ShowBird Artist Interview

Florian is an artist through and through. He has been playing the accordion his entire life and has had an impressive journey. In 2007, Florian moved from Armenia to the Netherlands, where he started as a street musician. He has since grown into a full-time artist with hundreds of performances to his name.

The numbers behind the success

Florian's development is not only noticeable during his performances, but is also clearly reflected in his results: 

• Bookings: From 1 booking in 2020 to 70 bookings in 2025
• Customer satisfaction: 70 reviews with an average of 4.6/5.0

Can you briefly introduce yourself?

"My name is Florian and I am an accordionist. I originally come from Armenia where I grew up in a Gypsy family. Music always played a central role in our family, so I have been playing the accordion from a young age. When I came to the Netherlands in 2007, I started as a street musician. And by now, I am a fulltime artist."

How did your adventure on ShowBird go?

"In 2020 I got my first booking via ShowBird and the count is now at 171. But that growth didn't happen by itself, there really is a story behind it."

Can you tell me a bit more about that?

"In the beginning, my profile just wasn't good or clear enough. I used bad photos, didn't have a strong name, and my act description also needed some work. I did get bookings, but they remained limited. Think 12 or 25 a year.

Until at some point I started taking a critical look at my profile. I adjusted my act name, improved my act description, and most importantly: I updated my content. I added nice photos and videos of my performances.

And then everything changed: I got 73 bookings in one year. From that moment on, the requests kept coming. For me, this proved that good content really makes the difference.

"Good content really makes the difference"

What makes good content so important in your opinion?

"People don't just look at how well an artist can make music, but at the whole feeling they get from someone. Your content is the first thing they see in that regard. It is the first impression. It must be immediately clear who you are, what you do, and what kind of atmosphere you create. 

If your photos aren't good or your videos are unclear, they will tune out. You can be a great musician, but the whole picture has to be right."

"You can be a great musician, but the whole picture has to be right"

What do you do besides good content to be successful on ShowBird?

"Availability and communication are super important. I make sure I have my notifications turned on and I am always available. As soon as I receive a request, I send the client a proposal back as quickly as possible. Even if that is at 1 AM. 

"As soon as I receive a request, I send the client a proposal back as quickly as possible. Even if that is at 1 AM"

In addition, I make the contact personal. I always send friendly messages. For example, I thank clients for their request, congratulate them on their wedding, and tell them that I find it a real honor that they are booking me. I have noticed that people really appreciate the personal and human touch. That stays with them.

When is a performance successful for you?

"Actually, it is very simple. As an artist, you have to do three things: be on time, look good, and give a good performance. 

"As an artist, you have to do three things: be on time, look good, and give a good performance"

I enjoy all performances equally and try my best for every one. I make no distinction between performances in that regard. You have to radiate that you love performing. Even if you are having an off day, for example if something is going on in your private life, you have to let that go during the performance.

The most important thing to me is that the client is satisfied. If they are satisfied, then I am too."

"The most important thing to me is that the client is satisfied. If they are satisfied, then I am too"

You are a fulltime artist. What is that like?

"When I started on ShowBird, I still had another job. By now, that is no longer necessary. That is very nice, but at the same time also a bit scary. 

With a 'regular' job, you have security. You earn money every month. But as an artist, every month is different. One month you have 20 performances, the next month maybe not a single one. And you have to be able to handle that uncertainty."

What sets you apart from other musicians?

"I want to keep developing myself. Every year, I want to get better. I am ambitious and never want to disappoint clients.

Additionally, I try to really connect with people. You have to compare it to a salesperson at a market. As an artist, you also have to sell yourself: show yourself, make small talk, crack jokes. 

"You have to compare it to a salesperson at a market. As an artist, you also have to sell yourself."

And I consider my appearance important in that regard as well. For every performance, I make sure I look good, neat, and well-groomed. For instance, I make sure to go to the hairdresser before every performance. If I have a performance two weeks in a row, I go to the hairdresser both weeks. After all, your appearance is your calling card."

Florian's story makes one thing clear: good content is everything. The real turning point in his career came when he invested in good content.Since then, he grew from a few bookings to dozens per year and eventually to a full-time existence as an artist. Combined with quick communication, a personal approach, and constant professionalism, that forms the key to his success.