Staging live entertainment is a great way to encourage new customers into your venue and to boost trade, but you will need to be committed to its success in order to reap the rewards. We have looked at some of the best ways you can plan, publicise and manage live acts on the night.

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Below are The Pub Channel's 10 top tips for staging live music/comedy nights

1. Research your customers
Ask your customers what entertainment they would like to see in your pub/club and find out what type of music they like and kind of comedy that appeals to them.

2. Research your competition
Find out who your competitors are and what they do and aim to do yours better.

3. Get staff involved
Let your staff contribute to the event, they too will have ideas. You could even assign a staff member to manager the event.

4. Make the event legal
Apply early for the correct licences to allow you to put on the entertainment. Make sure that you have devised a risk assessment to check that the venue adheres to all health and safety regulations.

5. Research your acts
Find a comedian that will make your audience laugh and/or a band that will make them dance or sing.

6. Plan the position of your act
Create an area for your act and make sure you provide the necessary equipment/facilities such as chairs, tables, stage or lights.

7. Pick a regular date/time to host the event
Plan when you want to stage the event and stick to it. Once you have established a regular slot you are more likely to build regular trade.

8. Publicise the event
Use several advertising methods to attract new customers. Make sure the message in your adverts is quick and easy to absorb.

9. Manage the event
Get involved and create the atmosphere. If you're seen to be enjoying yourself then your customers are likely to do the same, but remember that your role is to manage so remember your responsibilities.

10. Assess the outcome
Pounds in tills is a good way to rate the success of the event, but customer feedback will provide so much more information which will enable you to make improvements. So speak to your customers to find out their thoughts.

To find out more, e-mail us at: series.editor@pubchannel.com or call The Pub Channel on 020 7941 5116.