So, you have a band, you’ve been putting the work in for years, and maybe you’ve even recorded a few albums and had them distributed locally.
It sounds like you’re well on your way, but one problem remains: you’re not getting booked for gigs anywhere, and that’s a real issue. In today’s music scene, musicians make more money from touring and playing gigs than from album sales. Playing shows is also the best way to get your name and music out there in the public.
But while you and your band might be really good at making music, you may have no idea at all about how to advertise or market yourself in the ways you need to to get jobs.
We’ll provide you with some helpful pointers here to get you thinking about how to resolve this problem and get out there to start playing.
Form a Community
To get people talking about you, you first have to talk to people on your own. No one’s going to know your name if you don’t put any effort into introducing yourself. Do you know anyone who has a live music venue, or someone who knows a venu owner, manager, or concert promoter?
You never who knows whom, or who can end up helping you. Also, try seeing what other bands have done to get where they are. If they play every Friday night at a certain place, maybe talk to the owner and see how it can be done. Then, try to replicate their success by proving your band is just as worthy of a spot.
Join an Entertainment-Booking App
Next, you can jump into an online platform meant specifically to hook up performers with their intended audiences. This is the perfect lead-generation tool because it’s where your band can get hired by people who actually want to hear your style of music.
By completing a profile on a platform like that, you tell potential audiences what they would get by hiring you. When they want to have you perform at their event, all they have to do is pay the platform and get in touch, and you get paid for the gig, of course!
With a strong platform, people can search online for “entertainment near me” and come up with the site that holds your profile, all ready to go!
Go Online
Finally, you can take your music online to a place such as YouTube to start reaching more audiences than you ever thought possible. Many famous performers of the last decade or so have gotten “discovered” from their YouTube performances.
Playing your music for anonymous online audiences might not be exactly what you want right now, but it’s a way to expose your product to the world. You never know who might be watching, perhaps someone who can make a decision that changes things for your band for the better.
Be determined, and don’t be afraid to travel some unknown roads. Success can often be found at the end of them.