How to get gigs on your local entertainment circuit

Provided you have the ability to entertain an audience it really shouldn't be too difficult to launch yourself onto the local music scene. Armed with a little prior knowledge of your local scene, and a well prepared and rehearsed set you are ready to make yourself available.

Mobile Phone - If you haven't already got one, then drop everything and rush out and buy one now! A mobile phone will repay itself many times over. Use it as the contact number for bookings, keep it charged up and switched on and add your contacts into the number memory as you make new ones. Your phone will also prove invaluable if you are running late for a gig, call the venue, your fellow band members, roadies etc and save everybody the anxiety of wondering where you are or even if you are going to turn up.

Diary - I recommend that you invest in an A4 size Desk Diary, 1 page per date. You should enter the names and addresses of each gig along with any further information both before and after the gig. Contact number, name of the person you speak to, how much you get paid, etc. Then after the gig it's a good idea to write in a short report of how it went, which songs went down well, any little peculiarities to remember for next time. If all of this sounds like a pain in the backside, then you're right - it is! However, this information will be invaluable when it comes to getting and keeping repeat bookings. Carry a Diary at all times! You can keep your main diary at home, but it is a good idea to always keep a small pocket diary with you at all times. Your diary should include details of upcoming gigs, and contact numbers. Then when your mobile phone goes during your trip to the local supermarket, you have all the information to hand to accept a new booking. When you get the gig, make sure everyone in the band is up to date! Everybody should know when and where the next gig is.

Business Cards - It is easy in this day and age to produce professional looking business cards using a home PC either with software or even on the web (see the links section for some ideas), or you could use one of those machines found in WH Smiths etc. The point is; it needn't cost a fortune.

Information you should include is Your Band Name with a brief description of the kind of music you perform, Contact Telephone number, and an e-mail address (if you have one). It's also a good idea to include some kind of logo or to have your band name in a distinctive font or colour. You should make sure that every member of the band has a good supply of these cards, along with friends and hangers on who are willing to hand them out.

Example:

Ok, so the example isn't exactly going to win design awards, but it does contain all of the necessary information. I'm sure you can use your imagination and produce something far superior.

Cold Calling - Phone the venues and ask for work. What's the worst response you could get? Sorry we're booked up for now. Established venues usually have their own favourites and will often be unwilling to book anyone new unless they come with some kind of recommendation. However you should always be on the look out for new venues. Check out the local press and see who has applied for an entertainment licence recently. New venues are often very willing to try out new acts, and if your band goes down well, you could secure a regular booking.

Go out armed with your business cards, demo cd or tape, (and don't forget your diary). Visit as many of the local venues as you can. You could always just post your demo, but the personal touch is always better. This serves two purposes; you get to check out the venue and practice your selling technique, because that's what you are doing; selling your entertainment services. Always ask for the manager or the person in charge of booking the entertainment. Try to build up a rapport, and ask if they'll keep your number handy for any possible cancellations.

Always bear in mind too that you need to find the right venues for your band. It's no good playing The Old Dog and Duck if you are a Rock Band, when they are only used to karaoke Britney Spears type wannabee acts. Checking the place out before hand can save you wasting valuable demos and time.

Networking and promotion - It's a good idea to promote a friendship with managers. Keep a list of all the names, numbers and venues with a few comments about the gig. What size is the venue? Which songs went down the best? The worst? How many did the place hold, and consequently how much did the gig pay? Try to get to know the manager, what are his/her likes or dislikes, does he/she have any little idiosyncracies? What time do they like you to start and finish (surprisingly this can vary quite a bit). Will the manager recommend your band to his/her friends? Can you quote the manager's name to other prospective customers?

Cancellations - Make yourself available for cancellations. In the early days, cancellations could be your saviour. It has certainly worked for me in the past. On one occasion, I received a call one Saturday afternoon asking if we were available for a gig that night. After some panic getting in touch with my partner and our roadie we made the gig (mobile phones were invaluable!). Our performance went down a storm and we ended up with a regular monthly booking at the venue. Every member of your band should be prepared to go to a gig at short notice. It's not practical to cancel everything, but if there is something important which means you wouldn't be able to make the gig, then it should be entered into the diary beforehand so that you know the band aren't available that night.

Charity - Never overlook the opportunity to play at a charity benefit gig! Whilst you may be providing your services for free, you will reap the benefits tenfold in goodwill, free publicity, and new contacts. Plus you are also extending your audience base, and there's nothing like doing a good turn to make you feel good!

About the author: Tony Williams is a musician, writer, and self-confessed eBay fanatic. He is also the webmaster of MuZiCk! - The irreverent rock music lexicon.

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