1. Get every newspaper that is put out in your community: the daily, the weekly arts paper and check online on your city's website or on the chamber of commerce website. Check during a month when there is likely to be special events occurring, such as around the 4th of July or Veteran's Day or any of the upcoming holidays, especially New Year's Eve. Many cities host First Night Celebrations, all with tons of entertainment. Look for all the community events happening in your area and make note of who is presenting the event. Often it might be the city or the county or some community group like the volunteer fire department or a department within a local government agency.

2. Make a list of all the gigs you see listed along with the presenting agency or organization.

3. Look up that organization online and get a contact name.

4. You may be in time for an upcoming event but if not then as soon as the event is over, get in touch with that person and ask if you may submit your information to be considered for next year's event. Start this process now so you don't forget and leave it until it's too late again next year.

5. Find out when they book the event and find out what other events they produce throughout the year, so you can be on the call list.