I didn't think that the year would be complete without my sharing a few thoughts on what I have learned during the past 12 months - traveling from place to place, listening to local entertainment and speaking with everyone from management down to the common man drinking a draft at the local pub. I've organized my thoughts into general themes and hopefully some will hit home with you.
Bands - I have great respect for bands. Not only must each member be talented enough to play their own instrument, but they must also be able to get along with each other. There are lots of struggles such as late hours and personality conflicts to name just a few. Putting up with each one's weaknesses and subtleties can take a toll on a band. Like marriages these days, not all of them last. However, some bands have better marriages than others. I've seen the struggles of trying to get gigs and how money affects which bands get to play certain venues while others need to turn down offers because they hardly cover the cost of gas and drinks. Playing 4 hours or more to half empty bars also takes a toll on the bands. In the end, having a few loyal fans present, can give the bands the encouragement they need to give it their best, no matter how many or how few show up to see them.
Bars - A lot of stuff goes on behind the scenes and your local watering hole - no matter how large or small the place looks. Owners need to manage so many different aspects of their business including but not limited to having enough staff to serve drinks, clean up messes, hire entertainment, promote special events, decide what kind of food to serve and make sure enough beer is on tap! All the aforementioned tasks need to take into consideration how many patrons are expected to show up. If less than expected show up, the night can be a total loss. If too many show up and not enough food, drink, or staff are on hand, the owner/manager must work extra hard to make everyone happy. This is no easy job!
Photographers - Over the past year, I have run into many professional and amateur photographers who capture the essence of the bands and the fans who come out to see them. Each photographer has his or her own style and method of distributing the completed product. Some try to make a few bucks. Others simply do it for the enjoyment of uploading friends faces to Facebook. I have found a great need for bands to get all the publicity that they can get. We cannot depend on local media who pay more attention to big money concerts and events than what's happening right around the corner from where we live. Sharing the fun moments in pictures is one of the best ways to publicize an event, a band or a place to visit. Our impatience to read a lot has been replaced with short, one-line comments attached to photos and exemplifies the expression "A picture is worth a thousand words:.
Facebook - Over the past year, Facebook has become an alternative to Google when it comes to finding information on both people and places. Facebook used to make it easy for people to post information and disseminate it to anyone connected to their profile. As Facebook tries to improve its' usability and functionality, I have found that it can be more un-reliable in getting the right words out to the right people so I would not recommend that anyone rely solely on this medium. On the other hand, I would not give up on Facebook as part of a total social marketing program because it can only get better as competition for your online time continues to heat up in 2012.
Websites - I have seen several websites pop up over the past year which promote local events. Each one has their own strengths and weaknesses (including my own!). I have checked them out to see what they offer. I believe that they were all started with good intentions. Unfortunately, I have not found one that I can turn to on a daily basis to get the most up to date information on local entertainment. That may be why I keep doing what I do!
I'm looking forward to another year of staying in touch with bands, bars, restaurants, karaoke DJ's and most importantly, you, the fans who decide where to spend your time and money, each and every day.
All the best to you and yours this holiday season!
Rob aka The Weekend Concierge
www.weekendbroward.com
