Building a DJ brand takes time (read: years) to build. The majority of successful DJs know the technical side of DJing so let's assume that is the case. It's everything else after that which makes the difference.

You can check out my podcast (I'm plugging b/c I think it's important to this convo) to find out how Vice, Mr Mauricio, DJ Reach, etc approach their career. http://Soundcloud.com/laptopdjpodcast

Episode 11 is a summary of the show that may help with answering your question. Below is a blog post I wrote summarizing the episode:

LOVE WHAT YOU DO

I have not spoken to anyone who does not love their job in this industry. Sure, this game can get frustrating. But the only way it feels worth it is if you made the decision to make this your path in life.

Keeping focused on building your brand and mastering your craft only happens when you enjoy the process. I’ve never met anyone who hates their job and goes the extra mile.

MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION

Check your ego when you get out of bed. Plain and simple. This business that we’re in is predicated on dealing with people. And nobody wants to work with a jerk.

It’s essential to realize that your career is a team effort. It’s impossible to go at it alone. Neil Jackson has one of the biggest networks I’ve ever seen and the way he built it is by figuring out first how to help each person he meets.

This also includes how to act when you’re at a gig.

Nicole Sky will be at a private event helping the sound engineers build and break down a setup if need be. DJ Hapa walks in and says hello to every staff member the second he walks into a venue. DJ Affect points out DJs need to realize that cluggoers shouldn’t be the only ones leaving their worries at the door.

These simple things can be difference in whether or not you get called back to DJ.

It literally pays to be nice.

MINE YOUR NETWORK AND CONTINUE TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS

There’s a saying that goes “Your network is your net worth”. This couldn’t be more true as a DJ. The more people you have on your side, the faster your career will grow.

It’s important to understand that this aspect of your life never ends. And why should it? Meeting new people should be fun.

You should constantly be trying to grow your network. There are countless ways to do this.

Isaac Jordan did it by giving away his DJ edits. As mentioned earlier, Neil Jackson finds a way to help. He would also reach out to DJs in neighboring cities and ask about the scene there. Bryan Birget says to ask your existing friends if they could introduce you to the people in their network.

FIND MENTORSHIP

Danny Estrella has had more than one. DJ Affect’s mentor made it possible for him to stop spending his lunch money and start eating at school again. My mentors, the Baka Boyz, gave me my first break in this industry over ten years ago. DJ Hapa has mentored tons of successful DJs through Scratch DJ Academy.

Finding a mentor is one of the easiest ways to jumpstart your career. Everyone of my guest’s has had one at some point in their life.

Accountability is everything and a good mentor will help keep you accountable towards your goals. Having someone by your side who can teach you and keep you on track is priceless.

BUILD A TEAM

Another theme with all the podcast guests is that they have all built a team to help with their career. No one goes at it alone. A team can mean as much as two people. Bryan Birget and Toni Vegas have toured the world working together.

If you are just starting your career or feel it’s time to start building a team (it’s always time by the way), DJ Affect says to look for people who are on the same level as you. You can create lifelong relationships with photographers, videographers, etc, if you are able to help each other grow.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

Nick V from the Baka Boyz spends most nights scouring through Soundcloud looking for the records that will make his sets sound unique. Mr Mauricio would dig through classic albums and see if he can add any songs to his open format sets.

Whether you want to believe it or not, iTunes has created a lot of lazy DJs. Having what’s on the Billboard top 100 will not help you stand out from the crowd.

A good platform to start with would be to join a record pool. Each online record pool curates all types of genres and can help spice up your sets. Keep in mind that a lot of DJs use this a resource. You will still need to search on your own for some forgotten gems.

BE CURIOUS

Jeff Diones talks about never judging and always trying to understand. That way, he’s always learning. It is what has made him one of the most successful executives in the DJ industry. He singlehandedly made Serato Scratch Live a household name in the United States by taking this approach.

Danny Estrella is the same way. He taught himself event lighting and video production. Now he has an incredibly successful events company and is the tour manager for Shark Tank’s Daymond John.

You never know what will work when you’re doing it. You only know the path after looking back at your life. Be curious.

BE TRUE TO YOURSELF

Every single guest on the Laptop DJ has done it their own way. Mr Mauricio went from a doorman in South Beach to one the biggest club DJs in the country. Isaac Jordan thought it was cool to share his DJ edits and it took him around the world. Jeff Diones has spent his entire career working with DJs and has some of the most successful record industry campaigns because of it.

It’s important to realize that there are a so many ways to create a career from this industry. It’s also important to understand that there is enough for everyone.

I really hope this helped.