| As a DJ for 23 years, I have worked in the UK and | | | | rooms that you would like to work, address the |
| the Channel Islands. Mainly Weddings, Birthday parties, | | | | envelope to Entertainment Manager, Hotel name, and |
| Anniversaries, work functions and Sports prize-giving. | | | | hand deliver them to the Receptionist. This way they |
| Every other DJ seemed to use newspapers as a | | | | are less likely to be placed in the waste paper basket! |
| way of finding work; however this is a high cost, low | | | | If you have a nerve, ask if you can be seen by the |
| return approach. Its far better to focus on the | | | | entertainment manager in person. |
| customers you want to attract and advertise directly | | | | I can tell you that this was very successful campaign |
| to them. | | | | for me, a DJ let down the Lansdown Grove hotel in |
| Here are my top 3 ways to find work.a) If you want | | | | Bath, and I ended up working for them for the following |
| to work only in a local area then my best tip is Parish | | | | 4 years including 30 nights each Christmas!c) Start |
| magazines, they are incredibly cheap to advertise in | | | | collecting people birthdays and anniversaries. It's |
| and it's surprising how many people who receive them | | | | surprisingly effective this one is. I carried around a book |
| read them from cover to cover. They also get left in | | | | and then got home and copied into a Rolodex or onto |
| Doctors waiting rooms. Because they are supporting | | | | a PC. |
| the Church the rates are usually very low and you can | | | | This won't have immediate effect as you need to |
| get a good size advert. I would suggest a Quarter | | | | contact people well in advance, but when the following |
| page.b) When I returned from Jersey I had lost my old | | | | year comes you can contact the direct maybe 6 |
| bookings so I targeted Hotels, I printed out an Informal | | | | weeks in advance with a simple message, 'I know |
| Letter introducing myself, a head and shoulder photo | | | | your Birthday/anniversary is coming soon, if you're' |
| and attached a rundown of my DJ history on a | | | | having a party and thinking of a DJ then I can be of |
| separate sheet (Too much on the front page and they | | | | help. Give me a ring and let's chat. |
| probably won't read it). | | | | A great modern way is searching through your Social |
| The key script on the letter was: 'If you are ever let | | | | network contacts: Facebook, MySpace, Bebo etc as |
| down by a DJ service I'd be happy to come at short | | | | they usually show peoples birthdays. Another good |
| notice. I am also happy to come and set up in your | | | | free place for advertising as a DJ. |
| Ballroom anytime to give you a Demo of the type of | | | | These are all great ways to find work as a DJ, treat it |
| music I use to get people dancing and to view the | | | | as a business and not a hobby and you'll find your |
| Disco. I suggest you hand pick Hotels or function | | | | diary filling up in no time! |