WOW ... I'm speechless (and that's rare)
Thank you so so much for such massive participation, so much thought, so many opinions, so many different approaches and perspectives.
You are really great - I am pleased to see so many well-known, successful MC users and also newcomers here, who have their very own points of view and demands.
I am really overwhelmed and at the same time so pleased, because it shows me that there is an interest in communication - on all sides.
There are those who want to know something - there are those who want to respond - there are reactions - certainly also criticism but that is what we call communication and that is important for all of us here.

Of course, to come back to the question... I can not say right now what is right and what is wrong - but what is important is that it shows how complex the answers can be and how many different aspects of you are considered - that is so great and valuable , because here experiences are exchanged by listeners and creators. Some things were even new to me and very interesting and the longer I think about it, I can say "shit, that's right" :)
Unfortunately, I can not speak to each one at the moment, but I think that's not bad, because the goal of this post is not "I know" what makes a set successful, but that we have a connection to each other - and if that's about the Formulation of a simple question is possible, then is the equation worked out. MAGIC! :)

Even if hundreds of people have not written something here now, the post has been viewed by about 150 people - that's a success.
Please keep it up.
This should not be the end of this post - you are welcome to continue writing your views and opinions or commenting on the others - let's get together - we are not machines :)

BIG THANX 2 ALL - DO NOT STOP - WE'RE ONLY IN THE BEGINNING

Such an intersting question dear Thomas :) Maybe we should ask our listeners, which is this element that made them listen to a specific set and loved it. I hear many hours music everyday, from various sources and many times a track that I listened somewhere usually is the trigger for the creation of a mix - many times, I want to keep a flow, but usually get out of the flow, haha...I many times create a mix depending on my mood and what I want to listen to, at this moment. I don't create, having in mind if the people would love it (but hope that they will like it). The selection may take hours ... A great track for the beginning and the end and some "inside turns" might make a mix interesting... My humble opinion :)
The "surprise" element and not to get bored (by listening to the same new tracks, whole tracks or as if I am listening to 1 song for one hour, cause the tracks are so similar between them) keep me as a listener :) Cause I am first of all a listener and then a creator (?) ...
And finally, I believe that we should try and keep as much communication as we can with our listeners.
Greetings to everybody from Thessaloniki :)
Olga

Hi, thanks for this interesting post ... if you want, I'll tell you something about me, I'm from Argentina, my name is Gabriela, I love music, I'm not a professional DJ but I'm studying to improve technology, for me The challenge is to make mixes that don't be habitual or obvious, my account is a box of surprises, I like that. The interaction is not very fluid .. listeners do not leave so many messages, I really would like to know more .. but indirectly you can know by the minutes of listening or fav and repost. I send him a hug. He hoped we can make mixes that mixcloud members enjoy.

Hi Thomas! I would not qualify myself as a "creator" , I put together creations of others in mixes. For me a great set is based first on the selection, the genre or combination of genres, variation of bpm, theme. I had some great mixes and others, and others not so great. Most important, I'm having fun.

I don't think posts should be used every time one posts a new mix either. That's why I'll post to promote 3 or more mixes at once and give props to those who submitted mixes for KOTD. Trying to keep up with posts as well as new mixes is a huge task when I'm busy anyway already. Most of all, I think posts could be used as threads like facebook about topics to get some info about music or life in general.

Thomas, thanks for the interesting question. In fact, I've been contemplating since quite a while what constitutes a great mix. So, here's my quite nerdy answer.

First of all, I don't think that social interaction, answering comments, writing an interesting introduction, or even voice overs and shut outs (Actually I think a DJ should keep their mouth shut) make a great mix. This is merely the icing on a cake. As a listener, I am more likely to add a mix to the play queue, if it has a nice artwork, some words about the story behind the mix, and if I think I know the DJ. But that only has little influence on the perceived quality of the mix.

In the end, a great mix for me comes down to three ingredients:
1. Great Music: I know, musical preference is very subjective. But I have to like the music to really enjoy a mix. Personally, when buying records, I try to find the musical pearls in the mass of new releases. I hope, once in a while succeed with this endeavor.

2. The Composition: A great mix is like a journey, every transition, every new track, is just a small step, but in the end you may be far away from where you started. To maintain the flow, each track must be a logical follow up to the previous one. I usually try to find some connecting element between the tracks I mix, some similar percussion, the same key, the general mood. However always playing 'more of the same' is getting pretty boring pretty quickly. The DJ needs to take some risk by trying to find less obvious transitions, play with tension and relief, shift the mood between melancholy and joy. If it works out, these are the best moments of a mix. If not this can easily end up in a total failure. Laying out a mix can easily take me more time than actually mixing it.

3. The Technique: DJing is first of all entertainment, a service for the listeners. We may want to add an artsy touch, but the DJ is not the center of the universe. Every transition, every effect added needs to follow a purpose. I don't like DJs showing off just for the sake of it. In mixing less is often more. I am not a technical skillz nazi, but the DJ needs a minimum of technical skill, regardless if they are doing vinyl only mixes, playing traktor, or creating multi-channel sound collages in ableton. Mistakes are ok, they are human, they make the DJ relatable, but they can really kill a mix, if too dominant.

In the end, as a DJ you need to be authentic. Find your style(s) and embrace it. A couple of years ago, I realized that I am happier with my mixes, if I play slower, put more care in track selection, and give the tracks more time shine. But that's just me...

Hey Thomas, great post for starters. For me, I predominantly play Techno. Mixcloud has given me the opportunity to try mixes of all genres which I am thoroughly enjoying. Also to keep things fresh I have to get creative and think of ideas to make each mix my best. The key for me is melodic mixing all the way.

Peace
Flynn - Listener & Creator

The secret is just to let go..... it's like playing a musical instrument! First learn everything you need to play and then simply let go! Your mind must be free! Don't think about what you wanna do and just do it.
I play always 3 decks so i don't have time to think like many many dj's who actually play every track in it's full length, pretending to do something awesome now and then, followed by the other track, again 6 minutes and again 6 minutes! This results in poor playlists of what.....hahahahaha 10 tracklists sets with tracks that are HOT at the moment. The only thing this is eventually generating is that all the venues are booked and filled with always the same (BIG) Dj's who are supposedly the best in their trade.... don't make me laugh!
Be yourself and dare to be different and unique!!!

Hey Thomas, I really like what you are doing and I like stronger connections between creators & listeners :) Good post and hope everybody will connect and get closer together ☺

I think that the biggest part of making a good mix is connecting with the listeners...either through the music, the intro (A voice over intro is great!), a good commentary of what the mix is about, responding to comments ( especially about their fav tracks which I really should do more of ) stuff like that. I think your post is really intriguing Thomas, I want to comment more but don't want to get too wordy lol.

Btw. a really really cool and interactive post was the Summer Contest of Dada Hu.
It works and that is so much better :))