6 Tips For Making The Most of Every Open Mic

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Open Mics can either be a huge waste of time or the  most rewarding experience for a newcomer.  That outcome is usually up to you.  Below are some tips for making the most your of 2-song show; because in most cases, 2 songs are all you got!

 

CALL AHEAD
The website might say 9pm but the Open Mic doesn’t actually start till 10pm. Call the venue ahead of time to clarify details like these. You might even discover that the venue doesn’t host Open Mic anymore. Save yourself the trip and the annoyance.

If you’re working in advance, calling/emailing ahead to secure a “featured spot” will come in handy at many venues. You’ll get a longer set.

 

STICK AROUND FROM START TO FINISH
It’s really bad etiquette to come before you play and leave after you get off stage; but some people do it.  Make an effort to meet other performers, commend them for a good two songs, and let them know who you are. A conversation can go a long way.

 

PUT A STACK OF BUSINESS CARDS IN YOU BACK POCKET
Very important! You’re more likely to hand out 5 cards than you are to sell 1 CD at an open mic. Talk to people and give them your card. And asking them for their card is just as important

 

HAVE A SMALL NOTEPAD AND PEN
Playing an Open Mic in a foreign city? You know the drill: play your songs and pass that notebook around. Tell people that they can jot down their email address for a free download of 1 of the songs you played. Make sure they know that you’ll be putting them on your email list and letting them know when you’re back in the area. It works.

 

A FEW ALBUMS
Its hard to sell albums at Open Mic, but always be ready.  Consider going the pay-what-you-want route.  See “PAY WHAT YOU WANT?” DOES THAT REALLY WORK?”

 

BE FRIENDLY
In our last post, David Craver of OpenMic. us suggests that the single most important thing an artist should do to promote themselves better is “become as outgoing off-stage as you are on-stage“.  Its a great tip, but many of us don’t apply it. Don’t play your song than hide in the corner of the room. Make yourself available to conversation through the night. Be friendly.  See: “AN INTERVIEW WITH DAVID CRAVER OF OPENMIC.US”

 

  • Lewis Robinson

    Certainly make sure you dont do the “arrive late and leave once you’re done” thing – definitely agree with that! Coz the next time you go there to do the same, you might find you sound absolutely awful. The person running the night often does the sound after all and if you dont try to be polite and supportive, well….

  • JoshuaSanders

    I think its also important to remember that most open mike attendees are not there to listen to other performers. They are there for the same reasons you are: to practice a new song in front of an audience. So make your expectations modest in terms of getting email addresses, selling CDs etc…keeping this in mind, Joy’s point above about sticking around afterwards is important. They are listening to you after all so make the effort to hang around and listen to them. Depending on the number of people playing you might not wait around the entire OM but I think four people after you is prob a good number…

  • http://www.battleshyyouths.com/blog Michael

    great advice, I’d also recommend the obvious – play songs that are more upbeat & engaging for bars/venues you’ve never been to. strangers don’t always listen intently enough for deeper lyrics ^_^

  • http://www.facebook.com/pami.toll Pami Toll

    Great Idea and information! Thanks for sharing.

  • grassrootsy

    Roger that!

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