1) Press kit and stage plot. How to guides are all over the net but lock them in. Stage plot should be clear, bio should be realistic, press pics should be print worthy and contact details should scream at the promoter. Never delay on getting these to venues/promoters. This is BASIC business so follow through as if your life depended on it.

2) Bio. Get SOMEONE ELSE to write your bio so you dont sound like almost every single myspace artist. NEVER say “from the ripe age of 6, insert artist name played guitar and blah blah blah”. NO ONE CARES about your childhood. Its a cliche that the industry hates. Dont lie. Promoters and other acts further up in the industry can see though fake net labels and non-existent gigs with ease. Dont try to be too funny or obscure. Wit is good in small doses. Get the basics up the top… who are you, what do you play, why are you awesome? If you arent sure if your bio is rocking then email your local street press and ask their advice. I can tell you from experience that no one in the world gets as many bad and occasionally amazing bio’s as a street press writer!

3) Press photo… theres some hilarious topics along these lines and it might not apply to you but have a range of pics to use. Dont use the same image for the same event more then once and change it up often. Even variants of the same shoot will suffice. The current backlash is against boring shots in front of brick walls or in front of graffiti. Sometimes a simple headshot is the best… flyer designers love to work with portrait shots.

4) Be self sufficient. Have your own cables, power, light, gaff tape, etc. Have backups if you need. You want to look slick and let the venue staff worry about things like… making money. If you do require anything, it should have been dealt with in your stageplot requirements and earlier conversations with venue/promoter.

5) Dont EVER be late for soundcheck or bump in times. Never just rock up to play and leave. This is not only missing the chance to impress the venue and promoter by missing out networking time. Again on a personal tip ive watched a successful act paint themselves into early retirement through these antics.

6) Practice setting up! This one used to get the most “aaaaaaaahs” during lectures id give. Practice setting up in your house. If you are new to performing…. pack up the studio and set up in the lounge room. Play a short set and then pack down. Now do it again. And again. And again. Seriously. Think of it like those scenes in war movies where the soliders in training are crawling under barbed wire as bombs go off around them, or pulling apart their weapons. Practice until you can, literally, do it with your eyes closed.

7) Be a professional. Even the “raaaawk stars” in real life are by and large polite, charismatic and organised (or else have amazing handlers). Its a small scene no matter where you are! I’ve seem flavours of the month rise and fall with their antics. Doesnt take much to be a professional and people remember good business.

8) Where possible… actually attend the venues and events you want to play locally. Again, its community/participating!

9) Promise nothing you cant deliver.

10) Play nothing youre unsuitable for. It wont win you fans and more importantly will knock your own confidence in ways you probably wont know about if youre new to the game. Small successes build character and the culture of your act… but stoney silent will have you second guessing yourself for no reason. Target your demographics well. Again ive seen amazing acts crumble from poor bookings… more then i would care to mention in Australia alone!

11) Enjoy the good and the bad :) What better thing in the world then to play your music to people?