Hang on class this is gonna be a long one! As @Lex Christopherson mentioned in his post about disliking social media, self-promotion can feel unnatural, especially if you're not an extrovert. Becoming a social media personality or content creator often requires you to let your guard down and present yourself on camera, which isn't always comfortable for everyone. As I transition from being just a DJ to also becoming a music producer, I've been reflecting on how I initially promoted myself as a DJ and how I can adapt those methods to promote my original music. Before the rise of social media and digital technology, one of my most effective tools was ordering custom-branded blank CDs with my DJ affiliate logos, website URL, and promo images. I would leave a blank space in the artwork to handwrite the mix name and distribute these CDs at events. People love free stuff, especially when it’s music. However, as technology evolves, so must our promotion methods. Since most cars no longer have CD players, I've started looking for new ways to distribute my music that offer instant access to my brand. Current Promotion Methods 1. Thumb Drives: Instead of CDs, I now buy blank thumb drives in bulk and customize them with my URL and branding. I carry them on lanyards at events and DJ gigs. By loading my latest mix onto these drives, people can easily plug them into their car stereo or computer and listen to my music instantly. I also include a shortcut link file to direct them to my online platforms. 2. QR Codes: I recommend building a custom landing page on your website for your QR codes or NFC tiles to link to. This way, you have a dynamic page where you can showcase your latest content. I’ve added my QR Code to iron-on transfer sheets, pressing them onto T-shirts with my DJ Collective’s logo. At festivals and events, people have scanned the code to see where it leads. You can even turn QR codes into custom art using AI, which can be printed on stickers or T-shirts for guerrilla marketing. 3. NFC Stickers: QR Codes with NFC capabilities are the next big thing. You can create NFC stickers that allow anyone to tap their phone and instantly access your Spotify, Linktree, SoundCloud, or any other platform. Place these stickers around DJ booths, bars, merch tables, or hand them out personally. For a more mysterious approach, use guerrilla marketing by omitting your branding and using intriguing phrases to entice people to tap the sticker.

I’ve been struggling with having a good relationship with inspiration. What has worked for you?

https://soundcloud.com/lambdoid/nikal-might-come-back-to-me I have tried making trance before but it never went anywhere. I'm really happy with how it turned out and I put a lot of work into it.

I'm not really sure what inspired this song, I guess it just felt summery to me ! I learned that I should keep working on the bass line until I get that "feeling" from it where it really hits, and looking back, since i am not finished with it yet I would like to go in and tweak the bass line a bit to make some notes shine through more. https://soundcloud.com/lindsaylou_music/funky-garden-wip/s-hKgrM8bKtVx?si=3a891121751d481c8dac62584305ea87&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

I generally start arranging tracks when my megaloop gets cluttered. I normally have enough material to get to the second breakdown, but I tend to hit a wall because I don't want to just repeat what I've got and want to move the track in a new direction. I often try new things and they don't work or maybe the buildup leading to the next main section is quite weak.