Not too far from my house there’s a sports bar that has been open for something like a year or two now. Yet, they still have a NOW OPEN sign out by the road. I mostly scratch my head about it, although I do understand the possible strategy they’re trying to employ. Regardless of if you’re familiar with them or not, it does get your attention, after all, doesn’t it?
I remember ten days ago when it was Thanksgiving and already seeing performers posting on social media about their final performance of the year. Huh? Are you not NOW OPEN? There’s no opportunity for a last-minute booking in 2022?
Granted, I know that holiday parties have already booked their entertainment by now, and that’s largely the point of this week’s blog. For the uninitiated, event planners, corporate buyers, bookers at venues likely to host holiday events, all these folks locked up their entertainment some time ago. They’re not just starting to think about and look for an entertainer now, regardless of whether that’s a solo acoustic singer, a magician, a comedian, stilt walkers, a full band, you get the point.
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If you’re going to record a Christmas single or EP or album, you’re not just going into the studio on December 1st, right? Duh. Of course not.
I’ve already been making contact on behalf of performer clients for events as late as next July, inquiring about when and how submissions will be accepted.
Soon you’ll be seeing the predictable blogs about New Year’s resolutions and/or your business plan for 2023. In reality, you already should be well underway on looking for bookings in the new year. It’s less than a month away, so don’t be surprised when it’s January 2nd and you start looking for events to try to get booked to perform at and find out they’re already booked up.
It’s why you should be keeping a running list of events you come across, hear about, and/or want to perform at so you can continue to keep tabs on it. When, where and what is it, and, perhaps most importantly, when will the artist submission period open and what will that consist of. Always be ready. Always be open for business.
It bears repeating that if you post on social media that, say, November 28th is your last show for the year, you shouldn’t be surprised when no one contacts you about a potential booking for December 14th. It’s because they saw what you put on Facebook, Instagram, etc., and they think, “Well, (he/she/they) must have some reason why they aren’t doing any shows the rest of the year.”
Look at others around you who do what you do. Are they already posting about, “So excited that I’ll be playing at this great event next February” and yet here you are on December 5th just thinking about the one show you have left in 2022, coming up this Friday night?
Watch how many people start wrapping things up for 2022 soon, meaning, throwing in the towel on this calendar year. They start looking for an excuse to go into shutdown mode. They mentally check out and don’t even put their business on cruise control. No, instead, unlike the sports bar five miles from me, they hang up the metaphoric “Closed for the holidays” sign. And guess what? It’s no coincidence that their phone stops ringing, and emails and texts stop coming in.
Don’t wait for someone to give you a physical planner or calendar for Christmas. Keep your booking efforts going towards events well into 2023 and show people that you are (always) open for business.
Struggling with the indie artist life, though? Let’s do an online video consultation so you can take advantage of my 18-plus years helping guys and gals from throughout the United States. Our conversation is completely confidential and is focused on helping you with the challenges you’re facing. Book time with me for a private session that you set the agenda for, not me.