While everyone learns how to play music for different reasons, most musicians share the same end goal: wanting to play in front of a live audience. The thrill of stepping on stage is a universal feeling. Unfortunately, the process of getting gigs these days is no easy task. Every musician is in competition with other musicians, DJs, and a variety of other factors. Here are a few quick ways to start getting more music gigs:

1. Promote yourself: It’s important to have high quality materials, such as photos, autobiographies, promo videos, etc. to really get your name out there and into the minds of those booking shows. Social media and custom websites are the two quickest ways to push your name out.
2. Conduct live stream performances: Sure, you’re looking to book more paying gigs at local venues, but scheduling a handful of livestreams ensures you are still reaching an audience. And the more people you reach, the more well-known you will become, making it an easy decision for venues and promotors to book you.
3. Get out there and perform: Search your area for local jam sessions, battle of the bands or open mic nights to just get up there and show the audience what you’ve got! It may not be a paying gig but getting yourself heard is the first step in making it to the big stage.
4. Book shows as a function act: Booking shows as a function act is a more streamlined process than as an original act. Read up on where to look for one-off gigs in your area, whether that be a wedding, house party or fundraising event!
5. Build a following: So, you’re set on only playing original music? We get it! Start to share your music on social media platforms and artist-first driven apps like PickleJar to get more and more people interested. As you build a following, you’ll see more opportunities open on booking new gigs.
6. Master your craft: Becoming a better musician is something all artists should continually strive to do. One of the easiest ways to do this is figuring out how each song on your set list performs at each unique venue. Creating venue-specific set lists that gives the crowd what they want is a simple way to help acquire repeat gigs at that venue.
7. Attend other gigs: Artists need to support other artists! Support your local music scene by going to other artist’s gigs, release parties, and open mic nights. Bonus points if you throw some tips their way! You’ll be thankful when they return the favor.
8. Utilize analytics: Utilize the PickleJar app to get real-time data. We provide you objective data to show the venues you are ready for a bigger stage through attendance and spending power of your fan base!

Being a musician is more than just a career – it is a lifestyle choice. Like any job, it is important to establish good habits with regard to your work, such as learning to maximize your workload and developing good contacts and relationships along the way. Start implementing some of these tactics and watch the gigs roll in!