If you think you should never play for free, think again. Donating your time and talents to benefit shows for causes and non-profits you support is a great way to give back to your community, as well as build your fan base. In fact, you should seek out the chance to play benefit concerts in your town. Organizations often have fundraising shows and need good talent willing to play without compensation. Even though you won’t get paid, it’s still a win-win situation for the act and the organization. You get a built-in audience eager to support a good cause, and the organization gets to raise funds by providing top-notch entertainment.

The type of people who enthusiastically support a non-profit cause are exactly the kind of people you need to get in front of, because chances are they will also passionately support any musicians they like. If you make yourself available for benefit shows, you’re putting yourself out there among good people who will support you later and help spread you name. Before long, you may find yourself being called upon to play for packed houses simply by word of mouth between show organizers. And all those new fans you gain will likely come out to your next local paying gig and bring some friends along with them.

Here’s the important thing to remember when playing a benefit show: always check with the organizer first about merch sales. Some may expect you to donate proceeds from the CDs and other merch you sell. Don’t assume anything. Always get the correct info about how much you’re allowed to promote yourself, future shows, email lists, etc. before you arrive, so you know what to expect. If you really want to make a good impression on both the organizers and the crowd, announce from the stage that you will be donating the proceeds from your merch sales to the fundraising effort. Then remind them about signing up for your email list and any upcoming shows in the area. You could also help promote the show beforehand. During the show, push the cause to the crowd first, then gently guide them towards the merch table after your set is done. A benefit show is definitely not a place you want to hard-sell yourself or your band, but it could be a good networking opportunity while benefiting a worthy charity.

If you’re interested in playing benefits concerts, contact the organizations — pet rescues, homeless shelters, children’s charities, etc. —  to see what kind of events or annual fundraisers they stage, then offer your services. It may not even be an organization, but a one-off fundraising event, such as for an un-insured musician to help offset the costs of hospital bills. The bottom line is, it’s all about being part of your community, and it doesn’t hurt that you’ll be gaining a new devoted group of fans while you’re helping out.