Want your name in neon before the year's out? Today is the perfect day to set that goal.
Ever noticed how New Year’s Resolutions tend to be negative? I’m going to give up smoking. I’m going to lose some weight. I’m going to stop biting my fingernails. I’m going to try not to lose my temper whenever I’m faced with some retard or other…
I gave up on such resolutions a long time ago. You’re on a downer before you’ve even begun! Whether for DJing, work life or personal life, instead, I set goals – usually, one in each of the three categories I just mentioned. Here’s 10 DJ goals you could choose from for 2012…
10 Highly Achievable DJ goals for 2012
I set myself one positive goal, write it down, tell everyone… and then work out how I’m going to get there. It really doesn’t matter what it is – and indeed I think the trick is not to make it too ambitious, but at the same time making it something that scares you just a little. Why not set a DJing goal yourself like this?
Here’s a few suggestions. I am sure there’s something that springs to mind that you can think of for yourself that’s similar to one of these:
- I am going to play my first gig in front of a crowd
- I am going to get paid for a DJ gig
- I am going to throw my first proper party in a real venue
- I am going to publish a mix online every month for the next 12 months
- I am going to learn to beatmatch manually
- I am going to properly tag, organise and learn my music collection
- I am going to choose a DJ name for myself and get a web presence
- I am going to stop DJing with just my laptop and learn on a proper DJ controller
- I am going to get a booking for DJing at a wedding
- I am going to produce my first track / mashup / remix
What to do next
The crucial bit comes next. Once you’ve decided on one, you can break it down into steps as to how you’re going to get there. For instance “I am going to post a mix every month for the next 12 months” could be:
- Get some mix creation software like Mixmeister and learn how to use it
- Research and choose a hosting service (or bite the bullet and make my own website)
- Work out a music discovery schedule that gives me enough time to find 15 new tracks to use in my mix every four weeks
- Plan an hour of practice every day into my schedule so I can reach the required standard
- Learn how to webcast my mix so I can perform it “live” at the same time each month to grow my audience before I post it onto my chosen hosting service
You see how setting one goal can lead to lots of other useful tasks, skills and DJing progress for you? But instead of just having a haphazard list or wishes and dreams, this is a sensible roadmap – so you know why you’re putting all that effort it and where you want it to lead you.
Focus on one goal
CEOs of big companies know that one thing – focus – is to be valued almost above everything else. If you can pick just one goal, and think it through properly, map out your roadmap, and stick to your plan, you’ll end up making more progress than if you make a great long never-never wishlist and end up muddling through the year not achieving any of them.
And frankly, should you end the year with a cigarette in your mouth, having put half a stone of weight on, fingers bitten to the bone, and shouting at any retard who dares to cross you (our list of resolutions from the start of this article)?
Well, as long as you’re sitting on a monster track you produced, proudly looking at all the online listens for your mix series, enjoying spending money you’ve made by getting paid DJ gigs, or some other equally worthwhile Ding achievement, I’ll be the first to pat you on the back!
My goal for 2012
Me? My DJ goal is to DJ regularly in front of a “dance” crowd again having played chill-out and sundowner sets for the past two or three years. I’m already working on my roadmap. Let’s see how I do come this time next year! (Any my other goals? Let’s just say Digital DJ Tips has some highly ambitious targets for 2012, and in my personal life, the goal is better organisation so I can spend more time with my family…)
• Once again, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of our readers a Happy New Year. I sincerely hope 2012 brings everything you wish for.
So, what’s your DJing goal for 2012? Make it public and make yourself accountable by sharing below!
Now go to:
5 Self Motivation Tips for DJs, Producers & Artists
Dads Behind the Decks: How to Juggle Kids, Career and DJing
How To Succeed At DJing Part 1
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Tags: goals
I’m going to try for the new mix every month goal.
[ link ]Get more work in Africa!!!
[ link ]Such good ones! I’m going to attempt 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10. Got a website and a medium for live shows so hopefully with use of that I can get myself noticed.
This has excited me for 2012!
[ link ]Great article. Achieved 1,2,7,8,10 last year (with help from you guys!), gunning for the rest (probably with the exception of the wedding) this year!
[ link ]Going for the producing. Got the software and some synths, now just have to get a feel of them.
[ link ]With you on this one mate just got ableton a launchpad and m audio axiom 25 so yup now I need to work out how to use em
[ link ]3, 4, 5, 9 & 10 are the goals that I shall aim for. In addition to becoming a resident dj at a few local clubs and djing at MORE events.
Kudos to you Mr. Morse for writing such great articles.
[ link ]not bragging here but i achieved 8/10 of these in just a year after i started DJ. what i’m aiming for this year is 4,5 and some more high-profile gig (i.e. sponsored events/parties.) let’s go fellow DJs \m/
[ link ]My goal for this year is to become an all around better DJ. Look deeper into Music theory and start not only making better mixes and remixes but, originals as well. Currently though, I am workin on my EP for a label in the UK that wants to put my mixes up on Beatport, iTunes, and Amazon right now so I’m hoping this goes well:)
[ link ]With the right business savvy and a little hustle, it is pretty easy to get paid as a DJ in my experience and get your name out there. I’ve only been DJing three years and have excellent name recognition in my area.
[ link ]Im gonna go for producing at least one tune a month. 12 tunes for the year aint an impossible target lol. Also sorting my music collection out too. Good luck all wid the resolutions and having fun doin it is de one.
[ link ]I only have number 4 and 10 to complete, but there is a very powerful tool that helped me out in accomplishing my goals. VOCALIZE your goals. Say them out loud, and say them often. It really does help. Doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it’s not impossible for the timeframe you wish to achieve it in, it will help make it happen. Promise.
[ link ]Love this article, especially the part on what each of the goals mean to achieve them. For me my goal this year is to get a an event every month. I know it wil start very small, but it will grow.
Good luck to my fellow dj’s on their resolution.
[ link ]Great post!
[ link ]I make a list of dj related goals on my site every year. I find it easy to make goals, the hard part is actually achieving those goals.
Would you guys like an article on tips for making a DJ website?
[ link ]It’s #4 and #10 for me this year. The latter a bit bigger task though and might be extended to next year! (^_^;)
[ link ]yes Please i made a small one on google sites but its crap
[ link ]Mine is to invest in decent hearing protection. Not just for DJing but for clubbing too. My ears are still ringing from NYE!
[ link ]Very helpful goal!. I’m gonna try #1 and #4
[ link ]A good article for beginners. I think the order should be reorganized a little though. It would help if your library was organized before booking your fisrt gig.
[ link ]Just joined the site and love all the advice hints and tips. For all those looking to get a website site up and running probably the quickest and easiest way is to use somthing like moon fruit it has loads of different templates and ways to get your website noticed. It has a very friendly user interface and if you have all the info, pics. Logos and mixes ready you could have your website live in an hour or so all the websites easy to edit. Hope this helps someone achieve one of there 10 things to do
[ link ]That’s some good advice here Matt – I have been using moonfruit for my website for a year now and can onlky recommend their service.
Apple mobile users (iphone/ipad) may not like it as much though as it’s built upon flash. the website will show if a visitor doesnt have flash but it’ll kill the layout.
Good on the other hand is that it’s dead easy to use even for people without or even no knowledge in webdesign.
It works a bit like a CMS – so you just find a template you want, make the layout on the fly and adapt it to any content you add. Matter of minutes.
Another bonus is that its free and you can even up a reasonable number of pics if you take the time to convert them to jpeg’s before reaching the limit for a free account.
If you need to have more they also offer better service for premium users (paying customers).
It’s really a no brainer for peeps who want to spend their time with more interesting things like uhm – bet you already guessed it – something musicrelated XD.
Hint: Tempoplus lets you upload mixtapes or your own productions up to a size of 170 MB and can be nicely integrated and used with a moonfruit website. Bonus here is that Tempoplus has a huge active community too so upping your work there will spread your name as well.
Ohhhhhhhhhh and happy new year everyone
[ link ]Well, since I got only 9 and 10 left to cover and DJing a wedding here is…well, it’s questionably safe and smart, so I am left with number ten. Off I go!
[ link ]I feel like I came into the DJing business backwards of most, with little musical experience per se, but I had a business up and running and was making money within 6 months of buying my first controller. On that note, I am into my 3rd year DJing at this point and have decently sized goals.
1. Earn more than $50k working events this year.
2. Book 2-4 weddings minimum from April-October.
3. Consistently pick up gigs for my secondary DJ.
4. Record and post mixes at least once a month online.
5. Continue to build out relationships with local DJs.
For those reading who are just starting out, please keep in m,ind that these are my goals a simple 3 years into starting this. In October of 2008 I had a Sony Viao computer and nothing else to my name as far as equipment. I now maintain two macbooks, three mixers, 4 powered speakers, two subwoofers, a wireless mic setup, and have access to wireless PA setups and party light setups. I did a party for my wife’s sorority (then my gf) in that October, saved some money that winter and was playing for money by the following Spring, and did my first wedding that Fall. I now do 1-4 weddings a month minimum during the season, have played in front of 1000+ people multiple times and play for money a minimum of 5 times a month and bring in roughly $900-$4000 a month DJing doing this as a secondary job. If I continue on the track I am on I will end up considering DJing my primary source of income this year.
If your goals are to start mixing with a board, or to start playing in public, or for money, then stick to it, put the work in and you will get recognized. When I graduated from college in 2008 I did not imagine that I would be doing this at all, and thank life everyday for the opportunity to do something I love AND make money doing so. Good luck to everyone in 2012, and keep grinding and hustling!
[ link ]I feel like I came into the DJing business backwards of most, with little musical experience per se, but I had a business up and running and was making money within 6 months of buying my first controller. On that note, I am into my 3rd year DJing at this point and have decently sized goals.
1. Earn more than $50k working events this year.
2. Book 2-4 weddings minimum from April-October.
3. Consistently pick up gigs for my secondary DJ.
4. Record and post mixes at least once a month online.
5. Continue to build out relationships with local DJs.
For those reading who are just starting out, please keep in m,ind that these are my goals a simple 3 years into starting this. In October of 2008 I had a Sony Viao computer and nothing else to my name as far as equipment. I now maintain two macbooks, three mixers, 4 powered speakers, two subwoofers, a wireless mic setup, and have access to wireless PA setups and party light setups. I did a party for my wife’s sorority (then my gf) in that October, saved some money that winter and was playing for money by the following Spring, and did my first wedding that Fall. I now do 1-4 weddings a month minimum during the season, have played in front of 1000+ people multiple times and play for money a minimum of 5 times a month and bring in roughly $900-$4000 a month DJing doing this as a secondary job. If I continue on the track I am on I will end up considering DJing my primary source of income this year.
If your goals are to start mixing with a board, or to start playing in public, or for money, then stick to it, put the work in and you will get recognized. When I graduated from college in 2008 I did not imagine that I would be doing this at all, and thank life everyday for the opportunity to do something I love AND make money doing so. Good luck to everyone in 2012, and keep grinding and hustling!
[ link ]i’m gonna do 3 4 6 and 9.
i’ve achieved everything else
my goal for 2012 is to get my own successful weekly party
HAPPY NEW YEAR DDJT!!
[ link ]My goals for this year is to make a great track that stands out from the crowd, to get my first paid DJ gig and learn how to market myself, that way people know who “Eletrikx” is.
[ link ]I really don’t know what to push towards this year – been publishing mixes on Mixcloud for the last six months – have done my first mash-up track, which is on Soundcloud, but hasn’t got much reviews there!
Then in July did my first gig in publically at my housemates b’day party at home, and then on NYE I did my first paid gig which was also in a bar, and as a direct consequence of that – and how good people thought it was, have got myself a residency there every Saturday for £50 a night.
So where do I go from there – do I concentrate on the mixing aspect of it – or do I push the boundaries a bit with more mash-ups and edits and incorporate them into my sets?
[ link ]I’m going to focus on producing a mix every month. So far it’s been hard to juggle with college and social life. New years resolution set!
[ link ]I suggest a white board in the studio is the best way to get things done.. Writing something out and committing it to reality is so much better than lists on a screen.. And much fun crossing them out!
I’ll be getting some of that list this year
[ link ]4, 5, and 10!
[ link ]Let’s see: I already have my own biweekly 2 hour show and Podcast (check it out on iTunes, Mixcloud and Soundcloud: /RicMansur), I have a big online presence (FB, Twitter, Youtube /RicMansur, now my main goal is to join an agency to get bookings!
[ link ]