Don't be a Starving Artist!

I recently read a blog that talked about the dreaded "gatekeeper" - the person who has the job of keeping you - the storyteller or performer away from the "decision maker" - the person who can actually say "yes" and hire you.  It was a great article about selling and marketing.  

Problem is, most storytellers and performers turn their noses up at the idea of "selling".  "I am an AR-TIST"  (usually pronounced "ahr-teest" with a terrible French accent).

Ever hear of a starving artist?

So, get off your high horse and be a realist for a few hours a day and do some down to earth, hard core, Fuller Brush, Amway and Avon lady marketing.  I'm talking two or three hours daily at a minimum dedicated to the other side of your craft.  The dark side!  The "GET ME A GIG" side.

"Step right up folks, gather round now, I have the opportunity of a lifetime right here in this little glass bottle.  While you wait you may see Madam Maybelle jump from a 40 foot tower into a glass of water!"

No, I am not talking Snake Oil right now (though I can give you a very good deal on a case wholesale). I hear so many tellers and other performers who say they would love to have more gigs but are just fine with one gig a month.  A good friend of mine who is a talented musician told me just yesterday he only had 3 gigs over the next 3 months... "but that's OK".  

I asked, "But if someone calls, you would take the gig?" 


His reply, "Oh yeah, I'd love to have more gigs!".

So, what can I do daily to get past the gatekeeper and get more gigs you ask?  Good question.  Here are some ideas:

• Improve your social networking presence by posting MARKETING info instead of photos of your cat/dog or parakeet!  Tell where you will be next, ESPECIALLY post gigs the day you are to do them.  This shows activity.
• I am a fan of postcard marketing, as you know.  I mail 20-30 targeted postcards most weeks.  These are program specific and timed to open opportunities for future dates - for example, if you haven't started yet, you should be sending out postcards now for scary stories in October.  Storytelling Santa will be sending reminder postcards out in June for December gigs!
• Identify EVERY venue that might be a possible gig in your community.  Determine who the best contact is by checking out their website (if they have one), finding e-mail addresses, mailing addresses and phone numbers.  Start a CRM/Contact Manager database of some type.  Define the databases by type: libraries, day care centers, churches or schools, for example.
• As you travel to the grocery or to shop, take a kid to soccer or the library,  plan a stop at a possible venue. Pound the pavement!  Stop in and leave some info.  PUT IT IN AN ENVELOPE and to a specific person or job title at least.  the gatekeeper is less likely to throw it away.  If you know a name include a note.

Bottom line?  Create opportunities!  Don't wait for the gravy train to stop at your door.  Get the flour and a fryin' pan out and make some gravy of your own!