Working With Great Musicians To Create Great Bands
Specializing in Jazz, Rock and Ethnic

1.   How do most entertainers find their first jobs?

1. Working out deals with local club owners to play for tips or for gas money.

2. Finding a promoter or record label that is interested in their music.

3. Mailing sample CD’s or videos to radio DJ’s or TV stations and hoping to get air play.

4. Tossing a demo CD or video inside the car of an entertainment executive, hoping they’ll find it and play it.

2.   How does the average local, successful entertainer make a living?

1. Selling CD’s or videos.

2. Performing concerts.

3. Performing at parties and other special occasions.

4. Playing clubs.

5. Getting a second job in the real world.

3.   What is an entertainment agency?

1. A company that finds work for entertainers by introducing them to clients.

2. A company that organizes concerts or sets up events for entertainers.

3. A business that contracts with those looking for entertainment and then finds the entertainer to suit the job.

4. A company that looks for work for its entertainers.

5. A place entertainers can go to if they desire steady work.

6.  A business that looks for the best entertainers and then finds work for them.

4.   What is the difference between an agent and a promoter?

1. There is no difference. Promoters and agents do the same thing.

2. Promoters organize entire events. Agents find entertainment for clients.

3. Promoters do what agencies do, but they also plan entire events.

4. They both do the same thing, except that promoters advertise.

5.   Do entertainers need literature to promote themselves, or will a CD or video do the job?

1. The CD or video is fine. Anything else is just icing.

2. You need a complete, professional looking press kit in order to give the best first impression.

3. The CD or video is not enough, but you can get away with a simple bio, photo and business card.

6.   How does a CD help a band?

1. The band can make money from CD sales.

2. The band can give the CD’s to radio DJ's and get rotation.

3. The band can give CD’s to anyone with influence or interest in the music, but charge everyone else.

4. The band can give CD’s to everyone they know in order to get the music on the street.

ANSWERS TO ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS QUIZ

1.   How do most entertainers find their first jobs?

A -   Unfortunately, most entertainers do not know how to find the kind of work that could bring them serious money, so they resort to playing the local clubs that pay next to nothing. There are a lot of clubs like these, and so many desperate, struggling entertainers hit them.  Club managers have no incentive to pay reasonable amounts to hire them. When I speak to entertainers and explain how they could be making $500 as a magician, $1,500 as a band or $300 an evening as a solo artist, they are usually so frustrated, they have difficulty believing it can happen.

2.   How does the average local, successful entertainer make a living?

C - Entertainers make a living playing live events, clubs, parties and other special occasions. There are a few artists who make a living playing clubs exclusively. However, playing parties and other special occasions makes up the bulk of their living. This work pays better.

3.   What is an entertainment agency?

C - An agency receives a call from a client looking for a specific type of entertainment for a function. The agency advises the client to consider one of several options based on a list of entertainers they work with. If the client agrees to one of these entertainers, the agent contracts separately between the client and the artist. The agency is the contractor. An agency never allows the artist to contract directly with the client. Agencies do not organize concerts, events or parties.

4.   What is the difference between an agent and a promoter?

B - People often confuse promotional work with agency work. Here’s the difference:  Agencies contract artists on behalf of clients who are looking for entertainment for specific functions.  Promoters plan and organize entire events, often specifically for the purpose of promoting and creating a venue for a performer.

5.   Do entertainers need literature to promote themselves, or will a CD or video do the job?

B - The entertainment business is flooded with solicitations from artists. Many producers and newspapers receive as many as 20+ artist press kits per day…so many they cannot sift through them all. For this reason it is critical to create a unique press kit that includes a CD that will give the best impression possible, both before they open it and after they look inside. Even the packing envelope needs to look curious. In fact, if you don’t create curiosity in your kit, it might never be reviewed.

6.   How does a CD help a band?

D - It is important to give your CD’s to everyone you know. Get your music out there. Don’t discriminate. The more people that hear your music the more likely you will get hired to perform.

If you answered more than two of these questions incorrectly, it is likely that you could use additional support. If you would like our help, you can either contact us directly, or you might first decide to purchase our book, designed to help those in the entertainment business who need advice.