Integrate yourself in the local music scene. Go to shows and discuss music with local musicians. Become friends with local artists and other music fans. Learn what people like on their mixtapes and establish contacts at clubs and other venues. Meeting these people now, and leaving a good impression, will help you work with them later in your career.
Test your abilities by mixing tapes for close friends. By starting small, you can create a fan base while honing the skills needed to create a good mix. Building a fan base will help spread your name to others outside your immediate group, and having a mixtape completed, even an unpolished one, will help legitimize yourself as a mixtape DJ.
Play the mix for a wider audience. Getting a mix played at a club or other venue is an important step in expanding your reputation as a mixtape DJ. Having a public demonstration of your talents will help you secure new musicians to promote and help increase your contacts in the club and dance hall business.
Focus on building a client base. By being established as a mixtape DJ, you will need to continue to create new contacts in the music scene to increase your access to new music and musicians. An expanded client list will help you debut fresh, new music to a wider audience and will cement your status as a DJ.