This article was update October 16, 2026
Live performance is one of the best ways artists can connect with fans and earn revenue from their music. If you just booked a live show, there are a few steps you can take to ensure your performance is a success. In this article, we’ll walk you through each step.
1. Promote your show
The one thing you absolutely need for a live performance is a crowd. Always take every available opportunity to promote your upcoming show.
Here are a few tips to draw a crowd:
- Social media: Promote the show across your channels, collaborating with artists you’re performing with and the venue/promoter you’re working with to reach a larger audience.
- Physical posters: Design a poster (on your own or hire an artists), print it, and post it around town. Avoid the chances of your poster being taken down and protect it from the elements by asking businesses for permission to post on their community boards or other locations.
- Email list: Notify your email list of the show with a link to buy tickets
2. Plan a set list and practice
Plan what tracks you want to perform — being intentional about track order as much as selection. Then practice your set to a timer, ensuring you’re at or just below your allotted time slot for performance.
Here are a few tips for making a successful set list:
- Focus on energy: Consider how you want energy to flow through the set. For example, a common set starts high energy, works toward slower, intimate moments by the middle, then ends on a high note.
- Be pragmatic: Consider adjustments you’ll need to make between tracks — for example, tuning guitars or queuing up backing tracks
- Leave yourself notes:
3. Create a stage plot
A stage plot is a visual representation that illustrates your live performance setup. That includes everyone’s placement on stage, your tech requirements, and your audio preferences — and anything else to prepare the sound engineer and team for your show.
Your stage plot should include:
- A visual representation of where each member is positioned on stage
- The names of each member and what instrument(s) they play
- The gear (amps, drums, etc.) you’re bringing and where they’ll be placed
- The number of and specific inputs you’ll need on the venue PA system
4. Prepare your merch booth
One of the biggest benefits of playing live shows is selling merch. At your merch booth, you can meet fans, collect emails for your newsletter, plug your social media — and of course, sell merch.
Make sure you have the following:
- Merch items clearly organized and priced
- A merch sign with prices and a QR code
- An email list sign-up sheet and pen
- Anything else you might need: lighting, hangers, a clothing display grid, etc.
5. Hire a photographer or videographer
Document your live performance in photos and/or video. Your concerts can produce some of the most engaging visual content you can use to promote your music — and the next show.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Hire a photographer or videographer and coordinate a photo pass and/or guest list spot
- Send them reference photos to give them direction
- If possible, coordinate with the venue to get soundboard audio to sync with any video footage
Get your music live around the world with CD Baby
The first place fans will go after seeing you perform live is their favorite platform like Spotify or YouTube to stream your music.
Reach your fans where they are. Get your music on over 150+ platforms worldwide with CD Baby. We offer pay-per-release rates of $9.99 per single and $14.99 per album — with no annual fees.
Sign up for a free CD Baby account today.