Questions
you should ask before deciding to do a benefit gig:
How much money would they like to raise? Most
organizations set their sights too low and often lose
money instead of raising money. This will also give
you some insight into the organization's skills as an
event presenter.
How far in advance are they planning the event? If
they plan too late, the event will fall short of the
goal.
In what venue are they attempting to hold the event?
If they book too small a venue it may mean a
shortfall in income. Too large will be costly and
means the organization is out of touch with the
number of potential audience.
Who will be co-ordinating the event? If members of
the already small, overworked staff will be adding
the event planning to their already long list of
tasks, the event tasks may be left to the last minute
or not handled at all. If there's a specific person
whose job it will be to co-ordinate the event, it's
more likely the details will be taken care of.
What is the event budget? By examining the budget,
it's easy to tell whether they've planned for all
contingencies or whether they're relying in ticket
sales to cover all costs.
What's their marketing plan? This gives you a good
idea of how broadly they expect to promote the event.
This is another great place to make some of your
suggestions of how you can help by conducting
interviews on radio, television and print, thus
getting yourself more exposure while promoting the
cause. You may also donate a few CDs as radio
giveaways, again promoting the event and your music.
This will also help you determine if the organization
is using the same media to promote their cause as
another organization used in the recent past where
you were also involved. If you work with a number of
organizations, they may use a variety of methods of
marketing their cause. You may gain new market
awareness from the use of these methods.
As you add benefits into your tour planning, don't do
too many during one year. If you mostly perform in
your hometown, doing too many benefits may overplay
you in the market. If you associate yourself with a
specific cause, you may be able to do more benefits
for that organization when done in communities spread
out over a broad area rather than just in your
hometown.
Benefits will open new doors for you and expand your
audience. They will also build a new respect for your
group in the market. Next time you are asked to do a
benefit, look at the request with new interest and a
new professionalism. A benefit is not just a one way
street, when approached appropriately, everyone can
benefit.
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