Band Booking Merchandise - Can You Sell it?

Band Booking Merchandise

 Band Booking Merchandise Sales

Have ever thought about using your band bookings increase your income and build your fan-base via merchandise sales?

When you don't have what you think of as  a meaningful fan-base, selling merchandise at your gigs might seem ridiculous. Embarrassing even.

The fact is thought, that plenty of semi-pro acts sell their CD's,T-shirts and other gear at their gigs  just like the big name pro bands do.

 Band Booking Merchandising Do's and Don'ts

 Firstly, remember, if you don't yet have that fan-base - you shouldn't be ramming your band's name down people's throats with your merchandise. Whatever you're called, it's unlikely to mean anything to an audience who've never heard of you before. But that doesn't mean they won't necessarily buy your gear at any band booking you play.

As far as t-shirts are concerned, don't make the mistake of simply majoring on your band name and thinking that will do the selling  job for you. You want band or act T-shirts that look different and cool enough for people to be motivated to buy regardless of the fact they're associated with your band (or any band for that matter).

If you've put some effort into a cool band  (or Album/Song) logo that has appeal beyond the fact it's your name - that can make all the difference. If you haven't thought about an impactful logo/image or the one you has is flat and uninspiring - it may be time to get to work on this before you start pitching your gear at gigs. Indeed as taxi.com (the world's leading independent A&R company) says of selling merchandise:
"All you need is a desire to perform live, a few gigs booked (where else are you going to find customers?), and a cool design."

 

Band Booking Buttons

Band Booking with "Fundraiser" Merchandise?

One way to shift your merchandise at gigs without trying to push it too much salesperson is to present your merchandising efforts as a fund-raising activity.
We're not talking about conning the crowd that you're trying to help a charity here. Fund-raising in this context  means showing the crowd "why" you're trying to sell the T-shirts, CDs or whatever.  Maybe the crowd can help you record your next (or first)  album, go on tour, or get some great lights for your next show. Whatever you need, you'll find that even when times are hard people will more willing to hand over their cash at the band booking when there's a specific cause mentioned. If they're into their music they can often relate to the "struggling local musicians trying to get to the next stage" situation.....

Think about who'll sell your Band Booking goods

If you've ever been to any big exhibition, there's a reason large companies use models to promote their goods and services.

They attract people and they sell.

So, if any band member has an especially good-looking girl or boyfriend you might want to bribe them to work your merchandising table - at least some of the time. Remember to make sure there's someone on the table at all times on gig night and don't be afraid to mention the table and your available goods at least once in each set.  Give the seller(s) on your table a name-check as "personalising" them will usually help avoid their looks intimidating some potential buyers. Don't forget to mention your worthy cause as well on mic...Just don't overdo it all or you'll come across as desperate and obviously you don't want that.

Finally, think about selling as wide a range of merchandise as you can afford to invest in. As well as the obligatory T-shirts (these will generally account for 80% of all band booking merchandise sold) , but  think: buttons/badges, Baseball caps, bumper stickers guitar picks and of course your CDs

How to promote your music onstage