Learning how to get gigs isn’t that tricky and can be broken down into three steps: Finding Gigs, Applying to Gigs, and Closing the Deal.

There are two strategies when finding gigs. Knowing the various types of gigs is a good start. After understanding that you can perform anywhere, start seeking out events in your area ahead of time. When you find an event, go to the contact page of the website and send them your press kit.

Another way to find gigs is to have them find you. Talent scouts are not in the bushes outside of your apartment with binoculars (we hope). Hoop in public and bring your business cards.

In a Hooping.org article one of the pioneers of extreme hooping, Cristabel Zamor shares that, “Every club gig I have gotten has been from a personal contact who referred me based on seeing me perform somewhere in the community.”

Performing leads to more performances. Doing your act for free is looked down upon in the wider community, and for good reason. It undercuts other performers and cheapens our work, but there are great chances to perform fairly for free.

Connect with local non-profits and volunteer as entertainment for meetings and fundraisers. When booking performers, if I see two videos featuring the same talent-level, and one is in a living room and one is already performing, I am more likely to choose the latter.