Hey! I’m Mike, I go by DJ AXCESS, and I’m a DJ, MC, and public speaker based in Columbus, Ohio.
If you’ve never heard of SMART goals, you’re in luck. This is one of the most helpful concepts I learned while growing up.
The gap between potential and progress usually comes down to mindset, not skill. Without clearly defining our goals, how do we expect to achieve them? How do we decide what actions to take if we don’t know where we’re going?
SMART goal setting is a framework that forces clarity. And clarity is often the difference between making progress and simply staying busy.
What Does SMART Stand For?
SMART is an acronym:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time-bound
Let’s break this down through the lens of a working DJ.
A goal must be clearly defined.
Instead of:
“I want more gigs.”
Try:
“I want to book 10 additional weddings for next season.”
Instead of:
“I want to get better at mixing.”
Try:
“I want to master harmonic mixing in open format sets.”
If a goal is vague, your brain doesn’t know where to direct effort. Specificity creates focus.
Measurable
If you can’t track it, you can’t improve it.
“I want to grow my Instagram” is not measurable.
“I want to gain 500 followers by posting three Reels per week for 90 days” is measurable.
For bookings:
“I want to increase my average wedding package from $3,500 to $4,500.”
For performance:
“I want to eliminate saying ‘um’ during my next 10 events.”
When you measure something, you create accountability.
Achievable
This is where most DJs either fantasize or play too small.
Unrealistic:
“I want to charge $8,000 per wedding next month” when you’re currently booking at $1,500.
Too safe:
“I want to book one more event this year” when you already book 30 annually.
An achievable goal stretches you but respects your current market position, brand perception, and skill level.
If you currently book 20 weddings per year, targeting 28 next year is aggressive but realistic.
If you currently speak at no events, targeting one conference talk this year is achievable.
Relevant
This is the filter that protects your time.
Just because something sounds impressive doesn’t mean it serves your brand.
Ask:
Does this goal increase revenue?
Does this goal strengthen authority?
Does this goal improve client experience?
Does this goal support long-term positioning?
Learning advanced scratch routines might be exciting. But if you are focused on premium weddings, is it relevant to your business model?
On the other hand, improving your MC presence, timeline control, and client communication directly supports higher-level bookings.
Relevance keeps you strategic.
Time-Bound
Without a deadline, a goal becomes a wish.
Instead of:
“I want to update my website.”
Say:
“I will launch a redesigned website by September 1.”
Instead of:
“I want to improve my ceremony audio setup.”
Say:
“I will invest in and test a redundant ceremony audio system before my next outdoor wedding in 60 days.”
Deadlines create urgency. Urgency drives execution.
What SMART Goals Look Like for DJs
Here are real examples.
Weak goal:
“I want to be more professional.”
SMART version:
“Over the next 6 months, I will implement a structured client planning system that reduces pre-event email exchanges by 30 percent and increases five-star reviews.”
Weak goal:
“I want more authority.”
SMART version:
“I will publish two SEO-optimized blog posts per month for the next 12 months targeting wedding planning search terms in Columbus, Ohio.”
Weak goal:
“I want to get better on the mic.”
SMART version:
“For the next 15 events, I will script and rehearse every major announcement in advance and review recordings afterward to eliminate filler words.”
Notice the difference. The SMART version creates direction and accountability.
If you don’t set measurable goals, you can’t objectively evaluate whether your brand is growing or simply staying busy.
Final Thoughts
Here’s what a fully developed SMART goal looks like for a DJ focused on social media growth:
“Over the next 90 days, I will grow my Instagram followers by 20 percent by posting three educational Reels and two carousel posts per week, with every piece of content aligned to wedding planning search questions and ending with a clear call to action.”
If you want help setting smarter goals or building a DJ business with structure and intention, I offer one-on-one coaching for working DJs. You can learn more at djaxcess.com/coaching.
– Mike
