You need to sell merch — here’s why
Why pass up the chance to make additional revenue, build your artist brand, and cement a special connection with your fans?
Read the post.
touring
The importance of merch for today’s working musician
Being blind hasn’t stopped Joey Stuckey from living a life of intention, joy, and music-making. He also helps design and sell his merch, which is a big part of his revenue stream as an indie artist. Read the post.
Conquer your phone phobia and book better gigs
Building relationships, knowing what a booking agent is looking for, and being prepared when you call can help you master booking your act. Read the post.
Six ways to earn extra money on tour
If you’re having trouble making the numbers work as you’re planning to hit the road with your band, think creatively about ways to earn more money on tour. Read the post.
Calculating a tour budget
Hitting the road can be a wonderful way to share your music, expand your fanbase, and have amazing experiences. But when you add up all the costs, it can be pretty expensive, so you’d better make a tour budget before you book those gigs. Read the post.
How to get the attention of a talent buyer or booking agent
You’ve put together a great set of music and you’re ready to perform. How do you make a connection and impress a talent buyer to book you for a high-profile gig? Read More.
A new release strategy for a new music economy
Indie artist Megan Slankard is finding success in the new music economy through the fan-support platform of Patreon – reducing risk and rewarding trust among her steadily growing fan base. Read More.
#TourLife hacks: CDs, merch, and fan appreciation with The Accidentals
From playing shows to selling CDs and merch to finding time for self care, life on the road requires a balance between your personal, public, and business life. The Accidentals share some #TourLife hacks with us. Read More.
Sick for the gig? Here are tips to get through the show in one piece.
Here are some practical tips to help you deal when stars (and germs) align to make you sick for the gig you’ve been looking forward to play. Read more.
Why can’t every day be a music festival?
We usually use music festivals as an escape from our normal lives. What I’ve been trying to do lately is keep a well-balanced, festival-like attitude and outlook all year round. To treat people with the same attitude and outlook I have towards them while I’m walking through the music festival on its trails and through the woods. Read more.
Don’t wait ’til the day after to get music instrument insurance
Sasha Brown of Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds had set an appointment to get music instrument insurance. Two days before the call, $11K worth of instruments were stolen out of the band’s van. Read more.
How to gig more without overexposing yourself
If you want to perform live more than just once a month, there are plenty of ways to fill up your performance schedule without saturating a particular market. Four basic strategies you should consider include: 1) A club residency, 2) Alternate format performances, 3) Dual territory performances, 4) A tour. Read more.
Another awful music gig
In “Tales of the worst music gigs ever,” we shared a handful of on-the-gig horror stories and lessons learned from them. While those stories were all wrenching in their own rights, here is one from New York bassist Dmitry Ishenko that stands in a category of its own. Read more.
Tales of the worst music gigs ever
Every musician has stories of the best gig ever, that performances where the music, the crowd, and the stars aligned. Then there’s those other times when nothing goes right. Gear explodes, drunks attack, people vanish… But even the worst gigs can be valuable learning experiences. Read more.
Indie artists Sad Robot discuss marketing and music branding
LA-based band Sad Robot recently wowed the judges at Los Angeles Music Network’s LAMN Jam and walked away with the grand prize. Shortly afterward we caught up with them and gained some insight on their opinions on marketing and branding, performing and touring, and the importance of attending industry events. Read more.