The Gigging Musician Podcast

In this episode, join Jared Judge as he celebrates the success of fellow musician Dennis D. Discover how Dennis, a singing guitarist, transitioned from open mics to securing high-paying private event gigs, thanks to his dedication and Jared's guidance. Jared shares Dennis's journey, from joining the Fulltime Music Challenge to sponsoring a networking event for the International Live Events Association (ILEA). Learn how Dennis's proactive approach paid off, as he received a referral for a three-hour club member release party at a local distillery. This episode serves as a testament to the power of networking and taking action in your music career.

In this episode, join Jared Judge as he embarks on yet another venue tour adventure. Discover the breathtaking garden-style venue he explores, complete with Lily ponds, sculptures, and three distinct event spaces. Jared shares how these tours help him secure coveted spots on preferred vendor lists, potentially opening the door to a multitude of gig opportunities. However, the episode takes a thought-provoking turn when Jared discusses venues that require payment to be included on their preferred vendor lists. Delve into the ethical dilemmas surrounding this practice and the importance of building profit margins into your music business. Tune in and make informed decisions about your music career's future.

In this episode, Jared Judge dives into the thrilling world of booking 10 venue tours and reveals the secrets behind his success. He delves into the power of strategic partnerships with event industry professionals, emphasizing the crucial role venues play in high-paying private event gigs. Jared shares how he leverages venue tours to connect with venue owners, managers, and event planners, even for introverted musicians. Discover the Gig Vault strategy and the importance of follow-up in building a thriving music career. Tune in and get inspired to take your music career to the next level!

In this episode, Jared Judge takes listeners behind the scenes of national and international music agencies. He explains how these agencies operate, from marketing and selling gigs to staffing musicians, and how they manage to provide consistent services across different cities. Jared also challenges musicians to learn from these agencies and apply similar strategies to their own acts, emphasizing the importance of marketing and uniqueness in standing out in the market.

In this episode, Jared Judge explores the idea of competition and collaboration within the music industry, specifically focusing on the relationship between musicians and DJs. He shares his recent experiences in partnering with DJ companies and emphasizes the importance of mindset in seizing opportunities. Jared also discusses the misconceptions people have about hiring live musicians and how musicians can overcome these challenges to create more opportunities for themselves.

In this episode, Jared Judge reflects on the value of work, the importance of putting effort into marketing and selling musical services, and the concept of leverage in the music business. He shares a story from his high school band director and emphasizes the importance of valuing one's work and the work of others. Jared also discusses the challenges of pursuing a career in music and offers insights into how musicians can leverage their skills to achieve success.

In this episode, Jared Judge shares his experience performing at a "Christmas in July" event hosted by the Denver Art hotel. He reflects on the success of the gig, the connections he made, and how it served as a marketing opportunity for him. Jared emphasizes the importance of networking and leveraging opportunities to showcase one's capabilities. He also highlights how playing at this event led to potential future gigs and connections with other professionals in the industry.

In this episode, Jared Judge explores the essential roles that musicians must embrace to succeed in the business world. Drawing inspiration from the book "The E Myth Revisited" by Michael E. Gerber, Jared discusses the three personality types that every business needs: the technician, the manager, and the entrepreneur. He explains how musicians are trained as technicians but must also develop managerial and entrepreneurial skills to create a sustainable business. Jared emphasizes the importance of vision, systems, and adaptability, offering insights into how musicians can navigate the complexities of running a business and achieve long-term success.

In this episode, Jared Judge revisits a critical topic that can make or break a musician's career: building a profit margin into your price. He shares his personal experiences and mistakes in managing his musical act, emphasizing the importance of not just compensating musicians but also covering administrative costs, marketing, and investments in equipment. Jared provides a step-by-step guide to calculating the cost of a gig and determining an appropriate profit margin, stressing that this is essential for the financial stability and longevity of a musical act. Whether you're part of a band or a solo act, this episode offers valuable insights into managing your finances and ensuring that your music thrives.

In this episode, Jared Judge explores the critical topic of pricing for musicians. He emphasizes why musicians should never be the lowest-priced option in the room and how to sell musical services at a high price, even in a market flooded with price shoppers. Jared shares insights into attracting quality clients who value experience over price and how to make yourself stand out in a crowded marketplace. He also discusses the importance of networking within the private events industry and how to leverage your unique skills to create a marketplace of one, where you're the only option. Tune in to learn how to eliminate resistance to your prices and confidently charge what you're worth.

In this episode, Jared Judge shares an exciting music marketing experiment that successfully generated a booking lead without spending a dime. Drawing inspiration from Buzzfeed quizzes, Jared explains how he created a fun and engaging quiz related to his music services. He delves into the psychology behind quizzes, the importance of connecting them to your services, and how he utilized a survey funnel to generate leads. Jared also discusses the power of marketing, the importance of constant experimentation, and how quizzes can be a unique way to entertain potential clients before even stepping on stage. Tune in to learn how you can apply this creative marketing strategy to your own music career.

In this episode, Jared Judge urges musicians to aim higher in their careers. Drawing from the book "10x is easier than 2x," he emphasizes the importance of pursuing higher-paying gigs and setting 10x goals. Jared explores the 80/20 principle, the pitfalls of being too busy with low-paying gigs, and the significance of making decisive choices. He also shares personal anecdotes and insights to inspire musicians to cut out the unnecessary and elevate their careers.

In this episode, Jared Judge dives into the importance of mindset and how it can either hinder or propel your music career. Drawing from his own experiences, Jared emphasizes the need to believe in your worth and to recognize that success in the music industry requires more than just musical talent. He challenges conventional paths and encourages listeners to forge their own unique journeys to success. Jared shares insights from a book he's reading, "10x Is Easier Than 2x," which explores the concept of setting audacious goals and making transformative shifts to achieve them. He highlights the importance of focusing on the 20% of activities that yield 80% of results, and he challenges musicians to step outside their comfort zones and pursue higher-paying gigs by connecting with private event planners and venue managers. Jared invites listeners to explore the Gig Vault, a comprehensive resource of over 24,665 private event venue owners and event contacts, available with a free 30-day trial of Fulltime Music Academy. Ultimately, Jared reminds musicians that their success hinges on their mindset and the actions they take to proactively shape their music careers.

In this episode, Jared Judge shares his experience at a venue open house and how he utilized the power of networking and music to make meaningful connections in the private events industry. He highlights the stunning location of the venue and his two-hour performance on the electric violin. Jared emphasizes the importance of taking action and reaching out to potential clients by sharing his strategy of following and engaging with private event venues and planners on social media. He also discusses the valuable opportunities that arose from the event, including a video interview and collaboration possibilities with a videography company and a talent agency. Jared emphasizes the mindset required for success in the music business, highlighting his belief in the power of marketing, business skills, and relationship building.

In this episode, Jared Judge dives into the world of walking music for corporate events and conferences. He discusses the concept of creating your own category in the market and being the go-to musician in a niche area. Jared shares his excitement about the potential of walking music as a blue ocean opportunity with limited competition. He explains his plan to create a dedicated funnel on his website, complete with a sales letter targeting conference event planners. Jared emphasizes the importance of driving traffic to the funnel and shares his strategy of utilizing an email list to generate interest.

In this episode, Jared Judge shares his experiences playing corporate events and emphasizes the importance of combining artistic talent with strong business skills in order to succeed as a musician. He recounts a recent gig where he faced communication challenges with a collaborator and highlights the significance of effective planning and communication in the music industry. Jared discusses the power of networking and sponsoring events, which have led to valuable opportunities and repeat clients. He encourages musicians to continuously work on their business skills and offers insights on the benefits of analyzing performances and seeking feedback.

In this episode, Jared Judge shares the exciting follow-up to the networking event he played recently. He discusses his experience at Venue Hub, a local company in Denver that connects people with event venues. Jared sponsored the event and networked with venue owners and event planners, emphasizing the importance of networking for musicians. He shares an interesting encounter with the owner of a unique venue centered around a giant ant farm and their discussion about playing "space music" for a mushroom party. Jared then dives into a specific opportunity that arose from the networking event. He received an email from Kyle, who works at a hotel in downtown Denver, expressing interest in booking Jared for their Christmas in July event. Jared highlights the power of networking with non-musicians and the effectiveness of having a contact form on his website. He also reveals a time-saving technique by using AI tools to craft quick and tailored responses.

In this episode, Jared Judge discusses the importance of taking risks as a gigging musician. He reflects on his own experiences and highlights that being a successful musician isn't solely about being the best player, but rather about being willing to step out of one's comfort zone and embrace opportunities. Jared shares how he has taken risks in the music business, including investing in coaching, trying new marketing tactics, and pursuing higher-paying gigs. He encourages musicians to challenge themselves, trust their abilities, and be open to new possibilities.

In this episode, Jared Judge shares his experience playing at a private golf tournament and the unique challenges he faced. From dealing with a lack of power to learning new songs on the spot, Jared takes us through the ups and downs of the gig. He recounts how he overcame the power issue by utilizing an outdoor outlet and shares his plans to invest in a battery-powered PA system for future gigs. Jared also reflects on the success of the event and the enjoyment he found in playing music before 8 am.

In this episode, Jared Judge shares a recap of his recent gig at a corporate event held in downtown Denver. He reflects on the challenges and stresses he faced during the setup process, from parking and unloading gear to navigating a new venue. Jared discusses the importance of giving himself enough time to prepare and highlights the impact of external factors on his performance. Despite the initial difficulties, Jared eventually finds his groove and delivers a successful performance that receives positive feedback. He also explores the concept of stage presence and how it influenced his approach during the gig.