I Need Your Help Guys

[UKHero 0]

Hi guys I have been invited into a school next Tuesday as part of there cariers day. Not to sure what to expect but I will be sat in the hall and if students want to come ask about DJing then I will be their man.

 

So what do you suggest I tell them? Yes I know not to do it lol but constructive help would be great.

 

Do you think being a DJ can be a carier in this day and age. Should I produce a hand out or not if so what should I put on it?

 

Dan would you like me to promote DJ@ what can you offer students thinking of becoming DJs?

 

What sorts of DJs are there?

 

Mobile Club Wedding Radio etc etc

 

As I say any help and advice would be greatfully recieved I want to give good correct advise to the students and you guys are the guys in the know....

 

Cheers

 

Nik

[djgb 0]

Hmm interesting one, could you go down the business side of things concerned with being a mobile jock?

 

Customer care or how to deal with people?

 

Technical side of things and basic electronics?

 

The structure of songs and how a knowledge of music can help with mixing and counting bars?

 

Or just a load of pics and some kit showing u having a good time with the crowd and earning loadsa money LOL

 

Maybe quite a detailed hand out explaining the not so glam side of the work,

 

Could you find out about some of those dj courses availble as they're always advertised in the dj mags?

 

 

some ideas maybe

[Dukesy 0]

I'll PM!

[am.entertainment 0]

I would show them abit of everything about the mobile dj. I wouldn't go on to much about one area of the djing. school folk don't have the biggest attention span.

 

maybe you could talk about hiring equipment out aswell and what other services the mobile dj can offer?

 

just a few ideas?

[Paul Forsyth 0]

Hi Nik,

 

Firstly, top man for doing it!!!

 

Secondly, my immediate thoughts are that quite a few wil be looking at the more attractive club dj work, so maybe some research on how to approach clubs, making a mix demo, local (if there are any) college courses that run djing as part of a music course.

 

Just an initial thought.

 

Good luck mate.

[deejaymitch 0]

There's a lot to cover Nik.

 

Firslty I would make it clear that for every Superstar DJ, there are 1000s of jobbing Djs taking any booking they can to make a decent living, and for every jobbing DJ there are 1000s of aspiring bedroom DJs, so the chances of making a decent career out of solely DJing is slim.

 

I would then explain the difference between club work, pub work, private function work, and specialised function work (weddings etc). Be realistic with them explaining that, whilst it can be a lot of fun, there are many downsides - playing songs you don't like keeping up to date with music trends, drunken annoying customers, maintaining accounts etc. Explain the expense involved in setting up and the continued expenses as you go along. I'd also make clear than when turning a hobby into a career a whole new side to it appears as you have to know how to run a business.

 

Overall I'd urge them to practise and experiment. If they find they have a passion for DJing then they should look for ways to get experience alongside another job (doing a freebie for the school/going out with an experienced DJ etc) and then looking for opportunities to develop.

[supersound dj 0]

dont forget the financial side too.start up capitol , tax running costs ect.

[Robster 0]

Dj ing can seem quite glamorous to kids and many have an idea that DJing is all foam parties and mixing with celebs in holiday destinations and many lads see it as a route to get women. not DJ ing at Aunty pats 60 wedding anniversary at the miners working mens club etc

 

I obviously wish to promote DJ ing as an industry but for every DJ that has a great venue with security and a cordon between them and the dancers/audience there are as you know 100 maybe 1000's dealing in small venues and the sort of problems below

 

how to deal with violent drunks

how to deal with violent drug takers

how to deal with bad management at venues

how to deal with family life when you are out at unsociable hours and keep relationships

how to accept that some people will have no respect for you as a DJ or your equipment

how to accept that one customer saying your rubbish does not a bad night make.

 

I feel that as with every career path it is wise to know the positive and negative points ..you get a good idea when joining the army for example that at some point you maybe shot at or worse

Edited January 15, 2009 by Robster

[Dukesy 0]

Some interesting points made already but just to add, whilst no body should be discouraged from DJ'ing, as indicated, there are downsides!

 

Not intended to be off-topic but related, one of the things that should be of a major concern is when our sector is brought down by the individuals who take it upon themselves to practice in such a way that brings the service into disrepute.

 

Sadly, when some DJs believe that professionalism ends at the keyboard, thinking it is their right to use online facilities to express or exchange insults and derogatory comments at a fellow DJ, organisation or even a third party, it is not criticism in their opinion that they express, but ignorance, merely showing that personal needs and wishes are thought to be more important than those of others!

 

Nobody wins an argument on the internet and most certainly, those that perpetually whinge and bleat or have the tendency to write about themselves, clearly, are one tread board away from being egotistic Shakespearian actors who, with the possession of an exaggerated sense of self-importance and superiority to other people, are insensitive and indifferent to the importance of OUR profession.

 

When there is a lack or loss of respect for ones own service reputation then undoubtedly, this has an impact on everyone. So when you hear / read about the DJ who can not be bothered to follow accepted forms of business practice, or the 'agent' who doesn't pay his DJs, to the forum discussion which breaks down into argumentative squabble, the result is a major negative on the profession and thus, when these examples are set, it's no surprise that those who are new or inexperienced to the business or online communities follow the lead thinking this is the 'normal' way to conduct business or practice when clearly, it is not. Those who just sit back with ill deserved glee whilst this is happening or even encourage those others to rip their pound of flesh from the industries bones are just as bad. When are you going to wake up to the fact that such public comments which run the risk of being cached by Google and read for years to come are just as detrimental to the industry as the cowboys we are so vocal about despising(?) would any other industry just sit back whilst a few made it more difficult for them to earn a living and literally steal the food from the table, or would they band together and stamp out the practice? Time to take a stand.

 

As regrettable as it is that such individuals continue to enjoy community privileges online elsewhere, rest assured, the integrity and reputation here will be maintained.

 

Just my 2p worth

[Robster 0]

http://www.surromomsonline.com/support/images/smilies/shrug.gif something i said?

[Dukesy 0]

Not at all.

 

Merely observations and just sick of the ****ers.

[andyw 0]

well done for doing this nik.

a flier of some sorts would be good for them to take away and look at in there own time,be sure to put the web address of this forum and dj@ on it and i would also put nadj on(i know the feeling about nadj but think it should go oin)

cover all sides of djing from club /mobile to radioexplain the positives and negatives. from late nights to drunken woman(not sure if thats a positive or negative can be both)

[UKHero 0]

Some interesting points made already but just to add, whilst no body should be discouraged from DJ'ing, as indicated, there are downsides!

 

Not intended to be off-topic but related, one of the things that should be of a major concern is when our sector is brought down by the individuals who take it upon themselves to practice in such a way that brings the service into disrepute.

 

Sadly, when some DJs believe that professionalism ends at the keyboard, thinking it is their right to use online facilities to express or exchange insults and derogatory comments at a fellow DJ, organisation or even a third party, it is not criticism in their opinion that they express, but ignorance, merely showing that personal needs and wishes are thought to be more important than those of others!

 

Nobody wins an argument on the internet and most certainly, those that perpetually whinge and bleat or have the tendency to write about themselves, clearly, are one tread board away from being egotistic Shakespearian actors who, with the possession of an exaggerated sense of self-importance and superiority to other people, are insensitive and indifferent to the importance of OUR profession.

 

When there is a lack or loss of respect for ones own service reputation then undoubtedly, this has an impact on everyone. So when you hear / read about the DJ who can not be bothered to follow accepted forms of business practice, or the 'agent' who doesn't pay his DJs, to the forum discussion which breaks down into argumentative squabble, the result is a major negative on the profession and thus, when these examples are set, it's no surprise that those who are new or inexperienced to the business or online communities follow the lead thinking this is the 'normal' way to conduct business or practice when clearly, it is not. Those who just sit back with ill deserved glee whilst this is happening or even encourage those others to rip their pound of flesh from the industries bones are just as bad. When are you going to wake up to the fact that such public comments which run the risk of being cached by Google and read for years to come are just as detrimental to the industry as the cowboys we are so vocal about despising(?) would any other industry just sit back whilst a few made it more difficult for them to earn a living and literally steal the food from the table, or would they band together and stamp out the practice? Time to take a stand.

 

As regrettable as it is that such individuals continue to enjoy community privileges online elsewhere, rest assured, the integrity and reputation here will be maintained.

 

Just my 2p worth

 

 

Hi mate did I miss something?

 

well done for doing this nik.

a flier of some sorts would be good for them to take away and look at in there own time,be sure to put the web address of this forum and dj@ on it and i would also put nadj on(i know the feeling about nadj but think it should go oin)

cover all sides of djing from club /mobile to radioexplain the positives and negatives. from late nights to drunken woman(not sure if thats a positive or negative can be both)

 

I am sorry I can not promote an organisation I disagree with. But I do understand the point your making.

 

Nik

[andyw 0]

 

I am sorry I can not promote an organisation I disagree with. But I do understand the point your making.

 

Nik

 

i understand your feelings nik,i have nothing todo with nadj but if i was aiming at helping or encouraging youngster then i would point them in that directiion then leave it upto them to make there own minds up, but i do respect your position