Booked + Busy
The Real Strategy Behind Gig Growth
💡 Question 1: How Do I Get More (and Better-Paying) Gigs?
This one cuts deep.
You’re done with the $200 pub slots and the drink cards that somehow became "payment." You're craving more shows—and better money. You want a calendar that hums with momentum and invoices that don’t bounce between inboxes like a late-night soundcheck. So, let’s go there.
First, the hard truth.
You don’t just “get” more and better-paying gigs. You earn them—strategically, consistently, and professionally. And if you're not treating your live show like a business? It's time to level up. Because if Music Means Business™—and it does—then you're the CEO of your show.
Here’s how you scale.
✅ 1. Build a Professional Pitch
Not a Canva flyer with a blurry headshot and “DM for bookings.”
We’re talking:
High-res photos (live + promo)
Tight bio (no war stories, just your market value)
Clear setlist in a Spotify Playlist
Riders - Hospitality, Tech Specs, Venue Marketing
Show Reel - Live performance video that shows a real crowd
Let’s make your Pitch Punch!
✅ 2. Know Your Target
Stop shotgunning your promo to every venue with a stage.
Research. Who books your genre, your vibe, your sound?
Make a list. Get intentional.
Tailor your pitch. Name names. Mention past shows. Show you care enough to know who they are.
✅ 3. Follow Up Three Times
Once is an ask.
Twice is professional.
Three times is polite persistence.
Don’t ghost or give up after one no-response. People get busy. Stay visible—without being annoying.
✅ 4. Show Up Locally
The scene starts where your feet are.
Go to gigs. Buy a drink. Talk to the sound tech, the bar manager, the support act.
This business still runs on handshake deals and who-you-know intros. Be part of the ecosystem.
✅ 5. Be a Solution, Not Just a Service
You’re not just a band or a DJ.
You’re a vibe curator, a room-filler, a problem-solver.
Does the venue need a solo warm-up? A wedding set? A quiet act for dinner service? Be the one who delivers it with grace.
✅ 6. Sell the Experience
Your content isn’t just for your fans—it’s for the bookers.
Promo reels, crowd reactions, BTS setups, venue testimonials—these assets show what it’s like to book you.
Make them feel it before they even send the deposit.
✅ 7. Get Social Proof
A one-liner from a known venue manager? Pure gold.
"Delivers every time."
"Packed the room."
"Easy to work with."
Testimonials close deals faster than you ever will.
✅ 8. Have a Professional Rate Card
Ditch the awkward “what do you charge?” reply.
Present a clear rate card. Three tiers. Bronze, Silver, Gold.
Not only does it show you’re professional—it gives the booker options and confidence in booking you.
✅ 9. Choose Booking Platforms & Agencies Wisely
Some platforms are legit rocket fuel.
Some? Just noise.
Be wary of Online Booking Apps as they add your act into bargain basement territory. Do your due diligence. The right agency can multiply your reach. (Hi 👋)
✅ 10. Own Your Postcode
Want to tour nationally?
Start by being unmissable in your local scene.
When your name packs a room in your hometown, other cities notice.
Loyalty builds leverage. And leverage books better-paying gigs.
Final Word
More gigs. Better gigs. Higher fees.
It’s not a mystery—it’s a system.
Build your brand. Show your value. Play the long game.
Because the venues? The festivals? The bookers?
They’re not just hiring an act.
They’re booking a business—and that business is you.
🎤 Ready to level up? Submit Your Pitch …..Let’s get you seen.
Written by Nichola Burton. I work in partnership with Agents, Artist Managers and Event Producers, who juggle a diverse range of relationships in the Musoverse, to curate, manage and measure data in systems, experience, creative and content to support the entire Musoverse operation in my enterprise A Little Pitchy Copyright 2025
