Touring is a critical aspect of a band’s growth and development, and working with a booking agent can make the process easier and more efficient. However, before embarking on a tour or engaging a booking agent, there are several factors to consider.
- Make sure you’re selling out shows regularly in your hometown and have a dedicated fanbase.
This is an important indicator of the level of interest and demand for your music, and a good starting point to build a tour around. If you’re not able to consistently draw a crowd in your own city, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to do so on the road. - Booking agents will consider streaming and social numbers to ascertain what level of crowd you can bring in.
Your online presence is increasingly important in the music industry, and booking agents will use your streaming and social media numbers to gauge your potential draw. Make sure you’re actively promoting your music and engaging with your fans online. - Highlight your music, live, and tour history front and center in your press kit, as ticket sales are the most important factor.
Your press kit is your calling card when it comes to booking shows, and should prominently feature your music, live performances, and tour history. Bookers want to see evidence that you’re able to sell tickets and draw a crowd. - Have a professional presence, proper branding, and a strong social media presence.
In addition to your press kit, it’s important to have a cohesive and professional image and brand that is reflected across all your online and offline channels. This will help you stand out from the crowd and make a positive impression on bookers. - Be able to convince venues or festivals that you can pull numbers, and do a business case for the tour.
Booking agents and venues want to see evidence that you can draw a crowd and make a profit. Make sure you have a solid plan in place for the tour, including a realistic budget, projected ticket sales, and a strategy for promoting the shows. - Be respectful and professional to everyone you interact with, as you never know where they will be in the future.
The music industry is a small world, and the people you interact with on the way up may be the same people you’ll be dealing with later on. Make sure you’re always respectful and professional in your interactions, even if things don’t go your way. - Instead of mass pitching, research and create a focused pitch for the right bookers.
Rather than sending out a generic pitch to every booking agent and venue you can find, do your research and target the ones that are the best fit for your music and audience. Create a focused and personalized pitch that will grab their attention and show them why you’re the right act for their venue or festival. - Focus on what makes you unique when pitching, and differentiate yourself from other bands.
There’s a lot of competition out there, and you need to stand out from the crowd. Focus on what makes your music and performance unique, and highlight these factors when pitching to bookers. - Be transparent about your goals and expectations with your booking agent or promoter.
Communication is key when working with a booking agent or promoter. Make sure you’re clear about your goals and expectations for the tour, and work collaboratively with them to achieve the best possible outcome. - Tour realistically, be willing to compromise, and take care of yourself and your bandmates on the road.
Touring can be grueling, and it’s important to approach it realistically and with a clear head. Be prepared to compromise and negotiate with bookers and venues, and take care of yourself and your bandmates both physically and mentally on the road.
