Getting The Gig

This week, I thought I would touch on the topic of getting the gig. Its great when you know someone to help you get your foot in the door, but what about beyond that? Well, you need a Press Kit. Attempting to book a gig is basically a sales pitch. Before you begin looking for gigs, you should prepare your presentation, usually in the form of a press kit. The press kit, similar to a personal resume, is often the first impression of your band (or product). It is imperative that a band with professional aspirations invest adequate time and money into making the best presentation possible. Each band's press kit will be different, and kits can be modified to fit an individual situation. Here are a few items which will likely be included in any press kit.--Recorded material, live or studio recordings--A concise biography or history of the band--Any positive press, include the date/publication--Photograph, A good live photo will work in a pinch--A listing or reference from venues already played. The best advice we can give is to keep your kits efficient and as inexpensive as possible. Check out these books on how to build killer press kits. With good press kits built you are ready to attack the challenges of booking original music. As you have probably already learned, this is where it gets tough. DO NOT get discouraged! This is a tough business and club managers and bookers are some of the toughest people to impress. Many times the rejections or unresponsiveness you will undoubtedly encounter have nothing to do with your presentation, music or salesmanship. You must keep yourself focused and excited about each new prospect. Proper follow-up can sometimes turn a 'dead' prospect into an opportunity.