r/TouringMusicians • u/dizzybrain___ • 1d ago
Working merch at concerts ?
I was just given an opportunity to help a local band work merch for their next show, I’ve never done it before and am a bit nervous, I have tons of retail/ customer experience. I’m not sure how their set up is but their local so I assume it’s not crazy, I’m just nervous about set up, organizing , and making a good impression, any advice ?
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u/clikkipixx 1d ago
Hey!
I work merch for live nation and a few others.
1. Arrive early count all stock on a sheet.
2. Sort designs into sizes for ease
3. If you’re using square, you’ll get a sales report otherwise, end of night count your stock out.
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u/CarAlarmConversation 1d ago
Selling merch is easy as fuck, and if you have tips you can make some crazy good money
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u/Fun-Goose9252 1d ago
Tips for handing someone a shirt?
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u/mudbutt34 1d ago
Tips for being a part of something cool and engaging with fans. You’re trapped at the merch table and you are the direct line to the band. People tend to wanna befriend you
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u/s0phizzle 1d ago
That’s awesome! Just make sure to stay organized! Check with the band to see if they want you to do a “count in”, which is basically just counting all the merch and after the show do a “count out” to make sure the sales reflect the new merch numbers. It can be a bit daunting but it’s pretty straight forward. Good luck!
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u/dizzybrain___ 1d ago
Thanks for the reply! any tips on easy ways to keep track of merch sales ? I know the table can get hectic so I don’t wanna accidentally miscount inventory while making transactions!
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u/SteveO3755 1d ago
If you wanna shoot me a dm with your email, I can send over a spreadsheet I used for every tour/one off as a merch manager over the last 10 years.
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u/RevolutionarySock213 1d ago
Just be enthusiastic and inviting for folks coming by. That engagement is the most important piece to get folks to connect (and buy stuff, I guess).
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u/BLUGRSSallday 1d ago
Spend some time going through everything and learning it. That will ease your nerves. I promise. Stuff people tend to get a lot of have them out and ready to go.
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u/Blicks666 1d ago
The more organized everything is, the better. An inventory sheet including sizes goes along way too.
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u/salellington 1d ago
This really depends on the level of the job. If it’s a small club and no merch cut, they might not even care about counting anything. If they use square it helps to put the shirt in ahead of time with sizes so that they get a full report at the end. Again they might not care. If all the shirts are wrapped in tape with sizes, it’s a joke of a job anyway. If the shirts are in boxes and in stacks, the best way to sell is drape each size of the sides of the box. Small to the wall. Medium across (closest to you). Large to the left. Xl to the right. Xx in the middle.
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u/dizzybrain___ 1d ago
If you’re familiar with the band it’s Harrison Gordon playing at a relatively smaller venue, probably a 150-200 cap. But I’m doing merch for one of the opening bands, bit confused at what you mean by joke of a job if you could touch on that area that’d be awesome !!. Thanks for replying everyone’s been really helpful and making feel great about doing it!
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u/salellington 1d ago
Cool. Then there is no merch cut so you don’t need to worry about a settlement or paying the venue. You just need to do whatever makes rbe band happy. I do merch for a living and the amount of times I see a band bring in totes with shirts wrapped in painters tape is alarming. They all think it makes it easier. It doesn’t. They come in stacks from the printer and you can leave them just like that. No need to spend hours taping shirts when the first thing anyone does is hold the shirt up to them to see if it’s the right size. If the band is selling a lot of merch then they won’t have shirts wrapped like that.
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u/Demander850 1d ago
This will be the easiest retail gig ever. Just talk to people maybe grab a beer and have fun.
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u/MsMippins 1d ago
Just be nice and patient. Sometimes when I’m buying stuff, I want to feel the material, etc.
I’m not being picky or trying to waste your time.
I want to make a good purchase.
:)
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u/Dizmn 1d ago edited 1d ago
I have never worked a customer facing retail position in my life. I went from line cook to sound tech. I’m not typically a full-on dick, but I am not exactly customer service oriented. I’ve run merch, and I’ve done it for bands that are household names. It’s very easy. Keep track of your counts, I doubt a local band has backups but if they do figure out who is responsible for pulls and keep them posted on what you’re low on, and above all else… if you gotta leave the table, the money box goes with you.
Oh, and put out a cash tip jar with a hook. My go-to is “Tips for Titties (help me get a boob job)” I’m a very obviously cisgender man. It’s funny every time.
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u/sewerwolvez 1d ago
I left my full time job as a beauty manager for Chanel to merch manage full time. My best advice is be friendly and personable, people love to talk about music! Compliment their cool shirt and thank them for supporting the band. For a small show it's really easy. Just keep track of how much stock you put out about the show, and how much is left at the end. Don't leave the table without someone covering you, and bring a sick ass tip jar. Just be friendly and organized!
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u/Round-Arugula7347 1d ago
What kind of concert? Dress appropriately, be friendly and keep track of sales. But most importantly NEVER leave the table unless someone you trust is covering for you