Things You'll Need:
- Patience
- Persistence
- Business Savvy
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Step 1
First off youll need to be prepared to play. Make sure you and/or your band have practiced enough to play in front of people. This seems obvious but lots of performers take the stage too soon and tarnish their own image. Allow yourself to develop and become an act that people will want to see!
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Step 2
When your ready to play live, record your band playing with the best technology your budget dictates. You need to have at the least a CD or a website with MP3's so the booking agent can hear your music. This is important in whether or not a club will consider having you play live.
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Step 3
Research clubs and venues in your area. Find the ones that cater to your genre of music. If you play metal you will not fare well at a coffee shop. If you play acoustic love songs you will not fare well at the heavy metal bar. I say this so that you dont throw a demo CD at every club in your state. This will waste time and money.
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Step 4
When youve found some clubs your interested in, try to approach the club owner or booking agent in person (this will help cement a personal business relationship). Understand this is a business. You want to play in front of a lot of people. The owner wants you to play infront of a lot of thirsty people. That is your common goal. It is in your best interest to reiterate that to the club owner that is you are as interested as he is in filling the club with people.
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Step 5
Allow the clubs a few weeks to listen to the CD and roll it over in their head. DO NOT follow up too soon or too much. If you state that you will help promote the event and spread the word it will help him take a chance on you.
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Step 6
Dont demand or even ask for pay. This is your first gig so feel lucky your playing it. It takes time to move up the ranks of playing for free to making money for what you love doing. If you pack the house you will probably be paid. Before you can demand money you need to have a following of people who will come to your gig and pack the house a reputation of sorts for bringing people out to the club.
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Step 7
When you play. play for a packed house even if there are only five people there. If your not excited about your music you cant expect anybody else to be. Your enthusiasm may inspire the club owner to invite you back anyway. He may have you play on a tuesday to start off with but when your ready you may be playing on saturdays. You will know when your ready to move up the totem pole.
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Step 8
Be weary of promotion companies who youve never heard of contacting you by email inviting you to play a HUGE show. They will ask you to sell tickets while dangling huge prizes in front of you. They will tell you how great you are and ask you to sell all the tickets. These companies prey on new younger bands looking for a shot at the big time. Avoid them like the plague. Do it for fun (thats why you started right?). When your ready the big time will find you and not through your myspace.
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Step 9
So remember when a club lets you play they are taking a risk on you. They are hoping you will generate business for them. Respect them and thank them for the opportunity. If you are cool to them they will be cool back.
Comments
Limowreck said
on 3/28/2009 Great information for bands looking to get gigs. Learning how to book a show is essential to the growth of your audience and your success as a band. Thanks! *****