On each online profile, you can add a description about yourself. Who said you needed to put your life story on it? I can understand why some feel that they need to write it all up. You believe that it will help you get better recognition if you list all the good things you have done since you’ve been born. In reality, it doesn’t really. Social networks are a fast paced environment and people want the main information quickly.

Co-written by Cyril Léger:

Here are 10 steps for becoming a DJ:

1. Investing in equipment

If you want to become a DJ, you need to invest in equipment that will allow you to learn the art of mixing and to produce your own music. You will need a laptop computer, sound card, speakers, turntables or CD players and/or external controller and DJing software such as Traktor or Serato. To compose your music, you can use: Reason, Prologic, Ableton, Cubase, etc. The choice of music production software is dependable on how you like to work. Try them.

For a long time I have been saying that the majority of skilled artists should be able to earn a decent living from their art. They should be able to pay their mortgage, put food on the table, live comfortably and, most importantly, be able to pursue their passion full-time.

Co-written by Cyril Léger:  (part 3 of 4)

Today DJs need to know how to promote themselves by using the social networks and their own websites to connect with fans. Before, you only needed to send demo tapes to the promoters who would get you gigs in clubs and music events in an inexpensive way.

Now, to ensure the right promotion is done, it can cost hundreds of euros in annual memberships on different social networks. You need to put your hand in your pocket before getting any gigs. On the other side of the coin, using the social networks allows you to easily communicate information such as the release of your new EP, your gig dates or simply exchange with your fans.

Co-written by Cyril Léger:  (part 2 of 4)

We need to remember that five years ago, mixing was technical performance. You needed to beat match two different tracks together. Making sure that they were in the same key and respect the rhythm structure. Always keeping an ear on the monitors to listen to the mix and have an eye on the dance floor to understand, anticipate and build the desired atmosphere. All of this work resembles that of a diamond cutter who is looking for perfection by refining the rock until reaching absolute pureness…

For the next series of posts, I’ve invited my long time friend, talented DJ and producer, Cyril Léger to share his thoughts about what it means to be a DJ today. He has been in the business for more than 20 years now, has produced numerous tracks, and hosts a monthly podcast. We met in 1994 through one of the electronic music events I helped organised in Montreal, Canada – Neksus Project.

It’s been a while I have wanted to talk about posting during the social network downtime meaning: too early or too late in the day and Sundays ;-) Over time, I’ve seen friends/followers posting about promotions, products and/or services they offer on Sundays and I wondered if that had effective results. I came to understand that Sundays are the only days when they have the time to do their social media activities. The down side is that the social network users are most likely not online on Sundays. Sundays have become the “computer off” day for a lot of people.