If you’re in a local band you know how difficult it can be to get gigs in new areas, especially where nobody has ever heard of you before. Sometimes it can even be a bit of a pain to get shows at the very places we have played previously, because someone else has beaten you to the gig you wanted to play.

Nothing is worse than a jam room full of instruments that have nowhere to go! $%&$ing NOTHING. Weekends are prime-time for us musicians and if we don’t get to take advantage of that every weekend we can, things start to get pretty grim. Well don’t you worry because that’s not going to happen to you this summer if you read this blog post! So, without further adieu , here are the top 5 ways to get gigs for your band!

#1 Facebook Band Page. The #1 way bands around North America are getting gigs is probably Facebook. Generally, bands and solo artists will create a “Band Page” from their main Facebook profile, which then becomes a managed page that all band members can have access to. This is a actually quite a great tool and effective way to get gigs online and it allows bands to upload their. All you have to do is right up a post saying your band is looking for a gig and it’s time to hope for the best!

Yes, it’s a very hit and miss scenario but many times has opened the doors to new gigs for thousands upon thousands of bands. If your band doesn’t have a Facebook page, I’d get on that as soon as possible. It will help you out in spades.

#2 Band Website. Sometime band websites work, sometimes they don’t. Those that do work, work for a reason. It’s because the website is engaging, easy to use, has good visuals all around,photo galleries,free music downloads doesn’t look like it came out of 1996, has an easy mailing list sign up and a url that’s easy to remember and convenient to input. Not like: bobzcoverbandisthebestintown719.com. 

Upload blog content to your bands’ website and share it over social media. You know, write stuff about where your band is at and where you are going as much as possible. Every day if you can. That’s right, a blog!  You want Google to find you, don’t you? Do these things with your website and get gigs more often.

#3 Reverb Nation. This is kind of still a thing, right?. I know they have promised gigs in the past but I personally have never ever had a single one. Its more of a place to just upload your music and share it over Social media platforms. See how your music stacks up against the rest.

You can have listeners hear and rate your music and write a small blurb on it, (for a price). Enter contests, (some free some, for a price), The music uploading and main profile areas are free to use however, and the music players are shareable across most social media platforms. They also hold a large band battle each year. Could be worth signing up! www.reverbnation.com

#4 Sonic Bids. I can’t say enough about these guys! Enough bad, that is! This is a shining example of how you leverage every band you serve as a sucker. Charge them to apply for gigs that they will not get. Fill them full of false hope by making the gig sound so great, And there is nothing in Canada where my band plays. You can try it.....I guess.

#5 Door To Door.  Sometimes it just pays to walk into a bar and see if they are looking for bands. Good ol’ fashioned leg work! Using google maps to find a the bars.

People buy from people. People they know, like, and trust. The advantage small companies have over big dumb companies is that they can add a lot of themselves into the mix.

Your business is your business – which means you’re the person responsible for leading your customers and your employees (as opposed to the other way around!). That means that whatever I want my business to be, it’s up to me to set that example for everyone else.

For example, say in your business that image is important – things have to look just right. Now, if you walk out to greet a customer with a big blob of mustard on your tie, that’s not exactly going to deliver your message.

So remember, it’s not just what you say as the leader; you have to walk the walk and set an example.

(And maybe, just in case, keep a spare tie in your office drawer.)

Do the Right Thing

Lou Holtz is the greatest turnaround coach in the history of college football. He took nearly winless teams to bowl games after he arrived. Lou has three simple questions he asks before he chooses to work with anyone:

1. Can I trust them to do the right thing?

2. Are they committed to doing their best?

3. Do they genuinely care about people?

People buy from people. People they know, like, and trust. The advantage small companies have over big dumb companies is that they can add a lot of themselves into the mix.

Your business is your business – which means you’re the person responsible for leading your customers and your employees (as opposed to the other way around!). That means that whatever I want my business to be, it’s up to me to set that example for everyone else.

For example, say in your business that image is important – things have to look just right. Now, if you walk out to greet a customer with a big blob of mustard on your tie, that’s not exactly going to deliver your message.

So remember, it’s not just what you say as the leader; you have to walk the walk and set an example.

(And maybe, just in case, keep a spare tie in your office drawer.)

Do the Right Thing

Lou Holtz is the greatest turnaround coach in the history of college football. He took nearly winless teams to bowl games after he arrived. Lou has three simple questions he asks before he chooses to work with anyone:

1. Can I trust them to do the right thing?

2. Are they committed to doing their best?

3. Do they genuinely care about people?

People buy from people. People they know, like, and trust. The advantage small companies have over big dumb companies is that they can add a lot of themselves into the mix.

Your business is your business – which means you’re the person responsible for leading your customers and your employees (as opposed to the other way around!). That means that whatever I want my business to be, it’s up to me to set that example for everyone else.

For example, say in your business that image is important – things have to look just right. Now, if you walk out to greet a customer with a big blob of mustard on your tie, that’s not exactly going to deliver your message.

So remember, it’s not just what you say as the leader; you have to walk the walk and set an example.

(And maybe, just in case, keep a spare tie in your office drawer.)

Do the Right Thing

Lou Holtz is the greatest turnaround coach in the history of college football. He took nearly winless teams to bowl games after he arrived. Lou has three simple questions he asks before he chooses to work with anyone:

1. Can I trust them to do the right thing?

2. Are they committed to doing their best?

3. Do they genuinely care about people?

Be of Benefit

Along those lines, make sure all your marketing materials are all about your customer, not about you. Benefit-oriented copy, in which you’re telling your prospects what’s in it for them if they use your products or services, is always the most effective. Yes, you need to share your credentials and qualifications, but always do that in terms of how it makes what you’re selling more valuable to your customers.

Ask yourself how you can make their life better and what convenience you offer them?

Follow the Script

Have you ever called a business and whoever answered the phone would say basically whatever popped into their head when asked a question? They had no sales script. No carefully thought out answer to the most commonly asked question. Particularly forgetting to show value when being asked the question “how much is x?”

A lot of times, when a customer calls, you’re not exactly sure what you’re going to say. And not knowing what you’re going to say can really trip you up. The customer is calling for a reason – they have a need. You want to guide them to a solution that involves using YOUR business, but coming up with the right words on the fly isn’t easy for most people.

Developing scripts to use on the phone is one of the best things you can do.

By following a script, you can guide the customer through the process toward finding the right solution to their problem. You’ll never have to worry about what to say next – because it’s right there in the script. When you remember to show the value of your experience and talk about your price as an investment, saving them time, or preventing a problem, you won’t have the need to discount your price.

Follow the Script…Part 2

Since the real gold in any business is your customer and prospect list, be sure to have a script to capture that information. Have you ever called a company and they said, “In case we get disconnected, may I have your name and phone number?” before they even began to answer your question? They’ve already followed a script to begin capturing details for their database.

Follow the Script…Part 3

Scripts can also be effective in person, although you obviously don’t want to be reading what you say off of an actual script. But how many times have you walked away from a meeting and realized, “Oh, I wish I said …?” A script can help you avoid that scenario.

Start by thinking through how the conversation is likely to go, what questions and issues are likely to come up, and put those “Oh, I should have said this” comments down on paper. Familiarize yourself and your employees with those stock answers, and you’ll be ready when the question or situation comes up.

Be of Benefit

Along those lines, make sure all your marketing materials are all about your customer, not about you. Benefit-oriented copy, in which you’re telling your prospects what’s in it for them if they use your products or services, is always the most effective. Yes, you need to share your credentials and qualifications, but always do that in terms of how it makes what you’re selling more valuable to your customers.

Ask yourself how you can make their life better and what convenience you offer them?

Follow the Script

Have you ever called a business and whoever answered the phone would say basically whatever popped into their head when asked a question? They had no sales script. No carefully thought out answer to the most commonly asked question. Particularly forgetting to show value when being asked the question “how much is x?”

A lot of times, when a customer calls, you’re not exactly sure what you’re going to say. And not knowing what you’re going to say can really trip you up. The customer is calling for a reason – they have a need. You want to guide them to a solution that involves using YOUR business, but coming up with the right words on the fly isn’t easy for most people.

Developing scripts to use on the phone is one of the best things you can do.

By following a script, you can guide the customer through the process toward finding the right solution to their problem. You’ll never have to worry about what to say next – because it’s right there in the script. When you remember to show the value of your experience and talk about your price as an investment, saving them time, or preventing a problem, you won’t have the need to discount your price.

Follow the Script…Part 2

Since the real gold in any business is your customer and prospect list, be sure to have a script to capture that information. Have you ever called a company and they said, “In case we get disconnected, may I have your name and phone number?” before they even began to answer your question? They’ve already followed a script to begin capturing details for their database.

Follow the Script…Part 3

Scripts can also be effective in person, although you obviously don’t want to be reading what you say off of an actual script. But how many times have you walked away from a meeting and realized, “Oh, I wish I said …?” A script can help you avoid that scenario.

Start by thinking through how the conversation is likely to go, what questions and issues are likely to come up, and put those “Oh, I should have said this” comments down on paper. Familiarize yourself and your employees with those stock answers, and you’ll be ready when the question or situation comes up.

Be of Benefit

Along those lines, make sure all your marketing materials are all about your customer, not about you. Benefit-oriented copy, in which you’re telling your prospects what’s in it for them if they use your products or services, is always the most effective. Yes, you need to share your credentials and qualifications, but always do that in terms of how it makes what you’re selling more valuable to your customers.

Ask yourself how you can make their life better and what convenience you offer them?

Follow the Script

Have you ever called a business and whoever answered the phone would say basically whatever popped into their head when asked a question? They had no sales script. No carefully thought out answer to the most commonly asked question. Particularly forgetting to show value when being asked the question “how much is x?”

A lot of times, when a customer calls, you’re not exactly sure what you’re going to say. And not knowing what you’re going to say can really trip you up. The customer is calling for a reason – they have a need. You want to guide them to a solution that involves using YOUR business, but coming up with the right words on the fly isn’t easy for most people.

Developing scripts to use on the phone is one of the best things you can do.

By following a script, you can guide the customer through the process toward finding the right solution to their problem. You’ll never have to worry about what to say next – because it’s right there in the script. When you remember to show the value of your experience and talk about your price as an investment, saving them time, or preventing a problem, you won’t have the need to discount your price.

Follow the Script…Part 2

Since the real gold in any business is your customer and prospect list, be sure to have a script to capture that information. Have you ever called a company and they said, “In case we get disconnected, may I have your name and phone number?” before they even began to answer your question? They’ve already followed a script to begin capturing details for their database.

Follow the Script…Part 3

Scripts can also be effective in person, although you obviously don’t want to be reading what you say off of an actual script. But how many times have you walked away from a meeting and realized, “Oh, I wish I said …?” A script can help you avoid that scenario.

Start by thinking through how the conversation is likely to go, what questions and issues are likely to come up, and put those “Oh, I should have said this” comments down on paper. Familiarize yourself and your employees with those stock answers, and you’ll be ready when the question or situation comes up.