"Hey. We just checked the weather forecast, and it would snow heavily on the day you want to perform your music. We hate to break this news to you, but the gig has to be canceled."
Messages like this are one of the most heart-wrenching pieces of information a musician can get. Especially with how difficult getting well-paid gigs can be. What do you do when your gig wants to get canceled? Do you push ahead or wait for another opportunity?
Analyzing the Situation After a Canceled Gig
When a gig is canceled, your first reaction should be an evaluation. Was the gig canceled because the client heard your poor music or got a bad review about you from a source, or did the person cancel due to a flimsy excuse like the weather? Analyzing the situation will give you a clear idea of how to respond.
Communication
As a professional musician, communicating with your client is an effective method of salvaging your gig. You can send an email stating your understanding of the situation and proposing a way forward. Your message should be professional and maintain a positive tone. Ask questions and propose alternative terms that can make the client compromise.
Negotiating Alternative Solutions
Most clients want to avoid paying the initial amount agreed on by both parties. On your part, you will need to calculate and negotiate a price that will be beneficial to you. Refrain from slashing your cost by half because you want to please the client; it will only make the client see you as less. But a message like
“I understand business has not been as expected and it may snow heavily on our proposed date. How about I play my music the day before the snow and give you a 5% discount on our initial price.”
This way, you get to push the date to a more weather-friendly day and offer a price that will make the client reconsider their options.
Protecting Your Reputation
After a successful negotiation, treat the gig like the most significant music performance you have ever had. Give the client a reason for their money and why you should be called back again for another performance. Performing standard music may influence the client to pay you the initial full price. Music is playing, people are happy, and there's money in your pocket.
But what if the client didn't push through with your negotiations?
Moving Forward
When a client refuses to push through with the gig, there's only one thing left for you to do. Return to the drawing board and get a new gig. The thought of gig-hunting can be overwhelming, but you can handle things smartly by using our Robotic AI Booking agent. With this tool, you get to send hundreds of cold emails to potential clients and manage further responses. While the AI Booking agent does the administrative task, take your time to become a bigger, better, and irresistible musician who will make clients beg you to perform.
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