MAMAView: Kick the New Year Off On a Good Note
By Middagh Goodwin
A recent social media post emphasized the importance of a professional headshot when booking comedy gigs. Of course, this is true for any performer aspiring to do more than perform at open-mic nights. Now, no one is saying to go out and spend thousands or even hundreds of dollars on promo photos(but if you have that kind of money, I will put you in contact with our very own MJ Mangano). We are talking for comedians and solo acts: a clean shot, torso up. For bands, one that has you all looking in the same direction and, well, looking like a band. Something that will represent you on flyers, newspaper articles, ads, etc.
Please make sure you have high-resolution files of these that can be downloaded or sent to bookers and press alike, along with any logos (PNG) or samples of your work, songs for bands, and short clips for comedians. All at the highest quality you can create and afford. Musicians, it is better to have a single well-recorded song than 10 that are not. Comedians work to produce a high-quality video that showcases what they can do. You don’t need to create a YouTube channel, but if you do, please ensure it features high-quality content (the same applies to all your social media channels). You want to represent yourself as professionally as possible.
As you get more gigs and have more money, invest in better promotional materials, such as headshots or band photos, recorded music, and videos. For musicians, high-quality video content is essential today. Bookers want to see how well you perform and how you interact with the crowd. These are the things that not just bookers and promoters see first, but also your potential fans. You can print extra photos to sell or give away to fans, and videos and music can be great perks on Patreon or to give people a sense of what to expect from live shows.
One more thing that is a big help not just to bookers but to your fans and the press alike: make sure your events are updated on your social media and website. I personally enter all the local gigs into the ModestoView calendar, and it is the same every month. I’m trying to track down dates before we go to print. Oftentimes, I do not see event details until the day of. Let us help you promote and give your fans a chance to plan to attend. Email events@modestoview.com
