Know Your Market:
Research is your best friend. Get to know the market you are working in. Use the local Yellow Pages to determine how many DJ services are in your community. Go to events and observe other DJs. Watch for things they are doing that are both successful and unsuccessful. You will be able to use these tips to improve your style and to market yourself.
Your Tools:
Bigger, better, faster, more is not always a key to success. You can be very successful using modest equipment. The biggest factor is bringing equipment that is appropriate to the room. Set up early and check your acoustics. Remember that your sound quality will change somewhat when the room is full of people.
Your Library:
Unless you consistently play a particular venue where a certain style of music is requested or required, make sure your library is well stocked with a variety of music styles. This makes you more flexible as to the type of event or party you are able to play. It is also a great marketing tool. A large music library will give you the flexibility you need to provide entertainment for any type of event. With such a vast array of digital media available today, it is easy and portable to have an endless variety of music for your library.
Prepare Well:
You will want to meet with your clients and really listen to what they want for their event. Plan your entertainment accordingly, but also be prepared to "ad lib." This is especially important when providing services for wedding receptions. Make sure you are aware of what the bride and groom both want (and don't want), and plan as necessary. Decide ahead of time whether they want a set selection of music, if they want you to decide what you will play for each music set, and whether they want you to take special requests.
Be Observant:
It is particularly important to be very observant, and to get to know your audience. Are people having a good time? Is the music adding to the ambiance of the event, or dragging it down? Watch for physical cues from your audience to gauge their enjoyment of the entertainment you are offering.
Connect:
Most important to your success as a DJ for an event or party is your ability to connect with your audience. Talk to them, get them fired up. Interact. A DJ who just spins song after song with no interaction will have a crowd bored in no time. The audience likes to feel important and included. Remember to always engage your audience. They (and you) will have a great time if you do.