Marty gave me some constructive criticism about the DJ side of what I do.
He wasn’t trying to insult me, belittle me, or tell me I was doing a bad job. He was looking at it from the outside and giving me the kind of advice that people sometimes need to hear when they are trying to turn something they can do into something they can sell professionally.
His advice was simple.
Get yourself a good pair of dress pants. I already bought dress clothes back when I was doing computer work. Put on a comfortable button-up shirt, wear some decent shoes, and present yourself properly.
Because I’m not only selling the DJ service.
I’m selling myself along with it.
That is something I’ve always understood, but I’m starting to understand it more as I continue developing this part of the business. People are not only judging the speakers, the mixer, the lights, or the songs. They are also looking at the person standing behind all of it.
Do you look prepared?
Do you look professional?
Do you look like someone they can trust with their party, wedding, family event, or celebration?
Marty made it clear that he was offering constructive criticism because he believes I can do it.
He told me the same thing he has told his son: How badly do you want it, and what are you willing to sacrifice to get there?
There are going to be a lot of parties, weddings, and other events coming up in the fall. His point was that I should not be afraid to put myself out there.
The only real failure is never trying.
Then the conversation shifted toward the music.
I have been thinking about building stronger music lists, particularly for the 1990s and early 2000s. Having access to thousands of songs is useful, but it is not the same thing as having organized, dependable lists that can quickly fit a particular crowd.
Marty also reminded me of something important about the party I played last year.
Everybody was entertained.
People playing cornhole were singing along with the music. Nobody was standing around complaining that the songs sucked. The mix worked. I moved between some 1980s rock, classic rock, country, and other familiar material without losing the crowd.
That is the general mix I usually try to build.
The goal is not to impress people with the most obscure music I can find. The goal is to find the songs that connect with the largest part of the room while still keeping enough variety that the night does not sound repetitive.
There are certain artists who work well in that environment.
Tom Petty can fit into almost any general party mix.
Guns N’ Roses has several recognizable songs, although the song still has to fit the room. Sweet Child o’ Mine works in many settings. Rocket Queen may belong somewhere else entirely, depending on the event.
Queen also depends heavily on the crowd and the specific song. Fat Bottomed Girls worked because everybody sang along. Crazy Little Thing Called Love is another one that can fit easily into a mixed crowd. We Are the Champions has its place, but it has to arrive at the correct moment.
That is part of being a DJ.
You are not simply playing songs.
You are deciding when a song belongs.
There are also the familiar one-hit songs and nostalgic tracks such as Brown Eyed Girl or Dream Weaver. You may not want to build an entire night around songs like that, but they can create certain moments.
Sometimes the event needs a slower section.
Sometimes you tell the couples to grab each other and dance around the yard.
Sometimes you create an intimate moment where people can kiss their sweetheart and enjoy the company they came with.
Of course, Marty immediately pointed out that I should be careful saying that around certain families, because the cousins might take the instruction too seriously.
That is Marty.
The joke usually arrives somewhere in the middle of the useful advice.
But the advice itself was solid.
Dress like the professional service you are trying to sell.
Organize the music.
Keep building the lists.
Pay attention to what worked.
Do not be afraid to promote yourself.
A DJ is not hired simply because he owns speakers and has access to music. Almost everyone has access to music now.
What they are paying for is judgment.
They are paying for someone who can read the crowd, control the energy, choose the right song at the right time, make announcements, solve problems, and keep the event moving.
They are also paying for confidence.
Marty’s point was that the confidence has to appear before the first song starts playing.
It begins when you walk into the event.