Getting Booked and Promoting Yourself
Rehearsal means nothing without a performance, and nobody is going to find you by accident. These episodes cover how to ask for gigs, follow up, promote a show, build a website, and use social media without burning out.
Episodes on this topic
- Get More GigsSeptember 23, 2018
There is not really a secret to getting more opportunities to perform. You have to want it and you have put in some work to make it happen. Rehearsal means nothing without a performance. How are you going to get a performance? Are you going to wait for someone to find you? If you wait to be discovered, you will die in rehearsal. You have to get out there and get after it my friend.
- Send the Follow-upSeptember 3, 2018
Trying to get booked is challenging, even more so if you are afraid to follow-up. Send the Second E-mail. There are many reasons you have not heard a response about a performance opportunity and not all of them are bad. Sometimes e-mail boxes are not monitored, maybe this is not actually the preferred communication method. Not everyone stays on top of their email or checks their facebook messages daily.
- Are You Asking the RIGHT Questions?September 10, 2018
Performers can avoid BIG show mistakes by having the sense to ask questions about the venue and patrons. Mistakes will certainly happen, that's an unavoidable truth but wouldn’t it be nice to prepare for some of the big mistakes? There is really nothing worse than showing up for a gig and realizing you're not right for this audience.
- Know your worth / When to Say NOApril 20, 2018
Have you ever been approached for a booking or gig that just did not feel right? Maybe it was the low-ball pay; maybe it was how you were approached. Knowing what your worth will help when deciding it’s time to say no. When I was approached for a booking that was posted publicly like a sales ad, I knew I could not be a part of that show. There was no vision, no direction just an open call for first-come, first-served.
- How to Promote YourselfNovember 20, 2018
Maintaining contact with your audience is crucial for performers. People want to stay connected to you. Self-promotion means you are consistently promoting what you are doing. From preparing for a show, to learning new moves, your audience wants an inside look. How do you accomplish that? Social Media. You don’t need to hire anyone and you don’t have to be some big-shot know-it-all social media buff.
- How to Promote Your ShowNovember 22, 2018
Once you have the gig, how do you get people there? It is a common misconception that the venue is responsible for providing the audience. While in some cases they may, like at restaurants, but most of the time you will need to do some promoting yourself. The best way?
- Let's Get Digital...Digital!March 30, 2018
Getting your digital presence in order: an easy-to-find stage name, an email list, a simple website, a YouTube channel, and a digital press kit, so your fan army can find you.
- My Favorite Social Media ToolsJuly 11, 2019
Reggie's favorite social media tools for performers, including Buffer for scheduling, Canva for graphics, and MailChimp for email, plus video editors worth trying.
- Branding Basics for PerformersAugust 7, 2019
Branding basics for performers: a stage-name logo, real promo pictures, a media kit, cheap merchandise, and Canva to put it together.
- Three Reasons to Get a WebsiteAugust 21, 2019
Three reasons to get a website: you own your name, it looks professional, and it is easy to share.
- Just Ask For What You WantSeptember 24, 2019
Just ask for what you want. A simple way to contact a venue: start with a yes or no question, say who you are and why they need you, then ask to meet.
- The Right OpportunityOctober 25, 2019
The right opportunity. Why Reggie turned down an interview offer, and why the right opportunity is probably closer than you think.