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.
The only catch is that you have to either buy the tickets up front or sign a contract agreeing to pay a certain amount to the promoter on the night of the show before you perform.
You buy the 200 tickets for 200.00, then you harass all of your friends and family to buy a ticket for 4.00 or 5.00 each....some of them do, the rest say they will before the show, but you find yourself with 160 tickets left, two days before the show...so what do you do....you figure that you've already spent the money.....so you might as well give the rest away so that you will have a significant support for you in the audience, and that's exactly what you do. (right there, you have a 170.00 or 180.00 loss)
Show night comes around, and you and your people get there, and you figure out that there are about 30 artist performing and they all did the same thing that you did. So what that means is that whenever an artist performs that there is a little section of their friends and family that are exclusively there to see, cheer, and support that particular artist, and when that artist is done, they leave and so does their crowd.
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!
These types of shows are good if you need practice on your performance or getting the kinks out of your stage fears, but not very helpful to your career in my opinion.
However, there is a similar type of opportunity that I think would be more beneficial to your "buzz". You still have to sell tickets or pay out of your pocket, but this time you will be "opening up" for a major artist.
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, in closing, showcases with no major artist headlining, are basically like big talent shows with no prize that I don't find very helpful. On the other hand, if there is a major headliner, it can be beneficial to your career and if you have the money could be a stepping stone if used in the right manner.
Peace!
The only catch is that you have to either buy the tickets up front or sign a contract agreeing to pay a certain amount to the promoter on the night of the show before you perform.
You buy the 200 tickets for 200.00, then you harass all of your friends and family to buy a ticket for 4.00 or 5.00 each....some of them do, the rest say they will before the show, but you find yourself with 160 tickets left, two days before the show...so what do you do....you figure that you've already spent the money.....so you might as well give the rest away so that you will have a significant support for you in the audience, and that's exactly what you do. (right there, you have a 170.00 or 180.00 loss)
Show night comes around, and you and your people get there, and you figure out that there are about 30 artist performing and they all did the same thing that you did. So what that means is that whenever an artist performs that there is a little section of their friends and family that are exclusively there to see, cheer, and support that particular artist, and when that artist is done, they leave and so does their crowd.
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!
These types of shows are good if you need practice on your performance or getting the kinks out of your stage fears, but not very helpful to your career in my opinion.
However, there is a similar type of opportunity that I think would be more beneficial to your "buzz". You still have to sell tickets or pay out of your pocket, but this time you will be "opening up" for a major artist.
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, in closing, showcases with no major artist headlining, are basically like big talent shows with no prize that I don't find very helpful. On the other hand, if there is a major headliner, it can be beneficial to your career and if you have the money could be a stepping stone if used in the right manner.
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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