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A great reside present will be the engine that actually drives your music profession. Let’s be sure that persons are there to see it!
You put your coronary heart into your efficiency, however taking part in to 5 individuals and a bartender will be soul-crushing. The drawback isn’t your expertise or a perceived lack of potential, it’s the promotion.
Here are 7 action-oriented methods that can assist you fill the room, whether or not you’re taking part in a neighborhood gig or heading out on tour.
1. Announce the Show Like It’s an Event and Not a Gig
You should pique their curiosity and make them really feel like one thing distinctive or particular will occur.Don’t simply submit a flyer and say, “Come out if you’re free.”
Instead:
- Make it really feel like a celebration or milestone
- Use phrases like “One night only,” “This Friday is going to be wild,” or “You have to see what we’re bringing this time”
Takeaway: People present up after they really feel like they’ll miss out in the event that they don’t.
2. Text Your Superfans Personally
DMs are good. Texts are higher.
“Hey! Playing [venue] on Friday [date] would love to see you there! Want me to put you on the list?”
Even if they will’t make it, the private contact builds loyalty. You may embrace a fast teaser about WHY they need to come out for this explicit present.
10 private invitations > 100 flyer reposts.
3. Collaborate With Another Act (Or Two)
More bands = extra attain. Even higher: decide acts from totally different scenes (like the following main metropolis) to cross-pollinate your audiences. If coordinated correctly and ALL the artists and bands promote the present, it may be a giant win for everybody!
Bonus:
- Create a joint flyer that options everybody (not simply the headliner)
- Film a fast “See you Friday!” video collectively
- Encourage every act to advertise prefer it’s their very own present (as a result of it’s)
- In the final set, carry out a collaborative music with all of the acts from the night time
4. Use Countdown Posts the Week Before
Don’t simply announce it as soon as, remind individuals usually! The gravity on followers to remain residence and simply watch Netflix is powerful. Use highlights from previous exhibits to advertise the upcoming present. It faucets into the concept that leaving the home won’t solely be price it, it is going to be an expertise!
Post one thing like:
- “7 days out” – rehearsal clip
- “5 days out” – throwback to an emotional present second
- “3 days to go” – throwback to a wild present second
- “Tomorrow night!” – stage shot or new merch teaser
Takeaway: Repetition + momentum = attendance.
5. Make Your Poster Shareable
You want to offer your followers (and often the venue) the supplies that make it simple for them to share and do promotion for you. Static JPEGs of a cluttered flyer received’t lower it.
Instead:
- Make sq./vertical variations for IG Stories & Reels
- Include your face or band pic, not simply textual content
- Add a hyperlink QR code or easy link-in-bio information
- Use Canva or PosterMyWall to make it look 🔥
Takeaway: Good design = extra shares.
Yes, individuals nonetheless examine them on a weekly foundation. Especially locals in search of issues to do. This received’t be the silver bullet that brings the followers out in droves, nevertheless it’s a part of the fundamentals that make it simpler for individuals to recollect your present after they see it on all of the occasion calendars.
Try:
- Facebook Events (and native FB teams)
- Reddit metropolis subreddits
- Local alt-weekly or newspaper occasion listings
- Eventbrite, Bandsintown, DoStuff, Indie on the Move
Takeaway: It’s free visibility you’re in all probability ignoring.
7. Offer a “Bring a Friend” Bonus
No one desires to go to a present alone, so flip your followers into your private live performance promoters.
Example:
“Bring a friend to the show and get a free sticker / pin / shoutout / entry to win a hoodie.”
It provides individuals a purpose to not come alone, which can improve turnout and fan engagement.
Takeaway: Incentivize the conduct you need.
Don’t simply play the native scene, use it as a launch pad!
Your subsequent present doesn’t need to be empty, however when you’re simply counting on the membership or venue to fill the room, chances are high, you’re setting your self up for a foul night time. You simply must put it on the market with the identical power and pleasure you place into your music. Because when you don’t consider it’s price displaying up for, why would anybody else?
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