everyone has their own system of getting gigs……
There’s so much that goes into getting a venue to hire you for a gig. From finding the venues that even book live music, all the way to actually booking the gig, there a ton of steps along the way where we have the opportunity to showcase our unique skillsets to the booker or talent buyer. It’s really all about what it is that sets you apart from everyone else doing the same thing. There are over 400 gigging solo musicians just in my local area here in Central PA, and most of us are trying to get gigs at the same exact places. Now, I don’t consider myself the most talented or capable musician in my area, so why do I have a full calendar while other more well-versed or talented musicians may be struggling to get booked? I think the answer is simple. I approach all this music stuff as a business owner. I take each task more seriously than any other job I’ve ever had, so I never have to go back to doing something I don’t want to do for money. That doesn’t mean I don’t get to enjoy what I do, I just merely give it the respect it deserves. I treat it like my livelihood depends on it.
Today, I’m going to identify how I get gigs, from start to finish. If you’re a gigging musician and you have a system in place currently that’s working for you, you may not learn anything from this episode. If you’re performing as much as you could possibly ever want right now, and you don’t think you have anything to learn when it comes to booking, I encourage you to pass on this. But if you’re struggling to get gigs, or even get emails returned, this episode is going to be one hundred percent for you. I’m going to provide you the 5 THINGS I feel have given me the ability to quit my day job and be a full time musician for almost 3 years now. I’m not special. I don’t have any secrets or real shortcuts. All I’ve done is identify the things that worked and the things that didn’t work when trying to get the almighty gig, and I believe these same things will work for anyone who chooses to use them. If you possess a solid base of musicianship, everything boils down to getting that initial shot to prove yourself at a new venue, and I believe this episode may provide you with some of the tools to do just that.
TODAY WE WILL COVER……
Websites
Identifying target venues/audiences
Identifying our UNIQUE skills and the ability to explain them
The importance of PRACTICE
Unpacking the best booking email strategies