So you wanna be a DJ?  Here are a few suggestions on becoming one. I have over 25 years experience as a nightclub DJ. So I hope these tips are helpful.  

• Be passionate about your music. If you don't love what you play don't expect to be successful for very long.
• Play only great songs, there is no time to waste by playing "filler" EVER.
• Great DJ's are born ONLY when a DJ's vibe comes into complete alignment with the crowd's vibe. Over timeThe DJ has built trust at a venue with a core group of dancers by consistently pleasing them with quality music that they enjoy. Sometimes the DJ is said to be "reading the crowd." This is when he learns more and more each time he spins about what his crowd wants and what they expect from him. This trust from the crowd inspires the DJ into a more creative realm. This is when great things happen and how DJ's become legendary.
• Take requests by writing them down and play them if at all possible. On the other hand, Do not get pushed into playing something that you know would not work well. Trust your instincts but if you don't intend to play a song that is requested just be upfront and explain to them (briefly) your reason.
• Be personable, polite and approachable, not flirty. Ideally a locked door about 4ft tall between yourself and patrons of the club so you can speak and go over to them when you are free.
• Use realistic judgement on how many people should be allowed in the DJ booth when you are spinning. It is easy to lose concentration when too many people are talking to you or loudly talking to each other. Every DJ has a preference regarding the number of people that are "with the DJ." However, generally speaking the most successful DJ's prefer to have very few (if any) guests in the booth. How many people are allowed to bring visitors to their place of employment. Lay down the law early on with visitors to the booth. Being a DJ is a job, and while it is OK to have a good time, they need remember it is a job. Furthermore, most club owners do not generally like extra people around sound equipment or other controls that drinks could be spilled onto or cables tripped over and unplugged.
• When music shopping do not buy too many (or all titles) in hopes that you will have everything. For the most part if a song is "pretty good" or you hear yourself saying "I kinda like it" or "It might grow on me" you don't need it. I've seen people spend thousands of dollars on music and literally use only a few pieces in the end. One of those people was me. (insert losing 'price is right' horn here). You've heard it all your life...Quality not quantity...well this is one definite time it to apply it.
• When working for a nightclub or any venue on a regular basis especially where you (the DJ) are earning a percentage of door and/or liquor sales, be aware that if bartenders are giving away too many drinks or too many comps are given out at the door the club will not be able to stay open. A crowded club may look successful but failing miserably on paper because of corruption in management and or bar staff giving liquor away. Door personnel often take drugs as payment for entry into a club or simply pocket the cash. This can be very hard for a DJ to detect since the DJ is so often not a regular payroll employee therefore being unaware of the day to day nightclub proceedings and/or politics. Be careful if you suspect this kind of fraud is happening at your club. Accusations or assumptions could end in getting you fired.
• Avoid all confrontation with nightclub patrons including friends and relatives. Its never a good idea to have a verbal disagreement in public especially when a DJ's success can depend greatly on how he/she is perceived by the public.

• Learn or be able to play across multiple formats and be familiar with as many (widely used) mixers as possible. Always know what equipment you will be using at future gigs and be sure you know what time soundcheck will be held and the address of the club. If at all possible, ALWAYS utilize the soundcheck opportunity. This will help ensure the night goes smoothly for you.
• Never complain about sound problems to promoters. Let the event patrons do all the complaining (believe me they will) Address all issues after the show, in private.
• Sign contracts for all DJ performances.
• Don't let rumors get to you and laugh everything off. Don't take yourself too seriously. Be happy.
• Show up on time or early to all performances and be easy to work with.
• Don't take lovers or relatives that you tend to argue with (especially to out of town gigs)
• Do not make demands of any kind (ie. expensive hotels, "required in room" items, favors, drugs, preferred airlines, extra plane tickets, additional traveling companions etc.)
• Take time to listen to other DJ's, whether known or unknown. You can always learn something new or bring back a song or two or more to make your set even more unique.
• When playing one off gigs (anything outside an established club) get at least half your fee UP FRONT.
• Don't get caught up in "mixing." While mixing well is important, programming (song choices) matters most. A DJ could actually do very well without a seamless mix between every song as long as he played slammin tunes. On the flip side of that, a seamless mixing DJ would go unnoticed with mediocre tunes and slammin mixes.
• Keep current events in mind when choosing music for a set to keep it interesting. (ie. during the Disco era of the late seventies let's say it was raining for five days in a row, a local radio DJ may play 'I Can't Stand The Rain' by Eruption or 'Stormy Weather' by Viola Wills. Learn personal things about people in your audience and play songs for them. People love to feel special and if they pick up on your message its likely they will remember your friendly gesture for a long time. Be sincere though, or you'll come across as superficial. 
• In other words you have to GENUINELY enjoy making people feel good and bringing them together on a dancefloor. After all that's what being a DJ is all about.

This hub will be revised as I remember what I have left out...Ronnie