Steve Raybine:
Blog #60:
Creative Ways to Obtain Musical Engagements
There have been numerous books and articles written about ways in which freelance musicians might obtain bookings at a variety of venues. Obviously, all performing musicians should be affiliated with the American Federation of Musicians (I belong to Local 70-558 in Omaha, Nebraska). Through the AFM local in your area, you will have numerous opportunities to interact with other performing musicians and to network through the Musicians Union pipeline. Although it takes most musicians time to establish themselves as a viable performing musician locally, as well as regionally, nationally or even internationally, if and when you do attain a measure of name recognition, some gigs will come to you via word-of-mouth referrals from various sources. Moreover, most contemporary musicians have their own website, which enables prospective clients to evaluate them and their music efficiently and comprehensively. The following suggestions are credible, yet perhaps somewhat less obvious ways in which you can obtain bookings for you and your band. Remember, thinking in a creative manner may yield certain musical opportunities that you may not have achieved by applying a more orthodox procedure.
1.) "Give a little, get a little."
Sometimes, in order to get steady musical work at a particular club/venue, I might offer to reduce my fee for a two-week period, provided the club owner/contractor guarantees my musical services with an AFof M contract for a month-long engagement thereafter at my regular rate. Although I have initially made less money than I normally would have, I might prosper more on the back end of the deal. Moreover, if the establishment sees that I am attracting a steady clientele of customers, I might be able to extend the engagement well beyond the six-week period.
2.) "Try the barter system."
In many businesses, it is not uncommon to trade favors in order to achieve what you want. For instance, I might tell the owner or booking agent of the venue that I am an in-demand music teacher with a large and successful teaching studio, which is true. I then will say that I am willing to give three (3) free music lessons to him or her or to one of their family members that would benefit from my teaching skills in trade for a weekend engagement at their club. If they agree to this, I may end up with another steady music student on my payroll and a recurring role within the artist rotation at their club. Hopefully, it will end up being a win-win situation for both parties.
3.) "Follow the 'grand opening' signs."
Many businesses hire a band or bands for their grand opening events. Contact the local business office from the corporation and inquire into the possibility of you and your band performing for their grand opening ceremony---you might just get a great gig.
4.) "Cold calls =cold hard cash."
I believe that a bandleader should make several solicited or unsolicited personal calls (on a monthly basis with your press kit in hand) on local venues that routinely features music where you would like to perform. The old method of approaching an unknown entity keeps you sharp and tests your mettle as a businessman. If you can survive the rejections that are inherent within this approach, you probably have the personal fortitude to survive within the music industry. Moreover, sometimes you actually get the gig--which is an affirmation of your business skills and musicianship.
5.) "Create opportunities where none exist."
Assess the feasibility of establishing a music gig at a venue that currently does not feature music. Perhaps you can sell the owner on trying to book live music for a specified period of time. If the club decides to try music and your band does well, you might ultimately become the featured band at that particular establishment. If the owner rejects your idea, then all you're out is a little of your time.
6.) "Use a calling tree to your advantage."
Have numerous friends of yours make calls to various clubs you're interested in performing at and ask them if and when you and your band will be playing there. A week or so after the phone-call barrage, call the club and ask to speak to the manager about playing there--he or she should be happy to hear from you regarding a booking.
7.) "Ask your friends and neighbors about having you provide music for a private party."
People inevitably throw parties and sometimes they may consider you (soloist) or your band for entertainment. I have gotten some nice engagements using this friendly, yet direct approach. As my Dad always told me as a young boy, "Steve, don't be afraid to talk to people or to approach them about some business proposition. After all, all they can say is no, and just because it's no at the present time, doesn't always mean it will remain so."
8.) "Ask your friends and acquaintances to recommend you to their workplace for possible musical entertainment."
Just as people host parties, many businesses have Christmas/Holiday parties, etc., where musical entertainment is included. A referral from one of your friends or associates may result in a gig for you or your band. Once again, you will have to propose this suggestion to someone, who may or may not be able to accommodate your request. In the music business or any business for that matter, you must be able to handle rejection when it happens. Remember, you have more to gain (money, performing opportunity) than to lose by not asking someone for a music recommendation.
9.) "A career day speech may provide you with extra income."
Throughout the years, I have donated my time to speak as a music representative at 'career day' in the middle schools. Once a year, I typically give three lectures to somewhere between 25-30 students in each section. Throughout the course of my presentations, students, as well as teachers and parents, have become aware of my teaching studio and my performing career. Invariably, I've been selected or recommended as a teacher for some new students and have also obtained some performing gigs for my band or as a vibe soloist. So, make yourself available as a guest lecturer to music students within the school systems--it may be a lucrative enterprise for you.
10.) "Have an effective merchandise table at your musical engagements."
The infamous 'merch' table (merchandise) table can a veritable treasure trove of monetary income. At your gig, you can sell your CD's; T-shirts; etc., and you can have informational post cards available for the audience advertising your band for a possible concert; party; etc., if someone wants to book you at a future date. They take the post card with them, fill it out, and send it back to you notifying you if and when they are interested in hiring your band for an engagement. I also have business cards available that they can take with them if they are so inclined. You've got to make it easy and accessible for people to contact you if they are interested in doing so, as it is particularly advantageous to have your contact materials handy during and after one of your performances. In addition, I always have a very sleek-looking bio available (in color and with pictures) for audience members to take with them after my performance.
11.) "Run an ad in an events magazine in your area."
Civic leaders and prominent businesses in most cities monitor the definitive events magazine/journal in that city. Running a stylish one-time ad that outlines your musical services in that magazine should prove helpful in generating more performing engagements for you.
12.) "Contact the various events coordinators and musical contractors in your city regarding musical entertainment."
Most large or mid-size cities have numerous events coordinators and/or musical contractors that hire musicians and bands for a variety of events or recordings. Submit your press materials to these individuals and perhaps you will be offered a musical engagement at some point in time. If the job goes well, it may lead to more performing opportunities for you.
Hopefully, some of these suggestions will provide you with alternative methods of procuring work for you and your band. Whether you are successful in obtaining more engagements will be largely dependent upon your talent and your ability to speak to people; contact people and to ask for recommendations and referrals. Remember: music is a people-oriented business and the more effective your communication skills are off-and-on the bandstand, the more work you will generate for yourself.
Copyright Steve Raybine 2008
All Rights Reserved
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