How to Start A Profitable Mobile DJ Business

Are you interested in starting a mobile DJ business? Do you love music and want to get recognition in the entertainment industry? Read this post and learn how to start your own mobile DJ business.

A person who loves music has good communication skills with full of energy is an ideal fit for this business. If you enjoy spinning tunes, making people happy, and want to earn a steady stream of supplemental income, the DJ business is perfect for you.

Here are the 8 Steps to Start a Mobile DJ Business

1. Get Trained

To start your own DJ business you need to have the right skills and experience. You can work with an established DJ as an assistant or you can go by a volunteer to DJ at a friend’s parties or other parties. Initiating a DJ business is not just about being a club DJ or individual DJ.  It involves a wide array of skills and much more responsibility.

2. Understand the Market

Before starting a DJ business, it is essential to collect information regarding the actual demand for such services. In addition, check the level of competition as it is most likely there will be existing DJs operating in the locality. Conduct detailed market research and find out the gaps and exploit those to your advantage.

If you are an absolute beginner, approach friends, relatives, and other near and dear ones to perform your DJ skills. If it is for free, so be it. As you gain popularity and confidence, you can approach resourceful people that can provide you with assignments. Some of them are the following:

• Pub owners
• Wedding planners
• Event planners
• Hotel owners
• Party planners
• Clubs
• Schools and Colleges
• Corporate Parties

Also, remain connected with reputed DJs as they can recommend some events. This is because a lot of times they themselves can’t perform for a busy schedule.

3. Create A Business Plan

It is important to have an intricate business plan focusing on marketing and finance for your DJ business. Describe how you will go to market your DJ service, how much finance it needs for marketing, equipment, and manpower, and who will be your target customers.

Another, important step to creating a successful DJ brand is to select a catchy name for your mobile DJ business. You can check our detailed guide on how to name a business to learn more.

Understanding your key skill area and fixing the marketing strategy is important in initiating the DJ business.

4. What Type of Equipment to Buy for Mobile DJ Business?

There are a lot of options for mobile DJ unit equipment. Primarily you need turntables, cd players, or a laptop with multiple-channel mixers. You need also a mixer to blend it all together, a set of speakers, DJ lights, headphones, and microphones.

Most DJs prefer Controller as it comes with two separate decks and music mixers. It also saves a lot of space. If you ain’t sure which one to buy, my personal recommendation is Denon DJ MC7000. One big plus of having this controller is that it comes with Serato DJ software, which otherwise you need to buy separately.

5. Where to Get DJ Tunes?

A variety of music genres is always good to have as a lot of people like different types of music. You can have apple apps iTunes or can subscribe to music from stores. The right DJ can elevate an event from ordinary to extraordinary. You will also need to arrange transportation.

6. How Much Should You Charge as a Mobile DJ?

In the DJ business, charges vary hugely on location, event type, and quality of performer. Fix the pricing accordingly. Always remember in the DJ business the saying holds true to customers; you get what you pay for. Your pricing should be competitive.

There is two way to fix charges for your DJ service. One is on an hourly basis and the other is a fixed charge for a specific time period.

Many successful DJ performers set fixed pricing for the first few hours and then add extra for each extra hour. For example, you can ask for $600 for a 5-hour performance and then $80 per hour. You can also add to and fro traveling expenses in your total billing.

7. Legalities & Compliance 

One will need to decide on the company’s ownership pattern. For example, in the United States, forming an LLC is a preferred option for serious entrepreneurs as it brings certain extra benefits to small business owners. In addition, check with local concerned authorities for any requirement of licenses and permits to run a DJ business.

Furthermore, get insured with the right insurance company. You have to be covered for possible theft or any losses of equipment.

One should also always check with the venues in which you will be playing that they have a music license. In most countries, specific licenses are needed for playing in an open area or if you are charging a fee for admission. You would not need one if your guests are coming to a private party.

8. Have a Promotional Plan 

You need to promote your mobile DJ services business to make potential clients aware of your DJ services. One can pass out flyers or leaflets at clubs or college campuses. You should network with event planners and related professionals. You can also go for an online promotion such as social media, blogging, paid advertising, etc.

A proper media promotion will definitely help you in getting customers. You definitely need a decent website with some of your video footage and a strong internet presence in today’s market.  Join relevant business associations to getting touch with the trends happening

Reach the event location one hour early to have enough time to set up the equipment. Take time to meet the event controller to make sure all your notes and timeline for the event match up. During the event always be connected with the coordinator and the photographer constantly. As a good mobile DJ, you will try to keep the good times rocking all night long.