Many individuals in the Music Business consider themselves to be hit makers but you and I know that there is only one number 1 record in any chart in any week. From this we know that not every single or album ever makes it to a number one position (if you are aiming for chart positions).
We should also remember that the national charts of any country are not the only recognised charts to aspire for. There are various niche charts in every genre and we must aspire to get into that if we are to progress in popularity, sales and record deals.
So how do you make a hit record? I think the question we could ask is how I can ensure my record becomes a hit? We might say it another way; what are the elements that make a "Hit Record"?

No 1 Element of a hit record:
DJ Acceptance: I have a theory I have always used and worked by for years which is that your recording must be capable of selling to your core audience without promotion. This means that those who are mostly interested in buying your kind of music must love the track so much on hearing it that they are willing to purchase it. Do not be deceived any track that does not appeal to the taste makers of that genre will have a hard time progressing through the ranks!

In a similar fashion the DJ (The Hit Makers) who plays your type of music must be interested in playing it without promotion.

The way the market is set up is this and we must remember:

1. The first group of people are the core audience (Early Adopters - individuals and DJs who like to be trailblazers and desire to be the first to acquire the latest, best thing in the genre)

2. The next group are the first circle (Middle Adopters - individuals who are influenced by DJs because they are familiar with the music and like to acquire music that is said by the DJs to be "Good")

3. The next group are the populous (Late Adopters - those who buy music by name because they hear it so much from radio, TV and other promotion venues (you can only sell to this audience once your promotion has become effective. Example is the X-Factor artists and the audience who patronise them!)

It is actually a plus for the Early Adopters to love you music. They will be the evangelists that will publicise your music so that it gets the maximum exposure for free and for love.

So, the secret key to a Hit Record of any kind is to make music that appeals to the core audience/Early Adopters! If you continue to do this and get DJ acceptance, sooner or later you will have a hit. They are the ones that will promote it (for free mostly) because they love it/love what you do and influence the other groups into purchasing/acknowledging and guaranteeing your track becomes a Hit Record!

You need your DJs to come on board early so do a track they like!