Why your slick promo video may not be enough to get the gig...

For lots of bands, promo material is the lynchpin they're missing to level up in their market.

A lot of the conversation revolves around high-production, high-budget videos. The purpose of this is to present your band in the best light possible and to show prospective clients that you are worth the price.  This is ABSOLUTELY TRUE but isn't necessarily the full story when considering promo options.

Another style of promo is the "In The Room" experience video.  This is going to be a way to show a prospective agent or client what your show looks like from the perspective of the audience.
This can be done with a STATIC camera in the back of the room or at the soundboard to record the full show.  No one wants to see the shaky cam of the gal up front whose had 2 too many...

  The camera doesn't have to be anything too fancy but needs to be GOOD QUALITY.  Most smartphones can handle this job.  If you can source multiple angles that's great too, but not necessary.

As far as audio goes, it needs to be GOOD, but not PERFECT.  If you can get a solid stereo recording from the phone, that may be fine.  If the SPL of the PA makes that not feasible, another option would be a stereo board mix.  It should not be touched up, tuned, or overdubbed.  It needs to be REAL.  

The video should also be LONGER than your run-of-the-mill promo.   It doesn't necessarily have to be a full 3-hour show, but it should have multiple songs all the way through.  It's a good idea to record the full show and cut the songs that don't play to your strengths or contain trainwrecks/bad notes/etc…

A lot of potential customers, agents, and clients know that promo can be misleading.  They know that vocals can be tuned, parts can be patched, and what they see in the slick promo may not be the product they get the night of their event.  This style of promotion allows clients to see what their show may look like and that the band can deliver the goods, not just look pretty in the 2 minute sizzle reel. 

Here’s an example of an “In The Room” promo for Members Only.  We have gotten just as many gigs from this one as this more polished version.

In my opinion, when you receive inquiries for gigs you should send BOTH to your prospective clients.  It shows in no uncertain terms that you can back up what you’re doing when the night of their party comes.