A demo is the most important tool for your self-promotion. It demonstrates your style and ability to the masses. Once you really get going it is a good idea to do a new demo as often as possible to keep your sound and style fresh and up to date.

Make your demo as long as possible to keep it interesting and to demonstrate you can mix seamlessly for as long as required. Also, don’t load your demo with all the most popular tunes of the time. Instead, you need to be a step ahead finding the tunes that will become the next popular tunes, separating your demo from all the others getting handed around.

I also suggest, if possible, creating one of those stick-on labels to make your CDs look as professional as possible, because remember, “perception is reality”. The CD label also helps with first impressions, which are very important in getting people to want to listen to your demo. Also make sure you include your contact details, usually either of or preferably both your email and mobile number.

Remember – if you are going to make a demo it needs to be perfect

Once you have your demo, the idea is to burn and hand out as many as possible, absolutely no amount is too many! The more the better! Don’t just hand them to promoters and clubbers; make sure you also get them out to all of your friends and even their friends. This will create a buzz and get them all talking about you, especially if they like it. You never know whose hands your demo will end up in, so keep getting them out there.

TIP: Make sure you carry a copy of your demo everywhere you go as you never know where and when you will run into that person who will give you your first break. At all times you need to be networking and self-promoting. You want to get your friends and friends of friends driving around with your demo cranking. You never know who will be in the passenger seat listening!

When it comes to your demo – perception really is reality – it MUST look professional and grab people’s attention in an instant and make them want to listen to it. I have added a couple of resources to get you started – the first one is mixonic these guys will take care of everything from the labelling to duplication (one copy to one million copies) They have an online suite of tools that allows you to quote your project, design your artwork and upload content. It is all high quality and at basement prices. The second option neato is a good place to source everything you need to be able to do it yourself. Which way you go doesn’t matter as long as it looks professional and makes people want to listen to it. There is no point putting all the hard work in if your demo isn’t taken seriously from the beginning!

How to create a Perfect DJ Mix

If you haven’t already, check out the FULL DJ Master Course Training Program.

For FREE Regular Updates Become a DJ Master Course Facebook Fan.