Tips for Improving Your Time Management as a DJ

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Time management techniques are crucial in all walks of life. DJing is no exception.

There are many scheduling challenges in the early stages of a DJ’s career. They are unlikely to have agents, marketers, and other professionals acting on their behalf. Therefore, these individuals need to wear many hats at once and fire on all cylinders when managing their careers.

Time management is crucial for ensuring the aspiring DJ doesn’t get overwhelmed. If you’re in a similar situation yourself, then you must have a way to keep things under control here. The more sustainable your schedule is, the more likely that your career aspirations will be fully realized.

How can you improve your time management as a DJ? Read on below for some suggestions.

Download Crucial Software

DJs can benefit from booking a recording studio all to themselves. However, depending on where you’re based and other parameters of your personal life, the commute to these creative spaces can sometimes be time-consuming.

However, many DJs can get to work with nothing but a laptop. Of course, they do need to have the right software installed first. Once it’s downloaded to the machine, though, DJs can work anywhere. They could get to work in their own home recording spaces or refine their material while commuting across town to a state-of-the-art studio.

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For example, this virtual DJ tutorial for beginners can teach you how to mix songs for free. The software can also be used for automatically syncing and beatmatching tracks. It also has an appealing and easy-to-use interface. Whether you want to learn, practice, or record a mix, the Virtual DJ software can support and facilitate your creativity throughout the process.

All the software you use should have multiple and capable functions. That way, you won’t have to keep drifting between pieces of tech and relearning how it all works. Such things can disrupt your creative process and ultimately hamper the amount of progress you could be making. Virtual DJ software is convenient and multi-faceted, making it a key pillar of your time management processes.

Split Your Schedule

Only naïve artists believe that 100% of their time will be devoted solely to their craft. It’s important to understand that you’ll have many ‘business’ matters to attend to if you’re flying solo.

Therefore, you need to be comfortable wearing these different hats. You should split your schedule between creative endeavors and business affairs to orchestrate an even balance. Some of your time should be attributed to honing your musical and remixing abilities. Other moments in your schedule should be allocated to spreadsheets, cost control, networking, responding to emails, branding, digital marketing, and securing bookings.

As cynical as it might sound, music is a business, irrespective of genre or scene. After all, the music industry contributes enormously to the UK economy, so it’s important not to lose sight of these types of facts if you’re keen to be a success. It’s vital your DJing speaks to you creatively, but your act must resonate with others on a business level before you can find success. Marketability, consumer interest, and profit margins are all factors you need to consider.

Some DJs believe practicing all day, every day will win them acclaim. To an extent, it’s a misuse of time, as many other important elements leading to success are neglected in the process. Don’t fall into that trap.

Manage Your Doubts

There are always some nerves when creating and sharing art. You might fear scrutiny or wonder if anything you produce is worth putting out into the world. If the doubts cause you to be crippled with fear, then unnecessary delays in your creative process can be incurred.

However, the best creative minds aren’t afraid to make mistakes in their work. Setting an extremely high bar for yourself as an aspiring DJ is almost sure to be counterproductive. You may waste time sitting and worrying instead of creating great DJing sets and refining your craft over time. Remember, artists hone their abilities with every release and attempt to build constructively upon their portfolio.

Read around inspirational DJs who had humble origins and eventually found success. Recognize that their path was likely full of unexpected twists, turns, and setbacks. Compare situations and try to persevere through any rough periods as they did.

Your DJing should be a liberating aspect of your life, not one that restricts you. Embrace failure if and when it arrives and learn from it. Never hesitate to practice and perform your art.

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Take Breaks

No DJ can force the creative process. Even the more prolific ones will encounter rough periods in terms of inspiration and productivity.

It’s important to schedule breaks and to use them well. Instead of using them as an opportunity to procrastinate, instead, engage with your industry in other ways. Read about fellow creatives, research which venues are making waves currently, and build up other aspects of your DJing. Never waste a moment. Your breaks can teach you to be more adaptable as an artist.