The festive season (from Halloween through to New Year) is the busiest time of the year for most DJs (so before we start, have you checked that your DJ insurance is up to date?). But now that the summer season abroad is over, UK-based DJs may find themselves with more competition than usual, so it’s time to start planning your work schedule carefully.
From marketing to social media, Christmas office parties to special events, there’s actually far more scope for DJs to really earn some serious money at this time of the year (as well as winter weddings, birthdays and the usual weekend club spots). So here are our five top tips to boosting your festive season bookings and topping up your end-of-year earnings:
#1 – Start marketing early
Although most people will protest loudly at Christmas advertising on the TV in October, clubs, pubs and venues are already well into their festive season planning schedule by the start of the autumn. So get in early with some seasonally themed advertising that will get you noticed. Call up venues you’d like to work with and find out if they have any slots open during the pre-Christmas period, as well as the high-profile spots for those New Year’s Eve parties.
#2 – Don’t forget about hotels and conference centres
They don’t usually register on your radar when you’re looking for venues, but hotels and conference centres are busy hosting office parties all through December (often several different offices at once!). If you have a good reputation and a good set, why not see if you can get some of those lucrative afternoon/evening bookings at your local Best Western?
#3 – Make sure you’re insured
Venues won’t even entertain DJs who don’t have proper insurance. So make sure that your DJ insurance package includes adequate Public Liability cover.
#4 – Use Social Media to advance your business
While flyers and leaflets are useful for picking up local work, you can also push your profile up on social media sites. Link to YouTube videos of you in action, and potential venues will be able to see what you really look and sound like, and whether you’re right for their clientele.
#5 – Be prepared to travel
If you’ve been DJ’ing for any length of time, you’ll know it involves unsociable hours and lots of travelling. However, during the festive season if you’re prepared to put in the miles you’ll certainly broaden your client base and your reputation to boot. Travelling a hundred miles up a dark, rainy motorway on New Year’s Eve may not be the best feeling in the world, but if you want to earn the cash, you’ve got to make the dash! (Just double check before you load the car up that your DJ insurance includes car cover that’s applicable for business use as well as the usual ‘domestic and pleasure’ clauses!).