Boost your bookings by naming your programs. It doesn't matter whether you are trying to book a gig or get your press release in a local paper. It doesn't matter whether you are trying to book a gig, get your press release in a local paper, open a new market or play in a new venue, people need something familiar to identify with before they will book you or buy a ticket to your events. Large and small venues like to book sure bets, name acts that will sell tickets. What if you are just not there yet? What if you are NOT a name act? I once heard one…
Do you have a play for free strategy? How often are you asked to play for free? As with every part of your career development, you need to create a strategy to get paid for your talent. Let's face it, the electric company doesn't offer you a free month, neither does your mortgage holder or your car loan entity. So why are artists so easily talked into playing for free? Exposure you say! Ha! I know "free" is the new thing. These days music is "free," books are "free and giving away some free content gets folks to buy more content. It allows them to get to know you, like…
Stop negotiating for them and make every negotiation unique. "I'm sure they're already booked." When was the last time you said that? Or how about, "They probably can't afford it." I hear that one all the time. Or, "my friend told me they only pay "X" so they surely won't pay me more." How often do you stop yourself from making a booking call because, in your mind, you've already done the negotiating for them? You've already given them a small budget and you've already determined that they are booked. We'll the facts may be that they are booked and that they do have a small budget. BUT, that might be…
Plan for strategic communications to increase bookings whether you work with an agent or not. You may find yourself working with an agent at some point or perhaps you work with one now. Your agent might book certain types of gigs like clubs, performing arts centers, festivals or corporate gigs or even weddings. They may be working with you on a non-exclusive basis, meaning they are not the only ones who may book your gigs. You may still be booking other types of gigs for yourself. Perhaps you even have someone in your office working for you as your in-house agent booking your gigs or at least making the initial…
Talking about value versus money can change your booking negotiations completely. Do you find yourself getting caught up in money talk? Do you allow the booker or presenter to drag you down into the "what's your fee?" gutter too soon in the conversation? Do you get that queasy feeling in your gut because they are making you talk money before you are ready? It's going to happen, sometimes very early in the conversation, sometimes later, but at some point you are going to have to talk about money. Are you prepared? Here are 3 steps to help you be prepared AND shift the conversation to begin talking about value versus…
Do you plan your touring season to include specific programs each year? Theater folks are used to planning their touring seasons. They decide what plays or musicals they will present throughout the upcoming season, rehearse those shows and promote them to prospective buyers. Many musicians I work with have created a variety of programs that they might offer and tend to promote all of them to their prospective buyers. Each buyer is left to make a choice from a potentially large menu of offerings. This can increase promoter's sense of overwhelm and delays in their decision-making. So why not make each touring season something to look forward to by creating…
How to manage distractions involves a series of 4 steps. Last week I asked you to make a list of the various distractions that keep you from focusing on your goals and current projects. Refer to this list often so you can become more keenly aware of the type of distraction that you are attracted to because it is familiar and comfortable to you. We are all attracted to things, projects, people that feel familiar to us whether or not they are right or good for us at the time. For example you might run into an artist friend who suggests a recording project that really sounds exciting to you.…
How well do you identify and manage distractions in your life and in your business? I think we need to start with the first part and identify those distractions. Often we look at new things being offered up to us as great opportunities and sometimes they really are. Sometimes however they may simply be a distraction that takes us away from our main goals. Do you know when something is distracting you from your main goal? Perhaps the question needs to be, do you have a clear focus on your main goals? As this year is just getting started, it might be a perfect time to check your focus, get…
Who or what are you waiting for? Are you waiting to start your career? I've run into this often. Artists waiting for something else to be in place before they can really get serious. There's always something else that might need to happen, could happen or should happen before you can really get started, isn't there? What is it in your life? What do you need to be perfect before you get moving? What are you waiting for? Here are just a few things that I've run into that might get in your way before you do what is necessary to move your career along? Technology- you don't have this…
Does your art make a difference in other people's lives? A few years ago I met a couple walking their large husky puppy. He was wearing his brand new halter, walking calmly, not pulling his person, not straining against his collar. He was instant-good-dog and his people were effusive as they thanked me for the info on the halter I recommended. They said their lives are forever changed as was their dog's. I was thrilled to know that I had unintentionally made a difference in their lives. It felt great to know that both the dog and his people would be enjoying much more satisfying walks for the rest of…
