Entertainment Marketer

10/27/2026

As Featured on Backstage Circle ...

The Handshake

By Jeff Bajorek

On what a handshake says that an email just can’t

I was speaking with a VP of Sales for an industrial manufacturer. His team is humming, revenue is strong, and he’s got a calm about him normally reserved for people who are decidedly not VPs of Sales for industrial manufacturers.

I asked him, “What makes you guys special? There are other manufacturers out there who make things very similar, if not almost identical to you. The product isn’t unique, so how do you stand out in the market?”

“Jeff, I think it’s the handshake. We’re out in the field, we’re in front of customers, and sometimes I hear that I’m the first rep who sells what I sell they’ve seen in almost a year. The service matters.”

I think he’s onto something, and I think it goes way deeper than he’s intimating here. Let’s dig in.

Read more ... https://www.backstagecircle.com/c/musicretail-spotlight/the-handshake

10/26/2026

Introducing Backstage Notes, new from Backstage Shopper.

It's written for musicians, crew and entertainment pros, with practical advice you can use on your next gig:

🎸 Your Band Is a Brand: what your look says before you play a note
🎤 How to own the stage when you're not the front person
📅 How to get more gigs
🤝 Networking tips for musicians and crew

New articles every week on stage presence, life on the road, career advice and dressing for the job.

Read it free: backstageshopper.com/blogs/backstage-notes

10/19/2026

With a wealth of experience in the entertainment business, here’s what I know: the people who get ahead are the ones who stay connected.

That’s why I built Backstage Circle, a free community for musicians and the pro audio, lighting, video and music-retail pros who make entertainment happen.

Inside you’ll find:

- A live Backstage Hang every Wednesday at 2 PM ET
- Opportunities, industry news and real conversation with working pros
- Backstage Insider Podcast interviews
- Webinars on getting more gigs, using AI and building your career

It’s free and it takes a minute: backstagecircle.com

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10/16/2026

Every great event looks effortless to the audience. Behind the scenes, it's anything but.

On the next Backstage Insider webinar, I'm sitting down with Melissa Deslauriers, Director of Client Engagement at CCR Solutions, to walk through the full life of an event: from the first truck at load-in to the moment the last case rolls out.

Melissa has spent 30+ years working alongside event planners and production teams. She teaches Event Technology at Conestoga College, sits on the board of The Sustainable Events Forum, and serves on the jury for the Eventex Awards.

We'll cover what separates smooth shows from stressful ones, where planners and production teams lose time and money, and what you can do differently on your next event.
40 minutes of guided discussion, then 20 minutes of live Q&A. Bring your questions.

🗓 Thursday, October 22, 2026
🕑 2:00 PM EDT
👉 Save your spot: https://crowdcast.io/c/behindthebuild

10/14/2026

The October issue of 'Advice From Jim Norris' is out!

This month's feature: Motivating Your Dealers Through Consistent Marketing. Why showing up every month beats one big campaign, and how to make your dealers part of the program.

Plus my monthly roundup of opportunities, resources and events, including NAMM 2027, EXPO-SCÈNE 2027, JUNO and SXSW submission deadlines, LDI, ILMC and more.

Read and subscribe: check out this insightful article on motivating your dealers through effective marketing strategies: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/october-2026-motivating-your-dealers-through-marketing-jim-norris-6tznc/?trackingId=c6vHeUStSi%2B7BdQ1EazrSw%3D%3D 🚀

10/08/2026

Every house has a hero. Now they've got the hoodie to prove it. 🦸‍♂️⭐

The Hero Of The House Hoodie is soft, warm, and made for chilly fall evenings. It's got a cozy 3-panel hood, a front pouch pocket for snacks or cold hands, and a bold star-and-shield design that says it all.

It's the perfect gift for the parent, partner, roommate or workmate who keeps everything running.

🛒 Shop it here: https://backstageshopper.com/products/hero-of-the-house-hoodie

💥 Use code BACKSTAGE10 for 10% off your order.

Browse the full collection at backstageshopper.com

10/05/2026

New book alert: What Comes After Next? by Michael F. Nunan is out now in paperback, hardcover and Kindle.

It's a field guide to the future of media, sound and immersive technology, from someone who's spent three decades building the systems and running them live.

If you work in audio, broadcast, live production or immersive media, this one's for you.

Get it at michaelnunan.ca

10/02/2026

Your backstage style starts here 🎸

From musician-inspired apparel to themed mugs, accessories, and gifts for entertainment professionals, Backstage Shopper brings together merchandise made for the people who keep the show moving.

Explore dedicated collections for Musicians, Entertainment Pros, Backstage Circle, New Arrivals, and more. Whether you are shopping for yourself or someone who lives behind the scenes, there is something worth discovering.

1. Apparel and accessories for musicians

2. Specialized gifts for entertainment professionals

3. Themed mugs and gift cards

Shop the collections online and find your next favorite backstage essential.

www.backstageshopper.com

10/01/2026

Q4 starts now. 📅

Over the next 90 days, entertainment industry buyers set budgets, plan for trade-show season, and choose who they'll work with next year.

Get your message in front of your industry segment with email campaigns, newsletter ads, social, and banner placements.

It takes about 7 touchpoints to get results, so October is the time to start.

👉 entertainmentmarketer.com

Entertainment Marketer specializes in digital marketing, online publishing, and marketing consulting

09/28/2026

Backstage Hang - September 30

Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Time: 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM EDT

Location: Live room

Hosted by: Jim Norris

It is the last day of September - Fall is here. Business is gearing up. Let’s talk about what you are going to do to boost your career or business in the next 60 days.

See you there

www.backstagecircle.com/c/events/backstage-hang-september-30