When your band has started to achieve some sort of professional standing, how you interact with the public at large will help determine your next step. People who respond favorably to your particular music--whether cover tunes, originals, etc.--will become the fans who express that enthusiasm to others, who then in turn tell others. This process is called establishing a base of support, or simply “fan support”. Never underestimate how helpful this early fan support can be. Some bands, later in their careers like The Grateful Dead and Phish, had phenomenal success thanks to the fans who had followed and supported them throughout their entire careers.

To gauge how much interest there might be in your style of music or performing, begin a sign-in sheet at each of your performances. Tell people who sign-up that they will get periodic mailings that announce your touring schedule, CD release dates( if any) and other information that may not be available anywhere else. Your band should set a goal to increase this roster of names with each performance. Fans leaving their names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail should get periodic notices, but be careful that you do not fall into the trap of sending out too many notices that you become a pest. Especially when it comes to e-mail. Nothing is more aggravating or irritating than someone having to wade through a stack of e-mail from the same person or company. Actions like this may get you labeled as a “spammer” and make any e-mail you send out be forwarded straight to the trash bin.

Fan support could also be vital when you begin selling your merchandise at club dates. T-shirts, posters, bumper stickers, and of course, CDs, are some of the items that fans would like to take home with them if they truly enjoy your music or show. These items, while serving their promotional purpose, will also help augment your income. Another way that fan support could come in handy is in the making of your first music video. As a new or starting group, your funds may be incredibly limited (read: nonexistent) but you can still get a video made, either by having a fan who would volunteer to help shoot it with their equipment, or by having fans who will agree to appear in it or work on it for free.

One enterprising band took all three suggestions and announced a contest at a local film school, asking students to submit story ideas for their song. After they found the winner of this contest, they took out an ad and announced that their video would be filming at a particular location. Those interested in being a part of the on-camera talent could volunteer their services by simply showing up. The taping of the video drew such a response from the public that a news crew was sent out to cover the story. As you can imagine, this entire affair was a boon to the band, garnering them free help, free talent, and free publicity.

If you plan on taking your show on the road, health insurance considerations should be looked into before starting out. Check any personal policies you may have to see what stipulations they may carry as it relates to accidents on the road. Even though some policies have emergency coverage that will allow you admittance to any hospital if you are in need, some will strictly limit the care you receive if the event is not an emergency, or bill you an exorbitant price because you used a hospital or doctor out of their immediate coverage zone.

Your insurance policy should also be consulted to see whether or not it covers personal items such as your gear. Your policy should be able to tell you if you are covered if you use personal items such as your musical equipment--or even cars--in a professional capacity, and does that coverage extend when traveling on the road. If you are covered, you should inquire with your insurance representative as to how much the company will cover if something catastrophic happens to your equipment such as theft or destruction.

Please note: although your 1962 Fender Stratocaster may have a priceless value for you or other guitarists, to the insurance company it is nothing more than a 42 year old piece of wood whose current-market value is nil. If your Strat is lost, destroyed, or stolen, your insurance may be able to get out of paying you ANY money--let alone the several thousand dollars the guitar is worth--because of the age of the guitar. If you have classic gear like this, get with an agent or insurance company that understands the value of the item and will insure it accordingly.

Now that you have the fan support, road performances and safety issues covered, handling the next step--dealing with clubs and venues--should be given just as much consideration. There are many clubs, bars, taverns, and inns just ready, willing and able to accept up and coming acts like yours, but there are just as many who are willing to exploit and use them as well.

Most clubs, when it comes to bands, simply want to make sure the band can draw a crowd to buy drinks and food. If you can prove you can deliver a full house--or something near it--you can attract the attention of most club owners. When one does show interest, there needs to be someone from your group--or an actual manager--to negotiate the deal.

As I have said with other aspects of this business, GET EVERYTHING YOU DO IN WRITING! If your group arranges to play a set of shows, find out how many, how long, and for how much. Also find out if there are any passes given out for family and friends, and if not, will the band be able to buy them at a discount. Also, please check to see if the band is to be charged for any food or beverages they consume while performing. In the movie “The Blues Brothers” Jake and Elwood are surprised that the honky-tonk bar they begrudgingly played at is now refusing to pay them because they drank up so many beers during their show! In fact, the club owner says they now owe him for beers their salary didn’t cover.

Some club owners, recognizing that they have a naive, young, or inexperienced band on their hands, will try to exploit this to their advantage. They will ask the group to perform an “audition” before a packed house to see “if the crowd likes them”. Some bands, so eager just to play before a crowd, will agree to do this, even though it is obvious the club is making out better than they are. The club owner then strokes the band’s ego by telling them the crowd loved them, but there just isn’t enough money to pay them--but if they would play there the next 3 nights, he would remember them and take care of them “well” in the future. To avoid something like this from happening, a band should insist on some fee, even a small token amount, in which they can bargain from. It is much easier to get a raise from something, but almost impossible to get one from nothing.

As your band grows, take the time to reflect on all that you have done and all that you want to accomplish, and enjoy it every step of the way. Good or bad, happy or sad, these early days of your career will always be looked back on with fond remembrance, so enjoy the journey as much as you enjoy the music.