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Play for free, huh? Not cool!
- Thread starter DWBass
- Start date
don’t worry, i’m sure they’re terrible. they won’t get repeat bookings.
Maybe they found the secret formula to pay their bills with exposure bucks...
Idiots don't realize they're hurting every single person in the industry.
not so fast! i've done that before to great advantage and success:
"we will be one of your top bands/draws! we have the 'stuff' and we will put that on the line = we'll play the first trip for nothing just to show you. and when you book us back = it will be for what we're worth/asking! a win/win potential with little-to-no risk for you!"
never had anything but a happy ending! and we raised the bar for everyone! it's possible,* just sayin'.
* it works better if you're really good at what you do!
"we will be one of your top bands/draws! we have the 'stuff' and we will put that on the line = we'll play the first trip for nothing just to show you. and when you book us back = it will be for what we're worth/asking! a win/win potential with little-to-no risk for you!"
never had anything but a happy ending! and we raised the bar for everyone! it's possible,* just sayin'.
* it works better if you're really good at what you do!
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
It's a thing to play one gig at a reduced rate to strut your stuff and get a crowd. These guys will play anywhere, anytime. Sounds more like they are just desperate to gig...not so fast! i've done that before to great advantage and success:
"we will be one of your top bands/draws! we have the 'stuff' and we will put that on the line = we'll play the first trip for nothing just to show you. and when you book us back = it will be for what we're worth/asking! a win/win potential with little-to-no risk for you!"
never had anything but a happy ending! and we raised the bar for everyone! it's possible,* just sayin'.
* it works better if you're really good at what you do!
Anywhere, any time.
we did it for free --- not a reduced rate. (that said, on some of those "free" dates: the owner paid us anyway = to guarantee/write a return date.) but in all cases, we were written into the lineup!
that was our motto, too, when we did this 'marketing style'.
we were, too. we wanted mo' better gigs.
yep: that's how it works...i think you've got it!
my point = it can work.
the point of most of the posts = some band we know nothing about is hurting business for everyone...and they probably sound like
.caveat: this marketing style only worked for us because we met in person to do the pitch. we didn't do this via CL or print ad. i think it requires some face-to-face, some cojones, and it has to be backed up with a good/great show.
Hobbying dentists and lawyers maybe?
This topic has been around a good bit
I don't agree with playing for free or cheap
Using a first time for free as a marketing tool is a great idea but very different than the weekend warrior rock star who drives down the going rates
In one thread the general consensus was playing for free or next to nothing was fine as these were usually local bar gigs and didn't matter to musicians in general
IDK but it feels wrong to me
JMTC though
I don't agree with playing for free or cheap
Using a first time for free as a marketing tool is a great idea but very different than the weekend warrior rock star who drives down the going rates
In one thread the general consensus was playing for free or next to nothing was fine as these were usually local bar gigs and didn't matter to musicians in general
IDK but it feels wrong to me
JMTC though
Hard to say. They may be anything from beginner wankers to maybe a bunch of experienced players that just don't care about the money any more.
Odds are, after a few free gigs the novelty will wear off and they'll either fade away or expect to get paid. They'll see how well that goes over at places they played for free.
Odds are, after a few free gigs the novelty will wear off and they'll either fade away or expect to get paid. They'll see how well that goes over at places they played for free.
Calling a band out for hurting the industry is one thing.
Calling them idiots and hoping that they're terrible is just downright mean.
And from a TB staff member too. I'm disappointed.
"Exposure Bucks", LOL, I love it!
"The band bar tab? Yes, I'll be paying with exposure bucks."
Assuming this is a good dance party crowd-pleasing band that picked the right songs and can execute (as it sounds like they are marketing themselves):
For a brand new band trying to establish a network of clients and talent buyers, it's a good business strategy with one big stipulation: We play your stage free ONCE, then if you like and want us back we ask the going rate you're paying other bands. And if I were in this band/situation, I'd agree to a finite number of freebies in a finite number of rooms (maybe 4-5, and they had better be decent places where I would like to be invited back).
Some markets can be very tough and competitive for new bands. If they are doing their own marketing and bookings (as opposed to paying an agent), they have to get noticed somehow.
We have a couple of rooms in the Denver Metro area that often do multi-band bills and have a ticket sales/bean counter at the door (pseudo- pay to play scenarios). Bands rarely make any money at the end of the night. It's largely an opportunity for originals bands who need the exposure, but it's not unusual for a cover band that needs some stage time (with full P.A. and lights) to accept a slot.
It's also a good way to get some action pics and video for more promo.
Start-ups are hard.
For a brand new band trying to establish a network of clients and talent buyers, it's a good business strategy with one big stipulation: We play your stage free ONCE, then if you like and want us back we ask the going rate you're paying other bands. And if I were in this band/situation, I'd agree to a finite number of freebies in a finite number of rooms (maybe 4-5, and they had better be decent places where I would like to be invited back).
Some markets can be very tough and competitive for new bands. If they are doing their own marketing and bookings (as opposed to paying an agent), they have to get noticed somehow.
We have a couple of rooms in the Denver Metro area that often do multi-band bills and have a ticket sales/bean counter at the door (pseudo- pay to play scenarios). Bands rarely make any money at the end of the night. It's largely an opportunity for originals bands who need the exposure, but it's not unusual for a cover band that needs some stage time (with full P.A. and lights) to accept a slot.
It's also a good way to get some action pics and video for more promo.
Start-ups are hard.
