Shel Horowitz's Monthly Frugal Fun Tip for January, 2003
Vol. 6, No. 8: See Concerts, Plays, Movies or Sports Events for Free as a Reviewer

This tip is not for everybody, but it works really well if you can write, or if you can speak comfortably on radio or TV: Go to concerts, plays, movies or sports events as a reviewer.

I'm going to focus on music reviewing, but the sample principles apply to other types of reviewing or sportscasting.

Small-town newspapers, public access cable TV shows, college radio stations and other "just-below-the-radar" media often are open to new reviewers. If you know enough about your favorite entertainments to talk intelligently about them, and if you're reliable enough to turn in clean work, on time, and at the right length, there's no reason why you can't find a market for your reviews.

I will write music reviews for much less than I'd normally get paid to do an article--because even if the check is only $25 or $50, or even if there's no pay at all, it sure beats paying that much or more to see a show--and it sometimes has the added benefits of getting to meet and interview the performers, receiving their CDs and press kits, and VIP treatment at the concert hall.

And usually it only takes me 30-50 minutes to write a review.

Because I've been a reviewer, I've actually gotten paid to see concerts by such artists as Joan Baez, Holly Near, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Arlo Guthrie, Odetta, Chubby Checker, Warren Zevon, and countless others.

Here are some tips to get started as a reviewer:
* Offer to do the first three shows for free, with the understanding that once you've proven yourself, you'll get the publication's usual pay scale for reviews
* Bring in some samples of your reviewing, either in print or (for radio/TV) on tape
* Find out if you're supposed to arrange for "comps" (complimentary tickets) or if the newspaper or station will do that for you. If it's on you, call up the promoter and explain that you have an assignment to review the event. And if you want backstage access for an interview, now is the time to set that up (in general, the bigger the act, the harder it is to get backstage--so don't be disappointed if your review assignment from the Podunk Herald doesn't get you backstage to interview Mick Jagger). And if you're offered a phone interview before the show, that's fine too.
* Bring equipment that will let you do your job unobtrusively, such as a tiny pen-size flashlight that can shine a beam on your notebook without disturbing other people. NEVER type into a computer or talk into a tape recorder during a show!

* Be familiar with the artist, the genre, and the artist's fan culture
* Treat everyone with courtesy and respect: the producer, performers, security, fans, roadies... If you make enemies, you'll wear out your welcome very quickly
* Accept the rules of the venue. For instance, if there's a no photos rule and they won't make an exception for the press, ask the promoter to get you a publicity photo.
* If you like a certain genre, cultivate the producers who bring those events. If you have given them great coverage in the past, they will be happy to see you the next time. (This does not mean you should give a lousy show a good review, however).
* The sound board operator will often have a song list. Makes it much easier to write a review if you have the correct titles, so go ask if you can copy it down.

Return to the Frugal Fun Tips Archives
Preview Shel Horowitz's Penny Pinching Hedonist: How to Live Like Royalty with a Peasant's Pocketbook a 280-page e-book that shows you how to save a big pile of money on travel, dining, entertainment, recreation, and all sorts of other fun.
This article originally appeared in Shel Horowitz's Monthly Frugal Fun Tips. Please click here for your free subscription.

To visit the most important pages on our site, make a selection from the drop-down menu below. If your browser doesn't automatically take you there, please click on "Visit Now!"

Shel Horowitz's book, "The Penny-Pinching Hedonist: How to Live Like Royalty with a Peasant's Pocketbook" will save you hundreds of dollars on FUN...every year... for the rest of your life! learn how to travel to exotic places with zero lodging cost... fly for about a quarter of the published fare... eat in fabulous restaurants for $10 or less... This site is brought to you by Shel Horowitz and Dina Friedman, Directors of Accurate Writing & More--bringing you marketing, writing, and career assistance since 1981. (800) 683-WORD or (413) 586-2388 http://www.frugalfun.com http://www.frugalmarketing.com/ http://www.accuratewriting.com/ http://www.principledprofit.com/

Subscribe--FREE! Frugal Fun Tips Money-saving tips to help you enjoy more travel, arts & entertainment, dining, and more--and spend less to do it! Frugal Marketing Tips Be more effective and spend less on marketing. Covers media publicity, copywriting, Internet marketing, speaking, advertising, direct mail, in-person selling, and much more. Positive Power of Principled Profit Profiles of businesses that are succeeding through high ethics and extraordinary commitment to their customers. Reviews of books on business ethics and customer service. Book Marketing Tip of the Month Pledge-Signer Pow-wow An occasional update (probably two or three times a year) on Shel's campaign to change the world and make future Enron scandals impossible. You must be a pledge-signer in order tor receive this newsletter. Our Privacy Policy Read Back Issues: Frugal Fun Tips Frugal Marketing Tips Writing Advice Positive Power of Principled Profit