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Steven Sluyter - How to Stay Motivated as a DJ

Artists everywhere have had the same struggles for ages. The lack of motivation delays works and even disables you from finishing a piece of your work. Although some may succumb to the lack of motivation, other successful artists today have learned to beat that those challenges.

For Steven Sluyter in Austin, the lack of drive could mean losing a source of income. Living as a professional wedding DJ that has played for over a hundred gigs means being able to conquer this challenge. With the rise of technology comes more people trying to pursue a career in DJ industry. But being able to come up with good music takes more than a piece of fancy equipment.  Apart from the right skills, having the patience and motivation is as important.

Steven Sluyter on how to stay motivated to make music

1st: Plan Up

In order for you to actually finish what you’re doing, you need to plan everything out. Plan a specific number of hours, days, weeks, or months to get things done. Make sure to stick to it as much as possible. If you’re already done creating this, then you’ve already conquered the first step.

2nd: Fend off the distractions

Distractions are your number one enemy when you’re working on something. Instead of finishing your tune, you found yourself scrolling through your newsfeed. It leads you to do; less important things. It makes you think it’s important when in fact, it just strays you off on doing other things because you lack the motivation to finish the task at hand.

In other words, it does no good. Begin fending it off by identifying what distracts you most. Make sure you’re unable to reach it while you’re working on something. Learn to properly concentrate on the more important things so no matter how accessible the distraction is, you won’t fall for the bait.

3rd: Finish and start again

Artists that are tied to an agency aren’t left with much choice but to make sure their music is finished on time. Others would take at least a year to finish while others simply lose the motivation to finish at all. If an artist who signed contract can’t get the job done, how will a self-employed producer do?

Tasks tend to expand in order to fit the available time. Remember, you have every chance needed to finish everything necessary. Practice to discipline yourself and before you know it, you’re already beating deadlines. Never start procrastinating because once you’ve started, it sends a domino effect to everything you do. It basically affects everything else around you.

4th: Fail, get up, and practice

The first few attempt would always suck, that’s why people practice. The road to success is filled with trials and errors, but wedding DJ Steven Sluyter says what matters most is that you accept you’ve failed, see your weak spots, and learn to work around those areas.

One of the advantages of today’s technology is that making a mistake is not as expensive as it was before since we use digital devices instead of the conventional ones.

5th: Accept criticisms

Comparing yourself to someone who seems better is natural for us humans. But don’t let the fear of failing stop you from doing what you’re passionate about. Often, we’re scared of how people perceive us. We tend to ask ourselves; “Are we good enough? Do we make people happy? Is everyone impressed by my music?”

The reality is, no one really thinks you’re not good enough. Sometimes we overthink, and overthinking makes us even more nervous of committing a mistake. If you lack self-confidence, it’s ok. Most artists started with the same problem. What you should do is conquer it.

Lastly, DJ Steven Sluyter says practice on being persistent. If you feel insufficient, that’s just the lack of motivation. Remember, as long as you stay passionate and genuine in what you do, you’ll eventually get back up. Make sure to surround yourself with the right people. And I don’t mean those who never see your flaws. Instead, with those who will gladly point out what you’re lacking.

You need honest opinions in order to get the job done and in the best possible quality. Be around people whom you know genuinely care about you and your craft. No matter how painful the comments are, accept them and work around those areas.   

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Steven Slyter - How to Promote Yourself as a DJ

When you've already spent practicing and has finally achieved some skills you thought were impossible. However, all those hours of practicing would ultimately be useless when no one knows you. Despite how talented you are, your marketing strategy determines how successful you'll get in the future.

Due to the improvement in the digital technology, DJ Steven Sluyter says being a DJ today has increasingly become more convenient. Because there has been a rise in the population of DJs as well, he believes that it takes more than good music to stand out.

DJ Steven Sluyter on building an effective DJing marketing strategy

1. Choose a catchy name

You need to keep your name short yet impressive. If you're just starting out as a DJ, it's ok to use your first name. But if you are hesitant on choosing the right name, get advice from people whose opinions you trust or ask Steven Sluyter on LinkedIn.

While most DJs today opt for their first and last names, some prefer to choose nicknames or names with more personal meaning to them. Once you've already come up with a good one, make sure to do a google search and see if the name is already taken. This helps to avoid any legal problems.

Also, you should consider the spelling and pronunciation by making it as simple and easy as possible. the more complicated you spell it, the higher the chances of promoters having to misspell and that's not good news especially if the crowd gets your name wrong as well.

2. Your logo

Today, brands are almost impossible to recognize without a logo. Make sure to create a logo that screams your brand as well. Hiring an artist to do the job for you also assures the creativity of the logo while keeping intact to your brand. Keep it clean, simple, inspirational, and most especially unique.

3. Picture Perfect

Good quality photos are necessary in order to promote yourself and your services as a DJ. Having a creative team to do the job could also come in handy. Before anything else, you need to choose how you'd like to be perceived. Make sure you are able to convey your style and your personality clearly.

Building a relationship with local photographers and designers would also serve both parties. When you've already decided on how to present yourself, practice posing behind your decks and make sure to hire a really good photographer for every gig.

4. Keep it strong and consistent

Now that you're done with your logo and pictures, get ready to create other promotional materials. These include your mixtape and track covers, PDFs and business cards.

Before you get started, consider your target audience and think about the best way to get their attention. Make sure everything from your name, your style, logo, business cards, and other forms of promotional materials are consistent. Do this by using the same color scheme, and branding.

5. Dress up

After-shows are usually the time when DJs get to truly interact with their audience. Fans are often met backstage along with some pictures and even autographs. Make sure you dress to impress during your gigs to truly stay intact with your brand.

5. Be active on social media

Social media is presently one of the strongest forms of marketing platform. Creating a Facebook page like Steven Sluyter won't cost you anything and it is also capable of reaching a wide scope of audiences with over 2 billion users worldwide. Update it by posting photos, videos, and even blogs on a regular basis. Apart from gaining fans, you'll also get to meet people who share the same passion as you.

Finally, keep on thriving to become better and better in your craft. DJ Steven Sluyter says there is no better way to get noticed than to possess the skills. As long as you keep being genuine and passionate about what you do, keep a good image, and have a creative marketing strategy, getting noticed won't be a problem. 

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Steven Sluyter - How to Make your Audience Go Wild to Music

It is every event DJ’s desire to bang out all chosen tunes that nobody knows in the room. However, they’ve  got them, and their audiences rock. So why is it that sometimes DJs can think like jukeboxes?  

Steven Sluyter noted that this article isn’t about looking the good gigs, or jukebox vs creative event DJ, or how to satisfy demanding crowds. Yet it is all about the strategy for getting to play at least some of the music you prefer, at least some of the time. It’s not all going to work for everyone at every gig, but hopefully, there’s something here you can take off.

Tips in engaging the crowd to music they don't know by Steven Sluyter

1. Simply entertain, then educate them.

Most of the times a DJ comes on, head down, straight into what he or she likes – no consideration for the audiences, who came before, the flow of the night – nothing. And they wonder why their “great” music clears the floor.  Then there’s a different way, which most DJs also noticed, from underground as well as commercial DJs: You have a crate of tunes that express you, for sure, though you also have songs you are pretty assured will satisfy the dancefloor. The thing smart DJs like these, do spend the first part of their set pleasing the crowd, then when they’ve won their confidence, feel their way with turning things around to their way of thinking, considerately and smoothly.

It doesn’t hurt, either, that the second half of the evening is usually the intoxicated half. So designing your set in this way gives you longer to weave in those 4 am techno minimal must-hears that have been hitting around at the back of your collection for months. Get everyone onside, then examine your “good” stuff – you may be astonished.

2. Just  tease and examine.

Of course, you don’t want to just perform a whole pile of tunes everyone knows, then bang into some UK white label dub country step and expect the whole floor to come with you. Teasing and testing is your buddy here. You can simply tease riffs, beats, intro sections, vocals, drum loops – anything that is suggestive of what you want to play later, just for several seconds or eight bars, repeatedly, to get people used to the sounds you want to go across to.

This simply teasing is your “test” – you’re seeing the dance floor, watching who perhaps recognizes stuff you didn’t think they would, making a feel for what you may or may not be able to get off with. You’re priming and developing people for the way you’d like your set to take, in genuine time. You’re considering our boundaries, pushing things gently, and always with the dance floor on your side.

3. There’s a distinction among “like” and “know”.

Don't fall into the trap of reasoning “like” and “know” mean the same stuff. Just because your audiences don't know a song, doesn’t mean it won’t certainly like it. Top-rated DJs like Steven Sluyter wants you to ponder that you’re a DJ, a tastemaker. Let people taste the new song – they might like it! Remember, every tune wasn’t known by anyone, once. Use your judgment to determine if a song is going to satisfy the night or not.

4. Blend it thoroughly.

Throwing a distinct style in badly is one point. However playing a considered build up to a remarkable twist in a pre-planned mini-mix is something else completely. If you want to play a complex style, to try something new, to surprise the audiences, then it definitely pays to plan a little and make sure the way you are going to mix that new thing in is smart, or at least even and succeeded.

5. Always look like you’re having fun with it.

It is very easy to look embarrassed when playing tunes you’re not sure of – or to seem scared or be determined. You’re the leader of the party. Most people are normally sheep.

They’re seeing around them for signs and pointers as to how to act, and will generally follow the set. And as the leaders of the set? Well, on a dancefloor, they’re watching you If you’re confident, playing behind your decks, having fun then they are far more likely to follow you. Make no mistake: when you’re DJing, you’re driving from the front.

Remember as what Steven Sluyter always states that you don’t have to play music that everyone loves all the time.  Be genuine, try your hardest, hold your vision, and you’ll at least begin to work out where and how to get away with mixing the stuff you actually want to play in with the thing you have to.

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Steven Sluyter - 3 Types of People to Handle as an Event DJ

There are DJs who refuse to take any requests and others won’t even talk to anyone making them. Actually, people who approach the DJ booth is that you should manage them case by case. Being open to requests can sometimes even benefit you if you’re having an off night or playing at a new venue that you don’t know so completely.

Nonetheless, being too soft and playing anything anyone asks for is the ultimate way to destroy your set and look weak and absurd. After all, definitely a DJ is more than a human jukebox?  Steven Sluyter identifies different types of people who tend to approach the DJ booth, and how to handle them properly

Steven Sluyter enumerates various attitude of people in an event

1. The flirty lady

Regularly, whether you’re a club DJ, bar DJ or house party DJ, there’s always a flirty lady who approaches the booth at some point as your set, smiling and making eye connection as she gets you up.

This girl is used to making her own way with that smile, particularly when a guy is controlling the decks. She may lean progressive slightly to reveal a little cleavage as she starts talking, and she’ll keep eye contact. She understands what she’s doing. Irregularly though, she may ask for something with some taste and uncommon.

If the song she’s requesting is totally out of sync with the music theme or policy for that evening, then gently explain to her that it’s not the time for that track to be performed. Be respectful and smile as you speak; she’ll take your response more graciously.

However, if the party you’re playing at is a cheesy chartbusters’ haven with college frat boys, it’s getting late and you feel you can play that kind of chart song, then consider going for it. Steven Sluyter recommends to don’t perform her track quickly, though, or she’ll think you’re soft and come back every five minutes to continue on requesting more tunes.

2. The “it’s my friend’s birthday” personality

The old favorite: “It’s my friend’s birthday and she requires you to play the Bla Bla tune.” We all know this one. For Steven Sluyter on youtube it’s one of the most natural ways of people requesting for a tune. They think you’ll refuse any song they ask for, so they assume it’s their friend’s birthday to get you to agree.

Do simply ask them right away how old their friend is and what the date is today. Take into account that they’ll hesitate, look at you then back at their friend, then sidle off, red-faced, understanding they’ve been resounded.

3. Drunk man who keeps coming back and returning himself

One of the most common requesters is a drunk guy who is fixated on one song that has nothing to do with the music you’re performing. It’s a song that you could never play at any club or party, everywhere. Usually, this person will have heard this song a few days ago and will have fallen in love with it. So now, in his inebriated state, he believes you should play it.

He is pretty irritating too, getting back and repeating himself, sometimes asserting if you don’t play it. Even when he gets bewildered by a girl and goes away, he’ll eventually come back and ask repeatedly.You’ll tell him you don’t have the song. He might see you have a laptop and tell you to play it instantly from YouTube. Then he’ll try to plug his iPhone in and perform it from that. Whatever happens, it has to get performed for him.

This can be a bit precarious because he’s actually drunk and a bit feisty sometimes and you don’t want a beer on your new DJ equipment. So don’t get too annoyed but remain strong. If he gets really persistent, then ask his colleagues to take him away. He’ll often have a companion who will take charge and draw him off. If it goes further than that, then get the bouncer to simply kick him out.

Steven Sluyter recommends that the most necessary thing is not to let anyone distract you from your work. Focus on your mix and selection as a superiority. Be kind and courteous, however, remain in charge. Place on your headphones and look away from people who you don’t want to chat to if you have to.

Be open to performing a request if it feels appropriate. It just might be. Just be honest and just tell people if you don’t think a tune is right for the evening. Never play a song that’s just blatantly wrong except the person paying your fees asks you to.If you do accept to play a tune then apart from in unusual cases, you should play it. Get the requester and their colleagues to dance if you agree to a call.

StevenSluyter, StevenSluyterAustin, StevenSluyterAustinTx, WeddingDJ, DJ

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Steven Sluyter - What are the Things you should Tell your Wedding DJ

Undeniably, hiring the right DJ can really make or break your great day, nevertheless, remember that it takes two to tango so it's up to you to distinctly communicate your dreams in advance. Don't just play it by ear. For Steven Sluyter, there are things you should tell your wedding DJ to get the party popping and keep it running powerful.

Steven Sluyter tells what to discuss with your wedding DJ

1. When to play the significant songs and for how it will last.

For starters, you'll definitely want to fill your DJ in on what songs you've chosen for the major moments just always think carefully about wedding party introduction, first dance, father and daughter and mother and son dance, cake cutting, bouquet, and garter toss if you're doing them and the last song, says event planner and designer. Timing is also important, and not just in regards to the actual day-of timeline and what music to play when. For instance, will you and your hubby dance the full five minutes or have your DJ fade out at the three-minute point?

2. How to genuinely pronounce your names.

Definitely, give your DJ a phonetic spelling of any unique names in your wedding party. While it's nice to have the exact spelling, what he actually needs to know is how to accurately pronounce it for the grand entrance introductions.

3. The excellent context for any song requests.

Always consider that be objected to just a general list of music you'd like to hear,  Steven Sluyter encourages to provide some context.

4. Your "do not play" record.

Oftentimes, this is even more significant than your playlist. Steven Sluyter on Pinterest noted to try to leave room for the DJ to take requests, however, don't hesitate to list anything you hate, example, no line dances as off the table. The DJ should just tell guests asking those particular songs that he doesn't have them available.

5. Decide if to MC or to not MC.

Aside from introductions, let your DJ know if you're down with a lot of MC chatter and cheer for guests.  Some of them just naturally do this if you don't ask them not to. Also, tell your DJ how easy you and your fiancé are being the center of attention at the party. As  Steven Sluyter points out, some people succeed in it, while others cringe at the whole thing so it's excellent that your DJ has the heads up as to where you perfectly lie on the spectrum.

6. Any volume or language sensibilities.

In addition to some songs that are off limits, be assured to get particular about language. If you don't want to hear any music that could be deemed suggestive, don't just think your DJ can read your thought and if you love really loud music or hate it, let him know immediately.

7. Poor line in the family.

Take into account that strained relationships among members of your bridal party or family, including divorces, separations or other things that could cause discomfiture. Then Steven Sluyter strongly suggests making your DJ aware of them so he or she can use the full care and delicacy while interacting with those folks and in giving announcements at your party.

8. Cocktail time?

Are you having an excellent cocktail hour? Will it be in the same room as the reception, and will you need music?

9. What's your vogue?

Would you like the wedding DJ to perform a variety of styles of music throughout the event or emphasize a particular genre? What kind of music or songs would you do not like to be played during your party?

10. Dance all evening?

How involved do you want to be when it comes to dancing and crowd participation? Will you need special effects such as a fog machine, bubble machine or laser light display?

For Steven Sluyter, the wedding reception is a time for the bride and groom to celebrate with friends and family. Music can set the tone for a reception to remember. Likewise, in choosing a DJ entertainment for the wedding reception music, you’ll be meeting with operators who will need to know a lot about you and the kind of reception you want. By simply thinking about the kind of wedding party you want, you’ll be able to give the DJ the data needed to help plan a fun and unforgettable event.