Hello, friend.
I am always asked 'What do I do next in my music career' 'How can I reach those bigger income months as a musician' and 'How can I get more gigs' and the answer is not just a straightforward one. The truth is to get success in any industry, you need to follow a few basic steps and have regular contact with each of them to see big results.
It's a combination of many moving parts and it may seem overwhelming, but listen, this is your career and your vocation, right? It's the thing that keeps you up at night wondering how to reach more fans, sign more clients, and have a bigger impact on your music and live career - and, it's the reason you were put on planet Earth, to make music! So take it one step and one day at a time, roll your sleeves up, and let's get stuck in together.
I've written some points below on how you can thoroughly optimize your live event music booking procedures and establish a thriving career in music, follow these steps:
Streamline Booking Procedures:
Implement an online booking system for gig requests and inquiries to speed up the process.
Maintain a professional and up-to-date EPK (Electronic Press Kit) including bio (written in the third person), high-quality photos (both live and studio quality), music samples, and testimonials.
Use email templates for responding to inquiries and negotiating terms.
Raise Your Fees:
Regularly evaluate your market value and adjust your fees accordingly, it may feel tough but if you aren't charging enough for what you offer, chances are it's doing your band and music business more harm than good!
Highlight your unique selling points and emphasize the precise value you bring to events, do you offer free lights and an audio sound system? Tell people!
Stand Out in the Marketplace:
Develop a unique stage presence or signature style that sets you apart from competitors, many function bands follow the same style. Can you make a unique event act that clients will love?
Collaborate with visual artists to create a distinctive visual identity that appeals to your target audience.
Use social media creatively to showcase your personality and music on a regular basis.
Work-Life Balance:
Set clear boundaries for work hours and personal time to prevent burnout, turn your time off, and schedule real downtime. Because music is a vocation its too easy to always be at work.
Use time management techniques in your calendar to allocate time for practicing, marketing, and relaxation. Color code it and set reminders and stick to it!
Career Planning:
Define what your short-term and long-term goals are to guide your career progression and check in with yourself once a quarter.
Regularly assess your achievements, your goals and adapt your plan accordingly to suit you every 90 days.
PR Campaigns and Media Profile:
Craft compelling press releases that highlight your achievements, upcoming projects, and your unique story.
Develop a professional media bio that captures your journey, influences, and accomplishments.
Collaborate with PR professionals to secure media coverage and interviews.
Backstage Management Systems:
Use software tools for managing band schedules, rehearsals, and communication.
Implement a digital document management system for contracts, riders, and other important documents.
Artistic Direction:
Collaborate with visual and stage designers to create a visually engaging live act.
Continuously evolve your performance to keep audiences engaged.
Event Promotions and ROI:
Develop a strategic marketing plan for each event you run yourself, utilizing social media, email campaigns, and partnerships.
Track your promotional efforts and evaluate the ROI of each event.
Building Audience and Fan Funnel:
Engage with fans on social media through regular posts, live streams, and Q&A sessions.
Create a mailing list to directly connect with fans and update them about upcoming events.
Corporate Events Space:
Tailor your live act to suit corporate event audiences, focusing on versatility and professionalism.
Showcase your ability to provide entertainment that aligns with various event themes.
Branding and Marketing:
Conduct regular audits of your promotional materials to ensure consistency and professionalism.
Update your branding materials regularly to reflect your evolving image, and to effectively communicate what you do.
Have 1-1 Business Coaching:
Get a mentor or a coach to help you take shortcuts and give you tailored 1-1 feedback on your marketing. All the best experts in the world hire business coaches, it is the fastest way to see success.
Seek professional guidance on your marketing, your music bookings, and your career strategy in general.
Work on Your Money Mindset and Energy Healing:
Take workshops and dive into resources to develop and cultivate a positive money mindset.
Stay in tune with your energy and feelings when running your show business, working with energy healers to provide holistic support for overcoming mental blocks will help you constantly evolve.
Remember that success in the music industry takes time and dedication. Continuously assess and refine your strategies to adapt to changing market dynamics and audience preferences.
If you would like any help with getting your idea off the ground, marketing yourself in a really authentic way, and flexing your musician entrepreneurial muscles then you can do one of two things come and join me in the FREE FB group or book a virtual cuppa with me directly, we can chat over your goals and see what your next steps are.
Hello! I'm Kerri Layton.
Singer, booking agent, and music industry mentor with 16+ years of experience, I help professional musicians achieve work-life balance and thrive spiritually, financially, and creatively. Through personalized coaching, group programs, and masterminds, I heal various aspects of musicians' lives and businesses, enabling financial sustainability and unlocking their full potential. My mission is to empower musicians to release their creative visions to the world and share their talents while achieving productivity and balance. With a freebie that has helped over 100 musicians get structure in their day and make money, I understand the challenges of being a freelance musician and offer support and structure to help them succeed. Let's brin
g more music into the world and help musicians thrive doing what they love.