If you are a rapper or a singer, by now I'm sure that you have ran across the opportunity to do a showcase at some big venue such in your area. The only catch was that you had to buy a certain amount of tickets up front (usually 200) for about a dollar each. The promoter's sales pitch is that if you purchase the tickets at 1.00 each, you can then turn around and sell them to your fans for any price you want and keep the difference as a profit for you or your band.
If you decide to go ahead with the purchasing the tickets, this is usually how it plays out for beginning artist;
The promoter usually will sell you around 200 tickets for 1.00 each, then tell you that you can resell the tickets for 3.00 to 5.00 dollars each to your fans and make your money back plus make a profit.
You say yes, pay the 200.00 or agree to provide the 200.00 to the promoter the night of the show, before you perform of course. Then you begin your selling rampage. You call all of your family and friends and ask them to buy tickets. Guess how many tickets you sell before the show, out of the original 200? You sell 30 or 40..why? because most of your friends and family want tickets for free and you know what you're gonna do? Give away as many free tickets to your friends, family, and fans as you can, because it's better to have the there to support you than not.
On the night of the show, you're short on the 200.00 and have to come up with the difference out of your pocket. In addition, you're nervous and you're hoping that the people who have tickets actually come. On top of that, you look around and you slowly begin to realize that there are about 40 other artist who did the same thing that you did.
What that means is that for every artist, there is a little, or big, cheering section, only for them....and when the artist that they came to see is finished performing....that section leaves with the artist.
For example; Say Drake is coming to your town and he is performing at a local venue, and the promoter is basically selling opportunities to open up for Drake. In this case, it will cost a little more. You ma have to buy 1000.00 to 1500.00 worth of tickets and then sell them, but keep in mind that it is a little easier to sell your tickets now because you are not selling tickets to see just you, you are selling tickets to see Drake, and on top of that you're opening up for him!
Just make sure that you are opening up for an artist in the same genre as your music is in.
On the other hand, if a major artist in your genre is coming to your town and going to do a show, and the same opportunity arises (you have to sell tickets in order to open up for them), jump on it...because this is a different situation.
It's a little different though. For one, it will be more expensive, but it will be a lot easier selling those tickets, because people in general want to see major artist. In addition to that, it will build up your buzz, because people will feel as though you are making progress, and begin to support you, just because you are opening up for this major artist. As a matter of fact, you will probably get more fans, just because you are opening up for a major artist. Plus, you will be able to perform for this major artist's fans, who may actually become your fans also, since they are not emotionally attached to the major artist, like they are in showcases with no major headliners.
So basically, showcases with no major headliner.....NO, unless you need the practice performing in front of hostile audiences. Showcases with major headliners in your genre.....YES, but make sure you are show ready..for real!
I'm Out!
If you decide to go ahead with the purchasing the tickets, this is usually how it plays out for beginning artist;
The promoter usually will sell you around 200 tickets for 1.00 each, then tell you that you can resell the tickets for 3.00 to 5.00 dollars each to your fans and make your money back plus make a profit.
You say yes, pay the 200.00 or agree to provide the 200.00 to the promoter the night of the show, before you perform of course. Then you begin your selling rampage. You call all of your family and friends and ask them to buy tickets. Guess how many tickets you sell before the show, out of the original 200? You sell 30 or 40..why? because most of your friends and family want tickets for free and you know what you're gonna do? Give away as many free tickets to your friends, family, and fans as you can, because it's better to have the there to support you than not.
On the night of the show, you're short on the 200.00 and have to come up with the difference out of your pocket. In addition, you're nervous and you're hoping that the people who have tickets actually come. On top of that, you look around and you slowly begin to realize that there are about 40 other artist who did the same thing that you did.
What that means is that for every artist, there is a little, or big, cheering section, only for them....and when the artist that they came to see is finished performing....that section leaves with the artist.
For example; Say Drake is coming to your town and he is performing at a local venue, and the promoter is basically selling opportunities to open up for Drake. In this case, it will cost a little more. You ma have to buy 1000.00 to 1500.00 worth of tickets and then sell them, but keep in mind that it is a little easier to sell your tickets now because you are not selling tickets to see just you, you are selling tickets to see Drake, and on top of that you're opening up for him!
Just make sure that you are opening up for an artist in the same genre as your music is in.
On the other hand, if a major artist in your genre is coming to your town and going to do a show, and the same opportunity arises (you have to sell tickets in order to open up for them), jump on it...because this is a different situation.
It's a little different though. For one, it will be more expensive, but it will be a lot easier selling those tickets, because people in general want to see major artist. In addition to that, it will build up your buzz, because people will feel as though you are making progress, and begin to support you, just because you are opening up for this major artist. As a matter of fact, you will probably get more fans, just because you are opening up for a major artist. Plus, you will be able to perform for this major artist's fans, who may actually become your fans also, since they are not emotionally attached to the major artist, like they are in showcases with no major headliners.
So basically, showcases with no major headliner.....NO, unless you need the practice performing in front of hostile audiences. Showcases with major headliners in your genre.....YES, but make sure you are show ready..for real!
I'm Out!
About the Author:
Learn more about Showcases. Stop by Eric L. Mims J.d.'s site where you can find out all about instrumentals and what it can do for you.
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