Get experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Becoming an experienced performer is the best way to book more gigs. Playing live in front of real audiences will help you hone your craft, perfect your act, and gain valuable feedback. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Find local opportunities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Booking smaller shows can feel like a grind, but it’s a necessary part of the process. Reach out to local venue owners and businesses that feature live performances to see if they have any openings in their calendars for new talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83c\udfb5 Approach music venues. <\/strong>Concert halls, clubs, and performing arts centers often feature touring musicians and might be looking for artists from the local music scene who can serve as support acts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83c\udf7a Call bars and restaurants. <\/strong>Live music is a great way for bars and restaurants to attract patrons. This makes these small venues a great opportunity to get gigs as a musician<\/a> and gain exposure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83c\udfe8 Ask hotels and casinos. <\/strong>Many high-end hotels and casinos feature lobby performers and host special events for their guests. Contact management to see if you can be considered for their lineup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83c\udf93 Find campus events. <\/strong>If you have any colleges or universities nearby, contact their Student Activities Committee to see if they have any events planned that need new musicians or performers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Performers are often tempted to stick with traditional venues or open mic nights for gigging experience. But there are many opportunities to share your talent and get paid to play gigs. You just need to think outside the box!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udcbc Book corporate events. <\/strong>Look for trade shows and expos coming to town or contact local convention centers. You could even play at a large company\u2019s holiday party or other special event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udc92 Line up wedding gigs<\/a>. <\/strong>Playing wedding ceremonies and performing at receptions can be a lucrative gigging option and a great way to gain experience with audiences of all sizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udef3\ufe0f Try cruise ships. <\/strong>Book a gig and take a vacation simultaneously! Many cruises feature live entertainment, so contact the Entertainment Directors for popular cruise lines to see how to apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83e\uddd3 Contact retirement communities: <\/strong>There\u2019s no age limit on who enjoys live shows! Many event coordinators are always looking for new entertainment ideas for their residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No show or song list is perfect. Every gig is an opportunity to make changes and tweak your performance. In fact, you should try to prepare variations of your act in advance so you’re able to customize the experience depending on the details of the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For musicians specifically, here are a few tips for building a setlist<\/a> that will rock any party. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2714\ufe0f Get familiar with the gig. <\/strong>Work with your client to understand the event’s vibe, what kind of audience will be present, and if there are any special considerations to be made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2714\ufe0f Choose the perfect songs. <\/strong>Provide a good mix of upbeat and mellow tracks for a natural flow. Blend the old with the new, and sprinkle in some originals if you have them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2714\ufe0f Stay flexible. <\/strong>Pay attention to the crowd and adjust your setlist as needed. If the event allows for it, be open to requests from the audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These same ideas can also apply to non-musicians. Familiarize yourself with the event, adjust your show accordingly, and be flexible when possible. This could include expanding your costume options, customizing your jokes, or developing unique acts for different audiences or event types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2728 Playing a gig with a unique theme? Read this: <\/strong>How to Thrive and Impress When Performing at Themed Events<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Every gig is an opportunity to receive feedback. Having reviews<\/a> on your website or online profiles is extremely important for building your brand and booking more gigs. Potential clients are more likely to contact you if they can read about positive experiences from your past performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Create an intentional process for collecting reviews from your clients. They expect to be asked, so don’t shy away. In fact, plan to bring it up several times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1\ufe0f\u20e3 Before the gig. <\/strong>As you communicate in the days leading up to the gig, let the client know you\u2019ll appreciate receiving their feedback after the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2\ufe0f\u20e3 At the gig. <\/strong>While the client will be too busy to leave a review immediately, it\u2019s still good to remind them as you leave the event that you’ll be in touch and hope they’ll give you a positive review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3\ufe0f\u20e3 After the gig. <\/strong>The day after the event, email the client with links to where you want reviews. You can even send a few follow-up messages until you get the review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having a marketing strategy<\/a> is a necessary part of any business. You can’t book more gigs if people don’t know who you are, where to find you, or how to connect with you. Use a combination of social media, online profiles, and a website to showcase your skills and increase your exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n High-quality media is essential for successfully advertising your act or service. Only a fraction of your fans will discover you through a live performance. Therefore, you need material on your website or in your electronic press kit<\/a> that will give them the full experience of what you have to offer online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udcf8 Take photos. <\/strong>You want to have a nice selection of images<\/a> for your services, including staged promotional photos and live-action shots from your gigs. With today\u2019s smartphones, there\u2019s no reason to have low-quality, blurry, or outdated pictures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83c\udfa5 Shoot videos. <\/strong>You should have at least<\/em> one video that showcases your talent<\/a>, though more is always better. Have someone record you at a gig, stage a private performance, film a music video, or make a highlight reel of your skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83c\udfa7 Record audio. <\/strong>If you’re a musician, having recorded music is very valuable. In addition to recording songs to put on Spotify and other streaming services, you should create some samples to post on your website or online music profiles<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83c\udfa8 Create visuals. <\/strong>Produce marketing materials like business cards, gig announcements, and stylized social media posts to help spread the word about your act. You can use free sites like Canva<\/a> to make unique designs and maintain brand consistency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like it or not, social media is a necessary evil for getting gigs as a performer. Building an online presence gives you the opportunity to connect with your fan base and allows new fans to discover you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most social platform algorithms value engagement and consistency when delivering content, so develop a strategy and stick to it. We have some social media tips<\/a> to get you started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udcaf Choose quality over quantity. <\/strong>While having a profile on every social media platform is okay, choose just one or two to get the most of your attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udd0e Do your research. <\/strong>Spend time getting to know your audience and demographics to determine which platforms to use and the best times to make posts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udcc8 Set realistic goals. <\/strong>Don\u2019t shoot for the stars when you\u2019re just getting started. Manage your expectations with small, attainable goals, then watch your statistics to see if you hit them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udd17 Share those links! <\/strong>Cross-promote your various social media profiles so your fans can access you on all platforms. You should also share your website or newsletter sign-up links often if you have them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25b6\ufe0f Show off your talent. <\/strong>TikToks and Reels are becoming the primary way people consume social media, so record some visual content. Post performances, host lives, or give fans a glimpse of your everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Creating a professional website gives you a place to host your media, advertise shows, sell merch, and provide a contact or quote form to book gigs. Websites are also absolutely necessary to boost your SEO<\/a> and be found on search engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Luckily, there are many easy-to-use website builders out there, so you don’t need any coding skills to build your website. Just be sure all your basics are covered, and you’re all set!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2714\ufe0f Start with a homepage.<\/strong> Give visitors a quick snapshot of your act on your homepage. Use high-quality photos, feature client reviews, and add a contact option or mailing list sign-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2714\ufe0f Write about you. <\/strong>Include a page with a bio that covers your background, interests, and how you got started in performing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2714\ufe0f Advertise your gigs. <\/strong>Let new fans know about upcoming shows and opportunities to see you perform. This is often labeled as a “Tour” or “Shows” page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2714\ufe0f Share your skills. <\/strong>Show off all that great media you’ve created! Include an image gallery, videos, and audio samples. Musicians can also include a setlist so visitors know what songs they cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2714\ufe0f Give them contact info. <\/strong>Add a contact page with a form or email address potential clients can use to contact you. Include links to your social media and artist pages on streaming apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udce2 Calling all bands and musicians! <\/strong>Visit our friends at Bandzoogle<\/a> to create a stunning website in minutes and get more music gigs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Online marketplaces like GigSalad have an established brand that comes up at the top of most Google searches. Having a GigSalad membership<\/a> will help you gain exposure to clients who might not find you otherwise. You can also get leads, send quotes, and collect payments all in one place!<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are plenty of lead-generating tools available online, but GigSalad has the best features and benefits for connecting with event planners and booking gigs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udcb5 Collect easy payments. <\/strong>Clients pay the full amount upfront through our secure booking platform. And your payouts are always fast and guaranteed. No chasing final balances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2b50 Get verified reviews. <\/strong>The review request process is automated, saving you extra work. Reviews connected to on-site bookings carry more weight and look great to potential clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udc4d Prove yourself. <\/strong>An online profile displaying media, reviews, and booking numbers shows potential clients that you have experience and are a professional entertainer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udee1\ufe0f Be protected. <\/strong>Using a safe and secure site when handling sensitive information and dealing with payments is essential. We also have systems in place to block scammers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udcc5 Stay organized. <\/strong>Improve your workflow with saved message and quote templates, custom lead preferences, and calendar tools with availability and syncing features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udc81 Receive support. <\/strong>Help is just a quick email or phone call away, whether you have questions about improving your profile, responding to leads, or dealing with bookings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Until you’ve gained a lot of experience, you probably won’t have a booking agent or manager to help you book gigs. It’s on you to learn the necessary skills for growing your business. Determining pricing, developing communication tactics, and building contracts are just as important as nailing your performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finding the right amount to charge clients for your shows or services can be tricky. You don’t want to lose a great gig because you went too high, but you also don’t want to sell yourself short. Luckily, we have a few tips that will help you get your pricing right<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2714\ufe0f Do your research. <\/strong>Look at the supply in your area, and see what others are charging for similar services. If you\u2019re gigging in a crowded market, you may need to be more competitive with pricing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2714\ufe0f Determine your costs. <\/strong>Identify every cost you incur from performing gigs, including equipment, gas, insurance, and business expenses. Be sure you\u2019re making a profit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2714\ufe0f Name your price. <\/strong>Once you know the market and costs, you can settle on a price. Choose a range to stay within, and consider offering packages with different price points for variations of your services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2714\ufe0f Be open to negotiations. <\/strong>Some clients have never booked before<\/a>, so be patient and kind in educating them on the process. See if you can work within their budget to close the gig without losing profits. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Gigging, similar to any successful business, is all about communication<\/a>. In order to turn leads into booked gigs, you must learn how to talk to your clients. Be clear, concise, and effective from the first message all the way through to your follow-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83e\udd1d Make a great introduction. <\/strong>Your initial message is your chance for an awesome first impression, which can make a huge difference. Keep it short, be friendly, and ask a follow-up question to begin a dialogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u23f1\ufe0f Respond quickly. <\/strong>If you take too long to reply, clients may move on to another option. Be prepared to respond to leads and messages from anywhere at any time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udcf1 Take cues from the client. <\/strong>Figure out how your client prefers to communicate and stick to that. If they ask you to call them, do it. If they prefer texting, don\u2019t force a phone call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2611\ufe0f Follow up. <\/strong>Remember, clients are often busy and may be talking to other providers, so following up is important. After a day or two with no response, send a message letting them know you\u2019re still available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anytime you’re closing a deal, especially when money is involved, you should have a detailed contract in place. It serves as a definitive definition of the services you intend to provide, helps manage client expectations, and protects you from potential issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Get creative with your gigs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Improve your act or setlist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Request reviews from clients<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"GigSalad](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gigsalad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Why-the-Work-Doesnt-Stop-When-the-Gig-is-Done.png?resize=1170%2C683&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nNail your marketing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
5. Create a robust media kit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Boost your social media presence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Set up your website<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. Sign up for GigSalad<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Join](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gigsalad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Not-a-member-Join-CTA-2.png?resize=1170%2C683&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nLearn the business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
9. Get the price right<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10. Sharpen your communication skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
11. Build a detailed contract<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"5-star](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gigsalad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Member-Review.png?resize=1170%2C878&ssl=1\")
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