Gig Gab – The Working Musician’s Podcast
The DIY Booking Revolution: GigSalad’s Impact on Musicians
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!
The post The DIY Booking Revolution: GigSalad’s Impact on Musicians – Gig Gab 482 appeared first on Gig Gab.