It seems every month I cross paths with a professional a cappella group who seems largely ignorant of the general a cappella community and all it has to offer.
The topic doesn't come up directly, but rather they'll be asking me how to get more gigs in this recession, and when I start asking them questions, they stare at me with wide eyes and blank stares.
So, once and for all, here's a list of things you can do to make more money while at the same time becoming more connected to the a cappella community:
* Learn about the dozen or so annual a cappella festivals that feature professional groups. Not only will you have a few new gigs on your calendar, you'll be singing for your core demographic: devoted current and future fans. You'll sell more CDs and gather more mailing list names (per capita) there than anywhere else.
* Learn about the various collegiate and high school a cappella groups in your area, as they're eager to have you come sing for them and provide workshops and masterclasses. This is an easy, flexible local gig.
* Read the a cappella news - here on casa.org - to see what's happening in the community. For example, you'll learn about a cappella opportunities for TV shows (2 are casting right now).
* Have a member of your group post announcements here and on the appropriate regional a cappella email listservs (via yahoo groups). Local a cappella fans will up your attendance numbers which means more revenue directly or indirectly. And if you post something only when you really need it, it looks desperate and a little bit selfish ("wanted: one tenor ASAP!"). However, if you're posting all the time, people are more likely to be following your band, and more likely to go out of their way to help you out.
* Check out the album reviews here and on rarb.org. Gotta say, some of you pro group could benefit from hearing the latest and greatest music that's being released. You don't think you need to? Well, let me play you a few collegiate tracks that sound better than anything you've released. Now are you listening?
* Get to know other professional groups. Yes, this will help you. No, you're not in direct competition. We need each other, just as Nirvana needed Pearl Jam and Soundgarden to be part of a larger "grunge" movement. Every time another pro groups plays a theater or festival for the first time, they're opening a door for you. Plus, there are some pretty great people in our community.
In other words, join the party! Jump in, the water's fine. Just 20 minutes a week interfacing with the a cappella community can make a difference in your opportunities each year. I realize I'm preaching to the choir when I make a statement like this (forgive the pun), but it still needs to be said, in case some group happens across it. And from now on, when a group asks me, I'm just gonna send 'em to this blog.
Oh, and if you ask me for specifics (which college groups? which albums?), I'm gonna just tell you to find 'em yourself. You need to dig around a bit to learn about the community. Plus, there are no definitive answers (the best college groups change from year to year and new albums are released every month).
Any other suggestions from you, esteemed readers, for a well-meaning but community-ignorant pro group?
Click on the wrench in the upper left-hand corner to see what else you can do.
Comments
Well...
Posted by griffon4 on 06/18/2009I should be an Ambassador really but I don't like titles...they make me feel all stuffy. But since I dove into the A Cappella pool this year I have made it my mission to meet as many people who are doing it as I can. One of the amazing things about this community is the accesibility of what you might call "The Greats", both in the real world and here on CASA.org. I mean when was the last time Elvis showed up at Graceland and gave personal tips on his craft? See what I mean? The depth and value of resources in this community can not be oversold.
I have met groups that have been happy to meet me, leery to see me yet again, and in one distinct case, almost annoyed that I showed any interest in what they were doing. But I love them all and all of you for doing what you do. My basic philosophy is this:
A) Surround myself with people who are doing what I want to do. There's a whole field of self-improvement on this topic but this is the piece I took away from it. Or maybe it was an Amway meeting. I don't remember.
B) Meet new people. If you like people (as I generally do) this is just a bonus track.
C) Learn new ways of doing. There's a whole world of A Cappella already out there, even if it seems like you're the only fish in a small pond. Many of the things that you would like to do have been done. There's no harm in learning from them.
D) Expose myself to the community at large. This is blatant self-promotion but if everyone knows me I figure I have that many more people rooting for me, or holding me accountable, or cheering my downfall. Either way it's publicity.
E) Reciprocity. I FULLY EXPECT THOSE GROUPS WHOM I HAVE DOGGEDLY SUPPORTED WILL SHOW UP WHEN IT'S MY TIME. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE... ;)
F) I forget what "F" was, but it was brilliant.
G) Supporting other people in doing what you love is the surest way to promote what you love.
That's my two cents.