Club DJing is a very competitive market. To get into it you'll need a passion for music, total commitment and a mixed-up body clock. It also helps to have a unique but appealing selling point. A good DJ doesn't just mix records. He or she entertains the crowd and creates an atmosphere that nobody wants to leave. The best way of starting out is at private parties and small-scale events like pre-clubs in bars. Volunteering on college and hospital stations is also a good way of gaining both confidence and experience. You can expect to be paid anything from £0 to £100 as a beginner and after years of hard work and gruelling travel, the sky's the limit.

You'll also need to keep up to date with new record releases and new technology. This can be achieved by reading specialist DJ magazines and going clubbing as much as your bank balance will allow. DJing requires equipment so if you haven't got any you'll be hard pushed to learn. And if you're into making your own tunes you'll need more than just decks, a mixer and an amp. Getting involved in the production side requires equipment including a computer (with decent sound card), a midi keyboard, sampler, sound module and software. Beg or borrow what you can and practice in your bedroom until you feel confident enough to inflict your set on friends. Get as much feedback from them as possible and when you think you're ready, put a mix tape together. Make a list of clubs, radio stations, promoters and agencies your stuff might appeal to and mail it to them. Find out people’s names!

Your first aim should be for a regular gig at an established club. Keep industry people informed of your progress by sending them invites and reviews and tell everyone else you know about your gigs. It also pays to be on record company mailing lists. As its good advertising for them, companies don't mind sending DJs promo copies of new releases. You'll need to fax or email their marketing departments, explain who you are, what and where your gigs are and why you think it'll be worth the company's while to send you free stuff. You'll need to send in fliers and relevant press clippings to prove you are gigging where you say you are and also be specific about the type of music you play.

When you're good enough and have had some exposure you might find yourself lucky enough to be approached by an agency. Most successful DJ's have agents whose job it is to find gigs and negotiate fees (for a 10% - 15% commission). There's no harm in contacting agents yourself by sending in a demo, CV and publicity photo (if you have one). Labels sometimes represent artists as well.
If you’ve got your mind set on DJing, you’ll find if worthwhile to investigate the production element. Almost all top DJs are also accomplished producers. You never know where it could take you, not only in terms of your own music, but in terms of producing for others as well. The elementary skills can be taught in college courses or in some cities, community studios.