help crafting a "boycott 'free exposure' gigs" posting

WarriorJoe7 · #1 06-01-2009, 06:55 AM

Hey I was wondering if anyone wanted to help create a funny but serious posting for craigslist and other places where we let musicians know how it hurts everyone when they plays free gigs 'for exposure' and what a load of crap that is.

I am sure some of you guys can do better than this (as evidenced by the craigslist posts) but something like

Now you can be sure that as soon as you hear the words "free exposure" that monkeys will fly out of your butt before you actually get any "exposure" from this gig. But you are assured of one thing... undercutting both yourself and other musicians.

See... I am too serious... not funny... I suck at humor when trying to illustrate a point. My humor has to be nonsensical.

help! Perhaps a nonsensical title would help.

Oh yeah and it's ok to mention that it's ok to do a fundraiser for a nonprofit every once in awhile, but you do it because you sincerely believe in the fundraiser, NOT because of 'free exposure.'

So please put your ideas here and someone weave the ideas together into something coherent. Also this is important. What should we title it to grab attention?

Then everybody can take from the ideas and form their own postings for their local area.

oh yeah and moderators, I was having a hard time figuring out where to post this... I put it here since this was the humorous story area... please move if needed

WarriorJoe7 · #2 06-01-2009, 06:59 AM

oh yeah I forgot. Some people here will oppose this or want to argue about it. Please go to this thread to do so... *runs off to find other thread* I will be right back...

edit: here we go! http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f32/first-gig-free-467756-post6245422/

two fingers · #3 06-01-2009, 07:51 AM

I'll think on it and get back to you later. But I agree with your premise.

Bhuti · #4 06-01-2009, 08:08 AM

I'm ready and willing to participate.

SteveC · #5 06-01-2009, 08:23 AM

I will never understand why people do those gigs. It hurts ALL of us in the long run. There is no such thing as getting "exposure" from a "free gig" and it won't lead to your "breakthrough" gig either. I can see doing a "charity" gig. We've done those. But really, you may think you'll get "exposure" or someone might promise you exposure, but in MOST cases, it is simply not true - at least in my experience.

HogieWan · #6 06-01-2009, 08:24 AM

I'll post in my area(s)

stylonpilson · #7 06-01-2009, 08:26 AM

I would help you write your advert, but what would you pay me for my efforts?

Free exposure?

S.P.

Ubersheist · #8 06-01-2009, 09:41 AM

Well, go on with your bad self, but unless you're selling out 1000 seat places all the time, or your band works 4 or more nights a week at decent paying gigs, there's no real, livable money in gigging anyway. Pretty much any gig out there is for 'free exposure.'

I don't know about you, but if my band is getting $500 a gig for 7-8 gigs a month (which is pretty darn good by most standards), that's still only a few hundred extra a month in my pocket after it's split between the members and the band fund. I still have to keep my day job, and I still am not 'living the dream.'

My synopsis: Even if you're technically getting paid, you're probably just doing it for the fun and the exposure, not to make a living anyway.

D Rokk · #9 06-01-2009, 09:57 AM

ur doing it wrong.. you have it backwards.. make a CL post about why you SHOULD be doing exposure gigs for free. .. and make it dripping with sarcasm

WarriorJoe7 · #10 06-01-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D Rokk

ur doing it wrong.. you have it backwards.. make a CL post about why you SHOULD be doing exposure gigs for free. .. and make it dripping with sarcasm

GREAT idea... I am listening

derekd · #11 06-01-2009, 11:18 AM

My rationale is that one of the biggest problems for us in society today is, people believe music should be free. "File sharing" is a big reason for this. Imo, for musos to "file share" is cannibalism. Gigging by hobbyists for free, or just beer, etc, takes food out of the mouths of guys trying to make a living.

Call'em scabs if you want, that would be the union term. So, in addition to having a responsibility to our FT working muso brethren, we need to combat the idea that music should be free.

BigKahuna13 · #12 06-01-2009, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ubersheist

Well, go on with your bad self, but unless you're selling out 1000 seat places all the time, or your band works 4 or more nights a week at decent paying gigs, there's no real, livable money in gigging anyway. Pretty much any gig out there is for 'free exposure.'

I don't know about you, but if my band is getting $500 a gig for 7-8 gigs a month (which is pretty darn good by most standards), that's still only a few hundred extra a month in my pocket after it's split between the members and the band fund. I still have to keep my day job, and I still am not 'living the dream.'

My synopsis: Even if you're technically getting paid, you're probably just doing it for the fun and the exposure, not to make a living anyway.

That's really not the point. I'll never live off the money I make gigging - it really only allows me to buy new strings and take the wife out for a nice meal, but I am a professional, I bring a professional attitude to my work as a musician, and I deserve to be paid for it. It doesn't matter at all that I can't quit my day job.

And going further, the bar makes money off my work. They should pay for it.

Rudreax · #13 06-01-2009, 11:27 AM

I don't have any good ideas for this, but I agree with what you're trying to do and I'll watch what happens from the sideline.

Also, follow D Rokk's idea.

WarriorJoe7 · #14 06-01-2009, 11:31 AM

take the payment discussion to the other thread I posted please... thanks!

I like D-rokks idea. i may play around with it today. I have a feeling I might have to get this party started even though i suck at it.

WarriorJoe7 · #15 06-01-2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stylonpilson

I would help you write your advert, but what would you pay me for my efforts?

Free exposure?

S.P.

LOL I hope you mean this in jest... because I am not going to get paid for this... so neither are you

superbassman2000 · #16 06-01-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D Rokk

ur doing it wrong.. you have it backwards.. make a CL post about why you SHOULD be doing exposure gigs for free. .. and make it dripping with sarcasm

I like this one better

lol because everyone knows that record company execs generally go to those run-down scuzzy bars that offer free exposure lol

WarriorJoe7 · #17 06-01-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbassman2000

I like this one better

lol because everyone knows that record company execs generally go to those run-down scuzzy bars that offer free exposure lol

This will be a line I use. Thanks superbassman.

So next time someone promises you free exposure, ask them what headlining band related to your music they are bringing in to get you exposure.

D Rokk · #18 06-01-2009, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarriorJoe7

GREAT idea... I am listening

i'll let the whitty writing to those with some whit..

i'm no sniper, i'm more the guy with the bazooka.. point in the right direction and hope for the best...

superbassman2000 · #19 06-01-2009, 01:33 PM

you could also mention how playing for money obviously makes you a sellout

denhou1974 · #20 06-01-2009, 01:45 PM

I'll sign up .... for a small fee.