Live music events can be some of the most entertaining events but only if done properly. The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on many great live music events but thankfully as things are starting to look better, we can expect the comeback of live music events.
If you are looking forward to planning a live music event, you’re not the only one. However, since the world has been a slightly changed place ever since the pandemic struck, we can expect some changes in the event planning world as well.
Here are all the things you need to know to be able to plan a successful live music event.
1. Budget planning
Money makes the world go round and it also determines how big or small your live event will be. That’s why the first step is to do some budget planning. What kind of event have you imagined – will your budget cover all the expenses? When doing budget planning our best suggestion is to be realistic.
You need to pay for the venue, equipment, entertainer/talent, and other things. So, keep that in mind when doing numbers. Once you’ve done the planning, you can move on to finding sponsors.
2. Find the talent
You can’t have a live music event without musical talent, right? So, obviously, the next step is to find talents who will perform during the live event. The kind of music event you’re organizing and also, the budget will dictate the artist line-up of your event.
The line-up will also depend on the audience and what and who they want to see. The target market will tell you who’s currently hot and who’s not – and according to that, you’ll choose your talents.
Let’s just reiterate that budget is crucial since you have to pay for equipment, band, and other requirements the artist you invite may have.
3. Pick a venue and a concert date
You can choose between outdoor and indoor venues. Outdoor venues are always a bit pricier since you need to factor in the unpredictability of the weather. Outdoor venues can be great but always have a backup plan in case the weather takes to the worse.
Indoor venues are many, so choosing the one that fits your type of event won’t be difficult. Just make sure that the stage and seating are appropriate for the type of live music event you’re organizing.
Then you can go on and book a date and time for the event. This will depend on your audience and the concept of your event. The time of the day also matters, as well as the time that works best for your audience. Don’t schedule events early on workdays, or at all during holidays.
4. Logistics
A successful live music event needs to have a great sound system. The sound is half the experience – so don’t be afraid to splurge on it. If it’s a big event, a big stage is required, for all the equipment and lighting.
A lot of people would love to see the event but won’t be able to be physically present – that’s where live event streaming comes into play. If you want a truly successful and exciting concert, you’ll have to do live music event streaming. So, preparing for that will also take time.
5. Ticket price and selling
The price of the tickets can affect the success of the event. So, placing the right price for the tickets is important. Calculating the price will depend on how much you spent, how much you can get from the sponsors, and how much you need from the attendees to break even. You need to know how many attendees you’re counting on, so you’ll need how much you can charge each person to meet your goals.
Then you can partner up with an event ticketing partner. An online ticketing company can manage virtual sales and you won’t have to worry about that aspect of the event.
6. Marketing the event and the aftermath
The last and the most difficult thing is the marketing of the event. Your marketing strategy for the event needs to be great if you want to attract an audience. So, don’t be afraid to use social media to advertise – all social media – Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube. Make sure you create buzz by organizing giveaways, competitions, discounts, and other similar buzz-worthy strategies.
Don’t forget that the aftermath of the event is also important. If you want the same audience to attend your future events, you need to keep up with the buzz even after the event. You can do this by sharing photos, sharing highlights of the event, letting people know about the success of the event, asking for the audience’s feedback, and similar post-event follow-up practices.
And there you have it, all the tips on how to create a successful live music event in the post-COVID-19 world.