Last week I said you’re not selling your soul doing cover gigs. They may just be a good way to put food on the table till you build a big enough fan base to make some real money. There are well-established artist who make their living doing other people’s music. Lots of places actually prefer cover music because they know the audience likes those songs. The bars and clubs are already getting lots of calls from bands looking for work but where else can you look for good paying gigs? Think about it this way, who else needs to entertain a big crowd? Every big organization has events and they usually book well in advance. Contact HR directors, wedding and event planners, and every college has fraternities and sororities competing to have the best events. Build a good relationship with those people. They tend to keep booking bands even when they move on to other organizations. Let them know when you get a big win like radio play or a really good booking. When your band hits they’ll be the first folks calling to get you at their events.
Recording Artist Advocate: Food and Rent.
Have you thought of doing corporate work? If you’re like most bands I work with you want to write great songs and preform to huge crowds. A cover now and then is okay, but you want those crowds to hear your music. But for now you may just need to do some corporate cover gigs to make ends meet. Don’t think you’re selling your soul. You are still making money with your musical abilities. And who says you have to use your band name? I know guys who came up with a cool band name they use for all their corporate work. They still do their regular gigs and they have money for rent and food. You don't have to look far for places or events that want cover bands. You may want to pick an era and focus on that music. There are even corporate cover bands with branches in major cities. See what they are doing and you'll see what works best. They don't mess around. Next week I’ll tell you some places to look for work you may not have thought of.
Recording Artist Advocate: Is a booking agent worth it?
I know bands that are very successful booking themselves, and bands who hold themselves back trying to keep it all in house. If you get a recurring gig or become a house band you may not need a booking agent. But a good booker wants to make money too, and will not only book you more but will try to grow you so that you get more for each show. As your fan base grows and you can draw bigger and bigger crowds they can ask for more money. Think about it from the club owner’s perspective, they need a crowd. If you can deliver they can pay more. Also as an artist, you need to focus on your craft. More often than not you need someone who can take care of the business part and let you do what you do best. So for most musicians I say, find a good booker, tell them your goals, and let them help you reach them.
Recording Artist Advocate: 4 Powerful Words
I was having lunch with members of a successful regional touring band. The conversation turned to road stories and the best and worst venues. The difference is hardly ever the stage, sound system, or crowds, but the venue’s management.
The bands manager received a call saying this band was extremely unprofessional and just about everything else to trash them. Fortunately, the band and their management have a great relationship with excellent communication. Also, the manager is savvy and had this guys number. He’s constantly talking with other venues as well, and it doesn’t take long for news to get around.
I’m proud to say that the bands manager stuck up for his band based on his experience with them. Then he said the best thing he could and it totally took the wind out of the guy’s sails:
He said, We will miss you.
Everything the bar manager said was to get a concession from the band with future bookings as his bargaining chip. The band’s manager took the power back. He was nice about it, but he wasn’t going to let this guy get away with trashing his band.
Until that guy is gone they won’t book there again. When you think about it, that will likely be very soon. Bars change managers more often than roadies change their underwear. OK, that’s not fair to roadies, but you know what I’m getting at. The best part of the story was that they booked into that bar’s competition soon after and sold the place out.
It’s a symbiotic relationship and you have to keep that in mind when someone tries to puff up and make you think they have all the power. Yes, you need them, but they need you too. Don’t take this as license to be a jerk. But don’t be a doormat either.
Recording Artist Advocate: The Power Stance. Have you heard if it?
Instead of watching another cat video, spend your time online learning something that will help you be more successful. The TED videos are great. Find “Amy Cuddy: Your body language shapes who you are”
She shows how your body language changes your hormone levels and even how that affects how people perceive you. The take-away is that you will be perceived as being more successful, and because of that you will be more successful.
It also brings to mind stage presence and how that will make you a more successful band or performer.
I know someone who was encouraged to take dance lessons. Not that he was going to dance on stage, but it helped him move better on stage. It works!
So, even if you just become more aware of yourself and how your own body language communicates to others, that knowledge can make a huge difference in your success.
That is, if you put it to use.