subject: Three Ways To Make Your Band Famous Locally [print this page] Why? I'm sure that might keep you scratching your head for some time. Don't musicians and bands book their own gigs? Yes, but it can be such a waste of time that it is not really a good idea unless somebody like a friend or club owner asks you to perform, or an agent or promoter offers you a time slot.
This is advice that you should take to heart. I don't mean to burst your bubble, but you won't get results by going into a club that has bands performing there every night already, and asking the owner to give your band one of the time slots. People like him have other things on their minds, like payrolls, inventory and many other business-related duties that eat up most of their time. Entertaining your request is not even close to the first thing on his mind. Aside from that, he has a string of bands and performers attracting the crowds into the club already, and many other amateur acts trying to convince him that they are the greatest band since the Beatles.
This is something I have picked up in the years that I have booked my own bands across many cities, and there are much better ways to get performances for your band.
Then How do I Promote my Songs if I don't book gigs?
This is the greatest Promotional SECRET that took me years to learn. The answer is, CREATE AN EVENT. Below is my 3 Phase process.
PHASE 1: Ask to speak to the club owner. Tell him that you want to book an EVENT at the club. Simply inform him that you have several bands ready to perform, your band of course being the climax of the show, and these bands will each recruit dozens of fans. This would make him realize that you will be doing all the work for him, and it will ease any worries he may have about your band being at an amateur level. It won't be hard to search for performers in any major city who would give anything to perform. Using the Internet, you could easily find those who are just as enthusiastic as you are for gigs.
PHASE 2: Recruit many other types of performers from other areas of the arts for your event. That's right! Do not limit the event by only having bands. Inform the club owner that artists will be coming to showcase their masterpieces. There would also be comedians who would tickle the audience's funny bone in between the band performances. College dance teams would also perform. Social activists, and local poets could talk between acts. The club owner would be more than enthusiastic to have you since you are now drawing the fans of many other performers, in addition to the bands. You would simply need to use the Internet and networking to make this possible.
PHASE 3: Advertise your event. Contact a few local or cable TV channels, college radio stations, local FM stations, college and local newspapers, and inform them about the event. Confirm who will be coming and inform the club owner so he will know that the press will also be there providing free publicity for his club.
You have just become this club owner's best friend! He will make lots of money and get lots of publicity for his club, and you will never have to worry about bringing enough fans to satisfy him, or yourself, because you are now both the MC and the Star of the show.
It is usually VERY FULFILLING creating your own event. Your hard work will pay off. You can make profits out of this by informing the people who would be part of the event that their performance will be for promotional purposes only. Everyone would reap the benefits from your idea, and you can keep the money for the time and hard work spent as an organizer. This could actually also grow into a second source of income for you.
This is my MASTER 3-PHASE PLAN for getting exposure for your songs at a local level. You become the Center of the Music Community!!!
