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.
Usually, you are required to pay for the tickets up front, and then recoup your money when you actually sell the tickets to your fans.
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.
For most artist just starting out, you will be lucky if you sell 40 tickets to your showcase. The rest of the money will have to come out of your pocket if you want to perform.
The only time that I would suggest buying tickets to do shows is when the showcase has a headliner. By that I mean that a major act is going to perform at the venue and you are buying and selling tickets so that you can open up for that act.
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!
The main drawback to these shows is that you hardly get new fans, since everyone there is really there for someone else, and that someone is their family member or a close friend and very loyal to the artist that they came to support. That's not good for you, because an important purpose for doing shows is to gain new fans and these types of shows rarely provide you with that.
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.
The difference is that the price will be much higher (1500.00-2500.00), but it will be easier to sell those tickets because your friends, family, and strangers will want to see the major artist perform, and they will be much more willing to support you because they believe that you are moving up in the music world. The other difference is that when you perform, you get to perform in front of the major artist's fans, and since they have no emotional attachment, it is ore opportunity to gain them as fans.
Peace!
Usually, you are required to pay for the tickets up front, and then recoup your money when you actually sell the tickets to your fans.
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.
For most artist just starting out, you will be lucky if you sell 40 tickets to your showcase. The rest of the money will have to come out of your pocket if you want to perform.
The only time that I would suggest buying tickets to do shows is when the showcase has a headliner. By that I mean that a major act is going to perform at the venue and you are buying and selling tickets so that you can open up for that act.
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!
The main drawback to these shows is that you hardly get new fans, since everyone there is really there for someone else, and that someone is their family member or a close friend and very loyal to the artist that they came to support. That's not good for you, because an important purpose for doing shows is to gain new fans and these types of shows rarely provide you with that.
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.
The difference is that the price will be much higher (1500.00-2500.00), but it will be easier to sell those tickets because your friends, family, and strangers will want to see the major artist perform, and they will be much more willing to support you because they believe that you are moving up in the music world. The other difference is that when you perform, you get to perform in front of the major artist's fans, and since they have no emotional attachment, it is ore opportunity to gain them as fans.
Peace!
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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