Book the Gig

Did you know that Thanksgiving weekend is the best weekend of the year to gig? It's just a few weeks before Thanksgiving here in the US. I’ve harped about this topic every year, but it deserves repeating and reminding you. Meanwhile, I hope that where ever your holiday travels take you, you end up enjoying the friends and family that surround you. Now, speaking of being surrounded by friends and family, did you know that Thanksgiving weekend, Friday and Saturday are probably the best days of the entire year to do concerts? Think about it. Everyone travels during the week to get somewhere where they will celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Even…

House concerts have gotten a ton of recognition in the last few years, but can house concerts work for you? I've been a long-time proponent of finding your own niche and stepping out of the competition of mainstream venues when there are opportunities to do so. House concerts have been one of the main touring models for so many of my musician friends since before it became chic or popular. They have maintained a viable career, made money, built a family of supporters world-wide and used their house concert community to help launch them into area festivals and other more mainstream venues. My friend, Fran Snyder, created ConcertsInYourHome.com to help…

Here is one word to boost bookings that you may not have thought of before. I don't know about you, but most artists I've worked with were in it for the long haul. And if there is one word that will help you build great, long-lasting relationships with presenters, staff people, tech people, other artists and any team members you may take on in the future, that word is, "Flexibility." Yes, flexibility is one of those traits that could keep you working in this business for a long time. Being flexible and easy to work with makes you a more desirable choice than someone who is stubborn when it comes…

Did you know that niche markets offer great gigs? I've got three questions for you. Do you want a continuous stream of new gig opportunities? Do you want to have an easier time booking your gigs & tours? Would you like to increase your gig fees? Okay, I cannot imagine the answer being anything but "yes." And if that is the case, then it's time to start finding your own unique niche market. Let's be clear about what a niche market is. As some might have you believe, playing clubs or colleges or grade schools or even churches is not necessarily a unique niche market, but rather various venue types.…

Does your performance sell you once you are doing your show? There you are, on stage, finally, doing your show. All those months making calls, sending promo, returning emails, pitching your act. Then you get the gig, you issue contracts, promo kits, stage plots and advance your gig so everything will be just right for the performance. And now you are on stage, finally, doing your show. The selling is over, you can relax into your art. Wrong. Now you've got the audience's attention, the staff and management of the venue are all watching. Perhaps some media have shown up and you might get a review. This is what you've…

Want to get to venue bookers more often and more effectively? There is a fine line between professional prodding and being a pest. Those everyday check-in calls can put a booker off. Yet, make only one call and never follow up, and you get nowhere. Try this alternative method of getting your name in front of a venue booker, festival director, library or school coordinator or program organizer. Begin a process of inviting these potential gig buyers to gigs you already have scheduled at nearby venues. This invitation has a number of advantages. It let's them know you are out there playing. This gives them an opportunity to check the…

How about booking multiple gigs in one town? Wouldn't it be great to have multiple gigs in one town on the same tour? Just think of what that would do to your bottom line and travel expenses. I thought I’d share some ideas on how to do just that by turning one gig in one town into multiple gigs in one town. Let’s say you know of a venue in town you would either like to play or you already have a gig there. Start with a little research about the town. Check the local websites for the town and the chamber of commerce to get some idea of what…

Here are 4 steps to avoid booking madness as you plan for your future tours. It's often said that doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, is madness. Now I hear stories from artists whose gig-getting methods verge on this very strategy. So in an effort to help you avoid this syndrome and save you from this maddening prospect, I offer you these four steps. Step 1:  How to avoid last minute bookings:                Plan 2 years in advance. I'm constantly reminding my clients that this one strategy can add momentum and purpose to your bookings. When you use a calendar for two years…

I'd like to offer you 3 tips to streamline your follow up successes and help you become pro-active around the follow-up process. You’ve made your initial contact, sent your first email, letter, or complete packet. Now the next step is crucial and often can mean the difference between throwing money or time out the door or getting what you want. Follow-up is not fun and often I hear artists say, they made the call or sent the packet so they’re done. What was sent is so often forgotten and three months later they wonder why they haven’t heard back from the person, the label, the media contact or the venue…