As an indie artist, you need to be heard and seen. It’s exceptionally important to get out there and play shows. But getting gigs isn’t always easy and booking shows on your own takes a lot of time and effort. But there’s power in numbers.

One of the best ways to get your name out there is to cross-promote with other artists. Have you considered putting a showcase together? Book a two-hour time slot, giving each artist a twenty-minute set. The evening moves quickly and your audience will hear mounds of new music, and you might get a few new fans. Here are some things to consider:

• Cross Audience Appeal: When creating the lineup, consider your audience and create a bill that your fans would like. The key is to get the crowd to stay all night and watch each artist.
• Promote: Give yourself a few weeks prior to the show to work together to promote it. Use your mailing list, your social media pages and get the word out to your friends and family. Remember that each artist on the bill is equally responsible for promoting the show, so be sure everyone holds up their end of the deal.
• Sponsors: If your evening has a theme or particular vibe to it, consider bringing in a sponsor to help get the word out. You could approach a liquor sponsor for drink specials or a media sponsor to help cover the event.
• Keep it moving: Don’t let the evening drag. Make sure each artist is ready to roll once they hit the stage.
• Audio/Visual: Be sure to have a photographer and videographer on site to document the evening. Use that for content on your website, blog, and social media pages.

Tell us what you think! Have you created your own showcase? Or have you performed on someone else’s?

Up next: Our series of interviews with industry professionals continues!

The SongCast Crew