Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast

The DIY Booking Revolution: GigSalad’s Impact on Musicians


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GigSalad’s Mark Steiner joins this week’s Gig Gab to trace his wild ride from stage actor to CEO, revealing how a children’s theater gig and a teddy bear business ultimately led to launching the go-to platform for booking live talent. You’ll hear how a “happy accident” turned into a company that helps 110,000+ performers get paid. From the Glenn Miller Orchestra to building Steiner Talent to launching GigSalad in a kitchen in 2004, Mark shares the gritty path of growth—connecting the dots in reverse, just like Steve Jobs said.

You’ll walk away with real-world tips to boost your band’s visibility: polish your promo kit, prioritize quality over quantity, and treat GigSalad like your own personal booking agent—with built-in SEO and coaching tools. Whether you’re gigging every weekend or dreaming bigger, there’s room for you. Because at the end of the day, the mission is simple: help you do what you love. And remember—Always Be Performing.

  • 00:00:00 Gig Gab 482 – Monday, May 19th, 2025
    • May 19th: National Devil’s Food Cake Day
    • Guest co-host: Mark Steiner, cofounder and CEO of GigSalad
    • 00:01:59 Starting with the children’s rendition of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson haha
    • 00:03:51 From Actor to Craftee
    • 00:07:10 Connecting the dots going backwards
    • 00:09:08 The immediate and long-term benefits of practice
    • 00:10:47 Happy Accident leads to GigSalad
      • First business: Rainbow Friends Teddy Bear
      • Then spent 7 years as a talent agent, mostly booking the Glenn Miller Orchestra
      • Which led to SteinerTalent.com, and was immediately contacted by local/regional bookings
      • 00:16:29 Let’s start a directory to match up talent with gigs
        • 2007 was GigSalad’s official launch, with beta starting in 2004
        • 00:19:59 Steve and Mark decide in 2007 to make GigSalad into a fulltime concern
          • Moving out of the kitchen!
          • 00:21:36 GigSalad needs mariachi bands
          • 00:23:08 SPONSOR: Cash App. Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/0oq3t78w  #CashAppPod *Referral Reward Disclaimer: As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account.
          • 00:24:38 What can bands do to better their marketability on GigSalad?
            • Have a promo kit. Photos, videos, bios.
            • It’s not about quantity as much as it is quality.
            • As a DIY marketplace, GigSalad’s rating system is the key
            • GigSalad offers coaching for those who want it.
            • 00:27:36 Freemium Model … Similar to LinkedIn
              • But also VERY much willing to coach!
              • 00:30:49 GigSalad Pricing and Protections
              • 00:33:39 What’s next for GigSalad?
              • 00:34:40 Is GigSalad right for your band?
                • Look around on the platform to see what’s happening in your area
                • It’s non-exclusive
                • We provide this platform to do something that they love. From pros to weekend warriors.
                • GigSalad does your SEO and Word of Mouth for you, in a sense
                • 00:39:50 Who lists their talent on GigSalad?
                  • Agents? Yes. ECE on Gig Gab
                  • But mostly individual artists and bands representing themselves.
                  • This platform was built to eliminate Mark’s job…he was an agent!
                  • One of GigSalad’s initial goals: You don’t need an agent to have a career.
                  • 00:47:07 Gig Gab 482 Outtro
                    • Contact GigSalad
                    • Contact Gig Gab!
                      • @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
                      • Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List
                      • The post The DIY Booking Revolution: GigSalad’s Impact on Musicians – Gig Gab 482 appeared first on Gig Gab.

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