What it takes to be a full time DJ

To many ads? Support ODJT and see no ads!
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
One reason is that people who come to the bar basically know you're not getting paid a ton of money. That will make you look like a cheap DJ desperate for money and that's why you're playing in the bar.
Click to expand...

This is possibly the biggest load of BS I've ever read on this forum. People who come to a bar don't care how much anyone is getting paid, or if they're getting paid at all. They're at the bar to have a good time.

To say that a DJ playing at a bar looks cheap and desperate for money is silly. There are plenty of DJs who'll play simply because they love the art of DJing and watching a club vibe to their music selections and transitions; the money is secondary. I'm still one of those people from time to time... the love of the music and watching people react to it is worth more than any amount of money.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Albatross, ittigger, Jeff Romard and 4 others
Usually BS is what comes out of Nachos key board.😁 The professor of venue entertainment !
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: ittigger and Jeff Romard
sonic-vision said:
Usually BS is what comes out of Nachos key board.😁 The professor of venue entertainment !
Click to expand...
It's not BS. Keep in mind the topic is about being a full time DJ. Those who are full time and successful are more than likely getting paid a whole lot more than the DJ working in a bar. A famous DJ in a club might be a little different. I don't see any DJ playing in a bar getting paid what Taso makes.
 
First off, we’d need to agree on what “full time” means. All money coming from that? Most money coming from that?
I think it’s wonderful if someone can get their full income from a business like this. But I’ve been around long enough to understand that someone identifying as “full time” is a weak way to identify their skill level as a DJ or a business person. Way too many other factors to consider.
They very well may be successful( whatever that means to them), and if they are, good for them. Theres nothing wrong with being proud of that either. But there’s enough djs that love to tell anyone who will listen that they are full time, but when you peel back the banana, you see a much different picture than many people’s vision of full time success.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ittigger, Jeff Romard, dunlopj and 1 other person
ProDJ Jose said:
What does it take to be a full-time Mobile DJ?

5 Things:

Attitude Determines Your Altitude
Knowledge Is Power
Practice Makes Perfect
Experience Is The Difference
Mind Your Own Business

To recap, be good at what you do and the money will follow.
Click to expand...
Well said!
 
  • Like
Reactions: ittigger
Scott Hanna said:
First off, we’d need to agree on what “full time” means. All money coming from that? Most money coming from that?
I think it’s wonderful if someone can get their full income from a business like this. But I’ve been around long enough to understand that someone identifying as “full time” is a weak way to identify their skill level as a DJ or a business person. Way too many other factors to consider.
They very well may be successful( whatever that means to them), and if they are, good for them. Theres nothing wrong with being proud of that either. But there’s enough djs that love to tell anyone who will listen that they are full time, but when you peel back the banana, you see a much different picture than many people’s vision of full time success.
Click to expand...
I believe most would view a full time occupations as one that provides your primary source of income and requires a certain level of dedication. Personally for me, the income I get from DJin'g weddings and other events makes up 95% of my taxable income.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ittigger, Jeff Romard, Scott Hanna and 1 other person
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
It's not BS. Keep in mind the topic is about being a full time DJ. Those who are full time and successful are more than likely getting paid a whole lot more than the DJ working in a bar. A famous DJ in a club might be a little different. I don't see any DJ playing in a bar getting paid what Taso makes.
Click to expand...

Are you talking per night? per week? Per year?

Per night you may be right. I have no idea what Taso makes and I'm not about to ask I suspect he does well. There's a guy around this area that's making over $100,000 a year doing Karaoke 5 nights a week for $300 a night which leaves weekends free for private events where he makes considerably more. Karaoke is his only "job" although he has other lines of income. If one bar drops off another one signs on quick because he has build a reputation or a brand as some call it. Keep in mind there is no planning or prep, no advance work he goes and plays that's it. A hundred Grand is not bad for a part time job
 
  • Like
Reactions: MIXMASTERMACHOM and Scott Hanna
Scott Hanna said:
But there’s enough djs that love to tell anyone who will listen that they are full time, but when you peel back the banana, you see a much different picture than many people’s vision of full time success.
Click to expand...
THIS!
Jeff Romard said:
Are you talking per night? per week? Per year?

Per night you may be right. I have no idea what Taso makes and I'm not about to ask I suspect he does well. There's a guy around this area that's making over $100,000 a year doing Karaoke 5 nights a week for $300 a night which leaves weekends free for private events where he makes considerably more. Karaoke is his only "job" although he has other lines of income. If one bar drops off another one signs on quick because he has build a reputation or a brand as some call it. Keep in mind there is no planning or prep, no advance work he goes and plays that's it. A hundred Grand is not bad for a part time job
Click to expand...

The only problem with that story is the math doesn't add up.

$300 per night, assuming he actually worked 5 nights EVERY WEEK of the year is $78,000.

If that is in Canadian dollars, that is around $57,500 USD.

I also feel sorry for this particular KJ...Karaoke 5 nights a week, all the time...NO THANK YOU! EWWW
 
  • Like
Reactions: dunlopj
DJ Ricky B said:
THIS!


The only problem with that story is the math doesn't add up.

$300 per night, assuming he actually worked 5 nights EVERY WEEK of the year is $78,000.

If that is in Canadian dollars, that is around $57,500 USD.

I also feel sorry for this particular KJ...Karaoke 5 nights a week, all the time...NO THANK YOU! EWWW
Click to expand...

The math works because of the "leaves weekends free to do other gigs."
 
  • Like
Reactions: ittigger, Jeff Romard, MIXMASTERMACHOM and 1 other person
DJ Ricky B said:
I also feel sorry for this particular KJ...Karaoke 5 nights a week, all the time...NO THANK YOU! EWWW
Click to expand...

I worked a live gig at a local brewery last week. The owner likes what I do and thought he'd talk me into taking some k-gigs at his place.

I don't think so.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Ricky B
The bottom line is that to be a full time DJ and make it work is you have to make a certain amount of money to make a living as a full time DJ. If you don't you will not survive being a full time DJ. How much money you need to make is up to you being a full time DJ. That to me means you have to keep busy with events to do to make the money you want to survive.
 
DJ Ricky B said:
The only problem with that story is the math doesn't add up.
Click to expand...

See Ross' post above

DJ Ricky B said:
$300 per night, assuming he actually worked 5 nights EVERY WEEK of the year is $78,000.

If that is in Canadian dollars, that is around $57,500 USD.
Click to expand...

If you are in Canada the exchange doesn't really matter but the cost of living is higher so I get what you are saying

DJ Ricky B said:
I also feel sorry for this particular KJ...Karaoke 5 nights a week, all the time...NO THANK YOU! EWWW
Click to expand...

Karaoke 5 maybe 6 or 7 nights a week wouldn't be my thing either but he likes it. As for the work he works a lot less than you and I do.

To be fair since Covid I don't think he is doing as much but he's still 3-4 nights a week
 
  • Like
Reactions: ittigger and DJ Ricky B
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back