Touring might be actually thrilling. You get to see the world, meet new followers, and hang around along with your bandmates for weeks or months on finish. Whereas it comes with the occasional wrestle, it’s an integral a part of constructing your fan base and rising your profession as a severe musician.
For those who’re a performing artist, how are you going to leverage this chance to earn cash whereas on tour? Listed here are some methods to generate additional earnings whereas on the highway:
Diversify your income streams on tour
You in all probability have a couple of concepts in thoughts, like promoting tickets and merchandise. However let’s get extra particular and see what else we will provide you with. Listed here are a couple of to get you began:
Classes
There are musicians the place you’re going, proper? You possibly can supply group classes on the highway by means of apps and social media teams the place folks need to get began, or to your followers. Or, have a look at your different ability units. Are you nice at social media? Host a workshop on that. You possibly can even do that in each metropolis, partnering with native companies and entrepreneurs to get the phrase out.
VIP expertise
Like a meet and greet, however elevated. This takes the same old present expertise up a notch for a very one-of-a-kind expertise in your followers. Along with the present, consider different methods to value-add to their expertise. Maybe they’ll get a restricted version merch bundle, early entry, and pre-show pizza hold? Or an unique invite to satisfy with the band post-show? Discover other ways to make it an unforgettable expertise for them.
Restricted version merchandise
One of many best methods to generate profits on the highway is thru restricted version merch that may solely be purchased on the tour. Followers will naturally need to help you, however restricted runs of distinctive objects will create worth for them and make the supply irresistible.
Collaborations on the highway
Collaborations within the music business are one of the vital highly effective methods to make new connections and speed up your profession. Attain out to bands, venues, labels, or festivals, to see what sort of collaborations you are able to do. You possibly can brainstorm collectively to see what matches, or higher but — go in with a suggestion for how one can work collectively. Make it straightforward for them to say sure.
Begin earlier than you hit the highway
That is key. A lot of these items take advance planning, equivalent to creating your restricted version merch or reaching out about collaborations. Be sure you’re giving your self loads of time to map it out. Take into consideration every little thing from what you’ll do to how you’ll do it.
Begin with the stuff you instinctively suppose will earn you probably the most – each in cash and in social proof along with your followers, then begin to plan it out. Who do it’s worthwhile to contact to make this occur? How will you market it? What is going to the day-to-day on the highway seem like?
Proceed to attach with new alternatives
The planning doesn’t cease when you’re on the highway! Proceed to maintain your eyes open for brand spanking new alternatives as they pop up. They gained’t at all times be apparent, you must concentrate and keep inventive.
A technique to do that is by constructing relationships on the highway. For those who cross a file retailer which will curiosity your followers, strike up a dialog with the proprietor and float a couple of concepts about selling your music. For those who see a venue you didn’t know existed, test it out and meet the folks that work there. Ask them who else it’s best to know on the town, and ask for an introduction. You get the concept. It’s about speaking to folks and brainstorming the way you may have the ability to add to one another’s lives.
Share social proof
Bear in mind how I discussed the ability of social proof as a revenue booster? Social proof is extremely highly effective and whenever you’re on tour it’s a goldmine for content material. Every thing from the present itself to the day-to-day round might be shared along with your viewers. Social proof strikes the needle on fan engagement.
Whereas this final one isn’t a solution to get fast money on the highway like the remaining, it’s simply as essential. In any case, touring isn’t simply a possibility to attach with new followers. It’s additionally a solution to broaden your attain throughout the business, which ends up in new alternatives down the road and might be simply as helpful.
Have you ever had a worthwhile tour? What are the secrets and techniques that you just swear by?
Angela Tyler is the founding father of MP Co. (previously Muddy Paw PR) and has secured placements on Forbes, Enterprise Insider, American Songwriter, Lead Singer Syndrome, & extra. She loves dessert, her rescue canine Sawyer, and new concepts.