Setting Yourself Up For A Successful Show And After-Party

One of the first things you’ll need to think about when planning your show is budget planning. When setting your ticket prices, be sure to factor venue costs into the price to ensure your overhead is covered. Encourage people to purchase tickets in advance by advertising higher prices at the door. As you search for the perfect location, have a mental image and projected head count in mind. The style and layout will depend heavily on your audience and the type of event you are hosting.

Band or DJ?

DJs usually come cheaper than bands, but if live music is one of your after-party must-haves, try to take the number of band members and musical style into consideration. You’ll want to be sure the stage is a good fit for the musicians. Whether you decide on turntables or spring for a full ensemble, be sure to get specific details about the sound system requirements. If nothing else, you’ll probably need to rent a decent speaker system. Hiring a band or DJ who is well-known within the local community will help cut back on promotional costs. You might save on booking costs if they’re unsigned and not performing regularly.

Don’t Party too Hearty

As long as alcohol is involved, you’ll need to be careful when choosing on your target audience. Just to be safe, you should plan to aim for the 21-and-up crowd, and try to enforce a drinking limit, especially for guest having too much fun. Despite your best efforts, someone will find himself doubled over in one of the bathroom stalls. Be prepared to advice your guests against stepping behind the wheel while intoxicated. If they are pulled over and subjected to sobriety testing, the penalties are certain to be substantial. In fact, keeping a picture of a DWI attorney by the exit doors might be a good deterrent. An experienced lawyer knows the specifics when it comes to these situations.

Everything that takes place, from the start of the show until the last song fades at the after party, the entire experience should target a specific audience. This is why your location is crucial. Clubs are expensive, but they are typically set up for loud music and they are designed to attract young adults. Remember, people may be drawn to the venue if they are familiar with it. Plan to stay busy, but try not to overwork. It’s your night to shine. Just relax and have a good time.