new to getting gigs

[antispatula]

So I came out with my 1st album about 5 weeks ago, and I'm trying to promote it by playing at shows. Nearly every place I have contacted doesn't even reply. Is this normal? Can someone please give me a good outline of what an email should look like when trying to get a gig? Thanks!
Russell

 

[gordone]

Have you been going to open mics? That's a good way to get started. Try to get a following, then perhaps you can get picked up as an opening act by some folks who also got established that way. I know of quite a few Philly folks who got started this way.

Where in the Bay area do you live? I was out in Sunnyvale for part of this month for work. I spent a lovely day in San Francisco - http://photos.evangordon.com/san_francisco/ (my other "hobby")

Are you going to college next year? I found when I was in college, it was fairly easy getting gigs at coffee houses/on campus/local bars.

Good luck!

 

[cusebassman]

Also, I haven't heard your stuff yet, but is it acoustic material? More specifically, did you record a full band's worth of instrumentation, and then went out and billed yourself as a one-man act?

I find that the album/demo you give places has to actually reflect what you are going to do at the show - I can't give coffee shops and bars my recorded material because it sounds as though a full band were showing up... if I told them it was going to then be just myself and a guitar, they would probably be much less inclined to get back to me, as they wouldn't really have any idea of how I was going to perform (quality-wise).

The following is also a big issue - although being in a bigger town I would imagine you could find some coffee places to play at - as someone else said, they are usually more 'forgiving' of those who might not yet have a following.

 

[mikemorgan]

I think e-mailing your work to anyone amounts to spam. There's no substitute for slapping hands with your potential benefactors. Go to the venue, check it out, explain to the proprietor what he'll get for his money, don't low-ball yourself, and have some references from his competition, preferably.
If you can't get gigs this way, put flyers everywhere advertising your CD release party, making sure ALL your friends are there for support and to schlepp gear and such. Get a permit to play in a public area or park, or even a benefit for some worthy cause. Once you establish a roadie and a couple of groupies, gigs will surely find you.

 

[scrouch]

Emails normally aren't enough. Sending out packages (CD, press kit, letter addressed to the appropriate contact at the venue, etc) is a better route from what I've seen. Going down in person with a CD/press-kit and talking to the people who are in charge of booking is your best bet. Ask if you can be an opener for upcoming shows (if they don't know who you are they likely won't want to give you a headlining show). Open mics are great. Also, make sure you find out what the bar sales are at shows you've played. It helps a lot if you can show the venue that they will make money by letting you play. Once you start getting a local following it gets easier. Radio play even on college stations will also help. Even if people don't recall what you sound like, if the name is familiar to them it goes a long way.