One of the valuable services that ConcertsInYourHome offers to its members is the opportunity for a host to recommend an artist who wow’d them. The favorable review is then posted on the artist’s CIYH website profile page for other hosts to see.
Generally speaking, we ask CIYH artists to not directly request a recommendation from a host, as a simple courtesy.
Nonetheless artists will sometimes ask anyway. Frequently you’ll be delighted to grant their request. But what if you get a direct request from an artist who didn’t deliver an experience that you can unconditionally recommend to your fellow hosts?
It’s tempting to submit a recommendation just to avoid facing the artist’s question candidly. We understand that. Yet we need to consider our fellow hosts who may be on the fence about booking this artist later on, and may lean on your posted recommendation as a factor in their decision.
If the artist asks for a recommendation immediately after the show, you have the option to reply that you first circle back with your guests for feedback before deciding on a recommendation….if your guests offer extraordinarily positive comments, you would consider submitting a recommendation.
This doesn’t avoid the artist’s question, because whether the artist asks immediately or a few weeks later, a response to the artist’s request will be helpful. If you decide not to submit a recommendation, the most productive response to the artist involves candor.
For example….
If you feel that the artist delivered a solid show, you can emphasize this sentiment while indicating that you reserve your recommendations for artists that elicit extraordinary feedback from your audiences, which for whatever reason, you did not receive this time.
Or, if you feel that the artist just didn’t connect with you and/or your audience, you can do the artist a huge favor by sharing this with them. Perhaps the lack of connection was due to your misread of the artist’s musical style, or because the show’s entertainment value was uneven over the full two sets (a common factor that separates the great artists from the good artists).
Lastly, if the lack of connection was flat out due to what you feel was the artist’s lack of talent, it’s best just to point to the lack of extraordinary audience feedback. And then please make a note to self to do better research next time you book an artist. Booking a marginally talented artist is avoidable if you insist on first seeing live video or a live performance. (CIYH now requires its new artist members to submit live video prior to being considered for membership, and, we recommend that they post their live video on their CIYH profile before they can reach out to our host members for booking opportunities.)
CIYH founder Fran Snyder recently discussed the topic of recommendations with one of our hosts who felt uncomfortable making recommendations for some artists and not for others. Fran wrote, “I understand this is territory that not all hosts are comfortable with, but I'd hate for you to withhold great, positive comments for deserving artists simply out of fear you might have to disappoint another artist. It's an important role you play in our community, and I really hope you'll embrace it. Feedback is necessary for this community to grow and improve.”
Amen.
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