Okay, since I started this thread, I have signed up for Sonic Bids at the 1-year level. I have applied for about 35 gigs and not gotten any of them, including a few I really WAS suited for. At the moment, I have no performance videos and few recordings on my sites, so most of that is on me. But I have friends who have all kinds of content out there - and plenty of talent - who still aren't getting any bids from their membership.
One friend says she likes their "Digital Press Kit" and has gotten gigs as a result of having that online. So that's something.
I'll keep you posted.
In the meantime, here's another article from them, about how to use your band's practice time most effectively. The main thing they leave out is having everyone learn their parts BEFORE they show up.
Also developing their skills independently. Sight-singing lessons, guitar/banjo/bass/drum/whatever lessons, voice lessons (for EVERYBODY), music theory classes . . . . . Some bands just seem to get together to "pool their ignorance." But that's not your band, of course.
http://blog.sonicbids.com/5-productivit ... -enjoyable