How Musicians Book Gigs and Get Paid
In this class, students interested in music will learn how to start making money with gigs. Independent musicians work hard. We'll cover creative business skills, entrepreneurship, marketing, buying musical sound equipment, and negotiation.
Michelle Ptacek, M.A. (Reading/Creativity)
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(165)
What's included
1 live meeting
45 mins in-class hoursHomework
Homework in this class will be optional. For example, students will be encouraged to make a list of local places where they could start playing musical gigs.Assessment
Informal assessment (question and response) will be used to gauge student understanding.Class Experience
Do you have a band? Do you play an instrument well? Have you seen live music at a festival or farmer’s market and wondered… How do musicians get gigs? How much do they get paid? If so, I created this class to help you bypass mistakes I made on my journey to becoming a full-time musician in my early 20s. As a musician putting myself through college, I was able to build my own schedule, travel to exciting places, meet creative people, and learn business skills. Some gigs paid way better than others. We will talk about why. In this class, we’ll also cover: Marketing your services/self-promotion Recording music/building a portfolio Types of gigs (Daytime festivals/farmer’s markets vs. coffee shops/clubs) Setting your price (By the hour? Per gig? Play for free at first?) Pitching through emails/calls and how to follow up Investing in gear and a PA Tip jar dos and don’ts Travel dos and don’ts By the end of class, students will have been exposed to each of the topics above and more in a slideshow. I teach using a combination of visuals, lectures, and discussion. I also like to leave a lot of time for questions. (My husband is a sound technician at a large venue. I’m a musician - ask away!) Most of all, if this sounds enjoyable to you, I look forward to meeting you in class.
Learning Goals
-Students will understand how to start playing musical gigs for money
-Students will improve their knowledge of entrepreneurship and the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs
-Students will understand how to spot and develop useful/marketable ideas for a creative business
-Students will learn about vocabulary words specific to business (such as online marketing, negotiation, and gig economy)
Other Details
Supply List
Students are encouraged to attend with some way to take notes (tablet, notebook, or whatever's their style).
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined March, 2021
4.9
165reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Iowa Teaching Certificate in Special Education
Master's Degree in Education from Morningside University
I have played hundreds (if not thousands?) of live music shows in my lifetime. I have recorded 5 albums as a singer-songwriter and sold thousands of albums as an indie artist. In addition, I have been a public school teacher for several years. Creating engaging lessons with creativity at their core is my passion. Curious about my music before taking this class? Feel free to check out www.savvyhistory.com
RELEVANT BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
I have owned a couple of personal businesses over the years as a full-time musician, wedding singer, guitar teacher, and writer. I love interviewing people about creativity and money as a freelancer. While writing as a side-hustle, I have consistently gravitated toward creative businesses.
RELEVANT CERTIFICATIONS
Department of Education, PK-12 Talented and Gifted
EDUCATION
Masters of Arts in Teaching
Morningside College, Sioux City, IA Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$12
per classMeets once
45 min
Completed by 2 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
3-9 learners per class
