Backstage With the Band

[guitarguy19]

We're have a meeting with a couple and their parents about their wedding on Sunday...we decided to have it at a Big Boy restaurant as it's half way between my house and theirs.

Where do you hold your meetings with clients and why? Restaurants, coffee houses...??

[SpaceNorman]

Originally Posted by guitarguy19

Where do you hold your meetings with clients and why? Restaurants, coffee houses...??

I'll be honest and say that I can't recall ever having a "face to face" meeting with a prospective client to simply "talk" about gig plans. For us, "in person" meetings are primarily to give a prospective client the opportunity to see and hear us performing. Typically, prospective clients will come see us at "public" gigs. On a handful of occassions we've made arrangements to have prospective clients join us later in the evening at "private" functions. Once or twice we've had clients stop by our rehearsal space to give us a listen.

However, once they've heard us - any/all "general questions" and/or gig planning type discussions have been handled via telephone calls and emails.

[Remedy]

Ive met with ppl at their house before, for a wedding. also at the venue of a wedding. I dont think it matters that much

[guitarguy19]

Originally Posted by SpaceNorman

I'll be honest and say that I can't recall ever having a "face to face" meeting with a prospective client to simply "talk" about gig plans. For us, "in person" meetings are primarily to give a prospective client the opportunity to see and hear us performing. Typically, prospective clients will come see us at "public" gigs. On a handful of occassions we've made arrangements to have prospective clients join us later in the evening at "private" functions. Once or twice we've had clients stop by our rehearsal space to give us a listen.

However, once they've heard us - any/all "general questions" and/or gig planning type discussions have been handled via telephone calls and emails.

Well, they've already seen us play a club, and they wanted to meet with us AND their parents who'll be the ones footing the bill. Couldn't say no without looking like a douche

Anyhow...I think face to face meetings are good. I can usually do a good job of selling the band that way.

[guitarguy19]

Originally Posted by Remedy

Ive met with ppl at their house before, for a wedding. also at the venue of a wedding. I dont think it matters that much

Those are both great ideas. Going to their house is a cool idea to offer a high level of customer service!

[jimiv]

The venue is the best place, if you are going to meet. If not, it doesn't really matter where you guys meet up. Bring all of your promotion materials with you and dress nice. It's the parents.

[capitalist]

At least you are not meeting at a Denny's.

[guitarguy19]

Originally Posted by capitalist

At least you are not meeting at a Denny's.

Yeah, but it's close!

[guitarguy19]

Originally Posted by jimiv

The venue is the best place, if you are going to meet. If not, it doesn't really matter where you guys meet up. Bring all of your promotion materials with you and dress nice. It's the parents.

Definitely. I was debating on a suit but I thought that might be a bit overkill for Big Boy.

We recently redid our promo materials. I'm bringing with me a 1-sheet that bullet points everything they'll get standard if they hire us plus additional options such as ceremony music or an additional sound system for the ceremony, a song list, and a 3rd page that talks about how much effort we put into the event coordination side of things along with a sample itinerary.

I'll also have copies of our standard wedding info sheet and a contract I'm case they wanna go ahead and book!

[wheresgrant3]

All of the time. We meet at diners, restaurants and bars. When I got married we met our photographer in person at a restaurant.

No need for a suit. Shirt and tie are perfectly fine. Wear what you'd plan to wear at the wedding.

[Blackbird 13]

Originally Posted by guitarguy19

We recently redid our promo materials. I'm bringing with me a 1-sheet that bullet points everything they'll get standard if they hire us plus additional options such as ceremony music or an additional sound system for the ceremony, a song list, and a 3rd page that talks about how much effort we put into the event coordination side of things along with a sample itinerary.

... so, what are the chances of you sharing that press kit with a fellow BWTB poster?

[guitarguy19]

Originally Posted by Blackbird 13

... so, what are the chances of you sharing that press kit with a fellow BWTB poster?

PM me with your email address and I'll send you a copy

[guitarguy19]

Originally Posted by wheresgrant3

Wear what you'd plan to wear at the wedding.

Well at the wedding we're planning on black suits and black shirts with the offer to coordinate our tie color with their decor if they wish. Probably no need for that for Big Boy.

[JohnMCA72]

Meeting at the venue gives you all a chance to look around, measure, point, etc., jointly imagining how everything will flow.

If that's not available, next best would be Waffle House.

[guitarguy19]

Well...the meeting went as great as can be! Gig booked, contract signed, deposit secured!

[Lee Knight]

I wish we still had Big Boys on the west coast. Original Double Deck!

[FitchFY]

We haven't had Big Boy's in the Northeast for a looooooooong time, but I loved it as a kid! They had delicious chocolate cream pie..

[GtrGeorge!]

  Meet them at the bathroom down at the Sunoco station.   It'll tell them you're a down to Earth kinda person.

   GtrGeorge

[Kramerguy]

Always met them at coffee houses, or cafe`s . Just seems that they help create the atmosphere that is eclectic to art, giving a more direct feel to the importance of the musician.

[GtrGeorge!]

I find Starbucks useful. GtrGeorge