When it comes to finding resources for a band, then using the right platform can make a major difference. This article will uncover the tips and tricks on using Craigslist as a place to find the ideal band members!

In order to make the most of the search, we will first have to understand what Craigslist is and how it functions.

For those who are not familiar with Craigslist, it is a classified advertisements website with sections dedicated to different categories. The good thing about this site is that it does not contain any rich text, making navigation convenient. Let’s look at some smart hacks to find the right people on the website.

1. Search optimization

Fewer and precise keywords will generate more results and help you find the right person. Needless to say, you need to use one keyword at a time to generate relevant results.

For instance, you can just write ‘drummer’ to look for a band member in the classifieds. It is also advisable to look in the relevant sections of musicians and artists to get the search results faster.

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Another option to look for a band member using a keyword is by using the “best of Craigslist” feature which lets you search through more than 5,000 advertisements.

2. Post an advertisement

Craigslist allows you to “create a posting” to specify what you are looking for. The website suggests in this section that you limit each posting to a single area and category over a time period of 48 hours.

It also provides a “prohibited list” so it is advisable to read it before posting your advertisement. Among the posting options, select the type of the advertisement and the category it covers.

Make your posting title as appealing and catchy as possible. In the description box, write key traits and qualifications of the person you are looking for. For accurate results, create a separate post for each member of the band.

3. Participate in discussion forums

There are discussion forums on Craigslist relating to each category on the website. There are two ways that you can participate in these forums to find the candidate.

The first one is to engage other members into meaningful discussions relating to music. Secondly, you can create a new thread detailing the potential band member.

This can be a difficult method to find a band member but the key thing to remember is you can easily find people belonging to the same industry in this section.

4. Make use of the calendar

Craigslist provides a calendar on the homepage that lets you carry out your search relative to different events. The calendar feature is helpful especially in the sense that it allows a category wise search.

The only downside of this feature is that you will have to click and search through each day to find what you are looking for. A “save search” option lets you pick up where you left off the last time. Another good Craigslist feature is that it suggests relevant results from nearby areas in case only a few local results are found.

5. Create relevant handle

A smart hack to get the attention of your potential candidate is to choose a handle in your profile that represents your search. For instance, you can write “looking for band members” to make the most out of it. A single click is all it is going to take for your search to end.

6. Run comprehensive search

Another smart method to find a potential band member is to select a different language from the dropdown list available on the top right every time you search. This will broaden and diversify your search as it will cover different cultures.

This can prove to be a difficult method but keeping a translator on the standby can help you process your search quickly. Likewise, you can create postings in several languages to reach as many people as possible. Remember talent in music exists in all cultures, but it only needs to be discovered.

7. Stay safe

Remember that scammers are always out there to steal your precious information and Craigslist is no exception. Before you search the platform, read the “personal safety tips” by clicking the link on the left. On a separate page, website details out all you need to know about avoiding these scams.

Craigslist explains scams further by citing examples relevant to different scenarios. To assist the visitors further, it also lists the names of the relevant law and order authorities. Interestingly, it publishes actual scam emails sent to the visitors of the website.

Before we conclude this article, let’s have a quick look at what you should do when you spot a potential candidate.

Evaluate your candidate

As the famous saying goes, don’t judge people by their appearance. As a good career measure, it is advisable to never reject an application before interviewing the potential candidate.

This is because many factors may be overlooked in a job advertisement and the real talent may still remain hidden.

Conclusion

Employing a person as a member of your future band is not an easy task. It may require vigorous work and persistent efforts both online and on foot to find an ideal musician.

Nonetheless, the aforementioned tips can help you use the right methods to ensure that your search on Craigslist is successful. So start searching now!