What is GigSalad?

GigSalad is an online platform that connects people planning events with musicians, entertainers and other event professionals. For mariachi groups, it offers a place to showcase performances, receive gig requests and manage bookings for weddings, birthdays, corporate events and other celebrations.

My Experience Booking Mariachi Gigs Through GigSalad

Finding new performance opportunities is an important part of being a working musician. GigSalad, a sponsor of Mariachi Extravaganza, connects performers with people looking for live entertainment. I recently tried the platform with my mariachi group to see how it worked.

I started with a free account, and overall, it was a positive experience. Setting up our profile was easy, receiving inquiries was convenient, and the platform made it easier to find and book gigs. There are a few things worth knowing before getting started, especially when it comes to fees and payments.

Getting Started

I chose the free account because I wanted to try GigSalad before committing to a paid membership. The setup process was straightforward, and we were able to add information about our services and videos of our performances.

One thing to have ready is your payout information. For free members, GigSalad requires this before you can view your first lead. U.S. performers can connect a PayPal account or provide their bank account and routing information for direct deposit. You also need this information on file before sending a quote. help.gigsalad.com

This was a step I had to complete before moving forward with inquiries, so it helps to take care of it when setting up your account.

Receiving Gig Requests

One of my favorite features was getting a text message whenever a new lead came in. I didn’t have to keep logging into the website to see whether someone had contacted us. The notification included the event description, location and requested performance time, which gave me a quick idea of what the client needed.

Opening the lead on the website showed more details, including the location, budget, number of guests, preferred group size and performance conditions. Having that information together made it easier to decide whether the event was a good fit for us.

Sharing Our Performances

Being able to add YouTube videos was another feature I appreciated. Potential clients could watch us perform and hear our sound before deciding to book.

One thing I found a little frustrating was not being allowed to include our social media accounts in the profile description. I would have liked clients to have another way to explore our work. Still, the performance videos gave us a useful way to introduce the group and show what we offer.

What Are the Booking Fees?

A free account does not require a membership subscription, but GigSalad does deduct a fee when you book a performance through the platform.

The current performer fee is 5% for free members and 2.5% for paid members. Paid membership costs are separate from the booking fee. There is no additional charge for receiving leads or sending quotes.

For example, if you book a gig for $1,000 with a free account, you receive $950 before paying musicians, travel costs and other expenses. A paid member would receive $975 for the same booking.

The client also pays a separate service fee of approximately 10% to 12% on top of your quote. You can preview both fees before sending your price, which helps you understand what you will receive and what the client will pay. Different fees apply if you collect payment directly and then record the booking on GigSalad.

When Do Performers Get Paid?

The client pays the full amount when confirming the booking, but that does not mean the performer receives everything immediately.

When preparing your quote, you choose how much to request as a deposit. There is no automatic 50/50 split. Free members currently have an advance deposit limit of $500.

For a $1,000 booking with a $500 deposit on a free account, the payment would be $475 for the deposit and $475 for the remaining balance, after GigSalad deducts its 5% fee from each portion.

There is an important exception for your first gig: GigSalad holds the deposit until you successfully complete your first event, then pays it along with the balance. New performers should plan for that when covering expenses before the performance.

After your first successful event, nonrefundable deposits generally arrive within two business days of booking and payment processing. If your deposit is refundable, GigSalad holds it until your cancellation window ends.

The remaining balance is sent one to two business days after the event, assuming there are no disputes or other payment issues. PayPal receives the funds when sent, while direct deposit generally takes one additional business day to reach your bank account.

My Overall Experience

GigSalad made it easy to receive inquiries and connect with potential clients. The text notifications were especially convenient, and having event details available in one place helped us review opportunities and prepare quotes.

While I would have liked more flexibility to share our social media accounts, the overall experience was good. Starting with a free account gave me a chance to learn how the platform worked and see whether it fit our needs.

For mariachi musicians interested in trying it, I would suggest having a few good performance videos ready, setting up your payout information early and keeping the fees in mind when pricing a gig.

We appreciate GigSalad’s support of Mariachi Extravaganza. To learn more about the platform, visit gigsalad.com.

GigSalad is a sponsor of Mariachi Extravaganza. This article shares my own personal experience using the platform and does not influence my opinions in this post. Fees and payment policies may change