For essentially all of the music industry, Facebook has been a great hub to host a page or profile for any type of entertainment project whether that be a band, manager, promoter, booking agent, producer, etc. Facebook offers a little bit of something for everyone, and they make it very easy to market yourself and reach out to fans and supporters around you. The problem, or question, depending on how you look at it, is "Are people reaching out respectfully"? Or is Facebook going to be another over saturated social network the music industry ruined with spam?
Seriously though....
In a day and age where it is so easy to get in touch with promoters and booking agents and bands, I can not believe some of the things I see posted on "Pages" walls on a daily bases... Man would I like to name names, but let's just leave it for you to seek these people out!
Here's what kills me....
When a band or booking agent reaches out to a promoter putting on a show, there's a large majority of people that go around posting messages like "Hey, book my band!", "Anyone looking for a band message me!", and "Hey I know an awesome band that would fit this bill, let me know.".... Want to know why that doesn't work????
1.) Everyone wants their band booked
2.) No one is looking for a band.... there is bands everywhere, our local market is so full of copies and original acts that no promoter really needs to take the time to reach out to random bands, he probably has quite the extensive list of acts already, and you certainly won't get on that list with a comment like that.
3.) Guess what, I know an awesome band too.... Give a little bit of fucking content would you???? Music is nice. Or maybe a link to a legitimate website??
REALITY CHECK.
In the industry people are going to appreciate hard work, persistence, and intelligibility. Do you want to get your band on an awesome show? With great promoters in Ontario? Here's a few simple tips that are going to take you a long way...
1.) Get an email address - Find the email, contact and whatever else for the promoter you are reaching out to, and reach out to him or her professionally, and on a personal level. If he/she doesn't reply, email him again next week. If he doesn't reply again, email him again next week. Rinse and repeat.
2.) "Reaching out Professionally" - Let me elaborate. Don't copy and paste messages to people, make something original for each individual you are reaching out to and provide them with everything they need to know in 1 place. Who, what, where, why, when and how is all they want to know. Make it straight and to the point, be concise and be polite.... and for the love of god if it's your first email to the promoter don't even think about mentioning a guarantee, especially if you don't think you can bring something special to the show or event as a whole.
3.) Make Face Time - You are in a band, don't be fucking shy. Get out there and talk to people. Introduce yourself to promoters, managers, producers, engineers, FOH guys, etc. Get out there and talk to them. The more you get your name heard, the more likely you will be doing business with these people. I guarantee that every person you are reaching out to can appreciate a nice cold beer, or a warm cup of joe, either way, grab one, sit down, and talk. Face to face will always leave the best impression anywhere.
The above mentioned things should become second nature to anyone trying to do some freelance work in this industry. "You have to pay your dues" is something that I hear a lot, and it really is true. No one owes any band a single thing, and that is what people have to understand. If you want something, you are going to have to work for it, and if you won't work for it, then no one is going to care about you. Simple as that.
