How to Get Gigs



How to Get Gigs
Performing gigs is one of the best ways to build fans offline and gain the attention of influential music business types, but it’s also one of the most lucrative ways to earn money in the music industry and a way to retain the loyalty of your existing fans. Because of this it makes performing gigs a highly competitive game, where many bands pitch for the gig opportunities, yet only a small proportion get the gigs.

But how can you get more gigs? How can you convince those music venue promoters to give you a chance and let you get up on their stage?

Applying for gigs is a lot more than sending demos to the venue, it’s even more than following up with emails. When it comes to approaching music venue promoters you need to be building relationships with these guys – how? I hear you ask. In the same way you met all your high school friends.

Find an opportunity to meet them in a way that other bands aren’t contacting them (even if it’s on Twitter) and talk to them without trying to ask them for a favour – when they have finally likened to you, that is when you can start asking favours.

We recommend checking these out:


The Musician's Guide (book)
This 7-chapter guide contains a whole chapter on how to get gigs and get touring.

Purchase now from:
£13.99 £10.99
The Advanced Online Music Marketing Video Training Course
This online music marketing training course helps explain the alternative route to getting signed - marketing your music as a DIY musician.
Price: £49.99 £28.99

Record label A&R scouts typically only respond to a tiny percentage of emails they receive from aspiring artists, here are some tips on contacting and building relationships with record labels.

Do's and Don'ts When Contacting Music Venue Promoters

  • Don't contact music venue promoters at busy times such as Friday or Saturday evenings.
  • Don't contact anyone who works at a music venue – spend the extra five minutes researching who actually books the bands.
  • Don't contact promoters who don’t promote your genre
  • Do include your contact details on every item you send to the music venue promoter (including the CD-R!)
  • Don’t promise the venue minimum quantities of fans – instead, provide hard evidence that you can deliver a large fanbase (from previous gigs)

More Articles:
How to Get Signed to a Record Label
How to Create a Band Strategy
How to Market Music on The Internet
How to Market Music Offline
How to Get a Music Manager
How to Make a Living From Music
How to Find Available Local Musicians