Careers Career Paths Simple Steps to Get a Music Gig Learn how to build your following Share PINTEREST Email Print PeopleImages/E+/Getty Images Career Paths Music Careers Technology Careers Sports Careers Sales Project Management Professional Writer Media Legal Careers US Military Careers Government Careers Finance Careers Fiction Writing Careers Entertainment Careers Criminology Careers Book Publishing Aviation Animal Careers Advertising Learn More Table of Contents Expand 1. Think Locally 2. The Promo Package 3. Approach the Venue 4. Approach the Promoter 5. Research the Deal 6. Play the Gig By Heather McDonald Heather McDonald LinkedIn Music Professional University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill Heather McDonald wrote about music careers for The Balance Careers. She has worked in the music industry for over two decades. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on 10/21/19 One of the best ways to build a fan base for your band is to play live as often as you can. Sometimes, though, bands find themselves between a rock and hard place: To get a gig, you need an audience, but to get an audience, you need a gig. To rise above the paradox and get your band in front of a crowd takes careful planning. Landing a single show is an important start on which you can build to book your band an entire tour. Doing this requires knowing how to promote your band and how to do business with potential venues. There are six steps you should keep in mind. 1. Think Locally The best place to start looking for gigs is in your own backyard. Get to know the music scene in your area. Which venues and promoters are willing to give up-and-coming bands a chance? Which bands in your area play live often and might need a support act? What venues in your area put on touring bands who might need a local opening act? Keep local radio stations, music podcasts, and entertainment writers at local papers and websites informed about your activities and always invite them to any gigs you book. To get a gig, all of these factors and more can come into play. Approaching the right venues will open doors for you, and there is strength in numbers, so working with the other bands in the area can increase opportunities for everyone. Plus, you can share gear. 2. The Promo Package Have a standard package ready to help introduce yourself to venues and promoters. Much like the package you use when you send a demo to a label, this promo package should be short and sweet. Include a short demo CD, a short bio or one sheet to introduce the band, and some press clippings if you have any, especially if they review live performances. If you're going to approach people by email instead, cut and paste the info into the body of an email and include a link to a site where your music can be heard. Don't send attachments, as most people won't open them. 3. Approach the Venue To get a gig directly with a venue, call to find out who is in charge of booking bands and send them your promo package. The venue may tell you when to contact that person again. If not, give them about a week, and follow up by phone or email. Keep trying until you get an answer. If you've haven't played live much, your best bet is to try to get on an existing bill with a band that already has a following. Keep in mind that if you book with a venue, you may be in charge of promoting the show yourself and paying venue rental fees, unless you are invited to join an existing concert bill. 4. Approach the Promoter If you'd rather not self-promote and take on venue fees, you can approach a promoter to get a gig. Send your promo pack to the promoter and follow up like you would with a venue. If a promoter agrees to get you a show, they will book the venue and promote the show for you, but you may need to send them posters you have made yourself to do so. If the promoter doesn't want to put you on by yourself yet, ask them if they have any shows you could play as an opening act. If they say no, check back from time to time to remind them you are available as a support act. 5. Research the Deal This is the trickiest part for most bands. When you are just getting started, you often will not make money on your shows. In fact, you may even end up paying something out of pocket. That doesn't mean it was all for nothing—building your fan base will mean that you do make money on future gigs. Don't pay money simply to get on a bill, and don't trust anyone who asks you to do so. If you do make money, you will either have a deal where you get paid a pre-agreed amount no matter how many people turn up, or you will have a door split deal. Either deal can be fine and fair. Focus on building your audience and not the money in the band's early stages. 6. Play the Gig It sounds obvious, but the way you handle a gig can have a lasting impact on your ability to get future shows. Show up on time for the soundcheck, and if other bands are playing, remember that everyone needs time for their soundcheck. Don't push it with promoters with the guest list. If you're part of a larger bill, you may not even have any space on the guest list. If you do, use what you have and be done with it. Don't try to get 50 of your closest cheapskate friends into every show for free. Be professional—there likely are to be free drinks around, but remember everyone is there to hear your music, not to see if you can handle your beer. Don't sell yourself short by getting on stage in anything but your top shape, ready to play a great show. Play a good show, be courteous and professional, and you'll have a better chance of getting more show offers.