Inspire them. Show them they can do it.

Nothing (not even the video I just made) will inspire someone to host a house concert as much as experiencing one.

So….

Photo by Jen Waller

If there is a house concert series near you, consider organizing some of your fans/friends to go to an upcoming event. Our house concert calendars list events on the left side of the state pages. Search for your state/province or country here:

Then, select some friends/fans to send this email to…

Hi Friends,

Have I made you curious about house concerts yet?

On [DATE], there’s a great performer [NAME] who will be performing at a house concert in [LOCATION/CITY].

I plan on going, and I’d like to invite you to come with me. These events are wonderful, and the suggested donation for this one is only [$ amount]. Here’s the rest of the information, where you can get additional details [LINK TO RELEVANT WEBPAGE]. And here’s a link to the artist’s website where you can hear some great tunes. [LINK DIRECTLY TO BEST PAGE TO SAMPLE MUSIC]

Please let me know ASAP if you are interested so we can RSVP together. Seating is usually limited at these events, so it’s important we get it together right away.

Your Friend…

Just think of all you can accomplish by doing this:

    1. Support a house concert series. Hosts have the same challenges as artists do when it comes to promoting events. Many hosts would be thrilled to hear from someone who can bring 4 or 5 people to the event. Ask the host ahead of time (how many seats are available?), and make sure your friends commit when you RSVP for them.
    2. Support and meet a talented artist. Make sure you pick an event/artist you are likely to enjoy!
    3. Meet a host you might be interested in. These people are usually friendly and social, so don’t feel awkward about visiting someone’s home for a show.
    4. Experience a house concert - you can learn so much as a performer from these events, even if you’ve been to one before. It’s a great situation to take notes on how to improve your show.
    5. Inspire a friend (that came with you) to put on an event like this for you. I can tell you as a performer, it is so gratifying to see how people’s faces light up when they experience their first house concert.
    6. Bond with few of your friends/fans. Choose the non-creepy, sober ones who aren’t likely to embarrass you or themselves. Hopefully, you have a few friends like that.
    7. Oh, and have a great time.

.

Important:

Keep in mind, the host and the artist will be BUSY. A quick, polite, friendly introduction is great. Monopolizing their time for a sales pitch is not. Keep it light and brief. Light and brief.

… and don’t for get to carpool. On the way home you can help your friends plan their first show… featuring… YOU.

For some artists, I understand that finding a house concert series near you may be a challenge. We’re working on it. Are you?

Your (non-creepy) fan,

Fran