Originally Posted By: Islansoul
I am lookinh to gig out more often than I do at the moment and I would like to know if you could answers some question about you gigging "busniess".

1. How did you get your first gig?

When we heard they were holding dance in Jr High School, the guitar player asked if we could play, and then we auditioned (a semi-formal audition).

For those out of school; agencies are good, networking works, cold calls work (but it takes a lot to get a gig) but first get good promotional material together.

2. Do you play in a band?

Yes, and I've played in a number of them

3. Are you a solo artist?

I'm a solo hog wink -- seriously, no, although since I sing as well as play 7 instruments I could be, but I prefer to play with others

4. How do you get gigs now?

Agencies, word of mouth, and repeat business - I used to do cold calls, but I have enough repeat business and referrals that I don't have to. I also have a website http://www.s-cats.com and I run a free ad in cragslist.

5. Do you use booking websites such as GigMasters?

I have a free account with GigSalad, but in my area it isn't worth the pay feature - my locality is too small

6. If you play as a solo artist and in a band, where do you most of your gigs coming from?

Mostly repeat business followed by referrals and agencies. I keep business cards out for all my gigs except those booked by an agent and people take them. If they call, I never know if it is from a card or a referall

7. What is your typical audience? What is the typical age and gender of your audience?

40 to nearly dead wink We do yacht clubs, country clubs, retirement developments, private parties mostly, and we've had a house gig one day a week in a commercial marina for 10 years now.

7. Do you sell things at your gigs such as t-shirts, hats, CDs etc?

No

8. Do you stream your gigs on social networks such as Youtube, Live Stream, or Facebook?

No

9. How do you approch you gig? Do you view them as opportunities to sell your music, or do you gig because you enjoy preforming?

I enjoy performing. At each gig I use my eyes and exerience to size up the audience and decide what to play first. Then I simply use how the song went over plus eyes and experience to call tunes for the rest of the night. I want to give the audience the right song at the right time to give them the maximum experience. That's my goal anyway.

10. How do you sell yourself as a musician to convience the person looking to book that you are worth the time and money?

I first ask them what they want, then honestly and conversationally tell them what I can do. In the conversation I'll point them to our website (with demos) if they haven't already been there. It's important to be honest, and not to oversell yourself and it's important to listen.

Cold-calls are tough, and fortunately I haven't had to do that in decades (we've been a duo for 30 years now).

This question are in not particular order. Please comment as I would appreciate your perspective.


If you get the gig (1) show up early so that you don't miss the downbeat (2) be prepared (3) dress appropriately (4) do not take long breaks (5) don't drink alcohol on the gig (6) be nice and friendly to the help and the audience, even those who don't deserve to be treated nicely (6) play at an appropriate volume for the gig (7) if the crowd is grooving be prepared to play into the break or give them a couple of extra songs at the end of the night (8) remember why you are there (a) if a commercial place to sell drinks or food (b) if a party, to make the party a success in any way you can (9) Never play for free at a commercial establishment (with the exception of an audition) and don't undercut your competition - Once you play for free or short money, the word gets out and you will have a very difficult time making any more.

There are a lot of musicians out there, and whether we are in the union or not, we are all small businesses in competition with each other (hopefully friendly competition). Your job is to do it better than the others. Make better music, pace the audience better, and have a more professional off-stage demeanor.

Good luck,
Notes

Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

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