If you’re looking for ways to find more gigs as a musician, it can be overwhelming at first. Where do you start, how do you stand out, and what actually leads to consistent and high-paying bookings?
We're sharing five tips on how to find gigs as a musician, featuring insights from successful musicians on The Bash.
From creating a strong media kit and clearly promoting your services, to building an online presence and leveraging client reviews, these strategies will help you attract more potential clients and turn interest into confirmed bookings.
1. Create a Strong Media Kit
A media kit should be your go-to digital marketing tool for promoting your business. It gives potential clients everything they need to quickly understand who you are and what you offer.
Be sure to include:
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A short bio and background
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Notable awards, achievements, or performances
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Song lists or genres
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Pricing or package information
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High-quality, recent photos
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Videos of you performing
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Booking/contact details
Put yourself in the client's shoes—what would you want to see before booking a musician? Your media kit should answer those questions immediately.
"My media kit, featured on my website, includes a biography that captures my essence as a natural entertainer and talented musician from Edmond, OK. It showcases a variety of high-resolution photos, a selection of my smooth Jazz, R&B, Neo Soul, Blues, Pop, and Gospel repertoire, and snippets from my latest album 'Still Groovin' to give a taste of my style and versatility."
- Vearl T on his media kit content.
✨ Pro Tip: High-quality, recent photos and videos are the most important part of your media kit. Most clients will decide whether to inquire based on your media alone, so make sure your images and videos clearly reflect your current look, sound, and performance style.
Connect with photographers or videographers at events whenever possible and ask for photos or short clips of your performance. Many times, they’re happy to share content with you, and this is one of the easiest ways to build a library of high-quality, professional visuals for your media kit and online presence.
2. Build a Strong Online Presence as a Musician
Your business needs to show up where potential clients are searching. Today, that includes social media platforms, a Google Business Profile, an SEO-optimized professional website, and established event marketplaces or online booking platforms.
Many people are looking across multiple platforms. For example, they might first find you through a social media search, but then look you up directly to read reviews, watch videos, or compare options before making a decision.
Make sure your social media accounts and professional website are up to date, include your most important business information, and give potential clients a clear snapshot of what it would look like to book you.
"Most of what a prospective client *needs* to know is already on our listing on The Bash, on our website, and on our social media. By the time a client actually reaches out – at that point they generally want to see what it’s like to interact with us, and if we’re going to be easy/fun to work with."
- Scott Arcangel from The Music Boutique about his online presence.
✨ Pro Tip: Search your own business or name on Google to see what shows up. This helps you understand how you appear online, what platforms are ranking for you, and whether your most professional and up-to-date profiles are easy to find.
Take it a step further—search terms like “musicians in [your city]” or service-specific phrases like “acoustic guitarist in [your city].” This shows you exactly what potential clients see when they’re actively looking to book entertainment, including which directories, marketplaces, and competitors appear first, and where you may need to strengthen your presence if you’re not already showing up.
P.S. Do this same search on social media platforms too. Many clients discover musicians through social searches and then will cross-check them on Google before reaching out.
3. Leverage Reviews and Testimonials
Reviews are one of the most powerful tools when it comes to getting gigs as a musician because they do the selling for you. Potential clients want proof that you're professional, talented, and easy to work with — reviews provide exactly that reassurance.
Always follow up after the event and ask for reviews. Thank them for trusting you with their event, and let them know how much reviews mean to your business.
But don’t just collect reviews—actively use your reviews to connect with more clients. Take your strongest testimonials and feature them across your website, social media, and other profiles. Choose reviews that highlight specific outcomes like professionalism, energy, or how you went the extra mile at an event.
✨ Pro Tip: Reply to your reviews whenever possible. It shows professionalism and that you value your clients, while also reinforcing trust for future clients who are deciding whether to book you.
Your response can be as simple as “Thank you so much for the kind words—I loved being part of your event,” but we recommend adding a personal detail from their event to make it feel more genuine and memorable.
4. Share Your Setlists
Sharing your setlists is a simple but powerful way to help potential clients understand exactly what they’re booking and how you stand out from competitors. It helps them better understand your style, versatility, and the overall experience you can create for their event.
Clients aren’t just booking music—they’re booking a vibe. Your setlist helps them visualize that experience in a concrete way.
"My setlists are tailored to the event type, with a special emphasis on client personalization. My range in genres from Smooth Jazz to Gospel allows me to create the perfect musical experience, whether it's a wedding, corporate function, or community event, ensuring each setlist resonates with the specific audience."
- Vearl T on his setlists.
5. Offer Package Deals or Promotions
Letting potential clients know about the packages you offer helps educate them on everything you can provide for their event. For example, a couple looking to book your music for their wedding ceremony might not realize you also offer cocktail hour and reception music, or that you can perform on both acoustic and electric instruments.
As our vendor Scott Arcangel put it, “...People won’t ask for what they don’t know exists…If the only thing people have heard of is a String Quartet – they aren’t going to think to ask for a String Duo or Trio, even though it may be the perfect fit for their day.”
Utilizing promotions creates urgency and encourages clients to book before a limited-time offer ends, which can increase your chances of securing the gig. Don’t underestimate the power of package deals and promotions either—they can be a major differentiator between you and your competitors.
"For wedding clients – once we’re playing for the ceremony, adding on the cocktail hour is at a very reduced rate. I tell couples – once we’ve dedicated our day to their day, we love to play for them as much as possible! For our corporate clients, we’re often able to add on things they might not even think about – such as a microphone/speaker package for any remarks, intros, speeches."
- Scott Arcangel from The Music Boutique on package deals.
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Getting booked and expanding your music business takes time, but putting these five tips into action will help you build momentum and start securing more consistent gigs.
If you’re ready to find gigs as a musician, learn how The Bash can help you get discovered by clients actively searching for musicians.
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