Why You Should Release Your Own Music Besides DJing
As a DJ, it’s natural to feel at home behind the decks, but if you want to truly stand out, you should release your own music. Releasing original tracks can significantly boost your reputation, income, and career opportunities, offering benefits beyond DJing alone. While DJing is an art form in itself, producing and releasing original tracks can create a deeper connection with your audience and establish you as a versatile and innovative artist. In this article, we’ll explore the top reasons why DJs should consider releasing their own music and how it can elevate their careers.
1. Expand Your Artistic Expression
DJing allows you to showcase your musical taste and mixing skills, but it often involves working with other artists’ tracks. Releasing your own music takes your artistry to another level, allowing you to express your creativity without limitations. When you produce original tracks, you get to share your personal sound, feelings, and messages with your audience in a way that a DJ set alone can’t achieve. This can help you create a signature style that sets you apart from other DJs, making your sets more unique and memorable.
By releasing original music, you can also control the mood and energy of your performances. Imagine playing a track you created that was specifically designed to enhance a particular moment in your set. That’s a level of artistic control that DJing alone doesn’t provide.
2. Build a Personal Brand
Releasing your own music helps build your brand in the music industry. When people hear your tracks on streaming platforms, radio, or in other DJs’ sets, they’ll start associating your name not just with DJing but with original music production. This dual reputation can open more doors for you, from collaborations to bookings at bigger venues.
Creating and releasing original music shows that you’re more than just a DJ; you’re an artist who has something unique to offer. As your brand grows, you become more than just another name in the lineup; you become a sought-after act, known for both your DJing skills and your original music.
3. Increase Your Income Streams
While DJing can be lucrative, it often relies on live performances, which can be unpredictable. Releasing your own music opens up multiple income streams, such as:
- Streaming Revenue: When your tracks are available on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, you can earn money based on the number of streams.
- Music Sales: You can sell your music on digital stores like Beatport, iTunes, and Amazon.
- Licensing Opportunities: Your music can be licensed for TV, films, video games, or advertisements, leading to additional earnings.
- Merchandising: As your following grows, you can create merchandise that features your music’s artwork or branding.
The more tracks you release, the more opportunities you’ll have to monetize your music. Plus, with the music industry moving increasingly towards digital, this can be a steady source of passive income.
4. Stand Out in a Competitive Market
The DJ scene is highly competitive, and many DJs are vying for the same gigs and residencies. Releasing your own music can set you apart from the crowd and make you more appealing to promoters and booking agents. When your music gains traction online, it acts as a form of promotion, generating buzz and helping you stand out.
Promoters often prefer DJs who are also music producers because they bring added value to their events. If you can attract an audience through both your DJ sets and original tracks, you have a better chance of securing higher-profile gigs and festivals. Additionally, having a catalogue of original music can enhance your resume when pitching yourself to venues or festivals, as it demonstrates a commitment to your craft.
5. Create a Deeper Connection with Your Fans
When you release original music, it provides your fans with a new way to connect with you. They get to experience your creative journey, understand your influences, and follow your artistic evolution. Sharing the story behind your tracks or the inspiration for your music can create a stronger bond with your audience.
Your fans will appreciate not just your ability to select great tracks as a DJ, but also your talent in creating music that resonates with them. This deeper connection can turn casual listeners into dedicated followers, who will support your music, attend your shows, and help spread your name.
6. Enhance Your DJ Sets
Releasing your own music can take your DJ sets to a new level. By incorporating your original tracks into your sets, you create a unique experience that fans can’t get from any other DJ. Playing your own songs live gives you the chance to see the crowd’s reaction in real time and adjust your performances accordingly.
It also allows you to create moments that other DJs can’t replicate. Whether it’s a signature track that gets the crowd going or a special remix you’ve made, these personal touches can make your sets unforgettable.
7. Grow Your Network in the Industry
Producing and releasing your own music can help you expand your network within the music industry. Collaborating with other producers, vocalists, and musicians exposes you to new audiences and opens doors for more partnerships. Additionally, by building relationships with record labels, music blogs, and radio stations, you increase your chances of getting your music featured in places where it can reach a wider audience.
Networking also brings you closer to opportunities for remix projects or joint DJ performances. Working with others in the industry can be mutually beneficial, as it helps all involved parties grow their brands and reach new fans.
8. Get Feedback to Improve Your Craft
Releasing music allows you to receive valuable feedback from listeners, other DJs, and industry professionals. This feedback can help you improve your music production skills, refine your sound, and grow as an artist. Constructive criticism is an essential part of the creative process, and the more music you release, the more opportunities you have to learn and evolve.
9. Not a Music Producer? No Worries!
If you’re not yet a music producer, don’t let that stop you from enjoying the benefits of releasing your own tracks. You can still build a catalog of original music without being a full-time producer. Platforms like The Ghost Production offer ready-to-release tracks that you can purchase and claim as your own. This option allows you to reap the rewards of releasing original music without needing to spend years mastering production skills.
Purchasing ready-to-release tracks means you can focus on other aspects of your career while still building your catalog and growing your brand. It’s an excellent solution for DJs who may not have the time or resources to dedicate to producing music from scratch. You’ll still have the opportunity to share unique music with your audience and stand out in a competitive market, all while saving time and effort.
10. Create Opportunities for Remixing and Re-Edits
When you have original tracks, you open the door to remixing opportunities—both for your music and for other artists. Releasing remixes of your own tracks can help your music reach new audiences and stay relevant for longer periods. Additionally, you can collaborate with other producers who may want to remix your work, which can give your music more exposure and introduce you to different fan bases.
Moreover, re-editing your own tracks for different sets allows you to keep your performances fresh and adapt your music to various event types. For instance, you could create a more intense version of a track for a festival set or a chilled-out edit for a lounge gig. This flexibility allows you to be dynamic in your performances.
11. Unlock New Marketing Possibilities
Having your own tracks gives you more content to share and promote across social media, blogs, and music platforms. You can build marketing campaigns around your releases, create music videos, and engage with your audience by sharing behind-the-scenes footage of your production process.
Promoting your music helps boost your visibility as an artist, which in turn can help you land more DJ gigs and attract a larger following. When you consistently release quality music, it keeps your brand active and in the minds of your fans and potential collaborators.
12. Develop a Loyal Fanbase
Releasing music creates a steady flow of content for your audience to consume. This consistency keeps your existing fans engaged and attracts new listeners who discover your tracks. As your discography grows, so does your fanbase, leading to more streams, followers, and gig opportunities.
When your fans know you have original music, they have another reason to support you. Whether they’re streaming your tracks, buying your music, or attending your shows to hear the songs they love live, having original music cultivates a loyal fanbase that will follow you throughout your career.
13. Gain Recognition from the Industry
Releasing original music can earn you recognition from influential people in the music industry, such as radio DJs, A&Rs, and other artists. Having tracks that receive airplay, charting success, or critical acclaim can lead to bigger opportunities, such as signing with a record label or being invited to perform at high-profile events.
Furthermore, industry recognition can make it easier for you to collaborate with other artists, as your music serves as proof of your skills and artistic vision. The more visibility your tracks get, the more likely it is that industry professionals will take notice of you.
14. Build a Diverse Portfolio
Having a portfolio of original music adds diversity to your career and opens doors beyond just DJing. It could lead to opportunities in music production for other artists, sound design, or composing for films and commercials. When you have a diverse portfolio, you can adapt to different industry needs, giving you more ways to make a living from your music.
Releasing music showcases your versatility as an artist, proving that you can do more than just spin records. This multifaceted approach can help you stay relevant in a constantly evolving industry.
15. Leave a Legacy
Original music can last a lifetime. While DJ gigs come and go, the tracks you release can be enjoyed by listeners for years to come. When you put out music, you leave a lasting mark on the world. Your tracks could become the soundtrack to someone’s memories, inspire future artists, or even achieve classic status within your genre.
Releasing music ensures that your contributions to the art form are remembered, and it allows you to share a piece of yourself with the world in a lasting way.
If you want to boost your DJ career, create new income streams, and leave a lasting impact in the music world, releasing your own music is the way to go. Even if you’re not a music producer, there are options available to get your name on original tracks. Platforms like The Ghost Production make it easy to purchase ready-to-release tracks, so you don’t have to miss out on the benefits of having your own music out there. Start building your catalog today and watch your DJ career reach new heights!
