As the year comes to a close, here's a list of things I recommend bands pay attention to. Some stuff I noticed this past year.
1. Stop booking multiple shows in the same city in the same month. You see it as play in front of as many people as often as possible. More people that see you means more fans which means more merch sold and more notoriety for your band, right? Wrong. You're just going to piss off venues and promoters. Over saturation isn't doing your band any favors. You want your fans starved to see you, not think, 'oh I'll just catch them next week at the same venue.'
2. Pay for a professional logo. It's really not expensive. Find a real artist to create a real logo. Shouldn't be more than $50.
3. For the first time this past year I called out a band that burned me BADLY. I will do it again if I have to. I handle my company professionally and I expect the same. If you burn me just as bad, I blacklist you.
4. Hold to your agreements. If you tell me you will sell tickets, sell tickets. If I am expected to uphold my responsibilities I expect you to do the same.
5. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but your bands value (to promoters/venues) is based on the number of people you bring in the door. If the show has a $10 door price, and you bring 3 people, you're value is $30. That doesn't mean you get paid $30, but that is your bands value. Other bands have a much better value. So when you're not getting booked because your bands value is so low, don't bitch at me. Take that energy and put it towards marketing so you can gain a larger fan base.
Overall I worked with some great acts this year. Some new to me, some old. It was the slowest year for my company but I am really excited for what next year is bringing and I hope to see you at my shows again.
-Henry Paniccia
Protage, Inc