MusicIsMyBiz

You’ve seen the tips on how to get booked for a gig.  But I bet you haven’t seen the secrets of how to NOT get booked (or booked again) by a club or venue.  Here are seven sure-fire ways to ensure that you won’t get a call to perform:

1.)  Don’t give them a complete press kit. Venues and club owners want to know what they’re getting when they book you.  While CDs are a given, most venues would like to see a bio, press clips, or fact sheet.

2.)  Don’t put your contact info on everything. Press kits get misplaced and separated from CDs.  If the venue loves your music and wants to book you, but your contact info isn’t on your demo, then you can bet you won’t get the call back.

3.)  Don’t follow up. Club owners get busy.  After all, they do have a business to run.  If you don’t get called back after a reasonable time, it may not always be because they don’t like you.  They may not have gotten around to listening to the demo, or they may have forgotten to get in touch with you.  Out of sight, sometimes really is out of mind.  So not following up with leads may just make you lose that gig.

4.)  Don’t start on time. Fashionably late doesn’t exist when it comes to gigs.  Similarly, taking breaks that are too frequent or too long are deal-breakers.  Crowds get antsy.  Owners get antsy.  Keep them waiting, and you likely won’t get hired back.

5.)  Don’t fill the venue. Club owners really don’t care about your music.  They care about filling their establishment with PAYING patrons.  They want to sell enough food and drinks to cover your band and make a profit for the night.  Playing to an empty club definitely won’t get you hired again.

6.)  Don’t cater to the audience. Even though your adoring fans show up to support you, not everyone in the audience is there to see your band.  Some people just like the establishment.  Make that crowd react negatively with your music, volume, or antics, and you won’t play there again.

7.)  Advertise other gigs on nights that compete with the current venue. You’ve got a gig tomorrow night at a competing club across town?  Great!  Your fans need to know it, but do it discretely.  Announcing that gig on the microphone tells a club that you’re stealing their crowd.  That’s bad business.  Do it and you won’t be asked back.

What other tactics can you think of that ruin your chances of getting booked?

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