I was asked to give some advice to up and coming artists on how to approach a popular DJ to get him to get involved with your mixtape project. First let me start by saying that you are not the only person who thinks they have the Hot Shit, next level shit, new shit, your shit is better than anything else, etc. Its understandable that you invest a lot of your time, energy & perhaps even money into what you feel could be your career but before you even go that far remember that just because you love basketball doesn't mean you can buy a jersey and a ball and say your a professional basketball player. That being said, A successful DJ gets approached constantly to get involved with aspiring artist projects and why wouldn't they? They are for the most part the gatekeeper to showcasing what you made in your studio to the world and of course you want the world to hear your hard work.
There are different ways of approaching a DJ. One of the methods that I live by and have had success with is that whenever I feel I need something from someone to help my cause I figure out what their cause is and how I can help theirs simultaneously so its a win/win situation. Also remember to start any business you need money and essentially you are a business so when planning on putting a project together take into consideration the cost of marketing and promotions. Now, what is it that the popular DJ who worked hard to get to where he is doing for you by getting involved with your project and exposing you to his fanbase that he built already??? Let's say it together... Marketing & Promotions! Exactly! So think about that when approaching a DJ who you do not have a personal relationship with and you have nothing else to offer him and be realistic. Okay, let's say you just think your Nice and don't really have the money to pay a DJ but your saying to yourself "Man, if this dude just cosigned me I would definitely get to where I need to be". There is possibly a way to get that done and that's all on your approach. Personally I get tons of messages on myspace which basically all say the same thing and as respectful as the messages are the DJ only has so much time to listen to you and after being fooled a million times from clever messages only to hear the worst music the DJ has ever heard Time & time again, it gets restless.
I myself have been swayed many times into going to peoples pages and listening only to once again be disappointed by the hype. My point is create a unique approach to selling yourself. Remember your a business trying to sell the product, You! Why should I listen to you, what is special about you, what can you offer that no one else is Seriously when putting your project together ask yourself these questions and when you have an original answer then you might be onto something....I personally wish I could listen to everyone and help out as much as I can but unfortunately I'm just like you...trying to get it crackin! Hopefully this helps some of you in your quest of building your brand and relationships with not just popular DJs but anybody for that matter. Good luck and may you continue to Get People Familiar!
Labels: getfamiliar, morethanaDJ, personal
