By Jeri Goldstein
Let's say you know of a venue in town you would either like to play or where
you already have a gig.
I would start by doing a little research about the town. I'd check the local
websites for the town and the chamber of commerce to get some idea of what
else is in the town. I'd look for schools, colleges, businesses and organizations.
I would also look for any locally sponsored events like fairs and festivals
depending on the time of year you are planning to play that town as well as
the regional location. When you plan tours far enough in advance, you are able
to take advantage of a town's recurring annual events and events planned around
special holidays.
The benefit of playing an elementary school or even a college gig means that
it won't interfere with the anchor date at the other venue if it's an evening
gig.
If you are unable to line up a main stream gig at a club or concert venue,
then I'd focus attention on your mailing list in the area and try to line up
multiple house concerts within the same town.
The great benefit here is that by doing private events and house concerts
for your personal fans, it is unlikely that having two, three or even four
house concerts in one town will ever overlap fans since each fan has their
own friends and family. So instead of playing a gig for 2-6 people at a club
on a Saturday night, you might be able to turn a potentially bad gig into a
multi-night stay and play for 20 people or more at each house concert.
Tap your fans for info about every gig you have booked right now and see if
they can share some valuable background about their town. Use your fans to
do some research for you and begin to extend your tours by multiplying your
tour dates, one town at a time.
And, I invite you to learn more about this and other topics important to your
career development and to sign up for my free weekly audio Biz Booster Hot
Tip! Every Monday you'll get another valuable strategy and technique that you
can put to use immediately. Plus, get my Free report: 5 Booking Strategies
that Work when you sign up. http://www.performingbiz.com
Jeri
Goldstein is the author of, How To Be Your Own Booking Agent The Musician's & Performing
Artist's Guide To Successful Touring 3rd Edition.
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