How to Get Gigs with a price cut

Some bands recoil in horror at the prospect of cutting their gig fees to land a booking.

"The price is the price" they say, and if a venue won't pay it,

"F*** 'em".


I understand this point of view and any band does need to be able to say:

"No thanks. Not at that price".

But, if you're not getting enough gigs at the price point you're aiming for, or there's one particular venue where you're very keen to get a yourself booked, it can help you to offer a "Special" price.

"Special" in this case means a "One-off" price. A "Trial price" to prove yourself to the venue.

The understanding being that if the venue (and you) want to agree a repeat booking, it will be at a your usual higher price. You see this kind of price-promoting all around you on every conceivable kind of product.

If it helps, you can look at the difference between your usual cost and the discounted one-off as a marketing investment. No different really from spending money on advertising. Just do make sure you raise the price after that first appearance.