There are several factors that may influence a poor turn out to your performances. It may be a wide range of happenings, or it may “only take ONE ... to keep you from packing the house."
In the latest issue of Indie Connect Magazine, there's an article by founder and CEO Vinny Ribas called “50 Reasons People May Not Be Coming To Your Shows." As you'd expect, it's incredibly thorough, and to tease it, we thought we'd share ten bullet points.
In the latest issue of Indie Connect Magazine, there's an article by founder and CEO Vinny Ribas called “50 Reasons People May Not Be Coming To Your Shows." As you'd expect, it's incredibly thorough, and to tease it, we thought we'd share ten bullet points.
- (5) You play too many slow songs. This might work in a piano bar, but in many venues promoting an upbeat, happy atmosphere is imperative. It can be fatal if people are falling asleep at your shows. Evaluate and revamp your set list and insure that you keep the pace alive and moving.
- (6) You haven't given your fans a reason to come to your shows by creating some form of anticipation. You can hold an online contest and announce the winner at your shows, or announce that you're going to play new songs that you're working on for your next CD and you want their opinions. Play 'Don't Forget The Lyrics' with one person who claims to be a real fan (use your original songs). Give away free mementos at your shows. Give your fans a real reason to be there!
- (8) You have over-played your welcome. If you've performed quite a bit in one area, your freshness may be gone. Keep introducing new aspects to your shows so people want to come back to see what you're going to surprise them with next. It also might be good to take a break and play in a different area for a while.
- (17) Your website and social network pages don't convey what your act is really like on stage. Have a videographer shoot some live footage showing the highlights of your shows. Make it exciting. Be sure the sites represent you well.
- (19) You are not supplementing your marketing with PR. Getting press (articles in the parents, radio interviews etc.) add greatly to your credibility and can make you a household word.
- (34) You're not having fun. It doesn't take a genius to see when an act is bored or would rather be somewhere else. You need to be 'into' what you're doing 100% no matter how many people show up. You never know who those people are or know and how they might influence your career.
- (42) Your sound tech is bad. It doesn't matter how good you are if the sound tech can't make you sound good up front. Common problems include buried vocals, instruments not blending, 'canny' sounding drums, etc. Only hire sound techs who have experience running live shows and do it well.
- (46) You haven't built a reputation yet. It takes a while to build up enough of a great reputation that people are anxious to come see your shows. Be sure that you getting as much publicity as possible. Ask for quotes from fans and venue owners to put on your website. Follow what the press says about you, and if it is good, plaster it on your website and social networks. Create your own buzz.
- (49) You've gotten stale. Maybe you've been doing the same songs or playing in the same band for so long that you've stopped growing and getting better. Always find ways to challenge yourself.
- (50) You let your personal problems affect your shows. It is vital that the minute you step on stage, the only thing on your mind is putting on the best show you've ever done.
For the full list, head over here.
