I know, it’s exciting. The world is back open for business and live music is happening anywhere and everywhere. Independent artists have returned to the places they’ve loved performing and are on the prowl again for new sites that will book them to play.
It’s time to get paid, a colleague of mine always liked to say.
After the very dark days of the pandemic, every booking feels like a win, no matter how big or small. After all, it feels familiar. There’s a sense of normalcy to being back in the routine of getting live shows booked. In fact, it leaves you wanting more.
But don’t lost sight of trying to get re-booked, rather than just thinking, “Oh, cool. I’ve never played at this place before. That should be a fun night,” and then simply move on to the next gig. After all, one way that the night could go better is to get asked back. And then, of course, above and beyond that is a residency, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
When going somewhere new, I used to – on-site at her gigs – routinely remind a client of mine to (among other things) say to the audience (both on the mic as well as in one-on-one conversations) that, “This is my first time here, so, I’d love it if you would put in a good word with the manager to have me back.” The customers come first, as you know, so the decision makers will definitely give strong consideration when they get feedback like that.
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Moreover, though, is that you have to ask the booker yourself rather than waiting for the venue to ask if you want to come back again.
If a guy wanted to ask out a girl on a date, he might get nervous and simply say, “We should go to a hockey game sometime.” That’s too open-ended and non-committal and gives her an easy out. Instead, he should see her on Sunday and say, “I bought two tickets for the hockey game this coming Thursday night.” Now it’s more direct and she has to answer his offer with acceptance or give an objection (as in, “I’m working on Thursday night”).
In the case of the performer, strike while the iron is hot. While you’re packing up your gear and the air is still filled with the great atmosphere your performance created that night, you say to the point person at the venue who you’ve been dealing with, “This was great. Everyone here was really terrific. I would love to come back and play here again. In fact, I’m open next Thursday night, and actually am looking to fill the second Thursday of each month.” While, sure, the worst-case scenario is them saying, “Ah, I don’t think so,” or, “I’ll get back to you,” if they said, “Well, we’ve got someone booked for next Thursday, but how about the Thursday after that,” you’d be thrilled. The point here is, don’t just leave it at, “Thanks for the opportunity. I hope we can do something again some other time.”
If it’s somewhere in the middle, meaning, they say, “Can you call tomorrow when it’s not so busy and we can talk about it,” that’s not a No! Ask what time would be best and then guess what? Call tomorrow at that time! Don’t forget, don’t blow it off, don’t wait until it’s better for you. Ring that person back and ask for the booking.
This exercise is not unlike being in a writing session with one or two others and before everyone packs up you pull out your phone, bring up your calendar, and say, “How do y’all look for our next write, say, next week Wednesday at 2pm?”
It should go without saying that it starts with putting on a great show. Every time. I was at a venue a couple months ago where – after having presented my business card, meaning, they knew what I do – it was confided in me that the band that was currently performing would not be asked back. They’re listening, they’re watching, and they’re already deciding. Give a show that everyone comes away happy with and ask for the sale and you’ll feel great when you get re-booked.
I have been working with independent artists from around the U.S. since 2004 doing management, promotion, and booking, and am available for one-on-one, private, online video consultations to talk to you about your music career. Schedule a confidential session with me to get your questions answered and/or to talk about your challenges, and let’s keep you moving forward.