Breaking into the club scene without club experience?
Hey techies,
So I’m wondering… how would you guys (and girls) go about breaking into the club scene without any actual club experience?
I’ve got mostly house party experience, and play very club friendly mixes so I’m told- top 40 mashups with EDM/House more or less… but nothing to go on my “DJ resume”. 
Any thoughts are appreciated 
Well, aren’t those things you mentioned things to put on your Resume? I mean, everyone has to start somewhere, you can’t get your first club gig and already have experience in a club, right?
I guess you’re right…
That’s my resume then!
Well, don’t rely solely on me. It’s not like I’ve ever performed at clubs (or performed at all(!)) but I do like to pretend that.. 
Be seen in the clubs that you want to dj ing. Go out, meet other like minded djs, talk to promoters, club owners and what not.
Start off by talking to the bartender, he/she knows everyone from sub-promoter to club owner.
^ What Jes said, I’ve been going to the few good local clubs quite a bit now and have met a couple residents and promoters, became friends and am currently in the works for my first club gig 
Hopefully happening around months end at a new club in town that is, according to an insider, going to be laptop dj / controllerist friendly !
eastcostams, are you going to play anywhere near Portsmouth?
Would you guys say it’s possible to just call up a club and let them know what you are all about and organize an appointment or w/e…as a more direct approach…or is going to the club regularly and getting to know people necessary?
Ironically I don’t go clubbing very often (I also don’t drink which is basically the main factor). I usually just go to the occasional trance dj event once every 2-3 months lol…
@ Shane, about 45 minutes north of portsmouth
The 1st question they are going to ask you is what kind of pull do you have?Meaning can you bring people into there club/bar. They want numbers!
Another thing is if you dont like to go out to club on regular basis, i would say to surround yourself with like minded dj’s. Sooner or later they will hit you up to do a opening or closing set.
Hmm…very interesting, thanks for the reponse btw.
How would you guys recommend getting that “pull” though? I play pretty well strictly progressive/trance/electro house…not really the type of material for house parties or even bars (in my area of Vancouver at least). These types of events seem strictly for clubs.
How would it be possible to get a good group of followers without network whoring myself on facebook/twitter/myspace/all that bullshit? I can understand maybe one facebook page but I really hate the extreme attention whoring…
Do your friends know you DJ? I mean, it all starts with your friends and getting them to support you when you play out. Organize a house party, get all your friends and their friends to come (offer free booze and free entry), have a friend take (good) pictures, create a twitter/facebook/email list, and let the club know what you have to offer!
At least, that seems like a good plan to me. Most of my experience lies at college and college-related venues, so I couldn’t personally confirm that it’d work.
while on the topic, are you allowed to be 18 and perform at clubs that have bars? because i turn 18 in a month but im trying to do house parties AND clubs this summer, and id rather do clubs because then i dont have to play crappy mainstream stuff && i can play my EDM the way i want
Next time its one of your buddys birthdays or some other event. Get them to rent a club and tell them that you will DJ the party for him. BANG, your DJ’ing at a club with no connections or experience what so ever.
That varies by state in the US.
lol lets say hypothetically, california (because i live there)
According to google it looks like 18 is okay to work at a bar in California.
haha thank you dude (honestly i feel bad that i was too lazy to look that up myself)
Good stuff in this thread thanks guys.
No problem, one day I’m going to figure out how to get paid for my mad Google skilz. 
What were we talking about? Oh yeah, getting into clubs. It looks like the resonant theme is to get to know the people you want to work with. I’ll add to practice, practice, practice. Let them know how much your working and what you want to do.
Self promotion is all part of the game and being able to draw a crowd is important. Give your friends CD’s with your mixes tell them to hand the CD’s out make sure your name is on it and a blog address or something so they can check you out and where your playing. Then you can tell the decision maker that you have a blog/twitter with x number of readers that like what you do.