Negotiating With Club Owners - The Musician's Dilemma

No matter how much you want to avoid it, the one thing that is certain when you are starting out as a young musician is that you will have to negotiate with a club owner if you want to play music. Here is some advice that will help you get paid what you are worth.

First of all, put yourself in the shoes of a club owner or manager. Understand what it is they do and what it is they are looking for. They work long hours. They put up with a lot of "stuff" from the customer. They are looking for entertainment that will bring people in their establishment and keep them there. They are looking for entertainment that will make them a profit without the drama associated with immature musicians.

Make sure you are qualified for the gig you are applying for. I mean make sure you are good enough. Then approach the club manager at a time when he can talk. Usually early in the day and early in the week is a good time. Never try to book a gig at ten o'clock Friday night. I have done it, but it is not what you want to make a habit of. When you are in front of the manager have all your promotional material with you. If you are established in another area make sure you have references from clubs you have played before. The main thing here is to have the posture of a business person. Show that you know how to promote yourself. Show that you will bring more to the job than just your music. If a manager or owner sees he is getting advertising or promotion from a source that he does not have to pay for it will make him consider your offer on a different plane. If all things are equal, music wise, then you have to separate yourself from the band that is still in the garage frame of mind.

An owner is used to paying certain amounts of money for certain sizes of bands. He usually has an amount that is over the top for the starter band and he has an amount for the premier proven band that he knows will turn a nice profit. You are hoping to be somewhere in the middle with your offer. That's right, your offer. Always put forth the price yourself. Make sure you know what it is you want. Take time to show the manager or owner what you are bringing to the table besides the music. Sell yourself. They will appreciate this. They are used to musicians who seem desperate to play and will play for beer money. Set for yourself a higher standard and develop the posture to maintain that posture. Then by all means deliver what you promise. This is not easy work. This is often the hardest part of the business. You need to spend time thinking over what it is you can do to set yourself apart. Good luck.

Roy Gene Horne is a songwriter, musician, performer with over 30 years professional experience. He has written hundreds of songs, recorded, performed, booked, managed, and fronted his own band for all of those years. He has a created a website to help the aspiring muscian/songwriter and offers resources which will enhance and teach music and the business of music as well. He invites you to visit. http:http://www.royhorne.ws and you can visit him on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/rghorne

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