Finding Gigs 101, All You Need to Know to Book the Show! by: Ty Cohen It is every musicians dream to find gig after gig. That is what your dream is right? I know though that sometimes you feel like you can't get a break. Every musician has been there and it isn't a happy feeling. But your biggest fan is yourself and you have to stay confident. If you believe in your music and yourself then you should have no problem finding gigs and booking gigs. The first place to start is online. Ah, the internet, of course. This is a powerful asset for networking. You need to create an online presence to find gigs because, after all, the internet is reachable by everyone, everywhere. Post in forums, get a MySpace page, post ads, make friends with other bands, look for college events in the area, network and then network some more! Next, seek the help of a booking agency to get gigs. This is not a necessity but it is an option, if you have exhausted all others. It is true that these guys will take some of your profit but they will also be the ones creating profit for you to share with them. Do your research first. Compare prices and names. Make sure you are getting hooked up with some company that is reliable and trustworthy. Create a press kit and a kit for meeting with prospective employers. Include everything you can think of, within reason. Include a demo, biography, pictures, business cards, resumes and anything else that is notable. Be creative and make sure they remember who you are. Always maintain a sense of professionalism no matter what you do, this will increase your chances of finding gigs. Have decent equipment. Equipment is expensive but it doesn't hurt to always have your own on hand in case you book gigs. Look at second hand music stores or eBay for the items that you don't already have. Most places will provide the majority of the gear needed for gigs but some will not so be prepared. No matter what you do, keep your word. Don't ever promise anything that you can't live up to. You want to create and maintain a solid reputation. Remember, owners talk to other owners. You want good references from respectable people. Take a walk downtown and check out the live music scene. There may be little hole in the wall clubs that you didn't even know were there. Don't be too proud to play in a place like that. There are many, many famous musicians that got there start in some honky tonk hole in the wall bar. After all, you have to start somewhere, don't you? As I mentioned, the most important thing you can do for yourself is be confident and have a successful attitude and you will succeed at finding gigs, guarateed!
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