DJ Blighty’s story is one of dedication to the craft. He joined Mixcloud after all his content was inexplicably (and without warning) deleted from his SoundCloud channel. But that didn’t stop him. He rebranded himself as “I’m DJ Blighty – Who The Hell Are You” – his now celebrated tag line.
Born in Cardiff, Wales, DJ Blighty a.k.a Adam Blight started DJing seriously in 2015. He grew an incredibly loyal community of over 139,000 followers on Mixcloud. This helped him make a name for himself in dance music internationally. Having now released several records as an artist, Blighty has a lot to offer for young, up-and-coming DJs and producers when it comes to standing out in a crowded market. And what to prioritize when promoting yourself online.
Read on to find out what essential skills have helped DJ Blighty get to where he is today.
Stay consistent
DJ Blighty: “This applies to any craft and is the most important ingredient to success. Over the space of 5 years, I uploaded a new mix every single week without fail. Admittedly it was hard to keep up with considering my gig schedules and life generally, but the trick is never to lose sight of the goal. I was driven by the growth and knowing that I was reaching new fans who appreciated my weekly output and that motivated me in itself. But this didn’t happen overnight, I think for the first 6 months or so it was slow. Just keep at it.”
Do it for the right reasons
“When it comes to the creative world, your passion will always shine through. If you’re in it for the wrong reasons, nine out of 10 people will be able to feel it. It’s true that the music industry is fuelled by artists or DJs putting their heart and soul into their craft. And approaching this field with authenticity and with heart will automatically connect you with people, and also keep you motivated. I still, to this day, get this buzz when I create a new transition or a mash-up that blows my mind, and I think that resonates with my listeners.”
Manage your expectations
“Just think of a snowball. It starts off as one flake of snow and gradually builds, picking up more and more snow. Along the way, it might slow, but it keeps getting bigger, growing. Even a single snowflake (which in this is a single follower or fan) is one more than you had yesterday.
Don’t let yourself get into the mindset of building thousands of loyal fans overnight, this is very unlikely to happen. Switch your focus on looking after the ones you already have. Connect with them, even on a personal level, if they show you love or support, show it back. You would be very surprised how far small gestures like this can go. Many of the opportunities throughout my career have come from connecting with people who came across my music/mixes and that alone has led me to doing shows in countries I would have never predicted. It’s wild when you think about it, and I still find it extremely humbling when I visit a new country and someone knows me for my work.”
Finally
“Remember. This doesn’t happen overnight. It took time, consistency, and a deep commitment to the craft.”
Discover DJ Blighty on Mixcloud here. Make sure to look out for his Summer Vibes series!