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Making the leap to full-time DJing may sound like a dream for many, but the journey is far from easy. Annabel’s story is one of dedication, resilience, and savvy social media use. Her path from juggling a full-time job to becoming a sought-after DJ across Europe offers invaluable lessons for anyone wanting to break into the music industry. Let’s dive into how she navigated the challenges, grew her brand, and made her mark on the scene.

From Frustration to a Fresh Start

Sometimes, real change begins with blunt honesty. In Annabel’s case, it started with waking up one day and realising she was deeply unhappy in her job. That clarity led her to take the bold step of giving DJing “one more shot.” Within a week, she received a booking email for a guest set, marking the beginning of her professional journey. What followed was a mix of hustle, creativity, and relentless self-belief.

A Life-Changing Decision: DJing Full-Time

Annabel’s transition into full-time DJing wasn’t pre-planned—it happened naturally. At first, she said yes to almost every opportunity, taking on gigs big and small. From small events in shops to club sets, she embraced the hustle. This relentless work ethic paid off as her career gained momentum quickly. By showing up consistently, she grew her skills, confidence, and reputation.

The Role of TikTok in Rapid Growth

Social media proved to be a game-changer for Annabel. In early 2021, she decided to focus on TikTok as a way to build her profile. It worked. By January, she had reached 10,000 followers, and just a few months later, that number exploded to 100,000. This surge wasn’t just about metrics—it gave her more credibility, visibility, and validation in the industry. However, she soon realised that growth on social media wouldn’t immediately translate into gigs. That would take additional strategy and effort.

Learning the Ropes: Starting Her DJ Journey

Annabel picked up her first DJ controller in 2018 but quickly found it frustrating. It sat under her bed for a year until she finally decided to give it another go in 2019. She started small—practising mixes, sharing them online, and securing a few gigs through her existing network in the music industry. Early sets were often low-key, like warming up in shop spaces, but they were vital for building her skills and confidence.

Turning Lockdown Into an Opportunity

When lockdown hit in 2020, Annabel panicked like many others. The clubs were closed, and she thought her budding DJ career might be over before it even started. But instead of giving up, she pivoted. Buying a microphone on a whim, she launched “The Antidote with Annabel,” a SoundCloud radio show combining mixes with artist shout-outs. The show gained loyal listeners and eventually led to her streaming live DJ sets on Twitch.

Cracking Twitch: Building a Community Online

Streaming on Twitch was a leap into the unknown for Annabel. Her early streams had just four viewers and slideshow-quality video due to limited equipment. But she didn’t quit. She taught herself the tech, pushed through the awkwardness of live streaming, and grew her Twitch channel into a thriving community of fans. Twitch also proved to be a game-changer financially, providing an early source of income through donations and support from her audience.

Overcoming the Challenges of Live Streaming

Live streaming isn’t as simple as pressing “go live.” Annabel faced hurdles like technical glitches, learning new software, and dealing with nerves. She invested countless hours into creating overlays, triggers, and graphics to make her streams engaging. The work paid off, helping her stand out and build a loyal following. Her biggest lesson? People stick around when you’re authentic and willing to connect with them.

Life Pre-DJing: Building Skills in the Industry

Long before she became a DJ, Annabel was immersed in music. She studied music production at school, dabbled in singing and songwriting, and eventually switched to a commercial music degree in London. Her passion for music led her to roles in community radio on stations like Represent FM and Radar Radio. Though these roles didn’t pay the bills, they gave her a foundation of industry knowledge and connections she’d later rely on.

Tackling the Emotional Toll of Freelancing

Deciding to go full-time as a DJ came with financial and emotional risks. Annabel struggled with anxiety, financial uncertainty, and imposter syndrome during her early months as a freelancer. After leaving a corporate day job that left her miserable, she experienced both relief and fear. Without the safety net of a steady salary, the pressure to succeed was immense. But with the support of her family and friends, she pushed forward, using Twitch income and small gigs to get by.

The Power of Social Media for DJs

In addition to Twitch, Annabel leaned heavily into Instagram to attract club bookings and professional opportunities. She committed to posting one Instagram reel every day for three months. The result? Her following jumped from 10,000 to 100,000 within weeks. This significant growth gave her credibility when contacting promoters and helped her land bigger gigs.

Securing Gigs: Persistence Pays Off

Landing gigs wasn’t easy at first. Annabel sent countless emails to clubs, festivals, and promoters, with many going unanswered. But she stuck with it, refining her pitch and following up as her profile grew. Over time, she began booking gigs across Europe, playing in countries like France, Cyprus, Spain, and Germany. Her success was a testament to the power of persistence.

Finding Her Sound: Evolving as an Artist

Annabel’s music has evolved alongside her career. Starting with hip-hop and UK rap, she has now embraced a style she calls “global dance music.” This eclectic mix includes afro house, baile funk, amapiano, and remixes of popular tracks. She’s also built her sets around creative edits, ensuring her performances feel unique and tailored to her audience.

The Importance of Edits and Crowd Reading

Annabel’s sets are often packed with bootlegs and remixes sourced from SoundCloud and Bandcamp. These edits allow her to stand out and craft unique moments during her performances. Flexibility is key—reading the crowd and adapting is something she’s honed during a summer of gigs across diverse audiences. Some crowds prefer commercial hits, while others embrace her global dance sound.

The Pressure and Joy of Festival Gigs

This past summer marked a breakthrough for Annabel, with big gigs at festivals and clubs across Europe. From intimate club nights to large events, she’s been building her reputation on dance floors everywhere. The experience, while exciting, has also been a steep learning curve, teaching her how to hold diverse crowds with her sound.

Lessons for Aspiring DJs

Annabel’s journey highlights several key lessons for anyone aspiring to become a DJ:

• Stay consistent: Whether it’s DJ practice or social media posts, consistency builds momentum.
• Embrace multiple platforms: TikTok, Instagram, and Twitch each play a unique role in growing your audience.
• Don’t skip the networking: Gig bookings often start with an email, so don’t be afraid to reach out.
• Adapt your sound: Each crowd is different, so remain flexible and ready to switch gears.
• Build community: Engage personally with your followers—loyal fans make all the difference.

Looking Ahead: Growth Through Strategy

As winter approaches, Annabel plans to shift her focus back to strategy. This includes spending time in the studio preparing more content, reassessing her goals, and continuing to refine her sound. By balancing gigging with content creation, she aims to build on the momentum of her summer successes and take her career even further.

Annabel’s story offers a raw and inspiring look at what it takes to transition into a full-time DJ career. From navigating the loneliness of freelancing to celebrating viral social media success, her journey is a reminder that hard work and authenticity can lead to incredible opportunities. For DJs at any stage of their career, Annabel’s experience proves that with persistence, creativity, and a strong support network, you really can turn your passion into your profession.