Process of getting club gigs

Hi Brandon,

I would say to research as much as you can about the clubs online, interact with them on twitter, fB, etc. and grow the balls to give them a call and ask for the manager or music director. Touch base vocally, then send your info via email. That way they can connect, oh yeah, that guy Brandon…I talked to him.

If you send unsolicited mail…it will most likely get deleted.

LOL … you are not nervous about standing in front of a crowd of hundreds, all eyes on you, ready to lynch you when you don’t keep the mood going, but you ARE nervous about making a call to the manager?

What’s wrong in this picture? LOL

Greetinx.

Yeah managers/promoters/owners they are all just normal dudes with a profession that is necessary for us. In my years I have learned the more “normal” or rather natural you behave and treat them just like any normal guy, the more pro they consider you. They dislike both the uber shy guy that does not get out a word, but also the over the top extrovert which mostly makes them feel uncomfy… so be yourself have a beer with them and talk business.

^
Hahahaha. Awesome idea djrizki!

Ask yourself … what am I bringing to the table … what is in it for the guy I am calling?

If you ask could I DJ in your club, you are asking for something for YOU, rather than telling him you have something for HIM!

If you have 20 friends that you can bring on a quiet night, that’s something. If you have 500 facebook followers who live in your neighborhood who you can invite when you play, that’s something. If you “know” that research has shown that to keep a club interesting it needs to have variation in it’s programming no matter how good the resident DJ is and that you can make for an interesting variation. Etx.

When you have that stuff ready, stop thinking and make the call. Be polite, listen carefully to their reasons for saying no (which they most likely will) and be prepared to ask questions. Ask questions that will give you more insight into how to tackle this place or the next. Like “what can I do to convince you that I am a very worthwhile addition to your DJ roster?”. He can’t answer yes or no (gotta love “open” questions) and will have to give you some valuable information, unless he’s a total dork (be prepared to meet a few), like tell you what you have to do to be added. Now you know what to go do.

Write down a few key words, but don’t write down the entire conversation. A) you can’t predict an entire conversation and b) you don’t want to sound like you’re reading off of a piece of paper.

Here are some other tips that might sound funny but that actually work. Dress for the part. If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, people will hear it in your voice. So look as sharp as you would when DJ-ing. Have a favorite DJ-ing shirt or outfit? Wear it!

I know people who call while sitting in front of a mirror. Even though the other person can’t see you, your physical appearance ring through in your voice. Sit up straight, feel energetic, enjoy what you are about to do. This will give you the right vibe.

Hope that is somewhat helpful.

Greetinx.

Make sure you like the clubs facebook page. Subscribe to their newsletter if they got one. Follow them on twitter. Be active on their facebook page. Like pictures from the parties and evenings they had.
This way you look involved with club. Because if the manager looks you up on facebook ( and he is probably gonna ), and sees you didn’t even like his club facebook. That way it looks if you are not interested in his club. But only interested for yourself to get a gig. Maybe try to visit the club once. I know it is a long way to travel but I think it would really help you to get a gig.

I hope it makes sense. I had some trouble with translating my thoughts in English today. Bottom line is to be active on the social media of the clubs you wish to play at.