How to Get Free Concert Tickets and Backstage Passes

Are you tired of spending your entire pay check on pricey concert tickets or running up your phone bill trying to get through to your local radio stations give-away line? Great, I caught your attention; I will walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to score free concert tickets, backstage passes, and even how to interview your favorite artists. Don't worry it really isn't as hard as you think.

How? You may be asking yourself, the solution is quite simple, you need to become the media. Yes, you are going to transform yourself into a journalist overnight, and no you do not need to apply to mainstream media outlets, a simple website that you created will do. Unfortunately, there are a few start up costs, but it's still cheaper than those $125.00 last row balcony seats.

What you need to begin this journey:

1: Dedication: If you are that person who starts a project and can't finish it, then this is not for you, however if you are that person who does finish what they start, this will be as easy as ordering a drink.

2: A Website: I recommend Yahoo Site Builder, it is super easy to use and you don't need a degree in web design to use it. This site also offers cheap domain purchase so you can turn yourself into a dot COM.

3: Creativity: You must think of a name for your new website. This will make you or break you, so make it personal, catchy, and unique.

4: E-mal address: Yes, most people have these, but hotstuff462 @blahblahblah.com is in no way going to be taken seriously, so I recommend setting up e-mail accounts with your new website. Yahoo Site Builder offers customizable e-mails with your domain and service purchases.

So you are now technologically set up, what next? You need to start contacting the artist's publicist and pitch your story idea. For example

Dear So and So

My name is (your name here), I am from (your website here). (Define yourself, your website, and your mission) We are a brand new website that covers everything entertainment (and whatever else you want to say.) I am writing you today in regard to doing a possible show review and interview with (whoever you are inquiring about) on (include date, venue, and city). I am looking forward to your prompt response and I thank you for your time.

All the best

(Your name)

(contact info)

With these letters you want to customize it to the best of your ability and make them as detailed as possible in the shortest amount of text imaginable.

So you may be wondering how to get in contact with "their people", well there are several ways to go about it.

1: Check the artists website for contact information.

2: Contact the venue that they are playing at and ask for the PR contact for that particular show.

3: Call the records label and ask for the publicity or promotions department and speak to the publicist directly. Use the same format as the e-mail.

4: There is this great website out there called contactanycelebrity.com that is amazing. It gives you all the information you need to contact publicists, managers, and much more. This is a pay website, but it really is worth your money.

There are a few things you need to remember when starting out. I recommend starting small, just to build up content on your website. I'm not saying that you wont get the bigger artists, but the more content your website has the better you look.

The publicist got back to you and gave you the okay to review the show. So where are your tickets? Nine out of ten times your name will be placed on a media list at the venue and you can pick your tickets up at will call. You also want to make sure you ask for a PR Kit, this contains all of the information you need to know about the artist you are reviewing and will help you tremendously. PR kits often include some pretty cool stuff too, like CD's, photos and other surprises. Another good thing to ask for is a photo pass, which enables you to walk to the front of the stage to take great pictures to put up along with your review.

The big night has arrived; you've done your research and are ready to go. Now what?

1: Dress to impress: First impressions really do last and you don't want to look like a slob on the job. I also don't recommend showing too much skin; in other words don't wear anything you wouldn't wear to a really important job interview.

2: Confidence is key: If you aren't confident then you don't look professional.

3: Don't be that fan: Sure you like the music that the artist is singing, but don't act crazy. If you get to meet the artist, don't start screaming and trying to rip their clothes off, a simple handshake will do.

4: Interviews: If you have been granted access to do an interview come prepared. Read and re-read that press kit so you know what you're talking about. Bring a tape recorder (make sure it works) and a list of questions. Remember this too, if the person you are interviewing seems uncomfortable with the question you are asking, don't hound them to answer it. After the interview it is okay to ask for a picture to put up on the website along with the interview and show review. You may also ask for an autograph or something of the sorts and use it as a giveaway for the fans that are reading it.

5: Time is if the essence: Write, edit and publish the review as soon as you can. I recommend doing it as soon as you get home while everything is still fresh in your mind and always remember to tasteful and honest.

6: Thanks' are in order: Always be sure to write a thank you e-mail or note to the person who got you into that concert along with the link to your review and interview. You want to stay on good terms with them especially if you want to work with that artist again or another artist they represent. Burning bridges is not a good idea in any business and word does get around.

Now that we have covered the basics I will fill you in on a few other tricks of the trade. Why stop at interviews and concert reviews. Once you have semi-established yourself, they sky is the limit. Here are few other ideas to put on your new entertainment website.

1: Local Restaurant Reviews: If you know that there is a new restaurant opening in the area, visit their website and request access to media night. You get free food and get to check it out before the general public. Pretty sweet huh?

2: Festivals and such: Check the local newspaper and see what's going on around town. For example that new Renaissance Faire is here for the summer, maybe I should check it out. Do the same thing as you would for requesting concert access.

3: Phone interviews: So your favorite actor or musician isn't in town, that's fine, asks the publicist to do a phone interview or a Skype interview. With Skype you can even record the interview and put video content on your page.