get set up with the FREE platforms that are being used by people in your social life (Bandsintown), your “brand” life (your website), and your professional life (Bandcamp).
In other words, if you are a DJ who is beginning to make some noise, then these are the next logical, free to low-cost, improvements you can make professionally.
Step One: Get on Bandsintown for DJs
If you’re a DJ and want to start playing shows outside your bedroom, get your ass on Bandsintown. I’ve had fans and promoters find me there, plain and simple. Tons of websites scrape data from Bandsintown and repost it as local event listings. That means your gig could end up on a news site or radio station calendar without you lifting a finger.
Setting up is easy, especially if you’ve got a verified Spotify profile. Don’t have one? Drop $30 on DistroKid, upload a track, and check it — you’ll get your verification. Once you’re on Bandsintown, you’re in the system and getting set up in Spotify for Artists is easy.
Step Two: Build a Website
A website allows you to promote your brand, sell your music, and collect email addresses.
You need your own domain, your own content, and most importantly, your own way to collect emails. Look at my site — chances are you were asked to sign up for my newsletter. Why? Because email is gold.
When I have your email, I can reach you directly with new mixes, music, tickets, or exclusive content. That’s better than hoping you see a social media post in the middle of a doom-scroll. Collecting and using email is one of the strongest forms of direct-to-fan marketing there is.
I’m intentionally keeping this section vague. There is SO MUCH to learn about managing your own website and email marketing campaigns that they deserve their own blog post series. Regardless, getting set up with a website is often a very low cost endeavor, possibly starting at $100/year in some cases. Email marketing with Mailchimp is free for light users, such as myself at this time in my musical journey. At the very least, sign up for Mailchimp so that you can start collecting email addresses. You don’t need a website to do that… the option below can work just fine if you are a producer.
Step Three: Sell on Bandcamp
If you’re a producer, stop handing all your money to Spotify and SoundCloud. Sell on Bandcamp. Fans pay directly, money hits your PayPal, and it legitimizes you as an artist. Promoters respect artists who take themselves seriously, and having a Bandcamp page is one way to prove you’re not just messing around.
Sure, Beatport and the charts are cool for clout. But if you actually want to make some money, Bandcamp is where it’s at. I’ve made more off one track on Bandcamp than I have anywhere else.
Bonus tip: if you sell/give away music on Bandcamp, you can collect email addresses from your customers, people whom already have enough interest in your sound that they are willing to give you their email address for your music. Just think about what else they will purchase from you.
Final Thoughts: Take Yourself Seriously
Look — it takes time. I’ve been grinding at this for years. But between SEO, Bandsintown, Bandcamp, and email marketing, I’ve built something that works. If you’re serious about DJing, start treating it like a business.
Don’t wait for the gigs to magically appear. Don’t expect someone else to market you. Take yourself seriously. Build the infrastructure. Promote yourself. Do the work.
That’s the only way you’re ever going to move beyond your bedroom.
AI Editing Disclaimer:
This blog post was edited with the assistance of AI for grammar, structure, and clarity. The ideas, experiences, and words are 100% my own.