Spinning Beats Into a Career: Jobs for DJs Beyond the Decks

Other than actual DJing, there is a whole web of jobs and careers that many DJs do alongside thier DJing. If you're looking for jobs that are suitable for DJs, either as a new career or side-hustle this blog is for you.

Most DJs are self-employed and often only working on weekends and can often branch out into more than one career direction. One of the great things about the DJ, music and events industry is that you can find so many interesting and creative career niches.

In this blog we seek to explore a range of potential career paths that compliment and often reinforce a DJ career. Why not add another string to your bow and explore where your DJ career can take you?

Many DJs will explore these avenues during the course of a DJ career. Perhaps you can find a suitable side-hustle to do in addition to your DJing. You never know, it might even splinter off into an entirely new future for you. Who knows where the spinning deck will take you.

Here's our list of careers and jobs that highly align with the art of DJing. See what you think and contact us if you have any questions or would be interested in our DJ and music production courses. As with all out blogs we will outline the main ways in a short list and then expand on each job type below.

Career Paths For DJs (Other than DJing) Short List

1. A&R Representative
2. Artist Liason
3. Artist Manager
4. Audio Services
5. Audio Visual Hire
6. Audio Visual Sales
7. Booker
8. Creative Director
9. Digital Content Creator
10. DJ Equipment Ambassador
11. Event Manager
12. Fashion
13. Festival Promoter
14. Graphic Designer
15. Influencer
16. Lighting Design
17. Merchandise
18. Music Apps & Tech
19. Music Curator
20. Music Journalist
21. Music Licensing
22. Music Producer
23. Music Sales
24. Photographer
25. Promoter
26. Radio DJ
27. Record Label Owner
28. Record Store Owner
29. Sample Pack Producer
30. Social Media Manager
31. Sound Engineer
32. Studio Owner
33. Teaching
34. Tour Manager
35. Venue Manager
36. Videographer

Career Paths For DJs (Other than DJing) Long List

In this section of the article we detail thirty six difference careers, jobs a side-hustles that highly correlate with being a DJ or working in the music industry. All these jobs are strongly aligned with an interest in electronic music. If you have a passion for EDM or DJing these job ideas might help you discover a new way to support yourself , network and develop your craft.

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1. A&R Representative

Artists and repertoire (A&R) is the division of a record label or music publishing company that is responsible for scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists and songwriters. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label or publishing company. Every activity involving artists to the point of album release is generally considered under the purview and responsibility of A&R.

2. Artist Liason

An artist Liason is someone that looks after the artists at live performances, commonly large club events, concerts and music festivals. They act as the go-to-point-of-contact for the artist when they reach the venue. They will look after the artists every need and make sure the show goes smoothly. Their main task is to make sure the artist reaches the venue on time, is escorted to their green room or the artist area, give them the relevant credentials they may need like artists passes or wristbands and make sure they have drinks and maybe even food.

3. Artist Manager

An artist manager is normally hired by the artist of their record label to provide administrative support to further the artists career. This frees the artist to focus on creating music and performing. The manager might just handle day-to-day activities like finances and performance bookings, but in some cases will also help with the direction of the artist's career.

4. Audio Services

Many DJs earn a second income by providing audio services such as mixing and mastering services. Some DJs will also create jingles, samples and sound FX and sell them as a product. If you are adept at audio engineering you can extend your services into voice overs, audio editing for music, film, television and radio. Audio services can be a lucrative second-income.

5. Audio Visual Hire

If you have a large amount of equipment and a driving license you may wish to consider hiring equipment. Hiring equipment can be very lucrative and offer DJs a second income. You can hire audio visual equipment such as sound systems for events and weddings, DJ equipment, photo booths and disco lights. Research your local market and see if there is space for a new player.

6. Audio Visual Sales

If you know about DJ, audio and visual technology you may wish to consider a career in audio visual sales. Perhaps take a job at your local DJ shop or even launch one of your own! You can trade in new or vintage equipment too and many DJs might also offer repair services.

7. Booker

A booker is someone who books the acts or performers, including DJs and live acts, for an event. You'll find that larger event companies and promotion companies have a person whose sole job is dedicated to seeking the best acts, booking them and negotiating the contract with the artists agency. If you're a good negotiator with an eye for upcoming talent this might be a great position for you.

8. Creative Director

The creative director position can be found in many large corporations. The person who has this role will decide on the creative direction of a project or the entire company. A good example from within the electronic music world would be a creative director working within a music festival. Take Tomorrowland for example, they are famed for their creatively designed stages and graphic design. They theme every part of their festivals right down to the wrist-bands. This is an excellent job for a creative and artistic person.

9. Digital Content Creator

Have you got your finger on the pulse of digital marketing, viral trends and editing apps? If you're a keen videographer and enjoy shooting and editing content this job might be for you. Companies are using video content more and more and it's someone's job to create it all. All major record labels and individual artists will be pumping out content on a daily basis. Maybe this is the job for you.

10. DJ Equipment Ambassador

If you're one of the most technically skilled DJs or producers in your genre or music niche you might find an opportunity to work with a software or hardware company. Perhaps you can become a rep for a particular product. They will pay you to make content about the product including tutorials, reviews and potentially sponsor you to use the products in your own practice.

11. Event Manager

An event manager is the person who organises events and is essentially the go-to-person for anything to do with an event. They might have started the event themselves or they may work for a larger event company. If you're good at communication and getting things done in a high-stress environment you might relish this career option.

12. Fashion Creative

Fashion, art and music go hand-in-hand. DJs and artists always strive to have the perfect look, something eye catching. Many artists will employ stylists and creatives to make them stand out. There is a niche for everything new a creative in the fashion world including celebrity wig makers, millinery designers, avant-garde knitters and more. If you have a passion for fashion and music, a career within fashion might be for you.

13. Festival Promoter

Music festivals are big business. Many festival companies will plan their festival a year or more in advance. The correct promotion of the festival is essential in order to get enough ticket sales to break-even and hopefully make enough profit to grow the business. If you're savvy at marketing and have a gift for sales this might be the job for you. You'll need to be good at working to a deadline! It's one of the most important jobs in the music festival business.

14. Graphic Designer

Good graphic design is an essential component to all business including those within the DJ industry. Individual artists will also need to harness great graphic design in order to reach new audiences and communicate their message. If you're a fan of graphic design and have a creative flair to make stand-out images this might be the side hustle for you. The entry way into this job is to start by creating flyers for events, digital content and logos.

15. Influencer

Have you got a large and engaged online following? You might be able to get paid to 'influence.' Many companies will pay influencers a fee to spread the word about their event or product. Influencing a great way to capitalise on your large audience. The bigger the better, but they will know if you have fake followers based on the engagement like comments. Try and build an real audience or engaged followers and they might in tern support your career goals.

16. Lighting Design

A major part of successful music events is the lighting. Good or bad lighting can make or break an event or venue. Lighting design is an interesting and creative job that also involves electronics and some manual labour! If you've got a passion for creating exciting atmospheres and lighting setups this might be an interesting career to explore.

17. Merchandise

With the collapse of music sales revenue, music businesses have looked for other streams of revenue. Merchandise has always been a main money raising technique of concerts, bands and record labels. This industry is here to stay and many people have crafted a career by designing or producing merchandise for brands, artists and companies. This might be the perfect side hustle to compliment your DJ or music career. Perhaps your a designer or manufacturer, could creating meachandise give you second of main income?

18. Music Apps & Tech

With the continual digitisation of the music industry comes many opportunities within music apps and technology like AI. If you're a coder, or just great at thinking up new concepts, a career in music tech might be for you. Perhaps you'll be the next Soundcloud or Shazam!

19. Music Curator

Music consultancy is a thing! Many large corporations need people who understand music and how playlists can create the perfect atmosphere. Hotels need the perfect soundtrack for different moods and people actually do this as a job. If you have a talent for play-listing and an expansive music knowledge this job might be the perfect match for you. Often music consultants are self employed and will reach out to individual companies. Hotels, resorts, retail and hospitality businesses are the biggest customers for this industry.

20. Music Journalist

Have you got a way with words? Do you like to report on the community and stories that people need to know? If you're good at writing, brainstorming and research a job in music journalism might be for you. Many music journos will start with a music blog or become a contributor for bigger blogs, magazines and trade journals. The successful ones might land full-time journalistic positions with popular publications both on and off line.

21. Music Licensing

If you're got a head for legal contracts and a clear understanding of business and legal jargon you might gravitate toward a job in music licensing. All major artists and music labels will have a need for professional music licensing staff. This career is a complex one but it's fundamental to the running and success of many music labels, publishers and artists alike. As this is a legal-orientated job the fees that music licensors can charge can be very lucrative.

22. Music Producer

Music production goes hand-in-hand with DJing which is why many DJs are also producers. It's hard to make it as a DJ unless you release your own music. However, many producers most successful work is made for other people. Think of a Beyonce album, every track has many producers. She doesn't make the beats herself, instead she has a whole team. If you're a talented music producer with the adaptability needed to create difference styles of music you might want to consider making music for other people. This is an excellent side-hustle for music producers.

23. Music Sales

Although streaming has nearly killed off music sales there is still a strong undercurrent. Record sales have been rising and even the humble cassette mixtape has had a retro revival. If you have a passion for music and a huge knowledge of genres and artists you might suit a position in music sales. Many cities still have record shops and there are many specialist or niche sellers online. You can even start your own website to sell musically digitally or trade in vintage records.

24. Photographer

Nowadays content is king and everything is documented. Well, perhaps not in some underground clubs! Most events and music festivals will pay someone to take photos which they will use to document the event and also for content. In addition, artists will need regular photoshoots for their own content. Photographer is a common job within the music industry. If you have an eye for the perfect shot this job might snap your shutter.

25. Promoter

Second to DJing and producing you should seriously consider becoming a promoter. A promoter is someone who runs any kind of event and promotes it with the aim of selling tickets. A promoter will create a brand or concept, find a venue, book the acts and spread the word. If the event is a success they can make money from ticket sales.

Click here to read our blog on the DJ, Producer & Promoter triangle.

26. Radio DJ

Radio DJing is a great way to build your following and reach new audiences. It's also a career in its own right if you get a show on a popular station, like the BBC. A Radio DJ might not even actually DJ or mix, but be more of a song selector, or just good at talking on the mic. Do you have a voice for radio and an entertaining persona? Radio might be an avenue you might want to consider exploring.

27. Record Label Owner

Many people have established solid careers becoming a record label owner. Simon Dunmore of Defected is a good example or Mark Knight of Toolroom records. It's easy to start a record label nowadays but finding excellent artists and promoting sales is another ball-game. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit this might be your true calling!

28. Record Store Owner

Record sales are on the up! They have been climbing steadily due to the revival of the nostalgia associated with playing and collecting records. There is something special about the physical medium. You might want to cash in on this trend and become a record store owner or trade in vintage records. You can even do this online via an Instagram page or using Discogs.

29. Sample Pack Producer

Many music producers make a side income by producing and selling sample packs for other producers to use in their own productions. Sometimes sample packs can earn more money than a moderately successful record release. Certainly not to be sniffed at! If you're an established producer you may wish to consider teaming up with a site like Splice and releasing your own sample pack.

30. Social Media Manager

Not everyone is good at social media. Many artists just want to focus on making music and are not particularly computer savvy. Artists and brands will hire social media managers whose passion is to adopt the latest social media trends and capitalise on them before the competition. If you're glued to social media why not get paid for your time!?

31. Sound Engineer

Sound engineers are the people behind the scenes at events making sure the sound system and live acts run smoothly. This is an essential and skilful job that requires a lot of sound engineering knowledge. It's perfect for people who are fascinated by sound systems and sound itself. Just make sure you wear ear plugs!

32. Studio Owner

If you've got some capital, you may wish to consider opening a music studio. You can rent out the space to music producers either on a short term or hourly basis. If your studio is in a good location and have good facilities and excellent acoustics this might be a great second income. It takes a lot to manage a studio and there are hidden costs but if you find a great building this might be an option.

33. Teaching

Teaching music can be a great second income for a musician working in the music industry. You need to be extremely knowledgeable about music and have the patience of a saint for this job. Part time teaching is a great way to support your music career.

34. Tour Manager

Successful artists, bands and agencies will employ tour managers to help organise their tours with a strong focus on travel, accommodation, security and equipment. You'll be managing all the particulars of a tour and become the main point of contact for everyone involves in the band, live show, venue and more. It's a high-stress job but if you're a diligent and very well organised person who works well under stress this might be a career for you. Tour managers also benefit from excellent networking opportunities as they are the main point of contact for everything associated with the tour and the gate-keeper of the artist.

35. Venue Manager

All venues need a great manager. A figure-head who can steer the ship through the good times and the bad. A venue manager needs to be multi-talented in all aspects of business including management of staff, sales, promotion and security. Often venue managers will decide on the direction of a venue and manage the promoters who hire the venue and run parties. Sometimes, a venue will run in-house nights and the venue manager will decide on the music and creative direction of the events held there.

36. Videographer

Alongside photographers, many events and artists will regularly work with videographers who specialise in film content. Nowadays this has become even more essential because of the ever-increasing attention video is given online compared to still images. It's almost pointless to post still images online in terms of engagement. Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Facebook will favour video content. Talented videographers can capitalise on this trend and earn a considerable amount creating video content for individuals, brands and companies.

Conclusion

DJing is just the tip of the iceberg for many music lovers interested in working within the electronic music industry. We hope this blog detailing all the potential career routes that DJs might take helps you navigate the path as it unfolds in front of you. Bookmark this page and share it with your DJ and music producer friends. Let us know if any of these career paths or side hustles work for you or if we should add anything to the list. Thanks for reading!

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