Determine your skill level. Before opening a business, a DJ should consider how much experience they have. The DJ should note that while they may enjoy playing a certain genre of music, the best-paying gigs are weddings and corporate events. The DJ needs to understand that the audience there usually expects something more mainstream.
Buy equipment. DJ businesses are expected to provide everything needed for a lively night of entertainment. Purchase a durable laptop computer with a good audio card. Many DJs use an Apple MacBook Pro for its higher processor speed. A DJ will need some good concert speakers and an accompanying amplifier. Usually two to four full-range speaker towers work best. A DJ will need a good mixer. Brands and pricing of mixers varies according to taste and functionality. A DJ will need turntables either for vinyl records or CD turntables. They preferably will have both in their arsenal. A good microphone and special effects, such as light and smoke machines. may draw more customers. Purchase plenty of speaker wire, audio cables and extension cords to tie all the equipment together. Lastly, the DJ will need music.
Find customers. Advertise the business in online directories and print directories, such as the Yellow Pages. Contact wedding planners and try to set up a partnership with them. Networking with other DJs and people in the events business will go a long way in getting the business's name out there. Use social networks like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter to get the word out.
Determine prices. Call other businesses to determine what they typically charge and see what they offer. This will give the DJ a much better idea of how much to charge their customers.