6 Do's and Dont's for Getting a Music Gig

Interested in getting a music gig? The objective of getting a music gig can be a hard one, however; there are many things you can do to ensure that you have all of the odds in your favor. Below I have listed major Do's and Don'ts when it comes to obtaining your music gig!

Lock the Local Scene: When looking for a music gig, branch out to the resources around you, meaning in your area. There are many venues that will allow you to play, just by asking. Do your research and search big venues as well as "hole in the wall" venues. If you're interested in succeeding at a gig, you must get your fan base up as high as you can, therefore; go towards your local scenery first.

Get You a Promoter: If you're having trouble finding a place to perform, your best bet would be to get a promoter. A promoter will not only get your name out there, but they will also handle all of the booking for your shows. Pay special attention when getting a promoter; make sure they have previous experience under their belt in promoting artists in your music genre. Know that a promoter should never charge you over 20% for what you're getting paid per show.

Call & Show Up to Venue: Sometimes getting a music gig can be as simple as making a simple phone call or showing up to the venue. A lot of times there will be open slots for previous shows already on the venues list. If there is an open slot, ask about being an opening act or having a short set to give the crowd a taste of your music. If they don't answer their phones, go down to the venue and personally talk to whoever is in charge of hosting gigs. If there are no time slots available, don't give up! Call every couple of days or every week to show that you are determined to perform.

Know the Music Biz: When performing at clubs or venues, you must know the payment system. Don't miss out on money or opportunity due to your lack of music business experience. You will more than likely get paid in one of two ways; the first way is a straight out fee for your services, the second way, which a lot of clubs do, is to split the money from the door. This means you only make money if people come to the show. Figure it like this, if you know the show will be sold out, go for the door split, however; if the club doesn't have a big fan base, take your straight out fee up front!

Never Pay Venue to Play: If you're going to be doing shows all the time, know that you won't be able to make any money from them if you are forced to pay to perform. This is a very important tip, NEVER PAY TO PLAY! When you pay to play not only are you receiving the short end of the stick, you are down grading yourself. Don't play yourself by paying to play!

Reach out to The Media: If you're interested in getting a gig, another way to get your name out there is thru media outlets. This means reach out to local TV stations, radio stations and even local college stations. The media is a fast and effective way to get your name out there, both around your community and around the world.