By Amanda Cornaglia

Audition season is upon us. And that usually means a bundle of nerves for all the potential singers out there trying to find a new home.

However, they shouldn't be the only ones planning for a stellar audition -- the hosts should, too.

Great audition practices will land you great people. Great people will raise the quality of your group. A higher quality group will get more opportunities, put out better products, and have a better all overall experience.

So, how do you attract, find, and secure the best talent?

Announce Auditions

This seems like a no-brainer, but make sure you're not just shouting into the void. You're more likely to find the right person if you do as much outreach as possible!

What's the No. 1 mistake I see? Only using one medium and not even using it to its fullest advantage.

I've seen so many groups post an audition notice on Facebook, share it with their circle of friends, and then be sorely disappointed with the turnout.

There are many places you should announce your auditions:

1) Social Media: Start a Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram. Share them with your friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors. Post announcements on your pages but also on known channels and groups in your genre. (Don't know where these are? Just type your genre name in the search bar and start exploring!)

Most metropolitan areas or states have at least one genre-focused Facebook group, if not several.

Remember that social media posts are time sensitive, so post your announcements at times when people tend to be online (mid-morning, evenings), not just at 3 AM.

Make an event page and invite your friends -- encourage them to invite others who might be interested. To reach people not in your six degrees of separation, invest a little money (even $20 will do) and open a Facebook ad.

You can target Facebook members by location, age, and interests. Don't forget to check out YouTube, Pinterest, Snapcat, and whatever other platforms people are using these days!

2) Local Music Programs or Classes/Schools: Bring a flyer and ask to hang it up or make an announcement at their next rehearsal or event. If you're on a school campus, put these flyers up everywhere.

Chalk the sidewalks. Set up an info booth.

Staff it with smiling, happy, outgoing people.

3) Musician's Publications: In many cities, the musicians in the local "scene" have a preferred publication, bulletin board, email list, or forum.

Do some research and find out where your local musicians hang out (physically or virtually) and post there.

Consider advertising to general vocalists and not just people with genre-specific experience.

You may find a gem in someone who has learned to sing well and blend as well as has plenty of stage presence and style.

4) Online Ads: Search for local mailing lists and music friendly publications.

Many successful groups have found their humble beginnings or new superstars on Craigslist or other sites that allow free posts for musicians.

5) Events and Concerts: Bring a stack of flyers and network.

Word of mouth is often the best way to find singers, and concerts and festivals bring together singers and generate new interest like nothing else.

6) Talk. Talk. Talk: Mention your group to anyone who will listen to you: co-workers, classmates, friends, family, neighbors, the person sitting next to you at the karaoke bar!

Even if they are not interested in joining the group, they may know someone else who is a good potential candidate.

In addition, the best way for you to spread the word is to perform. People who stop to listen might be inspired to sing themselves.

It can be as simple as learning a few songs and singing in any popular gathering place. If people can experience what you're doing, instead of just reading about it, you'll generate much more interest.

Aren't you more likely to buy something when you can tangibly experience how it works?

That's it for Part 1!
How else can you get the audition word out?

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