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RE: Charging for gigs
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Ramon Amira
Posts: 1025
Joined: Oct. 14 2009
From: New York City
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 RE: Charging for gigs (in reply to ronzy60)
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quote:
that doesn't look very serious and to be honest, it looks really tacky.
I had originally been trying to be a bit delicate, and didn't entirely say what I really thought, but sometimes in life it is more helpful to someone to be honest with him. Hemeola man is being honest with this statement, and so I have to say that I concur with what he says. The card simply doesn't look professional. You asked at the opening of this thread about being a professional. Part of that is how you present yourself, and your business card is an important part of your professional persona. There will be times when people who have never met you or heard you play will have your card in their hand, with nothing else to go by, and your card has to speak for you.
And despite the many comments from Foro members on this thread explaining that if you are being paid, then by definition you are a professional, you still refer to yourself as an amateur, and still consider yourself one. People will think no more of you than you think of yourself. Being a professional entails living up to the name in an entire range of ways – your appearance, demeanor, preparation, repertoire, and – your own psychological bearing. Having a "punk attitude" and using a self-deprecating stage name demeans not only yourself, but in a way it is also demeaning to the magnificent art of flamenco.
Ramon
_____________________________
Classical and flamenco guitars from Spain Ramon Amira Guitars
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Date Aug. 11 2010 15:34:16
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Ron.M
Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland
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RE: Charging for gigs (in reply to akatune)
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quote:
It is translated as "The Mistake." It is meant to be humorous, a joke, a bit of the "punk" attitude.
I would agree with the others here, akatune..
Remember, people will be considering paying you a few hundred dollars for what to them is a very special day..(wedding, special event etc).
They'll be worried enough about the whole event going right, (meals, guest list etc) without having to worry about the entertainment being taken care of by someone who "doesn't take himself too seriously".
If they want a laugh, they'll hire a stand up comic.
Basically, to me, the card says "I'm not very confident about my skills, but I don't charge much, so please don't be too harsh in your criticism when I screw up.."
Sorry, but that's how it comes across!
cheers,
Ron
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Date Aug. 11 2010 15:48:43
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gj Michelob
Posts: 1531
Joined: Nov. 7 2008
From: New York City/San Francisco
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RE: Charging for gigs (in reply to Ron.M)
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quote:
I would agree with the others here, akatune..
‘hate to add negativity but, if you want some advice, the card and the vase need to be replaced by more proper and attractive means:
Someone is hiring your services for a fee. You must show respect for the employer through a professional performance; however, “presentation” is equally significant, as it defines who you are in the eyes of the beholder.
One should not confuse the discretion and whims available to a concert musician, with the much narrower scope available to a “gig artist” who is merely engaged to entertain in a private setting, such as restaurant, lounge or event. If you are a service provider certain rules and expectations will apply.
A business card introduces you but it also serves the purpose of developing further and additional work.
My point of view, in increasing order of importance:
1. Ideally a business card should be printed on thick paper with raised lettering, delivering a more refined texture than the “100 cards for $3”.
2. Any image, design, color, logo or other insignia you wish to add on the card should be carefully selected, as it conveys a message and perception about you. The childish caricature of the guitar is a mundane commonplace showing a rushed conclusion or failure of any creativity. If you need to use an image, choose something that clearly and elegantly speaks of your music and the “gifts” it will deliver.
3. You need to spell out your entire and legal name, it needs to show that you are a serious, responsible and accountable professional: “accountability” really is the critical word here.
4. A nick name evoking “error, mistake, blunder” predicts a faulty, unreliable hire. It brings to mind horror movies titles such as the “uninvited”. You ought to change that, and in any event, as an addition not a replacement of your name.
5. Mobile Phone number and email are a must;
6. Listing a Website is also expected, with sound samples, repertory, ensemble options.
7. The Japanese vase should be replaced (unless you play a far-eastern flamenco slant) by a more theme-coherent object, as in Spanish stuff… a matador’s hat perhaps (silly example, but squarely on point).
A “gig” is a service you render to your employer, not the time and place to impress adoring fans with the capricious rock-star-like behavior.
_____________________________
gj Michelob
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Date Aug. 11 2010 16:54:23
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Mark2
Posts: 1877
Joined: Jul. 12 2004
From: San Francisco
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RE: Charging for gigs (in reply to ronzy60)
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I've had cards before, and have passed out many. I can't remember a single gig ever coming from a card, despite having done thousands of gigs, of which at least a few hundred were of the variety the OP is doing. I'm not saying the OP shouldn't have cards, but I think the fuss over them on this thread is over played. I also agree that the card Akatune has is not that great, but again, I don't really think it matters that much. People will ask for your card, take it, and you'll likely never hear from them again. In this day, if someone wants to hire you, they will google you, or call the restaurant where they saw you because they probably will lose your card anyway.
Agents are the ones in our area(SF bay) that control the best of this type of work, and although things such as the way you dress and present yourself are crucial, cards are not IME. Once an agent knows he can trust you, he doesn't care about cards, cd's pics, etc. People hire soloists for corporates and weddings through them based on the recommendation of the agent.
When I'm playing a gig with the band I work with, if someone asks for a card, we tell them it costs 15.00 and comes with a cd. Sometimes that sells a cd. After all, if they don't like the group enough to pay 15.00 for a cd, what chance is there that they are going to cough up 2k for a party?
Personally, I'd lose the nickname too. People outside flamenco circles don't know or care about them. Use your real name.
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Date Aug. 11 2010 21:45:37
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One time somebody introduced me with that title to a spanish guy and it made me feel so proud (just because the way it sounds). 
) 
