On this page
- 01Before you write: 3 checks
- 02What promoters check when they open your link
- 031. First contact to a club or promoter
- 042. Instagram DM version (short)
- 053. Festival or DJ contest application
- 064. Asking for a support or B2B slot
- 075. Follow-up after 7 days
- 086. Thank you after a gig (the email that gets you rebooked)
- 097. Replying when a promoter asks for your fee
- 10Subject lines that get opened
- 11Common mistakes
- 12Checklist before you hit send
- 13Make the link worth clicking
Most DJs don't get booked for one simple reason: they never ask, or they ask with a message the promoter can't do anything with. "Hey bro, can I play at your party?" gets ignored. A short, specific message with one good link gets answered.
Below are 7 messages you can copy and adapt: first contact, an Instagram DM version, festival or contest applications, support slots, the follow-up, the thank you after a gig, and how to answer when a promoter asks for your fee.
Key takeaways
- Keep every message under about 120 words. Promoters read on their phone between other things.
- Be specific: name their night, explain why your sound fits it.
- One clear ask: a date, a support slot, or a warm-up.
- One link, not five attachments: your presskit with mixes, photos, past shows and rider.
- Follow up once after 7 days, then let it go.
- Personal beats copy-paste: change at least the first two lines for every promoter.
Before you write: 3 checks
- Does your sound fit their night? Listen to the last 2 or 3 line-ups. A hard techno DJ pitching a deep house brunch wastes both your time.
- Who books? Look for a booking email on their Instagram bio, website or event page. If there is none, a DM to the event or collective account is fine.
- Is your link ready? Before you send anything, open your presskit on your phone. Recent photo, at least one mix that plays, a short bio, your past shows and a way to contact you. This is what the promoter will actually judge.
What promoters check when they open your link
They usually decide in under a minute. In order:
- One mix that plays instantly, and that fits their night
- A real photo (not a blurry phone selfie, not a logo only)
- Where you played before, even small nights
- Your city and whether you travel
- Upcoming dates: proof that other promoters book you
- A short bio, three or four lines
- How to book you, plus your tech rider if they need it
1. First contact to a club or promoter
First contact email
Subject: [Your DJ name] for [Night name], [genre] from [city] Hi [Name], I'm [DJ name], a [genre] DJ from [city]. I've been to [Night name] a few times and the energy fits exactly what I play: [one specific thing, e.g. "fast, groovy hard techno around 150 BPM"]. Recently I played [venue or night], [venue or night] and [venue or night]. Would you consider me for a warm-up or a support slot in the coming months? Everything is here, including mixes and my rider: [your presskit link] Thanks for your time, [Name] [Instagram handle]
If you have only played small nights, say so honestly and show your best mix instead. Promoters book people who sound right and show up on time, not only big names.
2. Instagram DM version (short)
Many smaller clubs and collectives answer DMs faster than emails. Keep it even shorter.
Instagram DM
Hey [Name]! [DJ name] here, [genre] DJ from [city]. Big fan of [Night name], the last edition with [artist] was insane. I'd love to play a warm-up or support slot one day. Mixes and past shows are here: [your presskit link] No stress if it doesn't fit right now, thanks for reading 🙏
3. Festival or DJ contest application
Festivals and contests usually ask for a form, but the same rules apply: short, specific, one link. Running a contest yourself? Read how to run a DJ contest that finds real talent.
Festival or contest application
Subject: Application: [DJ name] for [Festival name] [year], [stage or genre] Hi [Festival] team, I'd like to apply for [stage name / the newcomer slot / your DJ contest]. I'm [DJ name], a [genre] DJ from [city]. Why it fits: [one line, e.g. "my sets are built for peak-time outdoor stages, 145 to 155 BPM"]. Recent shows: [venue], [venue], [venue]. Best mix for your stage: [mix link] Full presskit with photos, bio, tech rider and contact: [your presskit link] Thanks a lot, [Name]
4. Asking for a support or B2B slot
Asking an artist or resident directly can work better than asking the promoter, especially in smaller scenes.
Support slot request
Hi [Artist name], I saw you're playing [Night] in [city] on [date]. I'm [DJ name], a local [genre] DJ, and I'd love to warm up for you if the promoter is open to it. Here's my presskit with mixes, so you can check if my sound fits before your set: [your presskit link] Either way, see you on the dancefloor, [Name]
5. Follow-up after 7 days
One follow-up, in the same thread, friendly. Never more than one.
Follow-up
Hi [Name], Just bringing this back up in case it got lost. I'd still love to play [Night name] if a slot opens up. Here's a new mix I recorded last week, very close to your sound: [mix link] Have a great weekend, [Name]
If there's still no reply, stop. Try again in a few months with something new: a bigger gig, a new mix, a sold out night.
6. Thank you after a gig (the email that gets you rebooked)
Most DJs forget this one, and it's the easiest way to get a second date.
Thank you after the gig
Hi [Name], Thank you again for having me at [Night name] on [date]. The crowd was amazing, especially around [moment, e.g. "2 am when the room was full"]. I'd love to come back. If it helps, I'm free on [dates] and happy to warm up or close. All my photos and the recording from the night are on my presskit: [your presskit link] Thanks for the trust, [Name]
7. Replying when a promoter asks for your fee
When a promoter asks "what's your fee?", answer clearly. Vague answers look unprofessional. Not sure what number to give? Read how much a DJ should charge, or let the free DJ fee calculator work it out from your own costs and write this reply with your terms.
Fee reply
Hi [Name], Thanks for reaching out, I'd love to play [Night name] on [date]. For a [set length, e.g. 2 hour] set my fee is [amount] [currency], plus [travel / accommodation if outside your city]. My tech rider is attached to my presskit, together with my contact and availability: [your presskit link] Happy to talk if your budget is different, especially for a first date together. Best, [Name]
Subject lines that get opened
[DJ name] for [Night name], [genre] from [city]Warm-up for [Night name] on [date]?Application: [DJ name], [Festival] [year]Thanks for [Night name] on [date]
Avoid "Booking request", "Hi", or anything in caps. The promoter should know who you are and what you want before they open it.
Common mistakes
- Copy-pasting the same message to 50 promoters without changing a word
- Sending three different links (SoundCloud, Instagram, Google Drive) instead of one presskit
- Attaching big WAV files or a 20 MB PDF
- Asking for a headline slot on your first contact
- Following up every two days
- No booking email or phone number anywhere
Checklist before you hit send
- Their name and their night are in the first two lines
- One sentence on why your sound fits
- One or two real proof points, no exaggeration
- One clear ask (date, warm-up, support)
- One link to your presskit, tested on your phone
- Under about 120 words
- Your name and Instagram handle at the end
Make the link worth clicking
Every template above relies on one thing: the link. If you don't have a presskit yet, you can build one for free in about 10 minutes, with your mixes, photos, past shows, bio, tech rider and a booking button that sends requests straight to your inbox. Read what a DJ presskit is to see what goes in it, and how to get booked as a DJ for the full process from first contact to signed gig.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I email a promoter for a DJ gig?
Keep it under 120 words. Say who you are in one line, why you fit their night specifically, one or two proof points (where you played, a mix), a clear ask (a date or a support slot), and one link to your presskit. Send it to the booking email, not a personal account, and follow up once after 7 days.
Should I contact promoters by email or Instagram DM?
Both work. A short Instagram DM is often faster for smaller clubs and collectives, especially if you already follow and support their events. Use email for bigger venues, festivals and agencies, or when the promoter lists a booking address. In both cases, put your presskit link in the message.
What should I attach to a DJ booking email?
Nothing heavy. One link to your presskit is better than attachments: it opens on any phone and holds your mixes, photos, bio, past shows, tech rider and contact. Large PDFs and audio files often end up in spam or never get opened.
How long should I wait before following up?
About 7 days. Send one short, friendly follow-up in the same thread. If there is still no answer, stop and try again next season with something new to show, like a new mix or bigger gigs.
Should I mention my fee in the first email?
Usually not in the first contact for club nights. Ask about the slot first. When a promoter asks for your fee, answer clearly with a number or a range and what is included, as in the fee reply template in this guide.
