Follow Through With Follow Up

Had an interesting thing happen a while back.   I booked a date personally; spoke to someone who seemed to be the venue operator and we confirmed a gig.   We even talked about a 10,000 seat shed I had played in the area when I was opening for Steven Wright.    Did all this about seven months in front of the gig.

Then  I sent an email, just as a reminder, asked what they wanted me to put on the website.and told them I’d contact them closer to the date with posters, etc.   And three months out, I send another reminder and asked them where they wanted me to send the posters.  

Got no response to either email and I figured they were just busy with their own lives, so I didn’t worry about it.   BIG MISTAKE.

When you don’t get a response in a reasonable amount of time, something is wrong.

Finally I get a post from a fan saying that they contacted the people who said that I wasn’t booked there.

Strange, I thought.   I sent them another email to which they immediately responded with the comment that they were confused as I had never been booked there and they didn’t know what this was about.

And they sent it from the same email address that I had sent the previous posts.

I called them and while they were very nice, they denied any knowledge of booking the date.

So there’s no gig there…on a Friday night and it’s now six weeks out.   I would be very lucky indeed to find a gig to fill that date.

So here’s my advice for the day.   Even if it’s a house concert, even if it is at your MOM’s house, when you finish the conversation, send an email that reiterates what you think just happened conversation wise.

Further, put together a contract that reflects all that you agreed upon and the responsibility of each of the co signers and send it to them with a self addressed stamped envelope.    I know this is all time consuming and anal but believe me, it is necessary.

Stay in contact with the people that you will be performing for.   Keep the dialog open and keep them enthused about your upcoming performance.  

I have grown very lax the longer I do this because I think that every one has been doing this as long as I have and they know what is what.

You have to follow up.   Follow up is as important as the gig.  Don’t let yourself get caught in a lame situation that you could have prevented.

The venue later said it was possible that I spoke to their son, but he denies booking the date which leaves me with several explanations.  

I am totally delusional.

They are totally delusional

One of us has lost their memory.

One of us is lying.

None of these are  alternatives I want to explore.  I simply want to perform my music.   So I will stay focused on that, and follow up is a big part of that.

Grammar lesson for the day:

The difference between “knowing  your shit”  and “knowing you’re shit”.

Good luck.

Comments

[Bobby Brogan]

That is one of the most unprofessional things I have ever heard...And even if you did talk to the son...What does that MEAN?!!!...Someone on their end REALLY screwed up...While you may have learn that despite your 50 years in Showbiz you cant be sure of anything unless it's down on paper...They just gave themselves a black eye...And yeah ok I'm biased...All the same...