Advice on Gig marketing (Full Version)

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lukeofgod -> Advice on Gig marketing (Mar. 28 2013 3:29:20)

I want to start marketing my self to get more gigs at private parties, restaurants, weddings, ect. I know there are many of you out there that have been successful at this and I was wondering if you had any input on what seems to get you more gigs.

Things I have: business cards.

Things I think I need: A website with demo mp3's, video demos, testimonials, list of repertoire, ect. (the whole shabang)

I plan to make a website asap during spring break.

If you can think of anything else that would be beneficial, please feel free to post.

Thanks!



Ricardo -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Mar. 28 2013 6:00:30)

Getting a gig period is the best marketing...assuming you are well received and people want more of what you have to offer. Networking/word of mouth etc is how I make most of my money playing out. Helps to have as many steady restaurant bar type gigs as possible, assuming many people frequent the venue you are a regular fixture of, it spreads out from there. Although a wedding full of single guests that want to get married NEXT is good too. So start by getting that one gig and see how it branches off quickly.



lukeofgod -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Mar. 28 2013 7:11:40)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricardo

Getting a gig period is the best marketing...assuming you are well received and people want more of what you have to offer. Networking/word of mouth etc is how I make most of my money playing out. Helps to have as many steady restaurant bar type gigs as possible, assuming many people frequent the venue you are a regular fixture of, it spreads out from there. Although a wedding full of single guests that want to get married NEXT is good too. So start by getting that one gig and see how it branches off quickly.


Thanks Ricardo. I used to play at a few restaurants on the regular but one closed down after over a year of hiring me, another stopped hiring me after almost a year, and some restaurant will only use me once or twice. I guess i'm trying to figure out a better way to keep a steady income. And maybe the fact that I look like a 16 year-old is a turn-off for some who haven't heard me play.

Another issue I go back and forth on is PRICE. Some restaurants will hire me but will usually only pay 50-$60... (like the ones i had mentioned above) it may have been worth it in the long run since a restaurant may hire you regularly if you give them a steal like that. therefore more more exposure, and more possible gigs. Any suggestions on this?
Thanks again!



mark74 -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Mar. 28 2013 7:16:54)

I'm not a professional player, but as a fan of flamenco music I can tell you pairing up with a dancer or two would go a long way.

People love to see flamenco dancers, the room lights up..you could be twice the player, but no one will care if there isn't a dancer. In the United States I mean..and if you're playing to a normal audience. If you're playing to guitar players that's different, but normally when you gig youre playing for non musicians and they eat up the dancing (especially the women as they relate to it)



Blondie#2 -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Mar. 28 2013 8:29:29)

quote:



Things I have: business cards.

Things I think I need: A website with demo mp3's, video demos, testimonials, list of repertoire, ect. (the whole shabang)

I plan to make a website asap during spring break.

If you can think of anything else that would be beneficial, please feel free to post.



You have a good list there but if you want to get into the wedding market you could try advertising in local wedding magazines/appearing at wedding fayres (assuming they have those over there).

Busking is good for business too and i have taken many wedding bookings on the spot that way. Of course you have to do this properly - look like a beggar and you get treated like one. On the other hand, look like a pro, with pro quality sound system (not tiny crappy amp) and choose your location carefully and this can work very well indeed.

Oh, and network like crazy. get round the local tapas bars, restaurants etc with your demo CD, it takes a while to get established.



shaun -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Mar. 28 2013 13:10:34)

A video of a live performance makes a big difference. You should also have high quality photos done. They're good for marketing yourself to the venues and then marketing your gigs to the public.

Going to open stages is a good way to network with people. Sometimes it leads to gigs at the venue hosting the open stage.



Mark2 -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Mar. 28 2013 15:35:04)

It really depends how far you want to take it. Getting a restaurant gig is pretty simple:
Find a restaurant you want to play in, go between lunch and dinner hours, present yourself, and offer to play a set in exchange for dinner. If they like you , your in. You can offset the fact that you look really young by dressing really well. Remember you are an extension of the image the restaurant is trying to portray. An upscale joint requires different clothes than a brew pub.

If your trying to make a living, or trying to develop a career as a solo guitarist, then all the other stuff-web sites, cards, pictures, videos are really important.

If this is just something you want to do for a while to get some performing experience and make a few bucks, I wouldn't waste time with all the promo.

You will likely make more money at a place that doesn't currently have live music. I played at Alegrias on Lombard in the city for a while-they had flamenco guitarists a few nights a week. They paid 50. and a nice dinner.

I got a gig at Ondine in Sausalito-they had never had a musician there before and they paid me 150.

Adjust for inflation-this was 15-20 years ago.

Also consider that a dance class can pay 20.00 an hour as of ten years ago-so three hours on a sat afternoon pays as much as some restaurants. Again, it really depends on where your going with your playing.

You can get gigs just playing flamenco-alegrias, bulerias, solea, sig, etc. but if your serious about pleasing the general public, you should consider what they want to hear. When someone asks for malaguena are you going to:

1. roll your eyes and explain that it's not flamenco and you don't play that crap
2. Play an authentic malaguena after which they will conclude you don't know malaguena
3. Play a great version of the E.L. piece and collect a huge tip.

If the answer is number three, then the next step is adding recuerdos, granada, some pasa doubles, and before you know it, you'll have strayed very far from flamenco but perhaps be earning lots of money.

Having the ability to bring additional musicians or dancers and singers will increase your opportunities but as I mentioned above it really depends what your goals are.



shaun -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Mar. 28 2013 15:46:31)

quote:

1. roll your eyes and explain that it's not flamenco and you don't play that crap
2. Play an authentic malaguena after which they will conclude you don't know malaguena
3. Play a great version of the E.L. piece and collect a huge tip.


4. All of the above.



lukeofgod -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Mar. 29 2013 6:08:02)

Wow thank you ALL for the advice as I will take it all into consideration. It really does mean a lot !!!



Ricardo -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Mar. 29 2013 7:28:05)

quote:

ORIGINAL: shaun

quote:

1. roll your eyes and explain that it's not flamenco and you don't play that crap
2. Play an authentic malaguena after which they will conclude you don't know malaguena
3. Play a great version of the E.L. piece and collect a huge tip.


4. All of the above.



Or do like sabicas and just play the main part like an intro that they recognize and after they clap like monkeys that found a banana tree, just let it morph into a real flamenco solo like fandango or real malagueña or solea, what ever the HELL you want.



RibNibbler -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Mar. 29 2013 7:35:34)

Just make sure to undercut the other players in town by at least 50%. The restaurant owners will love you. Works every time without fail. As soon as the word gets around town the gigs will be rolling in and the phone won't stop ringing. [;)]



Miguel de Maria -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Mar. 29 2013 14:37:24)

Love it, RibNibbler!

When I was first starting this, I listened to Mark and he knows his stuff! I could add a few ideas that I have come up with:

1. dress really well, conservative pants, flashy shirt. It was already mentioned, but this does not mean wearing black dockers instead of your normal cargo pants. Something really nice like at a board meeting or church.

2. I have only played for free a few times, and it never led to anything. I think it sets up the situation with an unfavorable balance of power and a lack of respect for your services (it's "free", so it can't be any good).

3. Set up your website on as many free directories, yelp, google plus, facebook, everything, that you can find.

4. Answer phone calls, respond to emails within an hour if possible. This will make you stand out greatly from most musicians, who are typically unresponsive (I have had to up my game on this one, in the age of twitter, people become very impatient).

5. Definitely have a selection of easy-listening "spanishy" pieces that everybody knows. You can lead with them and spread them throughout your rep while playing the stuff you actually like inbetween. Unless it is a concert where people are actually listening.

6. Find out who is getting gigs and get lessons from them (pay them). You may very well happen to become friends and might do duos, or he might give you his extras. This has worked for me with two people. Be aware there is also a second effect, and that's that he might not respect your playing as much because he knows your weakness intimately! But I think that is outweighed by the benefits.



Mark2 -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Mar. 29 2013 15:19:31)

I've told this story before, but I did exactly that at a wedding reception. As the party entered the room I played the malaguena lick-they were so happy they were literally conga lining their way into the room.

I'd about had it with the gig at that point, which is messed up because it was the first tune. Or maybe I was just in a pissy mood, so I went right into bulerias, knowing the train was going to roll right off the tracks, and it did, as they realized they could no longer feel the beat. It was like they were groovin one minute and the next it was like a room full of people dancing with no rhythm at all. It was hilarious, to me anyway. When you reach that level of cynicism, it's time to stop the bus and get off.

Thanks for the shout out Miguel-some good ideas you have as well.

Your absolutely right-take lessons from the better players in town. They will help you. I studied with almost everyone in my area at one point or another, and some of them gave me work in addition to sharing their knowledge.




quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricardo

[

Or do like sabicas and just play the main part like an intro that they recognize and after they clap like monkeys that found a banana tree, just let it morph into a real flamenco solo like fandango or real malagueña or solea, what ever the HELL you want.



Mark2 -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Mar. 29 2013 15:35:44)

I love the cynics.....but actually, take the opposite approach. Charge more than the guys who are doing it full time. They need the gig to live, you don't. Charge more than the better players. That way you are improving the scene for everyone. How? They are better players, but your a better salesman, hopefully.



quote:

ORIGINAL: RibNibbler

Just make sure to undercut the other players in town by at least 50%. The restaurant owners will love you. Works every time without fail. As soon as the word gets around town the gigs will be rolling in and the phone won't stop ringing. [;)]



RibNibbler -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Mar. 29 2013 16:29:39)

Or you could just work hard and focus on not becoming a purveyor of mindless background music for people eating, drinking and talking... its definitely another option one has.



Grisha -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Mar. 29 2013 16:48:52)

A few years ago I had a engagement party gig with my guitarist friend from the conservatory. At one point we were playing Entre Dos Aguas and really going for it, with lots of crazy licks and fun vibe. Somewhere towards the middle of the piece father of the girl came up to us and told us to stop and play some more well-known flamenco. Not sure if he clapped his hands and said "that's enough, boys!" [:D]

So, make sure you have some well-known flamenco in your repertoire, like malaguenya and romanza.



Mark2 -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Mar. 29 2013 22:28:27)

Excellent advice. I don't regret the time I spent playing mindless background music-I usually found a way to enjoy myself, and the money helped put two kids through college, pay mortgages, vacations, stuff like that. I've seen some very good musicians, way better than me, playing gigs where people were giving no attention or respect, so whatever maestro. But ultimately, I agree, it isn't worth it. But to each his own.


quote:

ORIGINAL: RibNibbler

Or you could just work hard and focus on not becoming a purveyor of mindless background music for people eating, drinking and talking... its definitely another option one has.



RibNibbler -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Mar. 29 2013 23:21:44)

a young talented player should be encouraged to reach higher. wouldn't you agree?

there are much easier and more dignified ways to make money if money is what drives you...




Mark2 -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Mar. 30 2013 0:21:52)

Absolutely. I don't think anyone who was serious about learning to play ever picked up a guitar and thought "one day I'll be able to play in restaurants and at weddings"
But I also don't see it as an either/or situation.
I got hired to play electric at a casual with a latin big band at of all places, the local zoo. I show up and on congas is Francisco Aguabella. The guy was a legend. How the hell am I going to feel bad about doing that gig? I found no lack of dignity playing those charts. No one in the audience of rich zoo patrons knew who he was. He didn't seem to care, but who knows. Maybe he went home and cursed the gods.

I would never advise a young musician to focus on playing restaurants, but if they have made the decision to do it, they might as well do it well. Lukeofgod didn't ask if he should play this type of gig, he asked for advice on how to get more of them.
Personally, I'd rather play a dance class than a restaurant solo, but that's me.



lukeofgod -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Apr. 1 2013 18:13:24)

Great commentary as usual. Thanks again guys !!



mark74 -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Apr. 3 2013 3:32:31)

I don't know if you really live in Kazakshstan, but in America we need money. This is marketplace, it isn't just about what I want to do and everybody else should support me for it



RibNibbler -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Apr. 3 2013 4:08:53)

In Kazakhstan we need money even more than the rich Americans with their fat mattresses and reality TV. I was replaced at my gig by a dancing monkey with accordion player. I am training a goat to dance paso doble and I will get my gig back.




Miguel de Maria -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Apr. 3 2013 15:01:40)

Rich Americans get replaced by these:




duendesoul -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Apr. 7 2013 10:34:45)

It's ok to have 1 low paying gig $50 per se if it's weekly and at a location with great exposure.
Use that gig as your business card. Easiest free website designed for musicians is reverbnation.com. you can link press, music, videos, Bio etc and share on social networks....
My main challenge was getting to 3-4 sets of 45 minutes. Once I got that things opened up.



Ricardo -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Apr. 9 2013 1:27:22)

quote:

ORIGINAL: duendesoul

It's ok to have 1 low paying gig $50 per se if it's weekly and at a location with great exposure.
Use that gig as your business card. Easiest free website designed for musicians is reverbnation.com. you can link press, music, videos, Bio etc and share on social networks....
My main challenge was getting to 3-4 sets of 45 minutes. Once I got that things opened up.



If you play ONE set with an 8 piece group maybe. That is really low money and insulting to pros IMO if you play alone for only $50.



machopicasso -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Apr. 16 2013 9:06:25)

quote:

That is really low money and insulting to pros IMO if you play alone for only $50.


Don't you two perform in rather different markets -- D.C. and South Carolina? Wouldn't one expect the pay to be higher in the former than in the latter?



Ricardo -> RE: Advice on Gig marketing (Apr. 16 2013 13:03:55)

quote:

ORIGINAL: machopicasso

quote:

That is really low money and insulting to pros IMO if you play alone for only $50.


Don't you two perform in rather different markets -- D.C. and South Carolina? Wouldn't one expect the pay to be higher in the former than in the latter?


At a restaurant .... food is more than 50% cheaper in South Carolina than in DC area??? [:D]



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