The Business of Music

Demos (Tapes, CDS, Videos)

 

Have a demo tape or already released CD available at all times. This should be a part of your "Business Package" that you carry around at all times. The performers that get the most gigs are not always the best musicians but for sure have or are the best promoters.

Best song first - Cut out long solos, long intros and endings, repeated choruses, etc. Have a truncated version ready. (3 minute, 5 minute , 10 minute...). Note: I actually have a demo for my solo (accompanied with custom backgrounds) performances that is only ten minutes long and stuffs in 12 songs to showcase the variety. This has been well received. For the jazz trio that I'm in we have a 12 minute demo with 4 standards. No long solos, trading fours, drum or bass solos, etc. Save that for the gig.

Custom Demos - Be able to create any type of demo requested.

Record for Lowest Common Denominator Format - Make sure cassette will playable in a car radio. And, not a good one at that. Record it with the hottest levels possible, leave off noise reduction, and use "compression". A lot of professional recording studios have a 5 inch car radios speaker that use to listen to the mix. The studio that I record at has three separate speaker systems to listen to the mix. And, I always leave with a casette to play in the car.

The Art Of Recording By David Liebman. For singers, vocalists, drums, bass, guitar, flute, clarinet, violin, viola, piano, keyboard, organ, saxophone, trombone, trumpet harmonica. A wealth of practical no-nonsense tips based on 25 years in the recording industry. Level: beginner, intermediate, advanced. Book. Published by Jamey Aebersold Jazz. (REC) See more info...

Professional Presentation - Have casette shells labeled or printed and J-cards. Print the J-cards on the face, spine and flap as well as the cover. Also print additional information inside. PRINT - DO NOT HANDWRITE. Presentation is everything.

Canned business letter. Letters of introduction and thank you letters for after a gig can go a long way towards presenting a very professional image. Remember you performance image is NOT you business image. Save the rock'n'roll image for the performance.

With a Kinko's in almost every town it is very easy to look professional. After establishing an image in you promotional materials its very easy whip up something in a short time when the need arises. With my letterhead and logo established I was able to whip up a three fold flyer for a weekend gig on Thursday nite, run down to the local Kinko's and I picked it up Friday afternoon. And with desktop publishing doing your own collateral materials is simple. I would stress the you search out a graphic artist and writer to help you out. You don't have to spend a lot and maybe can count on friends. Just remember you usually get what you pay for. Check with other artists and see what they do.

I have found out that next to my Macintosh the next best thing I ever did was get a DAT machine. I've been able to just about everything myself.

Promo Goodies

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Any little goodie that promotes you name or business. Example can be as standard as the tried and true t-shirt, or any number of novelty goodies like key chains, mugs, pencils and the like. Your local quickie printer will have access to all these goodies.

Remember to track how well one promotion does over another. Draw your ideas and management techniques from the business community. There is no difference in how you promote yourself or band that how any product is promoted. You find you target market then tailor your marketing to that market.

Im my previous life I worked for a direct mail insurance company as an art director and before a mailing was made to a list of millions. A smaller test of three different packages (they where called "kits") was generated and tracked. The one with the most response was the winner and rolled out to the list of several million.

Here is a link to: musicians.about.com

What To Bring

 

Besides the obvious. Bring a spare everything. Guitar, Amps, Mixer... And have all ready to go when needed. You need to deliver what you sold.

Create a check list. Just like a pilot you can't step out and get what you need in the middle of a gig or flight ;-)

Press Kit

 

Photo(s) - Establishes your image and serves as your press photo. 8 X 10 black-and-white prints. Print name and contact information in photo. Give photographer credit. Print lots and distribute freely.

Press Clippings - If you have 'em, use 'em. Format to fit your press package.

Biography - Keep it short and interesting.

Demo - Include the right tape for the occasion.

Business Card

Press Folder - Handy place to keep all the press kit stuff.

Traveling Tips

 

A check list of stuff to take on the road.

A triple A ( AAA) membership is a worthwhile investment for the traveling musician or band.

The Gigging Musician How to Get, Play, and Keep the Gig. Book (not sheet music). Size 5x9.2 inches. 158 pages. Published by Backbeat Books. (330740) See more info...

Guide To The Road For The Touring Musician By David Liebman. For singers, vocalists, drums, bass, guitar, flute, clarinet, violin, viola, piano, keyboard, organ, saxophone, trombone, trumpet harmonica. The experience of playing on the road in an important survival manual for all musicians. Level: beginner, intermediate, advanced. Book. Published by Jamey Aebersold Jazz. (ROAD) See more info...

• How-to-Books - Not how to play books. But books related to you equipment. (Sound, Amps, Repairing your guitar, etc...)
• Recording Equipment - Small portable recording device to record your ideas. Doesn't need to be fancy.
• Resource Books - Phone/Fax numbers of resource where you are going. Clubs, Studios, Musicians, etc...
• Metronome, Drum Machine - For practicing.
• Ear Plugs - Especially for loud venues. This applies more to rock'n'rollers.
• Dolly or Hand Truck - You never know how far you'll have to truck your equipment. One trip in is the goal. This is really good when you're in a "not so safe" area for a gig.
• Maps - Noting knowing where to go. This is where the AAA membership can help.
• Contact Information - Phone numbers of someone to contact regarding the gig.
• TIPS FOR TRAVELING SAFELY WITH MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS - link

Estimating Costs

 

Estimating what to change for your services is one of the hardest things to do. A little research can go a long way to helping you establish your fees. Set your fees and stick with them. But - remember fees are negotiable. Just become a better negotiate so it's not you that is always budging. Remember money is but one part of the equation, you can adjust the time, barter for some goods and services that you might need. Be creative!

Check with fellow musicians and see what the going rate is for the same type of work you are doing. Have a rate sheet available on request. This will present an image that some thought has gone into this and your not making this stuff up on the spot. And, be willing to negotiate. Once you get a gig it is a lot easier to get follow-up gigs.

Note: Add 50 to 100% for New Years Eve.M/p>

Finding a Gig

 

If you're like me this is the hard part of the music business. Being a salesman ;-(.

The Gigging Musician How to Get, Play, and Keep the Gig. Book (not sheet music). Size 5x9.2 inches. 158 pages. Published by Backbeat Books. (330740) See more info...

Finding Gigs resources and articles

• Ultimate Concert and Club List - http://www.ubl.com/concert/clubs.html
• GIG Magazine - This is a great mag that I ran across in Borders Book Store and have put on my list of must have source of information. They have on online presence at Gig Mag Online.
  • Ringing in the Dough by Debra Davis. This article takes about how the holiday season can be a gold mine for a musician.
• The Wedding Music Information Source - www.nuwebny.com/wedmusic
• gigtrak.com - gigtrak.com

Listings of Jazz Festivals around the world

• musicians.about.com Jazz Festivals
• all about jazz Festival Guide

Finding Band Members (Musicians)

 

• The Art of Finding Band Members by Cliff Suttle. This is a great article with tips and guidelines for finding the right musicians.
• Craig's List - philadelphia.craigslist.org

  Find your Craig's List location on this page and go from there.

• The Musician Search Site - www.musiciansearch.com
• Musicians Contact - www.musicianscontact.com

Business Resources

 

gigmasters.com

Live Entertainment Booking Agents, Wedding Music, DJs, Party Music Bands.