It's no secret that I've hardly worked these last 3-4 years....burned out from working through everyone that comes between me and an audience (employers, filling out forms, invoices, generally difficult people, etc).

But......I do have bills to pay like all of us. I'm thinking about trying to get back to work.....just the senior places.

Everything changed from when I was working regularly. You all know that. It used to be (when I wanted to hustle new accounts) I would just call a place, get the AD on the phone almost immediately, have a brief casual conversation, tell her my references, and presto! zippo! I would get a booking.

Of course, it doesn't work like that anymore. Though Gary is absolutely correct in what he does to get new accounts, I just don't have the time for all of that.

What's the best way to make yourself known out on the circuit again with the least effort (not NO effort, just the least)?

I'm thinking now about reviving my old flyer that tells what I do and Google the FAX # and fax it over. It's nicely designed but, bottom line is it will just go in the scrap heap with the rest of the AD's daily communications.

Any suggestions other than build up a reputation again?

Mark

Go to each facility in person with your calendar show the AD how many jobs you already have booked at other facilities and that she still has a chance to grab a few dates this year and next while they are available!, present your pitch to the AD,...you have to put in the time and "have the goods" that's the bottom line! ....what you sound like, stage presence, interaction with the residence, different theme flexibility "country, 50's, Broadway showtunes, christmas, hawaiian, holidays,etc, etc, ,... you have to sell yourself and make that AD say "WOW I gotta have this guy play for our residents!"

Good luck

There's no easy way. Yes, send your flyer, a demo, promo pack and go in person. When you go in person, be prepared for them to ask you play and sing on the spot in a crappy out of tune piano with no mic. . " Oh you're a keybosrdist? We have piano right over there, Sing something right now for us"

I think it would be great to have a video of a performance and edit down to about 3 minuets , put on YouTube and send the links via email to the AD.

Once you get the gig, and you allready know this, it will always be an audition. Every gig is an audition. They are observing how you interact with everyone, how well your material is going over, how many people fall asleep, if the residents ask about you later.....

Once you get the gig, be prepared that they change AD without any notice, and you pretty have to start all over again. Yeah there's no essy way. It's a PITA, but if you love performing nothing will stop you.

One of the things I quickly discovered is you have to find out the name of the AD, otherwise all of your items either faxed or mailed, would never reach them. The easiest way I found was to merely make a simple telephone call, which put you through to to receptionist. Then I would say "Hi, this is Gary Diamond of Travlin Easy Productions. We are updating our data base of retirement communities, assisted living centers and nursing homes in Maryland. I just need to verify your mailing address, number of beds and the name of your activity director." I would then read off what I already had on file, which was the facility name, address and phone number, then ask for the ADs name and extension if any. Worked like a charm. Now I had a person to communicate with directly, either by fax, mail or in person. And, you compiled a great data base of facilities, which I updated every year.

Of course, when I visited in person, I always brought the goodies, my calendar, a free calendar for him or her, pens, and a CD. However, a video would also go a long way, especially on You Tube or in a DVD form. When they can see you in action, your chances of landing that job go up dramatically.

Good luck,

Gary

Be careful Videos or CDs for that matter could have a Very "negative reverse" effect as they look nice, edited, etc,....
but then in person "live" your act is totally different looking or sounding to an AD, or whomever is listening..
Just be better & Different then all the rest.
A Live Show is always the way to go nothing to hide behind they see you and you alone. IMO..

If you are confident in your skills... just offer a single free performance to a few places.. have them enjoy them.. amd then ask them to book you for your normal price.

If you made a start again, you can build uppon that and get more revenues in other places like you used to.

The music business is really the people business and contacting ADs in person is the way to go. At the very least call and offer to send a promo package by mail or email but talking to them in person is the best. I never enjoyed the marketing aspect of the business and if I ever get back in it my wife, who is a people person, will handle that for me.

“The music business is really the people business and contacting ADs in person is the way to go”.

“If you are confident in your skills... just offer a single free performance to a few places”.

Two great ideas. My line: (Sales pitch) I know it’s difficult to pay for something you have not heard, so I would like to play without charging you. When do you have an open time?

I just want my foot in the door; the rest is easy. If you are good then you use the place you are playing in as your recommendation.

Years ago when my band needed more work one of the band members and I would spend some time knocking on doors. The numbers game rarely fails.

Readers Digest had an article – it said that 10% of the people out there were crazy. There you have it – there will be one out of every ten that will hire you. (aaaaaah)

John C.

...and Redd Foxx (comedian) said "one out of every three people is ugly, so if the two people you're with look okay........"



chas

And why just the AD's of Nursing homes....why not the AD's of hundreds of 55+ Adult Communities which have so many clubs, eg: Mens club, Womans club, Recreation club, Italian American, Irish, Latin, Jewish, Bowling, Golf, Bocce, Shuffleboard, etc, etc,...all of them have awards dinner and dance functions, with entertainment needed for dancing,...
and out of that comes all the private work, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, retirement etc,etc,...it's endless work if your good enough to handle it and provide a top notch product....

Donny......thanks for the advice but do you honestly believe that after 50+ years of playing full time that I don't already know that? And, besides, that's NOT the bottom line.....the bottom line is the "bottom line!" How cheap will you work?

But, again, thanks for the advice.

Thanks for spelling things out for me. You actually reminded me of why I burned out in the first place. All of those things to the point it wasn't about music anymore. It was about forever making contacts, never-ending business issues, being put under the microscope, communication difficulties, competing with volunteer entertainment and high school jazz bands who also play for nothing, and, most of all, the humiliation of it all.

I have to re-think this whole thing now. I DO have to get back to work and you DID give me some new ideas to think about, so thanks for that.

Mark

yes, we both agree on that.....very important.....the very first step. But up around where I live, you can just call the front desk and say "my wife wants to send a thank-you letter or a FAX to (or telephone) the Activities Director for the wonderful entertainment she provides for her mother in the place." The receptionist just about throws the information you need in your face when she hears that. Especially if you call at night when the part time receptionist is on.



yes again......I keep a computer database of every single place I come in contact with, so I've got a lot of my phone #'s and addresses already



you're on a roll....my third agreement with you. That would be the magic formula if only there were enough time. And I'm not just talking about a day.....I'm talking a lifetime. But nowadays, everything moves at a snail's pace.

Gary, there's no disputing that Elvis was the King of R&R and you're the King of Marketing. I just don't think those tactic are practical for these places around here. There IS no law and order in my neck of the woods.....it's a free-for-all. No rhyme or reason for how anyone operates in this tri-state area.

Bachus........that's a very good and practical idea on paper, but the odd thing (around here, at least) is when you offer a "free show" they think you're an amateur trying to get a start in show business.

BUT....that location where I had the difficulty with the AD that I just posted about. A friend had been telling me to call them for years......absolutely gorgeous place. So, finally I DID call them, volunteered to put on a show for nothing and I've been playing there regularly ever since. Other places look down their noses at anyone who asks if they can play for nothing.

Believe it or not, Tracy, you reminded me of a way "out of the nursing home bedlam" that I used to think about years ago. Never did it but maybe this time around. Hire someone to do your marketing for you so you can work on the music. You can pay them by the hour or by percentage.

I'm going to give that some serious thought. Thanks for mentioning it.

Donnie....of course you're right, but let's face it.....we're not 20 years old anymore. Where I live the fruit is there to be plucked off the trees...hundreds of opportunities...just not hundreds of hours to follow each one up

So I'm going through each of your replies carefully because I genuinely need to get back to playing. You guys already stimulated me with ideas and revelations of what I'm up against. Any other comments appreciated.

But it comes down to this. I'm aware that there are various ways to reach "employers." I should have said......

If you only have time to make one form of contact with an AD, how should it be? demo tape, flyer in the mail, flyer by FAX, a phone call, a "Gary-type" package, set up a personal meeting, etc? I'm trying to figure how to reach the most people in the way that is the most effective.

I'm also starting to think it's just plain a lost cause to start again at this age. Maybe I WILL become a florist and enjoy peace amongst the flowers instead!

I'd have to say in this day and age a website probably makes the most sense. Most of the ADs now are young and it would be a normal thing from their perspective. If there are some older ADs left they might prefer a flyer and a CD which is what we used to do.

As far as if to start again or not, it is a dilemma for sure. I have some nagging health problems keeping me out now, but ADs are one of the reasons I got out. An example-once an AD asked me if I could setup in a space that was against a wall near a high traffic area (kitchen) and was maybe three feet wide. Fortunately, my wife was with me and she talked to her and worked it out. I just walked away from her. So, I need to remind myself there were reasons I got out. When you are sitting at home doing nothing, it is easy to romanticize the good times (and there were some for sure) and forget the bad. If it was just you and the residents, all would be good.

Thought I would add this to the thread. This morning at 9AM I started calling all the senior venues I PREFER to play for - 112 of them. Out of 112 phone calls I actually spoke with only 17 people and booked gigs at all 17 of them - some of them multiples. Of the rest I either left a message, sent an email or both. So far, only 2 of the phone messages have been returned and I booked both.

It is now a matter of wait and see. That is how it works for me.

Deane

I am the Director of Sales & Marketing at Credit Law Solutions. The Credit Expert on GO COUNTRY RADIO 105 FM here in Los Angeles. I Have toured the Country doing music as well. I am really, really good at both. I am not the best schmoozer. But if I want bookings for either I have to do serious legwork on top of those who find me. I like you, really am not inclined to be in the rat race. But competition is fierce and I need to maximize myself. Yes I gotta promote myself as well as count on those who promote me. But I cannot sit back and wait on others.

If it ain't in us to do that, Houston we have a problem

As a rule, I never play nursing homes. This year, I have been trying to cover the jobs of a friend who had a stroke. Looks like he may not make it. I let him keep the pay. Like many players, he has no cushion and needs every $.

I've known Nick since the early 60's. I've told all the homes that I will cover the jobs until his family says he's not coming back (he won't) or he passes.

Nursing homes, AD's and management turn my stomach.My only interaction with AD's is when I tell them "no".


Russ

Way to go, Steve. My approach was very successful for me, and of course, results may vary. When I was pushing it hard, I averaged about 75 percent success when I went the full route, promo package, followup phone calls and personal visits. Once I got my foot in the door, I was usually there forever.

One of the benefits was that those NH jobs frequently led to corporate parties for the owners of the NH and Assisted Living facilities, lots of in house weddings, private parties for resident family members, and nearly every special event, all of which were very, very lucrative. However, I charged the same hourly rate, but those parties were all 3 to 5-hour parties, which made for a damned nice paycheck.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed performing the nite club/restaurant circuit, the pay was lousy at best. Most nights the facility paid me $150 for a 4 hour performance, and you had to rely on tips to make the night worthwhile. Additionally, you got home at an ungodly hour, were dead tired and had to drive through the worst sections of Baltimore to get home. After just one year of working the NH circuit, I vowed I would never go back to that life. I know UD and DonM love it, but it's not for me.

Good luck,

Gary