Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Let me show you how to create your own performance opportunities along with why, when, where and how often you should be doing that.
(Updated 5th July 2023)
Why Create Your Own Performance Opportunities?
Whether doing covers OR originals, you need to create regular opportunities to hone your performance and singing skills.
You’ll also learn how to engage with an audience both on and off stage.
It can help you to understand and use the feedback you may receive. This can help you to craft your music or singing, as well as kickstart building an audience and following of loyal fans!
How Often Should You Create Your Own Performance Opportunities?
Singing live weekly (or more!), will fast track your vocal and performance stamina as well as your overall confidence.
If you are wanting to make a career out of your music, the more you perform, the more people that get to see, hear and gain interest in you as an artist or performer.
It’s also great for getting to know other singers, musicians and potentially industry folk. Community is EVERYTHING!
Where Can You Perform?
There are many great options for creating your own performance opportunities through Karaoke bars, open mic nights, busking and house concerts.
You can also live-stream yourself singing or use a combination of live and streamed performance through an organisation like SoFar. Search for the events in your area.
Paid gigs are your next step. You will need to have some promotional material to source gigs and have an understanding of how to audition if you are looking to do shows, musical theatre or even to join a choir.
As I have never busked, I went to a former busking expert, Sally, to get some solid tips. She gave such great nuggets of wisdom in this interview about street performing and busking.
Who Should Create Performance Opportunities?
EVERY singer, instrumentalist and singer songwriter should be doing this!
For bands, it can take a bit more planning but it is ESSENTIAL to get your music out and to be honing your performance skills so you can create amazing show experiences.
How To Create Your Own Performance Opportunities
Start by using Google. Search for karaoke bars, open mic nights, house concerts, SoFar – all with your specific area added in the keyword search.
Make a list of at least three of each opportunity. Get in touch with each one to find out how it works and what you need to do to make your performance opportunity happen.
Let me know if you do this by commenting below.
I’d also love to know if you have discovered other ways to create your own performance opportunities.
Please share!
Bonus Performance Opportunity Creation Tips
Remember, if you don’t want to do a live performance just yet or you don’t live close enough to the kinds of opportunities I have outlined, you can record yourself and release weekly videos on YouTube.
I would do both tbh!!! You could release the video on YouTube and then invite the viewers to your next live performance.
Alternatively, if you feel like you don’t have time to do a weekly lock-in of one kind of performance opportunity, do a mix of the options. For example, do alternate weeks of karaoke, open mic nights and twice a month YouTube video releases.
So what’s next?
Get ready to perform!
You can check out this post on my top ten performance tips for singers.
If you have any questions, comment below.
I can’t wait to hear what you get lined up. Share videos if you are game!
Cherie
