How Setting Long Term Goals Can Help You Book Your Gigs Now

Madison Square Garden

MadisonI have worked with and known many bands over the years and one thing that separates the touring bands form the floundering ones is a strong sense of direction. Many bands and artists simply book from one gig to the next, without thought as to where it will lead, hoping that someday they will get their break where as other bands who seem to have loyal followings nationwide are thinking 5 moves ahead of their next one. 

How do they know what will happen five gigs down the road? Well they don’t, but they have already made a plan of attack and have a backup plan ready. They have a long term plan made out from day one. This is how they are seemingly ahead of the game. Remember, without a clear and concise vision of what you want, you will never be able to book in a productive way that will help your career without a little dumb luck.

Dream Big

Why not start off with the big dreams you’ve always had? Chances are, if you’re serious about music, you’ve been dreaming about it for a long time. That’s good! Play with it and fantasize about where you see yourself in ten years. Do you want to be on a world tour? Have a big house? Do you want to open for your favorite band? Make a ton of videos? Make enough money to sustain your songwriting career? Dream about it all and write them down.

If you’re in a band, get together and have session in which you all share your dreams. It may feel a little silly at first, but trust me, it will be fun. Especially what your guitar player tells you he’ll marry Jessica Alba. Don’t worry about how you’ll get there just have fun with the exercise. Just make sure some of them are readily attainable in the next month, and tear so you can mark then as accomplished. This is important because even if it’s a small dream you’ve fulfilled, it makes you feel like you can achieve the next one.

Make A Plan

Next you need set your goals in your mind and figure out the steps required to attain your dreams. This should be a series of practical steps you need to accomplish. It helps out quite a bit to make some of them easily attainable so you can mark these too with the same sense of accomplishment. This list is going to be more practical and it deals with the mechanics of you’re strategy. This is also the time in which you discover whether or not your fellow band mates are in synch with your vision. If they goals and dreams don’t match, you’ll never be able to settle on any kind of effective strategy and you’ll be fighting each other.

 For instance, my last band let me go because we no longer had the same vision. Yea, it was hard to hear at first, but in the end, I don’t want to waste my time or their s following different dreams, that will only breed contempt and lead to conflict down the road. No its best that they go their own way and I go mine in peace so we can maintain a relationship long after. Plus, now I have the motivation and time to write this lovely blog to share my vision with all of you.

It’s important to return to these lists regularly, and make sure everyone is still on board and moving forward toward the same goal. This helps to maintain a steady focus and ensures that everyone is of one mind. That is a powerful thing and cannot be understated. A group mind will focus everyone’s energy and attract people and allow you to recognize opportunities that will help you along your path.  Again, if you do not share the same vision, you are doomed as a band. This is why many artists choose to go solo, But of course, that’s up to you and depends on what your goals are.

What Now?

Let’s say you dream of playing Austin City Limits. Ok that’s the end point of that particular goal. You know where you are now so like on a map, you can chart your course and pinpoint signposts along the way. Now you’re ready for your first real steps at making something of yourself as a musician.

Where are you going to play for your recognition? LA? Chicago? You’re going to need to target public radio stations, internet and college stations. KCRW is a great resource. Find the places where your audience goes to see live music and play there. Go to meet and greets, call promoters and booking agents and keep at it every day.

Set up 1 year goals, then 2 year goal, 3 year and so on. Mark each milestone and as you do, inform your fans when you’ve arrived at each one, involve them in your success. They will help you achieve them if you make them a part of your experience. For example:

Year 1

• Set up a promo package,
• Plan a local summer tour at local clubs
• Make a five song
• Build a strong website
• Develop a newsletter and mailing list

Year 2

• Hire a manager
• Start a private record label
• Play at festivals

Year 5

• Nationwide Tour
• Television spot
• Two full length albums
• Nationwide audience

When you take the time to establish your goals, you have a vision and you can determine what actions will move that vision forward and what will hold you back. Be ambitious and realize your only limitation is you. Now start defining your goals and get active, play shows and do whatever it takes to reach your year one goals, but most importantly, enjoy the experience at every stage and have fun.