Table of Contents
Overview #
Proper categorization helps clients find your group when searching. By selecting the right group types, event types, and genres, you appear in relevant search results and recommendations. This increases your visibility and helps you get booked for the right events.
Types of Categories #
BookLive uses three category types:
Group Types #
What kind of musical act are you?
- String Quartet
- Jazz Band
- Solo Artist
- DJ
- Wedding Band
- Classical Ensemble
- Cover Band
- Orchestra
- And many more…
Event Types #
What events do you perform at?
- Wedding Ceremony
- Wedding Reception
- Corporate Event
- Birthday Party
- Cocktail Hour
- Gala
- Private Party
- Funeral/Memorial
- And many more…
Genres #
What musical styles do you play?
- Classical
- Jazz
- Rock
- Pop
- Country
- R&B/Soul
- Latin
- And many more…
Setting Your Categories #
- Go to your group dashboard
- Click Settings
- Find the Categories or Profile section
- Click on each category type to expand
- Select all that apply to your group
- Save your changes
How Categories Help You Get Found #
Search Results #
- Clients search by event type: “Wedding Ceremony musicians in Nashville”
- Your categories determine if you appear in results
- More relevant categories = more visibility
Recommendations #
- BookLive recommends groups based on categories
- Accurate categories mean better-matched recommendations
Filtering #
- Clients filter by group type, genre, and event type
- Groups without categories may be filtered out
Best Practices #
Be Specific #
- Select all relevant subcategories
- “Wedding Ceremony” AND “Wedding Reception” is better than just “Wedding”
- Specific categories match specific searches
Be Accurate #
- Only select categories you truly fit
- Do not select “Orchestra” if you are a quartet
- Inaccurate categories lead to mismatched bookings
Be Comprehensive #
- Select all event types you can perform at
- Include all genres you regularly play
- More accurate categories = more opportunities
Profile Completion Impact #
- Group Types: +20% completion
- Event Types: +20% completion
- Together, categories account for 40% of your profile completion!
Creating New Categories #
Do not see your category? Some category fields allow you to add new ones:
- Click in the category selection field
- Type your new category name
- Press Enter or click to create it
- The new category is added to your profile
Note: Not all category types support custom additions.
Common Category Mistakes #
Too Few Categories #
- Missing out on search results
- Limiting your discoverability
- Lower profile completion
Too Many Unrelated Categories #
- Confuses potential clients
- May attract wrong type of bookings
- Reduces credibility
Not Updating #
- If your repertoire expands, add new genres
- If you start doing new event types, add them
- Keep categories current
Example Category Setup #
String Quartet Example:
- Group Types: String Quartet, Classical Ensemble, Chamber Music
- Event Types: Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Reception, Cocktail Hour, Corporate Event, Funeral/Memorial
- Genres: Classical, Pop Covers, Contemporary, Film Music
Related Articles #
- Creating a Comprehensive Group Profile
- Optimizing Your Profile for SEO
- Configuring Profile Visibility Controls
