Top 10 ways musicians can get more money from a gig

You are an artist, it is true. But just because you’re an artist doesn’t mean you don’t need to get paid. Money makes many things possible, including time in a recording studio, new and better instruments, and paying rent so you don’t have to live in a cardboard box and burn your guitar for warmth. There is nothing wrong with making money from your programs and if you are smart you will try to maximize that earning power. You don’t have to be a marketing whiz or a PR guru, just think outside the box and make the most of what you already have going for you.

1. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you’re worth.

Just because you want the job doesn’t mean you have to beg for it. If you have experience performing and regularly draw a crowd, your venue will benefit as much, if not more, from the show as you do. So don’t let them tell you it’s not worth paying as much as a “bigger name”. It’s also a good idea to go in and tell them exactly what you’re doing to build excitement about the show. If they can see that you are working to attract a crowd, they will be much more willing to pay you a good rate.

2. Don’t run a huge bar tab.

Take a lesson from the Blues Brothers. If you’re buying your own drinks at the show, it’s going to lower your bottom line. You don’t want to end up owing them money for playing a show. A couple of beers to keep you chilled isn’t much, but when you start buying round after round of premium drinks, you’re going to rack up a big bill. Not to mention that it will affect your performance. You may not think that’s a problem… but neither does Amy Winehouse. Stay on top of your game while you’re on stage. There is plenty of time for fun after the show.

3. Sell T-shirts, stickers, and CDs at the fair.

A small investment in your own marketing merchandise can help generate income. Make sure what you sell is great in design and functionality. You can’t go wrong with t-shirts, as long as they don’t look cheesy. Don’t try to sell them for $40 each. You’re not Pink Floyd (yet). The kids who go to your show aren’t loaded, but they will happily buy and wear your t-shirt if it’s affordable and looks good. That’s free advertising. Stickers and other inexpensive items can also bring in some extra cash. Remember, you’re not trying to get rich off these things, just make a small profit and get your name out there.

4. The tip jar

It never hurts to leave it there. And even if you only get a few bucks, that’s a few bucks more than you had before. Be sure to sincerely thank the audience for their advice before closing the show.

5. Build excitement to ensure a large crowd.

If you get part of the cover, you’ll want to do everything in your power to attract people. That means getting out and about for weeks before the show, printing flyers and cards, asking friends and family to spread the word, and using your contacts to get people to come to the show. Even if there is no cover art, the more people who come to your show, the more opportunities you have to sell your CDs and t-shirts and get tips. Don’t leave it to chance – work hard to get people to attend the show and it will pay off in more ways than one.

6. Make sure your venue attracts people who like your music.

If you’re an acoustic singer/songwriter, don’t try to play at a club known for head banging. It sounds simple enough, but there is something to be said for playing for regulars who are used to going to the place where you are playing. Go to a few shows in the same place beforehand and hang out. See who’s there and talk to a few people about your next show. People who are already there are more likely to return than people who have never been there, even if they know who you are.

7. Look for different kinds of places, not just the same old bar scene.

There are many places where you can play to earn a few bucks. Large corporations often host parties a couple of times a year to celebrate holidays or sales performance. Schools have festivals and events. There are endless places where you can draw a crowd and sell your CDs. Think out of the box!

8. Make sure you have a website and blog, and a mailing list to remind people where they can see you!

This is such an important piece to gain recognition and money. Make sure people know how to find you online. Every piece of advertising or marketing you do should have your website address on it. Keep your site regularly updated and post information about upcoming shows. When your shows are over, be sure to immediately post photos and videos. Respond to inquiries from fans, potential venues, and the press. You can also sell MP3s of your songs or the entire CD on your website to generate income. There are literally endless possibilities, and with today’s web tools, it’s becoming easier for anyone to create and manage their own website. More importantly, once you’re on the Web, people all over the world will be able to find you and listen to your music. Think big and make yourself available to an unlimited fan base.

9. Treat your reservation professionally.

Be sure to keep track of phone numbers, dates, and venue contacts. This will ensure repeat bookings. Until you make it big and have a real business manager, you’re going to have to keep things organized. Some people are naturally good at this, and others, well… they’re not. At a minimum, get a large calendar and jot down phone numbers and important dates and times to keep track of. The more you treat your gang like a business, the more money you’re going to make.

10. Stay after the show and work the room.

Don’t pack your things and leave the club when you’re done playing. Unless it’s closing time, spend some time relaxing with the crowd and talking to people. When you finish your show, you have a bit of ‘star quality’ that comes from being in the spotlight for the duration of the show. When you take the time to walk around and thank people for coming, introduce yourself to people and tell them your CD is for sale, or hand them your card with your website on it, you’re doing yourself an invaluable service. Try this for three programs in a row and I guarantee you will see great results.