Rent, borrow or purchase new or used DJ equipment. Second-hand equipment often functions perfectly; sellers frequently upgrade to more advanced systems and simply want to defray the cost. However, it is important to try out the equipment before making a purchase.
Decide what kind of dance music you want to play. Among the countless genres and subgenres are trance, house, hip hop and electropop, to name just a few. If you have a specific club in mind, find out what types of music the audience grooves to.
Practice. Play for your friends and family, and look to play for free at parties and events until you feel comfortable asking for paying gigs.
Network with people who work in nightclubs, such as nightclub owners and other DJs. You can learn from their experience and get tips on what they're looking for in a DJ.
Give yourself a catchy DJ name. Many DJs use pseudonyms to hide their identity or help create a stage persona. The name can be silly but should be suitable enough for others to take you seriously.
Promote yourself. Burn your best mixes onto a CD and send copies to clubs and people who love dance music. Create a resume that lists the places you've DJed before, and include references.