Side income for DJs: how to earn between gigs
Updated
Gig income is irregular, so most DJs add income that does not depend on the weekend: paid feedback on producers' tracks, test spins (playing a track in a set and reporting the reaction), teaching, edits and bootlegs, sponsored mixes and residencies. Feedback and test spins suit DJs well because producers want exactly what you already know: what works on a dancefloor.
What are the best side incomes for DJs?
| Income stream | How it pays | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Paid DJ feedback (Tracklounge) | Per review, 80% of the creator's price | A DJ history in your genre and clear notes |
| Test spins | Paid on top of a review | Regular sets where you can play new music |
| Teaching and DJ lessons | Per hour or per course | Patience and a setup students can use |
| Edits, bootlegs and DJ tools | Bandcamp sales, Patreon, label releases | Basic production skills |
| Residencies | Recurring fee | A local scene and a reliable crowd |
| Mixes and radio shows | Sponsors, Patreon, platform fees | A consistent schedule and audience |
| Event promotion | Door split or fee | Time, a network and some risk tolerance |
| Producing your own tracks | Releases, royalties, more bookings | Time in the studio |
Can you get paid to give feedback as a DJ?
Yes. Producers want to know whether their track works in a club before they release it or send it to labels. On Tracklounge, creators can ask for a DJ perspective: you listen, leave timestamped notes and answer the DJ questions. Does it mix in and out cleanly? Where does the energy peak and dip? Would you play it, and where in a set?
You do not need production skills for DJ feedback. Most DJ reviews take 20 to 40 minutes. You keep 80% of the price, the minimum request is $10 ($8 to you), and most requests so far have been $20 to $30.
What is a test spin, and how does it pay?
A test spin is the oldest form of A&R: a DJ plays an unreleased track in a real set and reports how the floor reacted. On Tracklounge creators can add a paid test spin to a DJ review. It pays extra on top of the review, and you only take it on when you have a fitting set coming up.
How do you start?
- Pick one or two streams that fit the time you have. Feedback and teaching pay fastest.
- Stay in your genre. Producers choose DJs who play their style.
- Apply as a DJ reviewer on Tracklounge. The application asks about your sets, residencies and genres.
Get paid for your dancefloor ear.
Apply as a DJ reviewer. You see the payout on every request before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
DJ income
Paid track feedback, test spins, teaching, edits and DJ tools, sponsored mixes and radio shows all pay without a booking.
No. DJ feedback on Tracklounge is about dancefloor fit, mixability and energy, not production technique.
You keep 80% of the creator's price. The minimum request is $10 ($8 to you), and most requests so far have been $20 to $30. Test spins pay extra.