Salesman Personality

How important is it to have someone either in the band, working with the band or just plain helping out that has that "salesman" type personality and talent?

I'm talking about this in the good sense. Some people just have a gift of being able to talk professionally yet make things sound exciting without sounding pompous or lying. They are very driven and seem to have the gift of convincing whoever that it is in their best interest to help, hire or do whatever for your band.

These people become promotional machines for your band. I'm truly impressed by people who possess this gift and I think it is a blessing when you have one in your band. On the other hand, when you don't have someone like this it makes it that more difficult to progress.

What do you think?

I agree completely- someone with the personality and the gift of gab working for your band is worth their weight in gold. Makes a huge difference in the gigging schedule. Unfortunately, that has never been me. I was always the other guy that could help someone find a part.

A band I roadied for when I was a youngster

had a drummer like that, he was able to keep

us working every single weekend even during

the bad recession of 82'.

Today he does promoting for a living and is

doing quite well for himself.

I could probably do it too,if I could overcome my

shyness and fear of rejection that has been

a lifelong affliction for me and has hindered

everything from getting girls to getting that

good paying job.....

It's just the ability to "bull{censored}". I've gotten so many gigs by remembering one simple thing. Remember Rat's line from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" ?--

"Act like no matter where you are - That's the place to be."

or

Jake Blues' "Well it's a beautiful place, Bob!"

You're a musician- that's not so far from being an actor, and all they do is "bull{censored}". If you believe it, others will too.

Hell yeah, it helps! One of the guitarists in my band actually has a sales degree from college. But on top of that, he has one of those personalities that can get you anywhere. Seriously, people can't say "No" to him, promoters, club owners, fans, women. He can talk his way into or out of anything. And like you said, without actually lying or making stuff up. One of those people that when he talks others listen. He just knows how to talk to people. He's definately been a great asset for my band.

This get a big BUMP, as I feel this is a great thread about an under-appreciated aspect of trying to get a band going.

I know most people come by this talent naturally, but I really don't, even though I try. Where is the best place to turn for advice?

Well, there's many books on salesmanship at your local library. The key is you have to *do* what you read about in order to make it stick.

Someday I'm going to join the "Toastmaster's Club." It sounds cheesy, but it's actually a class on how to excel in public speaking. Allegedly, on your first night, you have to talk about something, anything you want, for two minutes. At the last class, you have to talk about a topic for 20 minutes - and you don't know what the topic is going to be until you're standing in front of the class and the teacher tells you.

And yeah - I envy those who can do it. The guitarrist in one of my bands was a relentless salesperson - you'd never guess it from talking to him, though. But he'd get on the phone with a promoter, and he'd chat them up like nothing else.

I spent a summer working for the Southwestern Company in Oklahoma knocking on doors. I came home with money in my pocket and a hell of an experience. I can talk to just about anyone, now. (Except hot women.) After standing on a couple thousand porches having people look at me and say "What the hell do you want?" I learned how to connect with people much more quickly than ever before.

J.