Musician Resources

No one should feel guilty for asking to be compensated for their professional services. Working with venues and events where they pay musicians fairly not only ensures our local musicians’ livelihood, but also contributes to the flourishing of the artistic landscape.

Suggested Music Rate Ranges Per Musician

• First Gig/Early Career – $100-$200

• Mid Career – $300-$700

• Experienced – $800+

Click here for a comprehensive venue list from Jackson Area Musicians (JAMS).

Considerations When Choosing a Venue

• Capacity – When pitching to venues, they’ll likely ask about your typical audience size. Once established locally, you’ll know how many fans you consistently attract. Aim to book venues slightly smaller than your draw to ensure a full house. For instance, if you usually draw 50 people, choose a venue with a capacity of 45. Selling out a smaller venue creates a more vibrant atmosphere and makes your event feel exclusive, encouraging prompt ticket purchases for future shows.

• Ages – Be aware of the demographic the venue you choose appeals to. If your target demographic does not align with the venues, you should reconsider if playing there is worth your time. You should try to book all ages or 18+ shows whenever possible. Remember what it was like before you were 21 and couldn’t get into clubs to see your favorite bands.

• Vibe – Match your music genre with the venue’s vibe. Metal bands and coffee shops don’t mix well, just as singer/songwriters might find clubs unsuitable. Research venues that cater to a demographic and atmosphere similar to your fanbase.

• Payment – While venue policies on payment vary, aim for a fair negotiation that benefits both parties.

• Promotion – Keep in mind, many venues mainly offer to display your posters and list your event on their calendar. Social media promotion might not be their thing, so it’s smart to clarify upfront what promotional efforts they’ll handle and what falls on you. While some venues might actively market events in the local scene, it’s often up to the band to drive the bulk of the promotional work.

• Advance Tickets – Not every venue sets up advance sales by default. It’s worth checking their event calendar or having a conversation to ensure advance tickets are available for your show. Getting this sorted early can help build anticipation and ensure your fans secure their spots ahead of time.

• Sound – The sound engineer can make or break your performance. Opt for venues with stellar sound reputations or consider bringing your own sound engineer to guarantee your performance sounds exactly as intended.

• Perks – Not every venue will offer perks like complimentary drinks for the band, discounted food, or reserved parking, but some do, so it’s always good to ask. Also, if you’re looking for a green room or a private area to relax before your performance, make sure to check if the venue can provide this.

The venue is a direct reflection on your band. Your fans will associate your band with the venue they saw you in – for better or for worse. So be mindful when deciding where you perform.

*Source The Bridge, 9 Things to Consider When Choosing a Venue

• What is the arrival time, including allowances for unloading and sound checks?

• Who is the point person during the performance?

• When is our performance scheduled to start, and how long should the first set be compared to others?

• What is the expected finish time?

• How many breaks are required during our performance?

• What catering needs will be met (e.g., are water bottles, meals, and snacks provided or discounted)?

• Will lighting and sound equipment be provided by the venue?

• If not, will our lighting and sound equipment (or P.A.) be suitable for the venue’s size?

• Is a sound technician available on-site?

• Is there easy access to load in and out?

• Are there specific songs the venue requests the band to play?

• Is there a green room available?

• Is setting up a merch table permitted?

It is always best practice to send over a contract that clearly states what is agreed upon for the event including the responsibilities of each party. This can be done through a simple email, or, for larger corporations and businesses, a legitimate contract should be used.

• Develop your scene by remaining active and building relationships in your local community.

• Crack through local gatekeepers by getting to know who manages the local and regional venues. You can do this by going to their businesses to meet them, ordering food and drinks, tipping the servers, remembering names, and remaining positive within conversations, making sure to follow them on social media as well.

• Always look at a show as a partnership; don’t expect the venue to do all the work. Let them know that you’ll do everything you can to sell the show.

• Partner with other bands and help them get shows in your area. Gig swaps are highly important and successful. Don’t think that just having one band on a bill is enough; the more, the merrier.

• Have an email pitch ready to go that has available dates (more than one), performers, if multiple (styles, setlist, and equipment), audience (potential number of attendees – include proof), and promotional ideas (i.g. on social media). Accolades can be listed under the signature.

• Every venue you will perform at will be different. Be sure to be flexible, prepared, and knowledgeable.

• On the day of the show, have your music ready to perform, merchandise available, and equipment functional.

*Source Ari Herstand, How to Make it in the New Music Business 2017

• Create videos of your shows (1-2 mins) to post on social media. Make sure these are high quality and include all the bands on the bill. Be sure to work with each band to promote the video after the show. Making a show-specific video legitimizes the specific show and turns it into an event. You can also create shorter promotional videos (around 15 seconds) for Instagram and Twitter. Post a couple before your next show with a link to where they can purchase their tickets (if available).

• Shows sell – events sell out, so make sure each show is unique. Have fun with it and don’t be afraid to incorporate elements that are uniquely “you!”

• Create a unique, high-quality poster Create a distinctive, professional poster for every show. If you’re not connected with a graphic designer, platforms like 99designs, Guru, or Fiverr offer access to talented individuals. Alternatively, design tools like Canva can help you DIY, but aim for a sleek, professional finish to positively impact your promotion. If the budget allows, consider creating limited edition screen-printed versions for signing by all participating artists, offering them as merchandise or exclusive prizes for attendees. Utilize this poster across all social media channels, including Facebook Events, Instagram, Twitter, and beyond, to maximize visibility and drive conversation and attendance.

• Sell tickets in advance when possible. Getting people to purchase tickets in advance ensures they will come and encourages friends to buy tickets together. This also legitimizes the show and makes people feel more comfortable about coming out.

• Run contests for promotion efforts and advance ticket purchases. Consider running promotional contests and offering incentives for advance ticket purchases. For example, you might create goodie bags for ticket holders featuring merchandise from the performing bands or organize social media challenges that encourage sharing of the event’s video, poster, and ticket links.

• Include other popular bands to make a great set list. If each band brings 50 of its own followers or fans, that makes a considerable increase in attendance. Those in the local music scene will also love to see four bands on one bill together. Get together with bands who are well known in the area. If they are not well known yet, that is okay! Just make sure they are hard working and will help in promotional efforts. Don’t bring on a band unless they are willing to follow the promotional necessities to make it a success.

• Contact local media if it is a larger event. You have the tools to grab local media attention if the event is expected to bring a larger crowd.

• Get a sponsor through a local company (like beer, wine, or gear), brand, newspaper or radio station that will get behind the event. This will be a partnership for the event’s duration a will give the sponsor the opportunity to be associated with a popular event and will be included in all the promotions. You can then request airtime, or ad space, for example, in return.

*Source The Bridge, 10 Steps to Sell Out Your Show

Word of mouth travels quickly in the music industry. Just as musicians share their negative experiences with venues, venues also talk about their experiences with musicians. While this might seem daunting, remember that positive stories spread just as easily. Strive to be known for the right reasons. Cultivating a supportive attitude and culture benefits all involved and contributes to the enrichment of the music scene in the city we cherish. Keep following these guidelines to contribute to the betterment of the music community in the city we love so much.

• Know bar staff, servers, and hosts and give them shout-outs and tips. This shows your appreciation and helps build the relationship for securing more gigs at the venue in the future.

• If you do not act professionally, you will not be taken seriously. Treat your band and music as a business. Consider setting up an LLC.

• Venue owners are typically very busy. To make a great first impression during your initial meeting or call, come prepared with all your questions, referencing the guidance provided above. Repeated messages before your gig could jeopardize future bookings if you’re perceived as challenging to work with. Aim to be strategic and proactive, ready to solve problems as they arise. After your first performance at a venue, you’ll find that many of your initial questions are answered, making subsequent events smoother and more straightforward.