HOW TO GET A GIG FOR SONGWRITERS
Tips for songwriters on how to get a gig
How to get a gig for songwriters: Playing gigs is one of the most effective ways of getting your music recognised in the music industry and getting your songs heard. As so many people attend music events, there is potential to get your song heard by a lot of people, providing you with great exposure if you impress. Below is advice on how to get a gig and why it’s so important for songwriters to play gigs.
HOT TIP! Please ensure you are ready to play at a recognised music venue first; it may pay to do some local Open Mic nights to learn stage craft and build the confidence before going in at the deep end, click here for advice on open mic nights.
How to get a gig for songwriters
How to get a gig – Gig as much as you can
Gigging is one of the best things to have on your CV as a songwriter, as it shows you're willing to make an effort. Also if you impress at a gig it’s most likely to lead to more opportunities such as getting asked to play at other gigs. Many people in the music industry will look at your website and social media to see where you’re performing next and of course the people you’ve impressed previously.
HOT TIP! Always ensure you have leaflets and/or CD’s so people can take your details or listen to you on the drive home and it’s also essential that you are searchable on the internet, click here for social media tips.
How to get a gig – Word of mouth
Word of mouth is a powerful thing for an artist to have and is one of our top tips on how to get a gig. Constantly make people aware of who you are. All it takes is a few people to be impressed by your performance to tell their friends about you and that gets the ball rolling of expanding your fan base. The more often you play, the more often you increase your chances of this happening, provided you are impressing with your music and performance.
How to get a gig – Collaboration opportunities
The more often you gig, the more you will perform with other acts. One of the best ways to get noticed in the industry is to collaborate with other artists. So use gigging as an opportunity to make friends with other acts who would be willing to work on music and other gigs together.
HOT TIP! Just because you’re a songwriter doesn’t mean you can’t gig. If you aren’t confident enough in your song you can always din a musician to sing for you!
How to get a gig for songwriters
How to get a gig – Networking opportunities
You never know who will end up coming to watch you play a gig, so it's smart to go and network after your set is finished. Talking to everyone will give you a good reputation as well as giving the opportunity to talk to someone who might have a contact you could do with.
How to get a gig – Selling merchandise
Getting a regular gig slot also allows you to sell your merchandise to existing and possibly new fans. All it takes is someone to buy your EP and share it with their friends to widen your fan base. Selling merchandise is also another way of getting an income stream.
How to get a gig – Create a mailing list
To do this you will need to design a leaflet to take details of people’s names, emails or mobiles to add to a mailing list. You should do this every time you gig, if you gig enough, you'll soon have a good amount of fan information that you can use to advertise your new songs, gigs or news updates quickly and cheaply!
HOW TO GET A GIG FOR SONGWRITERS
Check out our other useful tips and advice for songwriters below and check out our 2015 Songwriting Competition performance dates by clicking here.
Songwriting Tips
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GUITAR TECHNIQUES
Guitar techniques on using dynamics.
Guitar Techniques: Knowing how to use guitar techniques and dynamics is essential to performers as these can help to spice up your playing, and also your songwriting. Using guitar techniques …
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Song Structure for Songwriters
Song structure tips help you to focus your song effectively
Song Structure for Songwriters: So you want to write a hit song? Deciding upon your song structure is one of the most important judgments to …
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MUSICAL DYNAMICS
Varying musical dynamics whilst singing
Musical Dynamics: Tips on how a songwriter can use musical dynamics to enhance their performance. Musical dynamics are a tool that all singers can use to prevent their performance …
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RECORDING STUDIO UK – WHAT TO EXPECT AT A RECORDING STUDIO UK
Things to expect when you go to a recording studio UK
Recording studio UK – What to expect at a Recording Studio UK: As a singer it’s important to make the …
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PERFORMING SONG COVERS
How to perform song covers originally
Performing Song Covers: If you are struggling for inspiration to write songs, you may consider choosing song covers instead. This is obviously a big risk to take, so before you …
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PLANNING A MUSIC EVENT
Planning a music event before, during and after.
Planning a Music Event: Promotion is one of the most important factors of a music event. Knowing how to successful promote when planning a music event is essential for …
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GUITAR PLAYING - WARM UPS
Information about guitar playing warm ups
Guitar Playing Warm Ups: The most underrated part of playing but perhaps one of the most crucial is guitar warm up. Carrying out a guitar playing warm ups routine …
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TIPS ON PLAYING GUITAR
Tips to help you when performing and playing guitar
Tips on Playing Guitar: Playing guitar whilst performing can throw off even the most experienced of performers so you will maybe have to have the mindset as if you& …
Songwriting Feedback
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BIRMINGHAM SONGWRITING TIPS
Feedback was written for songwriters as Birmingham songwriting tips at The NEC in Birmingham on the weekend.
Manchester Songwriting Tips: Judges wrote feedback for the songwriters at The NEC in Birmingham giving …
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MANCHESTER SONGWRITING TIPS
Feedback was written for songwriters as Manchester songwriting tips at The Forum Theatre on the weekend.
Manchester Songwriting Tips: Judges wrote feedback for the songwriters at The Forum Theatre giving them …
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MANCHESTER SONGWRITING COMPETITION
Songwriters came to showcase their songs at the Manchester Songwriting Competition
Manchester Songwriting Competition: Songwriters from the Manchester came to performance in front of industry judges this …
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SONGWRITING TIPS – GRAND FINAL FEEDBACK
Songwriting Tips from the Winners Songwriting Competition Grand Final.
Songwriting Tips: Future Music’s Songwriting Competition Grand Final took place this weekend at the world-renowned music …
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SONGWRITING CONTEST– GRAND FINAL FEEDBACK
2015 Songwriting Contest Feedback from the Runners Up Songwriters Grand Final.
Songwriting Contest: Future Music’s Songwriting Contest Grand Final took place this weekend at the world- …
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SONGWRITING COMPETITION – GRAND FINAL FEEDBACK
2015 Songwriting Competition Feedback from the Wildcard Songwriters Grand Final.
Songwriting Competition: Future Music’s Songwriting Competition Grand Final took place this weekend at …
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READING UK SONGWRITING CONTEST
Songwriter's feedback provided at the Reading UK Songwriting Contest
Reading UK Songwriting Contest: Future Music’s songwriting competition came to Sub89 in Reading this weekend for the Reading UK songwriting …
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SOUTHAMPTON SONGWRITING CONTEST
Songwriter's feedback is provided at the Southampton songwriting contest
Southampton Songwriting Contest: Talented songwriters came to The Engine Rooms in Southampton this weekend for the Southampton songwriting …
Songwriting Contest News
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UK SONGWRITING CONTEST IN LIVERPOOL
The largest search for UK songwriters comes to Liverpool.
UK Songwriting Contest in Liverpool: The largest search for UK songwriters is coming to Liverpool. The UK Songwriting Contest in Liverpool is a brand …
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UK SONGWRITING CONTEST IN READING
Fancy showcasing your songwriting? Check out the brand new UK Songwriting Contest!
UK Songwriting Contest in Reading: If you are a songwriter from Reading or around the area you should check out the new UK …
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UK SONGWRITING CONTEST IN MILTON KEYNES
Calling all talented songwriters from Milton Keynes - The UK Songwriting Contest is looking for you!
UK Songwriting Contest in Milton Keynes: The brand new UK Songwriting Contest is calling all talented …
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UK SONGWRITING CONTEST IN BRISTOL
The new UK Songwriting Contest is coming to Bristol.
UK Songwriting Contest in Bristol: Future Music has launched a brand new UK Songwriting Contest and it is coming to Bristol. The UK Songwriting Contest in …
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UK SONGWRITING CONTEST IN SHEFFIELD
Future Music's brand new Songwriting Contest in Sheffield.
UK Songwriting Contest in Sheffield: Future Music boasts an impressive list of established songwriters, and now they are looking to find the next best …
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UK SONGWRITING CONTEST IN SOUTHAMPTON
The largest UK Songwriting Contest comes to Southampton.
UK Songwriting Contest in Southampton: The company behind the discovery of many of the best songwriters, Future Music, have produced a new Songwrting …
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UK SONGWRITING CONTEST IN BRIGHTON
Want the chance to potentially get signed as a songwriter? Enter the UK Songwriting Contest in Brighton!
UK Songwriting Contest in Brighton: The brand new UK Songwriting Contest is in search for the best …
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UK SONGWRITING CONTEST IN NEWCASTLE
Get your songwriting heard at the UK Songwriting Contest in Newcastle!
UK Songwriting Contest in Newcastle: Future Music is responsible for discovering many of the best songwriters in the UK such as: …