5 Simple Things Pro Musicians Use To Get Gigs (YOU CAN TOO)

[@slideaway24]

I am a booking agent that finds and books bands on behalf of venues. These are all great tips, however one big missing piece is that venue owners want to know if the band/musician will bring their followers out to the venue. Some venues have large built-in crowds and just want good entertainment for the customers that are already there, but the majority of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs are booking live music to hopefully bring in more customers that wouldn't otherwise be there. Having a strong following on social media is one obvious way to show your fanbase (don't buy fake followers, it's easy to tell), but more importantly you should display that you can market your gigs well (ie. posting events, good promo flyers, email lists for fans, etc). Even if you are just starting out and still building your following, if you tell the owner that you can bring out 10-15 friends/family to the gig to eat & drink at the venue (and actually deliver on that), it will go a long way.

[@kurtpatterson1296]

That's great,except for one thing. As a local/regional musician in several bands,are fans are most likely to come out to see their favorite band at the venues they like best.Local bands may play in 2 or more venues within a 30 minute radius within the same month.When fans have a choice of where to see the band they like,they tend to pick the venue they like best.Venue owners still have a major responsibility to make their venue the more appealing venue and bring in live entertainment to hold their patrons there vs expecting the bands to always bring their people. The service,food and beverage quality and prices have everything to do with that.

[@slideaway24]

@@kurtpatterson1296 Yes definitely, it goes both ways. It's on the owner to make their venue appealing, and also to do their share of marketing/promotion (many are bad at this). But if the venue is already known around town as a bad spot that nobody goes to, how badly do you (the band) really want to play there? Sure maybe you do when you are starting out and just trying to get your name out there, but I am referring moreso to the venues that are known desirable places to perform, which means they are getting applications from many bands. In those cases, showing that you will create some additional draw is a great way to separate yourself from the pack.

[@Morrighanangel84]

In the old days it used to be the other way around! There weren't such high expectations on musicians. *sigh*

[@22rapper]

Yeah a bands or artist is to just perform well if we have to do all they where actually becoming the venue are selfs in a way so why not just do virtual concerts if we have to bring the fans too performing usually to gain a broader fan base not same one we already have you need not to deal with those type of venues

[@nonotesnelson]

Thanks for your insight! What city do you work in and is there an easy way to find booking agents? It honestly feels like the event creators and agents are a better bet then racing out to venues, and definitely the case if you want to”decent” pay lol

[@ukulele-covergirl]

Marketing 101 Ask, Ask, ASK and Receive. Out of 10 people, 3 will listen. Out of that 3, 1 will say yes. ~ 🌺

[@rafaelvicentenievesrobles1806]

First time viewer, Mr. Fisher. I just wanted to thank you for putting out this information. A lot of us get stuck at a certain point and this is exactly what we need to get going and pursue our objectives. So thank you kindly.

[@goatmilkproductions]

Totally agree. 👍

[@Flamadiddle2]

More great advice. Another tip, look for and attend local open mic nights! Great place to get stage experience and meet other musicians. It's been working really well for me. For one spot, I've pretty much become the house drummer, lol.

[@221b-l3t]

Okay but as a drummer it's very easy to find gigs. We need a drummer btw, ours left... had two in for sessions, I've learnt one thing, drummers behave like hot girls. They barely answer texts, will suddenly demand a different day for practise and they're easily distracted by a shiny new band. My phone is our drummer... at least it shows up.

[@randallbargar348]

I have been in areas where personal relationships with venue owners is key. Also a good track record with other places you have played. As a band member I always make sure I seek out the key personnel in a venue and talk to them as well as solicit feedback about how their customers are responding to us. Questions like- is the sound good- shows you have a professional attitude IMO.

[@dalemcgregor3925]

Good suggestions man. And I know what you mean when you differentiate between a small band and a professional high quality experienced band. The experienced band has spent a long time paying their dues, building a quality experience in their performances that above the ordinary and have "creds" on line and in the community as opposed to bands who are just starting out or who are halfway through the dues paying process. Its a combo of product differentiation and branding being used to the experienced band's advantage.

[@sarahhothmusic]

Awesome advice, as always. It's great to hear you mention booking agents. I've been hesitant to reach out to them, as I don't know how NOT to get taken advantage of. For example, not sure what the standard commission is. I'm also not sure what the expectation is on their side from the band, and the general "dos and don'ts" of a successful agency relationship. Is this something that you can speak more to in a future video, or perhaps book a private consultation to discuss? Thanks, Terence!

[@Santaheckler]

I play about 175 shows a year…eventually the crowd I can bring dissipates into the venues they prefer to see me at (close to their home, price, vibe etc). I always try to make the marketing point that what I try to do is keep the venue’s customers there longer which equals more food/drinks. 🤞

[@luckyyjha156]

Finally found the best videoo thank you the G🔥🔥

[@JamesDentMusic]

Great video, glad I found it! Loads of actionable things in here

[@Ronniecoolblues]

I Would not nor have i ever tried to book my band without an agent. It is not the smartest thing as long as You can meet the requirements timeleyness is very big you must have your show down to the last note. you must dress the part also a good agent will always tell you what they expect,so that you know what you have to do,and that is good for them and it is good for you. most agent fees are right around 15% thats a pretty standard rate.If you want the cream gigs get an agent,unless you are very well connected !'Oh yeah" all your gigs are under contract and guaranteed as long as you do your part to the letter "Oh AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM GETTING PAID"

[@tonineric]

Hi Ronnie. Do you have a booking agent that books Blues bands? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

[@KevinWickerProductions]

Thanks for all the great advice Terence! Your classes are top notch! Blessings...

[@jcarh]

Regarding 1. What if you are just starting to gig out and you don't have videos of gigs? Do I just put up performance videos? What if I don't even have a band?

[@SchlockstarJoe]

There’s nothing wrong with starting small. There are plenty of hole-in-the wall bars that’ll book you and give you experience. Collect social media followers at every show. Make videos at those small shows.

[@Matthew-Drums]

I would just set up a tripod and press record before you go on and have it record the whole time then cut it into segments by song

[@221b-l3t]

Demos. Today with the home recording possibilities all you need is an interface (30 bucks) a few mics and record a few songs. It doesn't have to be great quality, it just showcases what your band does and if you have some cash ypu can go to a small cheap studio to record a few demos, should be doable for a few hundred bucks. After that, anytime you talk to someone you got those demos to send them and they can have a listen. That's what my band is doing now, we're a couple of months in, 3-4 mostly somewhat barely complete songs and about the same in rough ideas. Hoping to make some demos by the end of the year and get our first gig soon after. Luckily there a few venues that specialise in small acts so you can very easily get gigs there and then if those go well, you can get bigger venues that are a bit more pucky and won't just let anyone on stage etc... but it all starts with demos. Make it your best songs and really strive to make them sound as good as they can be, a few good demos have changed the fate of many. Someone likes it, sends it to someone with influence, they like it and suddenly doors open. Of course not everyone is Buddy Holly but we can strive to be.

[@ManuhTheArtist]

100% ! Very good advices 👍

[@JohnSparkmanandBlackTopHerd]

Terence, I absolutely love your channel! I just started a band, after writing songs for 40 years, so the help with the learning curve is greatly appreciated. I actually have an investor and so far he has donated 11,400.00 and he's about to contribute 3,000.00 more. it has helped me promote my stuff on social media, and support me while I'm taking that time... However, if I don't get him some type of agreement then this may come to an end. Do you have any examples of Boiler Plate engagement agreements, or something else that I may need? Thanks, John Sparkman

[@DaveBristow-cc2gp]

Wonderfully informative and useful video! Thank you very much!

[@lyndaslocs]

Great tips for many professions.

[@Alex_Short]

If you are a musician wanting the passive income start KZbin 9-5 content creation and add to that 9-5 selling your skills and negotiating and above that 9-5 gigs playing and preparing. Welcome to the digital age - we got rid of non necessary middle man almost completely

[@autismhighway]

I just had my band meet at a park it was quite successful

[@Poulain4drum]

I know all this but I'm introverted haha, so the lack of social skills make it hard.

[@221b-l3t]

You have to overcome that. Took me many years but you can do it. Still an introvert but I'm fine walking up to total strangers and talking to them.

[@nickhadleymusic]

Thank you for the tips!

[@easternsunguitarist5791]

Hi, great video. Any chance you can post a video on booking a gig as a solo artist? Im currently doing an acoustic performer and just perform on guitar and vocals. Would really appreciate your thoughts.

[@abbiestokes8403]

Do you have any advice for session players im a bassist and i love working with new ppl all the time however im struggling to get work

[@paultissimo9328]

Hi. I see that one of the advices was to call the venue. However, I really, really get big panic attacks when I try to reach a complete stranger that I have never seen. It is like the moment I think about that kind of stuffs, I just freeze up, can't do anything for an hour straight. Once I get to the venue, the interaction is completely fine, but it is just... I just fear interactions with strangers too much. What... should I do? Like I know I want to do gigs, but starting out just makes me panic and die inside out.

[@SupermillionVisuals]

On point! 👌

[@ljrock3877]

Question..... What if you are an instrumental performer?.... Like a Joe Satriani for example.....99 percent of venues refuse me because of having no vocals, even if some let me perform, they almost always let me play once, then say....'Your guitar playing is very good, but if you want to play here again, we want you to have a vocalist'.... I am not the first man in history to perform an electric guitar instrumental, so there is nothing ridiculous about it. Instrumental rock is a genre out there, some names, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Buckethead, play all over the world... Yet even when I tell the venues about this I get looked at like I am from outer space.

[@221b-l3t]

I wouldn't mind doing that, I spend many hours improvising over backing tracks. One of them Buckethead style. Turned on my wah and let it rip with a Les Paul clone... you just gotta keep at it. Your best bet is to develop a fanbase so like Buckethead, get a badic home recording setup, a drum computer or software based solution, a bass guitar, some keys for midi stuff and start recording stuff and putting it out there. You might have to travel further there's definetly venues that like that kinda thing, like Mr Bucket, or Eric Johnson etc... but it's not the typical thing. You gotta ask enough people so you find that 1% who say yes. If it was easy every kead guitarist would be touring by themselves noodling away. And of course if you're an Eric Johnson type act, you need the chops way more than a band. You gotta be good, so lots of practise. And one thing I've learnt with composing leads (I do heavy metal stuff, currently symphonic metal), the melody is everything. You need memorable catchy melodies, people can sing along with. Shred all you like, people love that but for success you need some simple beautiful melodies between the shredding. And be yourself, maybe you like two very different styles of music like say Johnson and Buckethead, try combining them etc... you have to stand out a lot more than a band with a singer. Another possibility is that you have a few songs with a singer, mostly instrumental but say first, middle and last song has some vocals. It can be background stuff. Get a couple of hot girls to do some background Ohhs and Ahhs to your lead playing and you'll get gigs.

[@221b-l3t]

Also you should still join a band, even if it's more of a side project. You know all those famous solo guitar players used to be parts of a band. That's how you get exposure and maybe the band is fine with having some of your instrumentals in between and then you can have your gigs, where maybe the band just plays a few songs, so you qualify. It's an important learning experience for anyone.

[@phillipwaynechristoffersen28]

Really interesting!

[@Musicianfromnature]

Great video ! For me personally the reaching out to venues and people is not working yet. I called a ton of places, I emailed , I reached on Instagram and even personally went to some places and left business cards. No call back whatsoever.. I am really confused and starting to get frustrated at this point

[@RobBaartwijk]

They are all good pieces of advice but I think only for cover bands. You talk of weddings etcetera, nobody want to hear the new King Crimson or the new Mars Volta on such an occasion(well I would but I am weird like that...). if you make your own music it is much harder to get into the gigging scene because no one know you OR your music yet. Still, useful video for 90% of all bands I would say!

[@didimack7542]

The number one rule for getting gigs is: “Be Good”. Too many bands have front men that don’t sing, they scream. Their guitar players only know three “blues” chords. They want the attention and the money, but they don’t want to work too hard. #2: Understand that live performance is a visual medium; no cargo shorts, no t-shirts, no flip-flops or sandals. No drinking on stage. Most bands are posers. They want to strike the guitar player stances and play the one-note lead with pedal generated distortion. #3: Stop playing 10 venues in a 30 mile radius. You only need one that’ll pay the price you set. And after the first time, when you’re good, they’ll rebook you consistently.

[@noodlehoppa7212]

Play at a farmers market near a rich white gated community to get clients. Boom. Profit. Got 300$ from a house party and barely played a set 😭😂

[@isaiah95786]

This is actually a solid idea. Had a buddy who worked construction in a rich mountain area. He simply told his boss that he gigs and the boss told some of the new homeowners. Within a few weeks a few of them booked him for their housewarming parties for like 350 for 2 hours of mostly DJ and some live singing!

[@bbqmiitchell7136]

Thank you!! 🙏🏼 this is actually the only useful thing that isn’t the most basic and obvious common sense stuff I got from coming to this video and really confirms a theory I’ve already had to basically go to fancier higher living areas locally and drop off a card and pitch every place that could be a venue.. I already did that where I live which is limited as far as venues and got gigs

[@rachelr375]

I was just thinking about asking if i could get a gig in a rich neighborhood at an art festival !❤❤Might be a sign, Thank you for sharing too!!🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶❤❤

[@steffenbrix]

It seems like you're talking about entertainment/cover bands... not very relevant when you play fusion/bebop/jazz/blues like me 🙃 My whole neighbourhood is old people listening to country music - gathering them would be a strange scenario 😂 Also calling and writing venues has never worked in my 20 years experience

[@tikvision]

That May be valid in USA. MAYBE!!!...Music business is dying. Venue or club owners will rather hire the singer and his/her usb-enabled speaker than a band of 4 musicians and a singer.

[@AJJAP2]

I'm sorry, but 4 out of those 5 will not bring you necessarily high paying gigs, but ordinary, rather low paying gigs. Much less 10, 15 grand paying gigs 😏 come on now, man. Only possible one is a well connected booking agent 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@johnguilfoil7218]

GIGS???? What's the difference between a trombone player crossing the road and achicken? The chicken had a gig.

[@Finkreacts]

first thing is to make good music and i cnt so imma skip the video sry xD