10 Ways to Better DJ Music Programming

    Whether you’re a veteran DJ or new to the profession, these tips will help improve performance in the booth. They are:
    Ensure a written job description exists for the DJ position.  Understand exactly what the expectations are for your job. Nightly, weekly and monthly duties should be outlined. This will help eliminate many DJ/management conflicts now and in the future.
    Make sure your music format is in writing. Simply outline exactly what types of music styles are to be played with specific song examples. The format should also list how many 70s, 80s, 90s and current music selections should be played each hour.
Keep a nightly playlist to document what you are playing. Write down what you play every night to not only keep your show sounding fresh but to also refer back to. Create a file for these and provide a copy to management at the end of each shift. Many computer-based MP3 players keep these logs automatically for printing at the end of the shift.
    To avoid music repetition, use the “pick five” technique. Simply pick five songs from your library you haven’t played in at least three months (or possibly ever) and play them that night. You won’t believe the impact implementing this technique will have on your program and performance.
    Update your library at least monthly. Use a monthly budget of anywhere between $150-250.
    Meet with management at least monthly to review your performance, discuss upcoming promotions at the club and to keep the lines of communication open between you and management.
    Get out of the booth at least once a night and walk the room to get a better feel for whom exactly is in the club and to check volume levels.
    Use the microphone! Communicate with the audience at least twice an hour to announce drink or promotional specials, birthdays and to engage the crowd in audience participation. Keep the length of each voice-over to no less than 20 but no more than 30 seconds.
    Don’t be afraid to take requests. Keep a list near the booth for customers to write down what they would like to hear. Place a statement at the bottom of the form that reads “one request per customer please.” Politely inform guests that if you have the song you will play it “within the hour.”
    Do your homework. Keep up to date with new music releases and entertainment trends. Subscribe to key industry publications, surf the Web, network with other DJs and stay informed.  NCB

Wyatt Magnum is president of CMS and the Magnum Music Group, providing on-premise music consultation services. He can be reached at (800) 266-4700.