Lifestyle

How to Make Your Name as a DJ

Published

4 years ago

November 30, 2021

Great DJs set the mood for a party or in the club and keep everyone entertained. While many people might think that DJs only play music, there is a lot more that goes into the role that ensures people think of you when they think of great DJs. If you are thinking of becoming a DJ and do not know where to start and how to become popular, here is a guide on the things you need to concentrate on.

Love Music

It is almost impossible to become a great DJ if you do not like music. Your career and the rest of your life or career will revolve around music and so you should love it if this is the path you would like to follow. Your love for music will manifest as passion and your audience will feel this passion when you play. If you do not love music and are not enthusiastic about it, your crowd will feel it, and you might not be able to gain the support and following that is required to become a well-known and successful DJ.

Learn the Basics

Before you can start thinking about your DJing career, you should learn the basics. Learning the basics will give you the skills you need to DJ, and these skills are crucial before you can actually start working with other DJs, recording mixes, or trying to land a gig.

The basics you need to learn include mixing, song selection, software selection, technical and interpersonal skills as well the techniques you need to know to entertain an audience or client. To learn more about how to DJ, you can refer to the detailed guide created by Pirate. Pirate offer DJs access to professional equipment and practice stations, whether they are learning how to DJ or just want to improve their skills. Pirate also offer musicians affordable spaces to write, record, and produce their own records.

Build a Decent Music Collection

DJs are known for the music they play and how they play it. It is therefore important to take your time to build a decent music collection before you start playing for a crowd. Try to collect high-quality mp3s and lossless audio because these tracks will sound better when you play them.

If you have a favorite genre of music, as most people do, try not to lean too heavily into it unless you want to be known as the DJ who plays that genre of music. When getting started, it is important to curate music from as many genres as possible because you will be playing in different venues and for different audiences. Having a diverse collection of different music genres will help in these situations.

Produce Your Own Music

Many DJs are opting to stand out by producing their own music. Technology has come so far that it is now easy for anyone to create their own music. You can choose to create original beats and samples, or to remake and remix some of the music that is already available.

If you decide to go with the latter, remake and remix songs that people are already familiar with so you have a better response when you play them. If you cannot or do not know how to produce high-quality music, you can always seek the services of a ghost producer. These producers produce music that other DJs end up owning and playing as their own creations.

Work with Other DJs

No one is born a DJ and no one becomes a well-known DJ. It takes a lot of practice to become a good DJ even after learning how to DJ. Also, if no one ever gives you a chance, it will be difficult to break into the industry on your own. Working with other more experienced DJs can help you massively as it can help you understand what DJing is all about and give you the experience you need.

Volunteering to work with other DJs is a great way to learn how everything in a DJ set works and to experience how it feels playing in front of a crowd. You can volunteer to do a one-hour set before the crowd becomes too large or even to set up the DJing equipment so you know how everything works together.

Leverage Social Media and Other Online Platforms

Practice as often as you can and once you feel you have adequate skills, create a one-hour mix. The mic can showcase your skills playing different genres or your technical DJing skills. Once the mix is recorded, it is time to upload it. First, upload it privately so your friends and colleagues get to listen to it first. Take any criticism and create another mix trying to improve on the first.

Once you are happy with your iteration, put it online for people to listen to and maybe download. Try to upload your mix on as many platforms as possible. DJs have a massive advantage today in that there are numerous platforms where they can upload their mixes to have a wide reach.

Stay Social

In the age of social media, no one can ignore it as a marketing and promotional medium. Use platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to not only showcase your skills but also interact with your fans. Try as much as you can to build a loyal audience who would be happy to hear you play when you get a gig.

Network

Even if you have worked with other DJs in the past or have a large online following, it is still important to network. Interact with promoters, music lovers, and hype men to see if they can get your name out there. Do not shy away from advice and criticism and don’t feel embarrassed about asking for a guest spot. Many DJs are perfectly okay with letting other DJs play as long as they have the skills, or they do not have to put their reputations on the line.

Becoming a successful DJ is a lot of work. However, once you master the skills, all that is left is to keep improving and to get your name out there. Fortunately, there are so many ways, avenues, and platforms DJs can use to get their name out there today.

Lifestyle

The Breakroom Reset: Small Changes That Improve the Workday

Published

19 hours ago

February 11, 2026

Michelle Langton

The office breakroom is a space that’s often neglected and can sometimes feel more like an afterthought than a key feature of the workplace. This is unfortunate, especially since employees typically visit the breakroom to rest and recuperate before finishing their shift. Considering its intended function, the breakroom should be viewed as one of the most important spaces in the entire office.

Having a welcoming and rejuvenating breakroom can promote social interaction, enhance workplace culture, and reduce stress. Employees who feel restored after visiting the breakroom are more likely to feel happy at work and be more productive the rest of the day. If your workplace breakroom leaves a lot to be desired, here are some small changes you can make to totally reset it.

Small Breakroom Changes That Improve the Workday

Unless your breakroom is in shambles and needs major reconstruction, you don’t have to spend a fortune on it to make it more inviting. In many cases, small and simple changes can make a big impact on the overall vibe of any space.

Whether you’re working with a limited budget or limited space, there are still plenty of things you can do to reset your boring breakroom. Here are some small breakroom changes that can improve the workday and give you maximum bang for your buck.

Convenient Hydration Options

Employees need to stay hydrated to keep their health and energy levels high. Unfortunately, many employees are chronically dehydrated because they don’t have access to tasty beverages at work. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to install a soda machine in the breakroom. Giving workers unlimited access to sugary drinks could backfire in the long run by contributing to illnesses and increased sick days.

Instead of offering sugary beverages (that can actually contribute to dehydration in the long run), make it easier for your employees to stay hydrated with pure water. Providing a filtered office drinking water system is one of the best ways to encourage optimal hydration. Most employees will appreciate the clean, tasty alternative to standard office tap water.

Comfy Seating

When was the last time you took a look at the seating arrangements in your breakroom? If it’s been a while, take a walk over there and give it a good look. Is there sufficient space for multiple employees to sit at the same time? Are the seats comfortable and rearrangeable so employees can interact with others or achieve greater privacy as desired? If not, you might benefit from a breakroom seating reset.

Seating arrangements in breakrooms should be both comfortable and flexible. You might want to bring in some modular furniture because it’s easy to move and rearrange as needed. For maximum versatility, seating arrangements should include a mix of traditional breakroom chairs and tables, lounge chairs, and even bean bags. Making the space as open as possible will also help it look more roomy and inviting.

Nutritious Snack Options

Most employers don’t provide full meals for their employees. It’s perfectly reasonable to expect workers to make their own lunch or dinner arrangements. However, if you want to support your employees’ energy levels, keep healthy snacks in your breakroom. Nutritious snacks can enhance employee performance throughout the day, so workers find it easier to get more done.

Instead of investing in chips, candy bars, and other sugary sweets, opt for snack options that won’t cause sugar spikes and inevitable crashes. Some great options include trail mixes, protein bars, fresh fruit, popcorn, and veggie trays. Instant oatmeal cups can also be a convenient source of energy for those who don’t have time to grab breakfast before heading to work. You might want to send out an employee survey to see what types of healthy snacks your workers prefer.

Optimal Lighting

Did you know that poor lighting can negatively impact your employees’ psychological and emotional well-being? Improving workplace lighting (including in the breakroom) can make a huge difference in worker morale and energy levels. Warm white light may be a great choice for the breakroom because it creates a soothing, calm atmosphere. Cool white light might be a better fit for conference rooms and cubicle areas because it enhances focus and energy.

Of course, natural light is arguably the best option for the office whenever it’s available. If your breakroom has windows, try to keep the shades open during working hours. That way, employees can experience the mood- and health-boosting benefits of natural light exposure.

Entertainment Options

Some office managers and CEOs mistakenly think that a breakroom should be boring to serve its purpose well. However, the terms “boring” and “relaxing” are not synonymous. Employees may find a boring breakroom to be surprisingly non-restorative. On the flip side, a room equipped for entertainment can be very relaxing and rejuvenating.

To make your breakroom a more enjoyable place to spend time, you might want to install a corner television. That way, workers can watch their favorite sitcom while they relax. You might also keep a few card or board games stocked in a cupboard for employees who prefer to interact in fun ways during their lunch breaks.

Reset Your Breakroom Today

Your employee breakroom can reveal a lot about your overall workplace environment. If it’s not lit well, or if it’s boring and unwelcoming, workers are more likely to feel underappreciated and discontented. The good news is that you don’t have to sink a lot of money or effort into resetting your breakroom and getting a fresh start. Use these simple tips to revamp your breakroom and make it a place where workers can go to feel truly cared for and relaxed.