We have long since passed the point where making great music alone is enough to get by as a DJ. To make a name for yourself in today’s club scene, you need to interact and engage with your audience on a near-constant basis.

Social media provides DJs with the unique opportunity to build strong and meaningful connections with their listeners. Going forwards, the immense importance of social media for the live music sector is only set to grow.

But what does it take to build a high-impact presence on social media from a 2022 perspective? Which social media platforms and activities should aspiring and established DJs be focusing their efforts on?

Choose the Right Platforms

Attempting to conquer each and every major social network is a recipe for disaster, however taking the time to build a credible presence on the most appropriate platforms for DJs is a must. The most prominent of which are Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram. All right places to connect and influence the right demographic.

Post More Personal Content

Steer clear of anything too promotional. Social media is a place to embrace the ‘social’ aspect of what you do. Showcase your personality, tell your story and give your listeners the opportunity to get to know you on a deeper level; great for building more meaningful connections with your target audience.

Take Them Behind the Scenes

An extension of the above, a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what it is really like to work as a DJ can be hugely engaging. Examples of which include footage of you setting up for live shows, clips of you in the studio making music, or perhaps even an up-close-and-personal look at your home life away from your art.

Consider Collaborations

Collaborations with other artists can be pure gold on social media. By joining forces with someone else, you immediately gain access to their own audience of fans and followers. You promote their work to your listeners, and they do the same on your behalf. The ‘strength in numbers’ approach can work wonders when up against ferocious competition from all corners.

Build Hype Ahead of Events

Irrespective of how low-key it may be, your job is to generate a buzz about every show you put on. Announce upcoming events far in advance, then provide plenty of reminders as the clock counts down. Show them how hyped and excited you are about the upcoming shows on your calendar, and some of it is likely to rub off on them.

Lead by Example

If you want people to show you love and appreciation on social media, you need to be willing to do the same in return. Or to put it another way, it is not all about you. Follow other artists in your niche, comment on their posts, reply to every comment you receive, share their work, and leave likes – all activities that could help you connect with your community.

Run Contests and Giveaways

Most people on social media cannot resist a freebie. Even if it is something as simple as branded merchandise, it can be just the thing to get the show on the road. Running regular contests and giveaways can therefore be great for generating engagement and keeping people interested. You simply have to make it clear that in order to participate, they need to follow you and stay tuned.

Live Stream More Often

A good live stream can be so much more engaging than almost any comparable pre-recorded post. There is something uniquely immersive about a stream and/or interaction that takes place in real-time. Whether you stream your live sets or simply set up Q&A sessions is up to you, but live steaming on a regular basis really could make all the difference.