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Get started in your career as an
entertainer in the Mobile DJ Industry.

There is no doubt about it, getting paid to entertain people is a very fulfilling and rewarding career choice.  There is a huge sense of self satisfaction when you get paid by doing something that is fun and exciting.

I think this is in great part due to the fact that you are applying your personality and skills to do something that gets praised and appreciated by your customers, so much so, that they pay your fee AND give you a tip, AND refers you to their friends.

Let’s get an in-depth investigation of yourself to see if you have what it takes to make it in this business.

Are you outgoing?

Possibly the most important criteria for determining your success as a mobile DJ entertainer is your ability to stand in front of a crowd with a microphone and let your personality shine. If you are quiet and introverted, you will have a harder time convincing the crowd that you are in charge.

I am not saying that you will not have other skill sets that will overcompensate for your lack or willingness to get out in front of a mass of people and organize, direct and get them pumped up for having a good time, however, it does top the list on traits needed to succeed in this business.

Do you know music?

Second on the list would have to be your knowledge of music, which happens to be a good thing, because you can learn to grow your music knowledge simply by learning song lists. Familiarize yourself with different genres of music by listening to different radio stations, or get to know the top 50 songs in each category.
One great resource to utilize which will help you get familiarized with songs in each genre is Billboard Magazines top charts lists. You can also find an extensive list of the most popular song lists in our Members section of this website, where we have classified each song by genre, year and artist.

Are you tech savvy?

Finally, it is important to be somewhat technologically savvy when it comes to knowing about the equipment you will be using. Knowing a little about Amps and Watts helps, and it doesn’t hurt to know a little about computers, as you will be using them throughout your career.
Fortunately, this too is a skill that you can improve upon with a little training and some help from us. We will help guide you through the in’s and out’s of the newest and greatest technologies and how it is helping to make our industry even more mobile!

So, you have to ask yourself…

“Do I have what it takes?”

The reason I started this website is because I have a passion for DJing, and I want to share that passion with you.  Not only you, but everyone.  I want everyone to know that I have the best job in the world.  It is as simple as saying, “I Love what I do. I DJ.”  I think it is one of the most satisfying jobs because it provides so much of what I was missing doing other things.  I will create a list of reasons why DJing is the best job ever.

1. It never gets boring.  Every gig is different and requires a different approach.  Unlike a factory where you do the same thing over and over every day. It is always exciting because every client will want to do something different, the music is energizing and watching a crowd of people having a great time because of you is thrilling.
2. It is a part time job.  Even though I consider DJing my full time job, it really is only part time.  I mostly work one day a week performing at a gig, usually on Saturday and on occasion I will have a gig on Friday and Saturday.  The rest of the time spent working throughout the week is downloading songs, creating play lists, correspond with customers, and maybe update our website, which may only add another 8 hours to my work schedule.
3. It is good money, really good money.  $150 an hour is our going rate for a wedding in peak season.  In the off season we charge $125 per hour.  O.K., so it does matter if you add in drive time, setup and break down time, which we do not charge for.  Still it turns out to be more like $100 an hour, but still it is ONE HUNDRED dollars an hour!  The most I ever made working for a company was $17.50 an hour, so I am making almost 6 times more for every hour of work.
4. It is truly satisfying.  When I look out on the dance floor and see a crowd of people dancing with their hands in the air and singing at the top of their lungs and you know it is all because of me, it is quite exhilarating and very fulfilling.   I am the kind of person that thrives off of positive feedback and there is none better than hearing people tell you how much you rock, and how much fun they had.
5. I really isn’t work.  Nope, it’s not.  It is more like getting paid to play.  I love the music part of it, the technology part of it, and of course the party part of it. So none of it ever seems like work. I am no longer sweating in a hot factory doing monotonous work for 8 hours a day when I worked in an auto parts factory, and I don’t come home physically and mentally exhausted covered from head to toe in cement dust, like when I worked at a cement plant.
6. It has improved my lifestyle.  I don’t miss those days and I really enjoy the extra time I have gained.  My wife enjoys having me home more now, and I enjoy having a wife who is happy.  I love waking up with the kids, sending them off to school and being there when the get off the bus.  And my kids love it when I can spend time with them helping with homework or attending after school activities.  And instead of having a Dad who is a factory worker, I am the cool Dad who is a DJ.

The key to any successful business is how well the business is managed.

If you work a regular job right now, chances are you have a boss, and your boss has a boss, and all the way up the ladder until you come to the top, the President, CEO or Owner. This person is in charge of the entire business and is responsible to ensure everyone is doing their part to keep the business profitable.

Being a self-employed Entrepreneur is very different from the corporate world, because you always have a boss telling you what you need to do.  They will have certain requirements you must achieve, with guidelines you have to follow, with specific deadlines, and goals to meet.  Well, the difference is that when you own your own business, YOU ARE THE BOSS!

There are plenty of good reasons to be THE BOSS, like setting your own schedule, working as much or as little as you would like, and the pride of calling yourself a business owner.  But with the good comes the bad, like having the discipline to manage your time. You can do this by creating a schedule and filling all gaps with vital work that moves your business forward.  Working from a schedule will help you keep on task and productive, each day focusing your energy toward your businesses success.

Working from a schedule also increases your awareness of your progress and momentum.  Crossing items off of your list, once done is quite enjoyable and inspiring. It helps create the momentum you will need to push your business into high gear, and managing your time by utilizing schedules and to do lists will help keep you at that high level of performance. Don’t take this power lightly, because, even if stray away from creating and utilizing your time management system, you will find your momentum slow and like an old helium filled balloon that has lost it’s ability to rise, will start to fall back down to earth.

Working from a schedule is easy when you get in the habit of using it. So start with baby steps by giving yourself a goal of one month. Here are the steps broken down into small pieces, just as how I would suggest you start your Time Management System.

1. Take out a sheet of paper and start to fill it with large tasks that you would like to get done in your DJ business.
2. Break down each large task into smaller action steps that can be accomplished easily.
3. Fill in each action step into a calendar within the month, leaving yourself enough flexibility if things change (they always do)
4. Cross off each action step once complete, move it to another date if you didn’t complete it.

My brother, Roger, who co-founded our DJ company over 10 years ago, is in the most suitable situations which makes DJing a perfect match for him.  He is a 4th grade teacher by trade, and DJs during the summer months and a few times during the school year.  DJing has always been a great source of income during the three months he has off every year for summer break, but there are more reasons that make being a DJ a perfect fit for teachers.

Being a teacher is almost like being on stage performing in front of  a crowd, your students.  Getting in front of people and speaking to a crowd great training to being a public speaker, one of the vital aspects of a good DJ.  It is easy for you to be the center of attention while a classroom of students stare back, listening to your every word.  Trust me, not everyone has the ability to do this, and that is why people will pay good money for a DJ with the confidence to control and captivate a crowd.  And there are plenty other opportunities for a teacher to talk in front of more kids during an assembly or at a conference.  Hone in on this ability and let it help you to become a better DJ.

In fact, there are a lot of similarities between the qualities of a good teacher, and those of a good DJ.  You are both outgoing, are good at speaking in public, are good at taking control of a situation and getting everyone’s attention.  You are a people person who is not afraid to interact with strangers to make lasting impressions.  You are well educated, and know the importance of continuous learning to keep current with the new trends in your profession.

Being a teacher allows you to have each summer off, when coincidentally happens to be wedding season, where you can make lots money DJing.  Weddings are a great complimentary income for teachers since you can work one night a week, and make more than most teacher’s beginning weekly salaries.  And being a teacher gives you an endless supply of quality contacts.  Use your network of students, parents and other teachers as a lead for wedding business.  Since most people will book a DJ with someone they know and trust, you are in the perfect position to capitalize on your relationship with your past students and their parents.

More than just wedding referrals, being a teacher gives you the foot in the door for every school function that requires a DJ, like Homecoming, Prom, and any other party or dance.  Fundraising events are also a good source of business during in-school periods.  You should utilize your networking capabilities with all of your school’s administrators and faculty.  They will bring in more referrals than you will have the ability to accept, and that is the perfect situation, where you will have to turn away business, because you are too busy.

I know a lot of teacher who are required to work part time summer jobs to help supplement their income, and with state budgets for education continually shrinking, there may be a time where all new teachers may need a summer job to make ends meet.  Many of these teachers will take up jobs like waiting tables or bar tending, landscape or roofing, or other physically exhausting and potentially demoralizing  jobs to get by.  I want you to realize your skill set and match them with the perfect summer gig being a Mobile DJ Entertainer.

One of the most powerful tools to any DJ is their website, because first impressions ARE lasting impressions.

When it comes to your marketing plan, it is vital to put your website at the top of the importance list.  Until you become an established DJ and start to receive more “word-of-mouth” referrals,  a majority of your customers will find you through a Google search.  And when a client clicks on to your website, it will only take a matter of seconds before they form an opinion about who you are and what type of quality they can expect, purely based upon the appearance of your website.

Once you understand the power of your website to attract new business, it is time to check out the competition’s websites.  Look at how they design and layout all the features on their site, and you will understand when I say first impressions are lasting impressions.  Are some of the websites old, outdated and static.  Were they created 10 years ago with animated clip art and outdated photos?  You can see how a potential client would easily get turned off by such a website.  And if there are lots of these sites from your competition, it makes your job easier to appear to be more “first class”.

Here are a list of things you will want to showcase on your website:

Mystical and Hypnotic

In this topic, I would like to discuss the Power of Lights! Oh, how they add to the atmosphere and mood of any party. They have an ability to create a euphoric feeling with their hypnotic movements and flashy colors. Like a deer in the headlights, we seem to be paralyzed by their charm. And when sequenced with the beat of the song, they seem to dance in rhythmic harmony, adding to the Power of Music.
There are many different types and styles of lighting affects on the market today, from mood lighting or washes, to spotlights and strobes. With so many choices on the market, it may seem a daunting task to narrow your selection to meet your customer’s needs. You may want to start small with a truss system with a few flood can lights, multi color LED mushroom light, mirror ball light and strobe light. From that point you will want to investigate all the options available to truly mystify your party goers.

Here is a list of the light styles available to try:

• Wash Lighting
• Fixed LED Flood Lighting
• Follow Spot Lighting
• Lazer Lights
• DMX Sound Controlled Lights
• Can Lights
• Strobe Lights

O.k., Let me tell you about how I got started in the Mobile DJ business, and why I think it is one of the best businesses you can start with little money or time, and will lead to lots of pleasure and profit.

It was in 2004 when I joined my brother Roger, in his DJ business along side with his partner Jack. So, before I can tell you my story, let me start with theirs. The year was 1997 when they started Experience Electronica, shortly before being laid off as factory workers in an auto parts manufacturing plant. They were looking for something to do that was part time and fun, for some extra cash on the side. The two of them started the business just in time, because shortly after they started, the plant relocated to Mexico and they were both out of a job. Little did they know that their “side” business would be their only income stream for a while. With all of the extra time on their hands, the two of them quickly became well known as DJs in our small community, and they were picking up quite a few gigs from friends, schools and business acquaintances. It wasn’t long before they were making a name for themselves as being a vary affordable DJ. Fast forward to 2004 when I came into the picture. My brother always wanted me to join the business, but I was very timid and shy and didn’t think that DJing was for me. I didn’t know music all that well and feared speaking in front of people, let alone on a microphone. So, my brother invited me to just join him to witness him DJ in action. I didn’t have to do anything other than help him carry equipment in and help with the set up. I didn’t have any problems with that, so I decided to join him that evening.

It was then that I witnessed something amazing, my brother Roger had captivated an audience with his musical knowledge, playing one hit after another. Satisfying the crowed by playing their requested song soon after it was requested. Keep in mind that this is back when CDs were the medium of choice, and finding a requested song through the hundreds of CDs could take a few minutes. I was captivated at how much power a single song would have with this crowd of party goers. And each new song brought new people to the dance floor which only heightened the energy on the dance floor. It was an energy that built upon itself and the more people that joined the dance floor increased the energy, and it was an amazing event to witness.

Yet, as impressed as I was on how powerful my brother had become with getting a crowd pumped up, I didn’t think I could do it. So, I turned my brother down again and again each time he would invite me to join him out for another gig. I was an outgoing person who had a lot of influence on my friends, but not to hundreds of strangers who never knew me. It wasn’t that I was full of fear, but you could say I was a bit intimidated. Yet regardless of my constant deferral of my brother’s request to join him, his persistence paid off. I think it was seeing how much money my brother was bringing in each night that made me think that I could try it out, and if I didn’t like it, then I could always quit. So, I went out on a few more gigs with my brother, and then he did something I thought was really honorable. He paid me half of what he made for doing nothing at all. Yep, he showed me how much money could be made by putting cash in my hand at the end of the night.

It was then that I realized I could do this. I could study music and learn what people like, so I did. And Roger made it easy for me too by giving me song lists to reference, from the top 200 songs to popular songs from each genre and era. He also gave me a lists of songs from sets he had played before, so I could hear how he transitioned between genres seamlessly. With these tools at my disposal there was only one thing I needed to tackle, and that was getting comfortable on the microphone. Which I must say, I haven’t yet conquered. With that being said, I don’t know if I ever will feel totally comfortable on the microphone, because I still get butterflies every time I have to make an announcement. The butterflies do go away after I feel comfortable with the crowd later on in the evening, and my Emcee skills are improving quite a bit, and I hope that someday I will be able to get on the mic without hesitation at all.

So, it has been about 6 years since I made the choice to join Roger and Jack in the DJ business and I am in no way, shape, or form an expert at DJing, but I would like to be. Which brings us to this website. It is my yearning inside to want to be as good as possible at this profession, so I can be known as one of the best DJs in our area, and I will use this website as my tool to do just that. I will interview top rated DJs throughout the land to get direct information from them on how I can be a better DJ, in that way I can share all that I learn with you, so you can become as good as you want to be and as quickly as possible. In essence, taking my 6 years of experience and condensing it down to a few months of training so you can be just as qualified as I am when it comes to your next gig.

In this post I will give you a number of ways to get the money you will need to get started in your Mobile DJ business.

Of course you know that you will need some cash in order to start a new business.  And when it comes to starting a Mobile DJ business you will need anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on what type of equipment you buy and if you need a trailer.

The first and most obvious ways to get money is to save for it.  Yep, start saving all the extra money you can starting right now.  Think of all of the ways you can do this, from

How do you build momentum in your new business? Baby Steps. Yep. As the Chinese Proverb goes…

The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”

Taking small steps is easy, once you take one step, your next step will be easier. And once your momentum builds it is hard to stop. So, in order to get to your final destination, it is important to write out a bunch of milestones and put some achievable, realistic dates on them. This will motivate you and help you to push yourself to accomplish these mini goals. And to help you along with creating some milestones we have listed a few to get you started.

D.B.A. Filed (date)
Business Plan Defined (date)
Financing Secured (date)
Home Office Set Up (date)
Accountant Secured (date)
Insurance Purchased (date)
Equipment Purchased (date)
Music Purchased (date)
Logo Created (date)
Business Card Created (date)
Website Created (date)
Phonebook Ad (date)
First Booking (date)
Venues Solicited (date)
Vendors Solicited (date)
Corps Solicited (date)
Schools Solicited (date)
Second Booking (date)
Wedding Expo (date)
First $500 Gig (date)
First $800 Gig (date)
First $1000 Gig (date)