The struggle is real.
There is always the struggle of whether to take a gig or not. Of course as an artist you always want to take an offer that makes you money. But before you jump the gun you should think about a few factors that could alter your decision:
1. What kind of impression will playing at this venue give to other buyers?
If you are an artist just starting out and want to increase your exposure and experience, I would say go for it. But if you are an artist on the rise with your whole career ahead of you, I would ask myself: How would playing at this venue make me look to other buyers?. Remember, you want to appeal not only to the fans but also to the buyers for future bookings.
2. Am I getting the rate I deserve?
You always want to make sure you are getting the rate you deserve, not the rate you think you deserve. Be realistic with your rates; if you are not in demand, don’t demand a raise. Cater to what you are currently pulling in.
3. Is it the right room for my sound?
It is always important to make sure that the jams you are pumping through the speakers are going to go well with the room / crowd. You may come across an offer to play a decent room but if the format is not your expertise it might not be the smart idea to accept the offer. The last thing you would want is to kill the dance floor by not catering to the sound of the venue.
4. Will I be able to build relationships?
You want to make sure the venue and city is a place where you can build relationships. This is a big key in creating residencies and could lead to more opportunities down the road.
Madison Quartiano
Operations Manager
Meet the rest of the SGM team here!