How to Secure High-Paying Corporate Gigs for Bands

Corporate gigs can be a goldmine for bands. They pay well and help you reach new audiences, build your reputation, and grow as a musician. Unlike typical shows at bars or clubs, corporate gigs require a specific approach to secure and succeed in.

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See Will Gill perform live by watching the video below.

This guide helps bands book high-paying corporate gigs and grow their music careers.

1. Build a Reputation for Reliability

Corporate clients value professionalism more than anything else. When companies organize events, they invest time, money, and their brand image into making them successful. This means they need a band they can trust to show up on time, perform at their best, and respect the event’s schedule.

To build this trust, establish a track record of reliability. Make sure to always honor your commitments, communicate clearly, and meet deadlines. A few glowing reviews from your past gigs can go a long way in convincing corporate clients that you’re the right choice.

Actionable Tip: Always send a professional contract that outlines the terms of the gig. It shows that you are serious and helps avoid misunderstandings.

2. Perfect Your Marketing Materials

Your promotional materials can make or break your chances of impressing corporate clients. Remember, many event planners won’t know your band personally; they’ll judge you based on what they see in your portfolio.

Start by creating a polished website or electronic press kit (EPK). Share quality performance videos, an experience-focused bio, and client testimonials. Make sure your branding reflects the level of professionalism corporate clients are looking for.

Actionable Tip: Spend time on your demo videos. Edit them well, keep them concise, and ensure they showcase your versatility. Corporate gigs often call for a range of music styles.

3. Build Relationships with Event Planners

One of the best ways to secure corporate gigs is by networking with the people who hire bands for these events. Event planners, talent agencies, and corporate entertainment coordinators often look for reliable bands to work with regularly.

Attend networking events, industry expos, and mixers where event planners are likely to be. Build genuine relationships—not just for getting gigs, but to show them you’re easy to work with. You can also reach out to local entertainment agencies to see if they’re looking to expand their roster.

Actionable Tip: Follow up. After the meeting, email a friendly thank-you and mention your availability for events.

4. Offer a Broad and Customizable Setlist

Corporate clients often prefer bands that can play a wide range of music styles. Why? Because their audience can be very diverse, spanning multiple generations and backgrounds. Being versatile makes you more appealing by entertaining everyone.

Start by creating a basic setlist that includes popular songs from different decades, genres, and moods. Then, be ready to adapt your setlist to fit the specific theme or atmosphere of the event. Be sure to account for requests, especially for VIPs.

Actionable Tip: Ask clients about their music preferences and desired songs or genres. Personalizing your performance will impress them and boost your chances of getting hired again.

5. Network with Other Bands

You might think that other bands are your competition, but they can also be a valuable resource. Bands doing corporate gigs may need backups, collaborators, or event coverage.

Build friendly relationships with other musicians and share leads when appropriate. Over time, they might do the same for you. Networking within your industry can open unexpected opportunities, even for high-paying events.

Actionable Tip: Join local musician groups on social media or attend band-oriented meetups in your area. These communities are often great for gig referrals.

6. Hone Your Professionalism

Corporate gigs operate on a higher level of formality than many other events. The way you carry yourself during conversations, meetings, and performance day speaks volumes about your professionalism.

Communicate promptly and politely with clients. Show up early to gigs, dress appropriately for the occasion, and ensure all your equipment is functioning perfectly. Being pleasant to work with isn’t just polite; it’s a key factor in standing out and earning repeat bookings.

Actionable Tip: Always impress event staff, like managers, caterers, or sound crews. A strong reputation in the industry can lead to more recommendations.

7. Leverage Social Media

Having a strong online presence can attract corporate clients. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and even LinkedIn can showcase your professionalism and musical talent. Share snippets of your performances, behind-the-scenes content, and testimonials from satisfied clients to demonstrate your value.

Actionable Tip: Post a short video series on Instagram or TikTok that showcases your band’s versatility. For instance, you can feature mini-covers of popular songs from different genres and decades.

8. Master the Art of Quoting Fees

One of the trickiest parts of securing high-paying gigs is knowing how to price yourself. Undervaluing your services can lead clients to question your quality, while overcharging can scare them away.

Do some research to find out the going rate for corporate event bands in your area. Take into account factors like travel, setup time, and the length of the performance when you provide a quote. Be transparent and confident about your worth while leaving room for negotiation.

Actionable Tip: Provide tiered packages, basic, premium (longer play and extras), and all-inclusive (like DJing).

9. Keep Refining Your Performance

Even after you start landing corporate gigs, it’s important to keep raising the bar for yourself. Treat every gig as an opportunity to learn and grow.  Watch how the audience reacts, note popular songs, and ask for client feedback.

Actionable Tip: Record your performances (with permission) and review them later as a band. Look for areas to improve and celebrate what went well.

10. Ask for Referrals and Reviews