The 25 Best Ways To Make Money As A DJ In 2024

Pursuing the lifestyle of a DJ can be challenging, with regular paying gigs in bars and nightclubs rarely providing a consistent stream of income.

Fortunately, discovering how to make money as a DJ is about much more than lining up paying gigs, with a long list of other ways to increase your income.

This guide covers 25 common methods DJs use to create consistent earnings, from partnering with brands to sharing their DJ knowledge.

The 25 Best Ways To Make Money As A DJ In 2024

Whether you’re completely new to DJing or an experienced professional, maximizing your income stream can be a challenge.

To help you get the most out of your skill and experience, we’ve compiled a comprehensive selection of ways to make money anyone can try.

So, let’s dive into the details and explore the 25 best ways to make money as a DJ in 2024:

25. Wedding DJing

One of the most common ways to make money as a DJ is by playing at weddings, with regular work and the opportunity to forge relationships with venues.

You’ll be expected to play music from mainstream genres, including pop and rock, with a diverse collection catering to your client’s tastes.

If you’re considering this line of work, research the cost of a wedding DJ in your area so you can price your services competitively.

24. Selling Physical Media

Selling physical media is another great way to supplement your income streams on top of your regular earnings by playing DJ gigs in bars and clubs.

This can range from branded clothing and other merchandise, such as stickers and DJing accessories that music fans enjoy collecting.

It’s also a great way to promote your DJing services, pushing your brand through merch that incorporates your DJ logo and persona.

23. Affiliate Marketing

If you’re a DJ with a strong online presence and have social media accounts with a large following, you can transform this into another income source.

Affiliate marketing involves partnering with established brands and record labels and promoting their products or services to your online fans.

Earnings can vary, with most affiliate marketing contracts paying you depending on the sales your promotions generate.

22. Set Up Your Own Parties

Setting up your own parties can be the first step toward becoming a famous DJ, showcasing your unique mixing style, and building contact networks.

You can discover potential venues in your local area, from bars to function rooms, and set the price for tickets you sell to your guests.

Alternatively, you can host a party in a private home, share the revenue with the owner, and use the opportunity to promote future events.

21. Rent Out Your Gear

Most DJs have a home gear collection that is often left unused for much of the week, presenting an opportunity for revenue generation.

If you have access to the best DJ controllers, you can charge a decent fee to loan these out to other DJs for one-off club nights and events.

Make sure you’re fully covered for insurance in the event of damage, taking a deposit from DJs who rent the items before handing it over.

20. Write About DJing

Hundreds of great websites cover all aspects of the DJing world and music in general who are looking for new writers to contribute.

DJs with a knack for writing can use this skill to earn money as freelance writers, reviewing products, software, and the latest record label releases.

Depending on the outlet, payment can vary from $10 to over $100 per article. However, you may have to write for free and build up a portfolio first.

19. Sell Your Own Music Skills

DJs who have experience playing an instrument can expand their income streams by selling their music skills to a range of clients.

This can include anything from working as session musicians for professional studios to teaching students and performing in bars.

If you’re especially talented, it can bring in a level of income comparable to high-end DJ residencies, rising as your experience develops.

18. Selling Beats & Sound Packs

With many DJs often exploring the world of music production, it’s another great source of passive income that can be expanded on over time.

Once you’ve learned how to make beats, you can compile them along with loops into sample packs and sell them to other producers online.

The more packs you create, the greater your overall income stream will become, providing exclusive content for a dedicated target audience.

17. Physical Music Releases

DJ producers who have compiled a selection of singles, EPs, and albums can complement their online releases by selling CDs and vinyl records.

These can be produced in limited edition runs to make them more appealing to collectors and sold on various platforms dedicated to physical media.

You can also sell branded merchandise in conjunction with new releases, giving your customers a good deal for purchasing multiple items.

16. Brand Partnerships

Some of the most iconic DJs have blown up from social media, with platforms such as TikTok and Instagram as powerful resources for revenue generation.

An alternative to affiliate marketing you can try to bring in an extra income stream is brand partnerships, working with companies to promote their products.

This involves partnering with brands in the music business and promoting them in physical spaces, such as a Saturday night DJ set in your local club.

15. DJ Mixes Online

Once you’ve mastered the basics of how to make a DJ mix, there are endless opportunities to transform this skill into a source of income.

While many DJs upload their mixes online for free, there are some opportunities to turn your digital DJ sets into a source of income.

This can range from appearing in a guest slot on radio stations or podcasts to performing at virtual DJ events with corporate sponsorships.

14. DJ Production

We’ve touched briefly on how many DJ producers can earn money by creating and selling beats and loops to like-minded producers in their preferred genres.

Learning how to become a DJ producer can be time-consuming, but the eventual rewards, whether producing original tracks or remixes, can be impressive.

You can also use your music production skills to bring in revenue by helping other artists realize their ambitions and create great songs in the studio.

13. Soundtrack Music Production

Another niche aspect of music production is creating soundtracks for short films, documentaries, features, and online content creators.

This can mean working on specific projects with a detailed outline for what’s expected or composing works to be sold on digital music libraries.

The more experience and skill you have, the higher your fees can become, with payment beginning around $50 and exceeding $1000 per project for professionals.

12. Livestreaming

The rise of social media in the music industry on platforms such as Twitch, TikTok, and Mixcloud Pro has created potential for additional revenue streams.

These online platforms allow DJs to earn money from their live mixes through fan subscriptions and real-time tips during the set.

You can check out the competition to see what DJ prices they charge for subscriptions, offering exclusive content to VIP members for extra revenue.

11. DJ Competitions

If you’re particularly skilled as a DJ and think you’ve got what it takes to beat the best in the business, you can sign up for plenty of DJ competitions.

Scratch DJs can win significant prize money from events such as the DMC World Championships, which offers thousands of dollars in cash prizes.

DJs who take the top prize can use their success to network with venue owners, transforming the victory into a great source of exposure.

10. Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is another popular way for DJs to increase their income streams, and it has the potential to generate consistent passive income over time.

You’ll need to set up a crowdfunding page and give your investors something for their cash, but aspiring DJs can use these tools to help acquire crucial gear.

Platforms such as Patreon are also worth considering, where fans can subscribe for exclusive content and insights into your DJing journey and career.

9. Event Promotion

If you have a knack for networking and collaboration with other DJs, you can supplement your earnings by working in event promotion in your local area.

Gigging DJs who already have contacts at venues can use these to help their peers book events, promote gigs, and increase attendance.

It’s also a great way to encourage others to reciprocate, bringing a larger audience to your upcoming events and increasing your reach and influence.

8. Radio Shows

Thousands of radio stations are looking for new and exciting DJs to host their shows, both in traditional formats and through digital stations.

Landing a regular slot on a radio station can help you increase your reach while also bringing in another consistent source of income.

If you’re a popular radio DJ, you can take home a large sum of money, particularly when the show is partnered with sponsorship deals.

7. Podcasts

Like radio shows, podcasts are another popular method DJs use to supplement their income from gigging in bars, clubs, and restaurants.

Learning how to start a podcast is easy and a good way to collaborate with other DJs and music producers in your chosen music genres.

You can also link a podcast to a music blog and tie the shows into sponsored posts and other avenues to encourage listeners to buy merchandise and event tickets.

6. Private Events

While most DJs prefer to perform in clubs where they have more freedom of music choice, working at private events can be a lucrative side gig.

Birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions can be a consistent source of money, particularly when you have a good relationship with the venues.

You may need to invest in getting a mobile DJ setup, but once you’ve got it sorted, it will pay for itself through private events in the long run.

5. Corporate Events

A similar way to earn money as a DJ at private events is by working as a corporate event DJ, which has even greater potential for large sums of money.

Corporate event DJs can earn anywhere between $500 and $2000 for a single event, with the fees rising in tandem with your professional reputation.

You’ll be expected to dress for the occasion, so investing in a smart suit or similarly classy attire is a must if you’re hoping to land steady work.

4. Join A DJ Agency

If you’re a pro DJ, chances are you’ve had some experience collaborating with a DJ agency and using their services to pick up more paying gigs.

It’s essential to get your DJ career rolling, with agencies providing access to a wide range of venues that might otherwise be out of reach.

To get noticed, you’ll need to create a DJ press kit and website that showcases your previous gigs, professional persona, and music style.

3. Music Licensing

Creative DJs with a background in production can earn money through music licensing, selling their productions for commercial use online and elsewhere.

Music licensing is a complicated issue, so you’ll need to research aspects such as royalties paid by DJs and other concerns from copyright owners.

There are plenty of great resources to help you learn the complexities of legal issues and websites dedicated to getting your products to clients.

2. Online DJ Courses

Experienced DJs with a knack for sharing their skills with aspiring DJs often make money by creating and selling online DJ courses to newcomers.

If you’re considering this approach, check out some of the best online DJ courses to see what content potential students are looking for.

You can stick to the basics or discuss more complex mixing techniques in detail and create courses about breaking into the music industry.

1. YouTube

Many DJs supplement their income from gigging by creating YouTube videos, whether this is for educational purposes or to showcase their skills.

The sky’s the limit, and your YouTube channel can cover everything from the history of DJing to the latest trends in artificial intelligence and stem technology.

As your channel picks up more subscribers, you can use it to sell branded merchandise such as T-shirts to increase your income streams further.

Summary

While most DJs prefer to spend their time behind the decks in the DJ booth of their favorite club, it’s often not enough to earn a full-time living.

By trying out the ideas outlined in this article, you can discover how to make money as a DJ who goes beyond playing sets.

The more diverse your approaches to generating new streams of revenue, the greater your combined income streams will become over time.