We recently connected with Reginald “DJ NTEG” McNichols and have shared our conversation below.
DJ NTEG, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
Yes, I have been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work! The journey has been interesting, full of many ups and many downs that’s shaped me. I graduated valedictorian in 2015 from the Ex-treme Institute By Nelly with my degree in recording engineering, production with management! Along that journey it allowed me to make great connections, industry friends, as well as positioned me to put the skills I’d learned in school into practice. I could’ve sped up the process had I decided to pursue my dreams and aspirations sooner. But I believe in divine timing, so the timing was perfect!
DJ NTEG, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Ever since a young boy, music business has always intrigued me! The earliest segments of music I was introduced to was through intermediate family! The family that I’ve been blessed to apart of is very musical. I saw artistry on full display while watching free style rap performances of family members as a kid. At this point I knew I wanted to be involved in the arts in someway shape or form! Going back to school to further my education taught me the importance of music business. Learning that the music business was 80% business and 20% artistry reconfigured my thoughts about the industry. Being a creative at heart I started to create products to help artist, engineers, & producers like my Nteg template, and my royalty collection course! Not without making sure the business side was in place first of course! This was a problem I knew needed solving! Music business industry tips and tricks weren’t being shared on a vast level, and if you didn’t know anybody in the industry it was hard for you to find information! I set out to address that issue! Two of the things that I’m most proud of is the first book I’ve ever wrote titled “When It’s No Longer Your Plan, How Plan B Lead Me Back To Plan A” and also our growing YouTube channel Nteg Family YouTube! My wife, my children, and me set out to share who we are behind the scenes and it has been well received!
How did you build your audience on social media?
My social media content creation has been a journey, and it has shifted quite a few times to cater to the needs of my audience. I didn’t want my platforms and pages to just be about me, or become a vanity show. I wanted my pages to add value to someone’s life, so they’d leave better than they came. I started creating 60 second music business tips and it has grown from there. If you’re just starting a social media page I’d say look for areas you can create value where there is no value! Create compelling content that you yourself love first and that you can see others falling in love with!
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Yes! I’m a HUGE believer in self affirmation and testimonials. One book that has been life changing for me is How to Instantly Connect with Anyone by Leil Lowndes. Not having alot of verbal affirmation early in life caused me to lack confidence at times. This book helped build my confidence to talk to anyone about anything especially partnerships in business. Also before the noise of daily issues, challenges, & trials present themselves I listen to daily motivational/inspirational videos. I never go a day without listening to Les Brown, or Eric Thomas. This keeps me ready to tackle ANYTHING the day presents.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ntegritymusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ntegritymusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NtegrityMusic/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ntegritymusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/NTegrityMusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn8RiVJ5a8n3ZxSKmP0uPLA
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@djnteg?lang=en https://boostradio.com/nteg/ https://www.joyfmonline.org/what-we-consume-shapes-us-dj-ntegs-story/ https://storystitchers.org/the-why-of-my-city/ https://ne-np.facebook.com/KranzbergArts/videos/3010141842433515/ https://vimeo.com/saintlouis30526785