I run various shows at different venues in New York City, including comedy and music shows.  I have no problem getting great talent, but I'd like to build up more of an audience at the shows.  I'd rather not send people out of the street with flyers and stuff, and craigslist event postings don't usually help much.  Does anyone have any new or interesting ideas for attracting an audience to a show in New York City?
214897
My entertainment company does a couple of things:\n1. Give away 2 to 4 "free" passes a week to different shows.\n2. Advertise Advertise Advertise\n3. Hire people to go to public places and "talk up" the events.\n4. Go into bookstores/shops and place flyers in all the magazines/books that are of interest to our target group.\n\nIt WORKS. It works very well. They're not original ideas either....so feel free to use them.
454575
First ur club must be THE talked club in town before its opening, repend the rumor that there are gonna be too many epople and u have to come early to get in place....invite a great DJ for the grand opening.. depending of the kind of music that is...U can split the club in 2...one half with sofas and chilling music and one half with a real dancefloor...or if u dont have enough space, or money, u can just do 1 dancefloo..people judge a club primarely by its DJ so if the music is great and alcohol is cheap, people will have a great time and come back. The price of alcohol dosnt have to be THAT cheap, just the lowest price of all the good clubs in the area. Build Fire resistant counters and let the barmaids lit it on fire one during a night (with alcohol) always amazez me when they do that! These are all the tips i can think of.
32224
Post an ad in tne NYC section of Craig's List. [Look in the upper left corner where it says "post to classifieds"].
472974
I'd just move to LA, Nashville, Or New york and meet people, go out and just network with people, and that really is the only thing I can tell you...It's who you know and not necessarily what you know. Make sure you're up with the trends, and look the part. Hope that helps:)
195337
well.. i would think a successful gig wouldn't have police called to it.. one thing u need to do is promote it! promote it like mad! make sure everyone know about it, and wants to go! you also need to make sure that the band's stage presence is awesome, that people are into it, and enjoy it... its not an easy thing to do, but it is possible to throw a successful gig
167599
Do more shows, do more shows, do more shows. Build your fanbase where you are without a label, eventually you'll start getting labels asking you to join them, not you asking if you can be on their label. Make a myspace artist profile, make a purevolume, do everything you can to get yourself out there and make yourself known.
67953
Repitition is the key here. The more the same people hear your regular song list the more they will look forward to seeing you. Then you can rework your regular song list to add new songs and keep the songs people most like to hear. Have the other songs that you are leaving out ready incase you have requests for them. You dont want to bore the crowd with the same songs every week but if you change all of them every week then people dont get a good ffel for what they like. A performance a week is not too much even at the same place. If your a good band and your lead singer has some small amount of charisma you will have a solid fan base in no time. Good promotion is only necessary if the bar is not a popular one. If the bar is popular the regulars will go there whether there is a band playing or not. There is your new fan base right there. but if the bar is always empty then it is up to you to get your fans to fill it, that is when promotion is important.
167743
Try putting together a detailed (try to be brief) flier or brochure, can even be one page. Put them up around town, also drop by some of your local clubs you might think would benefit from your space and give them the info. Networking in your local area can be a great resource. A small newspaper ad, flyer at your church/temple might get th word out as well. Last but not least, have an open house some day, just a 2 hour event, invite local businesses, civic clubs, church groups to attend, serve a punch or coffee and tea and let them know about your available space.
264010
Unfortunately the "best" seats never hit the market.I believe the brokers and everybody related to the show scoop them up, also radio station give aways!Heres a little trick weve tried before just to get "any kind of tickets" when the shows certain to sell out.Call by phone to a ticket master location thats not in your state.If you live in Alabama call Ticketmaster location in Louisianna or florida....Its worked for me ,My brother in Indiana gets through quicker than i do for a Chicago show and I live in Illinois.
589084
Play as many shows as possible, get a following.  Labels want to sign someone who can sell CDs so make sure you have a crowd to sell them to.  Get your name out there with websites and merch.  Send one-sheets and press kits to labels that cater to your genre.
175953
Definately listen to your local radio stations, they usually have give aways for things such as backstage passes. Check with your local radio stations web sites because they usually have online clubs you can join to keep you up to date with concert info and give aways.
535659
Sure!  Try this.  I get a lot of my tickets off of craigslist.  Good gift by the way!
234666
Let's see...\n\nHad one friend used to go out with Jimmy Fallon and another who went out with Derek Jeter.\n\nMet people from Enimen, Lenny Kravtiz, Mya, Mathew Perry, Justin Timberlake, etc\nSeen countless celebrities on the subway and in passing.\n\nWhat can I say? I am New Yorker and everyone knows everyone.
336575
You cannot buy GNR, believe me if you could I would have already.  You might be able to buy TICKETS to one of their shows.  They play 4 nights this month in New York...
498785
First, analyze your neighborhood, find out what kind of people reside in the area, lower income customers will be more attracted to specials, happy hours, and free popcorn, stuff like that, college kids also will enjoy good prices but also live entertainment pool table etc. Higher income may like a clean bar, with more of a upperscale atmosphere, i.e. dueling pianos, jazz band, good food, etc. Most importantly you should first find out which group of customers you wish to attract, then advertise and attack, make flyers, hire bands, run specials, and remember this.....crowds attract crowds, if you can get large crowds there even for a short but consistent time, more people will come, Run a "great" special even if you must first lose money, make flyers to advertise this special and place them where your targeted crowd can find them, hire entertainment, make a huge party and enjoy!!!!!!
458049
The LA Music Scene is very tough. It is expensive to live here. Practice space is expensive and usually not convenient to get to.  The clubs might require money up front in the form of purchasing tickets which you are then required to resell yourself to make money back.  A lot of the audiences at shows are people in the industry so they are jaded.  You dont see a lot of people having fun... they are usually a bunch of critics.  You probably will not get your 'big break' here.  It is better to stay in your local scene and create a buzz that way.\n\n-J
269955
When I Lived in NYC I went to an art Gallery for a friends birthday party.  Renting out the space when it's usually closed is a way to get some extra money flowing in.  It was beautiful, she paid the gallery for space rental and she provided all of the wine, catered food and wait staff. \n\nYou can also host a benefit there. Sell tickets to an "Evening or art and conversation" or something simlair.  The proceeds go to a charity and you get good publicity and hopefully some new customers.  \n\nAnother idea would be (If you dont already offer this - also look into the artist approval) creating post cards and book marks from the current works of art that you have displayed.  A digital camera and kinkos and you are set.\n\nBest of luck