© 2009 Vinny Ribas
Being on stage with an appreciative audience is a very exhilarating experience. It is awesome feeling ‘popular’, even if it is just for a little while. However, in between shows, taking care of the business of getting gigs, marketing yourself, sending out contracts etc can be very frustrating. This is especially true if you have to do it all yourself!
I would be willing to bet that many of your friends, family and/or fans would be more than willing to help you if they only knew what to do. There is something about being part of someone else’s success that we all enjoy. For many fans, helping out is their way of feeling closer than ‘the other fans’ to an artist that they like. In most cases, all you need to do is ask.
Here are a bunch of things that you can ask others to help you with that will lighten the your burden. Some require specific skills, while others can be done by just about anyone.[private_member]
- Spread the word about you via their social networks
- Hang posters or pass out flyers when and where it is appropriate
- Designing posters, business cards etc
- Calling radio stations and requesting your song[private_member]
- Calling venues to ask if you will be performing there (create a demand)
- Designing or revamping your website, or just keeping it up to date
- Managing your social network pages
- Researching appropriate venues for you to call for booking
- Making hotel and/or plane reservations for you
- Blogging about you or on your behalf
- Selling tickets to your shows
- Helping at your merchandise table
- Selling or taking tickets at the door
- Managing your CD/merchandise inventory
- Convincing people to come to your shows
- Voting for you in contests
- Brainstorming on unique marketing ideas
- Anything else that doesn’t require you to do personally!
There is one rule that makes this strategy work. You need to be a giver as well, helping others whenever you can. Better yet, you need to be willing to ‘pay it forward’ by helping others without expecting anything in return. What goes around comes around. The more you help others, the more others will be willing to go the extra mile to help you.
Lastly, don’t forget about bartering. For example, if someone you know a graphic designer who is getting married, maybe you can get him or her to design some promotional items for you in exchange for performing at their service or reception. Remember that it has to be a win-win or you shouldn’t play![/private_member]
