A LITTLE ORGANIZATION GOES A LONG WAY

- by erin sage sharp

I'm in two bands that are gigging and selling merchandise. I listen to podcasts, I've been to a number of Music Seminars, and I get to talk to musicians all the time.......the fact is, merchandise is still the NUMBER ONE income generator for gigging and touring bands, but there's more to it than just paying for the goods.

Merch tables hold great potential, but the truth is a good salesperson can make as much as a 700% difference in a night's sales......seriously! One example: A local band we printed shirts for did a 2 week tour through BC and Alberta, in the summer of 2010 and they sold 90% of their merch in 2 out of 11 nights, when the girlfriend of the bass player was managing the table. She smiled, she engaged people when they approached the table, and she encouraged people to have a closer look and try things on. She made great sales, which paid for a huge chunk of the tour!

If you are organized, band merchandise can be self-sustainable - and profitable - after only one investment. Generally speaking, you should be able to sell your product for twice what it cost you to make it.

If you are able to keep the monies from your merch sales separate and you funnel the profits back into another print run, then you will never have to invest from your own pocket again. After one or two print runs you should start to see profits that you can either split between the band, or put straight into your gas tank.....or use it to add a new product to your line.

Think of it as an addition to your overall offering as a performer and entertainer, and count on the long-term payoff. Every single piece of merchandise out there, whether it's a shirt, a poster, a sticker or a handmade doll wearing a shirt with your band's name on it......is a valuable piece of marketing for your band. And your fans are paying to advertising for you!

And remember - handing out the occasional freebie is good promo, and just nice.

Other tips;

Read BCMusician and all the other publications available in your area, and subscribe to the ones that have articles and resources.

Listen to podcasts and go to seminars from Music BC, FACTOR and anything else available in your area.

Look into organizations such as home routes, to fill in nights on a tour.

Support and help out at other gigs in town, make some friends.