Last updated on June 30th, 2022
For artists, there is much to consider when trying to score better live performance opportunities. Where can artists find paying gigs? Are the gigs in question the right fit for the artist? How can performers build relationships that will help them secure more opportunities and further their careers? Are there platforms out there that are designed to help performing artists as they search for these opportunities?
The latest article in our “10 People Musicians Need on Their Side” series tackles these questions. We reached out to Channing Moreland, who is the co-founder of EVA. EVA is an online marketplace that connects entertainers with paid live event opportunities. While it’s important to note that EVA itself is not a booking agency, EVA works directly with booking agents and independent artists alike to connect musicians and entertainers – of all disciplines and career levels – to paid performance opportunities at corporate events. These opportunities can be vital toward helping entertainers build lasting relationships and grow their platforms.
Do you know what else will help you build connections and grow your platform? Signing up for a profile on Muze. Many of your musical peers are already on our app, and are eager to connect and collaborate whenever you’re ready. Sign up here to get started!
First, tell us a bit about what you do, and how EVA helps professional artists secure gigs.
Channing:
I am the co-founder of EVA, which is an online marketplace that connects entertainers with paid live event opportunities. At EVA, we are focused on providing a simple solution for event buyers to book entertainment, by handling all talent discovery, payments, and contracts, right on our platform. We mainly source for corporate events, because they are high quality, well-paying events that can be a significant revenue additive.
EVA has a team of event professionals behind the tech who aim to work with the best corporate clients, and to show them our pool of highly vetted talent on the platform. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for entertainers to receive performance deal flow, by having a profile on our platform, and receiving notifications when they are the right fit for a client’s event.
What is EVA’s role in bringing these paid event opportunities to fruition, and how do you know whether an artist is “ready” to be booked?
Channing:
I can only speak for EVA on this one, and it’s important to note that we are not a booking agency. We work hand in hand with agents of signed acts and acts before they have an agent.
With us being mainly focused on corporate opportunities, there are some special parameters that go along with corporate events. While the client is extremely excited to have live entertainment at their event, it’s important that we all understand that this is the client’s show. When an act understands the difference between working for hire at a corporate event, versus performing at their own show, that is when I think they are ready for EVA. It is my belief that these events can fuel an artist’s career, and the acts who are flexible and understand this are the ones who are very successful on the platform.
What types of artists do you work with? Are there any particular genres or career levels, or is the platform wide open?
Channing:
My favorite part is that we get to work with all kinds of acts, at every level, on the daily. We initially launched our company with the emphasis on up-and-coming acts, because we believed they deserved to be known by a greater community. There’s still nothing better than when we get to bring an amazing original act to our client, and they fall in love with them. We have now grown to work with artists at all levels, and we are honored to play a part in bringing paid opportunities to the creators’ table.
How do you find your artists – or, do they find you? Is there a vetting process they must go through to be accepted onto the EVA platform?
Channing:
It’s a mixture of both. Through word of mouth, we receive a lot of applications. We do have a vetting process, which starts with an online application that must be submitted on our platform. Then, an entertainer relations team member will personally review each profile. We will also reach out directly if a client has a specific request, and we don’t have that type of entertainer on the platform yet.
How important is it for artists to build relationships when on the hunt for gigs, and what is a EVA’s role in that process?
Channing:
The client falls in love with an artist not just because of their sound, but because of who they are and their personality. I have known clients to book the same artist multiple times, because they developed a relationship with that act, and they want to see them succeed. Any team member that surrounds an artist has the job to try to remove as much work as possible, so the artist can go ahead and do what they do best. Our role is to focus on streamlining corporate event bookings, so they don’t need to worry about where or how they are going to find the next paid opportunity.
You mentioned the importance of performers building a good rapport with the client. What is one tip you would give an artist as they start to build these relationships?
Channing:
I appreciate when an act is truly present with the client – in all interactions and in their performance. That goes highly noticed by clients, and will become a major building block to their relationship with the act.
We’ve talked about the “dos.” Now, what about the “don’ts” – what should artists not do if they want to be considered for opportunities?
Channing:
Performing at a corporate event is like an entertainer’s version of a job interview. If there is anything you wouldn’t do in a job interview, don’t do it here, and you will be just fine.
