It should come as no surprise that the music business is one of the hardest to break into. The competition is stiff and the entry barriers are high. What steps should musicians take to increase their chances of landing gigs?
There are several things musicians may do to increase their appeal to event planners and venue owners. Here are some effective methods for musicians to raise their opportunities for gigs:
Although covers are excellent for getting your foot in the door, original music will really set you apart from the competition. If you play your own music as an unsigned musician, gig promoters and venue owners are considerably more inclined to pay attention. Originality is important in a world when everyone tries to imitate one another.
A significant portion of a musician’s or band’s income comes from performances. Additionally effective as a marketing strategy, concerts are a terrific method to interact with the audience. But the difficult part is securing your first gig and then continuing to be booked.
The majority of musicians often network their way into their first gig. A smart strategy to get hired the first time is to get along well with venue owners and event managers. Additionally, a variety of online networking and social media marketing strategies might aid upcoming musicians in getting jobs.
Make excellent music videos and demonstrations.
High-quality music demos and videos are crucial, in addition to having a strong web presence. With the correct equipment now, anyone can produce a recording that sounds professional. Take the time to produce high-quality recordings and movies that highlight your abilities if you’re serious about landing work.
Play well and act appropriately.
Although it may seem simple, it’s crucial to keep in mind that the music business is all about connections. Making the appropriate connections won’t happen if you’re not acting professionally and giving your best performance. Consider it like this: If you were a venue owner, which band would you choose to book—one that would put on a terrific show and draw a crowd—or one that would fizzle out and make your job difficult?
Establish a strong web presence
Having a strong internet presence is crucial in the modern world. This entails maintaining an individual website where you may promote your music in addition to being active on websites like Twitter and Facebook. You’ll be more likely to be recognized by event promoters and venue owners if you have a strong internet presence. Put yourself out there and make some noise instead of waiting for someone to find you!
Play original music.
While covers are great for getting your foot in the door, it’s original music that’s going to really make you stand out from the crowd. If you’re an unsigned artist, gig promoters and venue owners are much more likely to take notice if you’re playing your own tunes. In a world where everyone is trying to be a copycat, originality is key.
Possess a Strong Stage Presence
One of the most crucial things you can do to make your live performances enjoyable for both you and your audience is to have a strong sense of stage presence. On stage, if you lack enthusiasm or are boring, people will rapidly lose interest. So, put on a fantastic performance to increase your chances of getting repeat bookings.
Be Willing to Participate in Any Show.
You might not be fussy about the kinds of concerts you play when you first start out. You might, however, be tempted to simply play the shows that pay well or that are at large venues as you begin to schedule more shows. But it’s crucial to keep in mind that not every gig will be a success. To land the good gigs, you might have to perform a few duds here and there. So, if you’re willing to play any kind of show, your chances of getting better engagements in the future will be higher.
Keep a Positive Attitude.
It’s crucial for you and your bandmates to have a positive mindset. Your performance and your interactions with others will suffer if you are dissatisfied with the direction that things are taking. Stay upbeat, put in a lot of effort, and show gratitude for every job you obtain. You’ll have a better chance of succeeding in the music business if you have a positive mindset.
Promoting Your Brand Online
The most effective and affordable marketing tool you have at your disposal is social networking. You may create enthusiasm for your presentation if you use it well. Here are some strategies for promoting your gig on social media:
Make engaging social media announcements for the gig. It could be advisable to hire cheap professionals on online platforms to help you create posts that optimize interaction unless you are sure in your copywriting and design abilities.
Create a Facebook or Instagram live to promote the show. You will be able to communicate with your fans through this as well. Compared to a static announcement, a visual one is far cooler.
