Book excerpt: How to start and build a successful career as a DJ-from at-home mixing to making demos to playing to a live crowd Whether it's a digital or vinyl track of "Proud Mary," a DJ sets the mood, amps up the excitement, and gets a crowd of revelers rockin'. Often an outsized personality, blessed with a gorgeous voice and an encyclopedic knowledge of music, a DJ is this era's new pop star. For those interested in how to begin a career as a DJ, DJing For Dummies offers newcomers all the technical know-how needed as well as advice on how to create your own DJing style and how to make DJing work for you. With tips on equipment essentials, such as turntables, slipmats and needles, headphones, and amplifiers, as well as buying records, CDs, and MP3s, this practical guide takes you through the basics of mixing, song structure, building a foolproof set, creating a great demo, and what to do when you finally face a live audience. Includes ten resources for expanding your skills and fan base With invaluable advice on ten DJing mistakes to avoid as well as answers to DJ questions you're too afraid to ask Includes updated info on the latest software and techniques, expanded content on digital DJing, and DJing over the Internet With tips on the ten items to take with you when you get a gig, as well as how to DJ at a wedding, DJing For Dummies will help turn your fantasy into an exciting and fun, money-making career.