For singers and musicians of any level, booking your first gig can be nerve-wracking. Most beginner artists don’t know how much to charge, where to look for work, or how long they should expect to perform per gig. Knowledge means more money in your hands from concerts; they aren’t as hard to find as they were in years past.
First- Your Worth
Before you go out for any gigs or try to start working as a professional singer, you need to know your worth. Regardless of how new you are to singing, you have value. Look into singers around your range of skills that are beginners, and reference their rates.
The worst thing you can do is undercharge and underpay yourself.
A lot of musicians give up because they’re not able to make headway. Although it’s essential to have a passion for music and love creating it, it’s also vital that you understand your rights to make a living wage.
Social Media and Networking
More than likely, you’re your first marketing manager. Give yourself a fighting chance by putting your name out there and engaging with your possible audience. Don’t shove your music down anyone’s throats. People know when they’re just being advertised to and will push back against it.
Socialize, talk to other artists, and put your music out there. Don’t buy followers, likes, or retweets, let your music and your personality win people over. People who like what you’re putting out there will be more likely to share word of mouth with people wanting to hire an artist.
Check Popular Gig Sites
Luckily we’re in the 21st century, and gigs are easier to get than ever before. Look on sites like GigSalad, Backstage, or even CraigsList for gigs that suit what you want to do. There are always listings for everything from country to Latin singers. You’ll find something that fits your genre. Be careful, as always, since you’re on the internet talking to strangers. If you’re not sure about a gig, or a customer, go with someone you trust so that you won’t be alone.
Your safety is paramount, so treat it like it is. If something happens to you, you wouldn’t be able to put out any more music, so go forward with caution and respect for yourself.
Freelance To Spread Word
If you’re still not finding anything, another idea might be to freelance vocals until you can find a better gig. A lot of artists, and small studios, hit the internet looking for back-up singers or vocals. Set up a small collection of your best works, and get a decent quality microphone and you can kickstart your career from your home.
Getting credited on these projects, and most importantly getting paid, can prove to prospective gigs that you’ve been working in this industry. It might not be the glamorous sold-out stadium that you want, but it will at least make for a good ‘humble beginnings’ story down the line.