Networking

It’s been a while since I wrote an update. Last winter I went back to Minnesota to visit my family for the first time in 6 years. After I got back to the UK in February I had gigs waiting for me. Word of mouth has been wonderful for me. Now all spring and summer I have gigs booked and have so many other jobs I actually haven’t had time to go out and do plain old busking yet this year! I was thinking about how I got into this position by starting out with busking and thought I would talk a bit about the importance of networking when you’re a self employed musician.

Busking started it all
 
When I first started busking back in 2007 I never thought I could be a full time musician. Then about 5 years ago I met another musician who showed me how to improve my performance and earn more money. I bought an amp and soon after my electric violin. Then I started using backing tracks to play popular music along with my Irish tunes. After that people started asking me to perform at various events like weddings and parties so I had some business cards made. What happens when you play at one event? Other people hear you and ask you to play at another event. 


Word of mouth is wonderful advertising
 
I of course set up my website about 4 years ago to also help my business. When people hear about me, it’s very useful to have a place where everything is presented and people can easily see what I do. Sometimes people post on Facebook when they’re looking for a musician for their event and other musicians tag me. I can then contact the person and send them my website and they can decide whether to book me.
 
Also, it is really great knowing other musicians in the area because we can help each other out. If I can’t do a gig I know who I can recommend to take my place. Or others might recommend me for a gig. That one gig can lead to sometimes many many other gigs which has happened to me this year.

I’m always talking about what I do
 
Any time I meet new people I tell them what I’m about and what I’m up to. Doesn’t matter if I’m at a house party, on a train, or at a talk in a pub about philosophy or architecture. I usually have my violin with me which is a great conversation starter. These days I rarely leave the house without my violin (like when I go for a jog) and it feels weird when I don’t have it with me! 

Sometimes these conversations lead to me getting booked for various events, or being asked to record something, etc. I’m constantly networking everywhere I go and it’s the most natural thing in the world. 

Gig at a games cafe in Newark

I love what I do and I just speak about it positively, however, I have to be careful I don’t overbook myself. Some of the gigs I have coming up this summer require a lot of practice to learn new material. I’m also studying and practising for my grade 8 violin exam this July. I have to do a lot of juggling with my schedule and drop anything that won’t help me reach my goals (no more video games for me!).

​If you’re good at what you do, the money will come
 
My advice to other musicians/entertainers is that the most important thing in all of this is to prepare yourself so you can actually perform. If you spend enough time practising, then you’ll be ready when the opportunities come. I’ve spent the last 5 years developing my act and improving my playing, but I recognise I still have a lot of work ahead of me. It all pays off when you can just show up to a gig with little warning of what songs are coming and you can just improvise and make a good sound.

​So my fellow buskers, I want to hear from you! Do you struggle to get gigs from busking? Or have you been very successful and have any advice to add here? Looking forward to reading your thoughts.