Five Tips for Booking Gigs
Five Tips for Booking Gigs
Booking gigs can be daunting when you’re starting out. Here are a few things that have helped me..
When I started booking solo gigs nearly a decade ago, it was daunting. I was an unknown, a nobody, and I couldn’t imagine why any event manager or bar owner would take a chance on me.
And I’ll be honest - it was hard early on. I played for next to no money, I played venues that didn’t suit my style, I played to empty rooms. But over time, I started feeling a bit more confident with my playing and my repertoire, and I began getting more gigs.
It wasn’t just the music, though. There are a few key things I started doing that helped get my foot in the door. These tactics worked for me, and I hope other people find them useful.
Cast a wide net
There’s a great bar down the street from me called the Telford Inn. Fantastic food, great ambiance, and an easy location for my modest following. And when I was starting to play solo gigs, I desperately wanted to play at the Telford. I wanted it so badly that I focused almost all my energy booking that bar. I’d send emails, visit the bar three times a week at different times of the day trying to catch the manager, and call during slow meal times hoping I could get someone on the phone.
For whatever reason, I never landed a gig there. Meanwhile, I was ignoring the dozens of bars and coffee shops and restaurants within five miles of the Telford, many of which have live music. When I widened my search, I found a lot more success.Social media is your friend
I hate social media. I try not to spend a lot of time on it, and I post very infrequently. But for many small bars and restaurants, Facebook or Instagram might be their preferred way of connecting with vendors. A short introductory DM is a great way to get the conversation started. Plus, it’s a lot easier to touch many different businesses via social media, rather than driving from bar to bar to introduce yourself.
Know your pitch
Whether I am connecting with a venue on social media or I’m at the bar speaking to the manager, I keep it short and simple. I introduce myself, give a basic idea of what kind of music I play, emphasize my professionalism, and ask about booking gigs two or three months in advance. That last part - booking dates far in advance - is key. By looking ahead a few months, you’re moving the conversation beyond the dates they already have booked, to where their calendar is a bit more flexible. It gets you past an easy “no.”Book multiple dates
This has been a big surprise for me when I started booking. I figured bars would want to book me once, maybe on a weeknight, just to see if I was any good. If they liked what they heard, maybe they’d have me back for a Friday.
But I was wrong. Bar owners or event managers love to set it & forget it. Present yourself professionally, be confident, and they’ll know you’re worth their time. Ask about booking two or three dates, and you’ll have a steady gig. Do that with two or three venues, and you’re on your way to a respectable side-hustle.Build a relationship
This is by far the most important part of the job. The people who book you are real people with real concerns outside of booking a musician. Maybe they’re undergoing renovations at the bar. Maybe they had to close during the pandemic & they’re looking for ways to goose their incoming business. Don’t be afraid to get a bit friendly with the people who book you. Personally, that’s my favorite part of this gig - my music puts me in touch with people I otherwise never would have met. Making a connection with your clients will certainly help book more gigs, and it will make your time at the show a bit more enjoyable if you’ve got a friendly face in the crowd.
Like I said, these things have worked for me. I’d love to hear any tips from other musicians. What works for you?