Booking Agents for Bands - 5 things to Remember

Booking Agents for Bands (pic by lovelyish.com)

The Booking Agents for Bands Alternative

Any half decent band can get enough gigs to fill a diary through their own efforts. There are times though when you might want to consider looking at booking agents for bands to do some of the work for you.


Using someone else for your band bookings will free up some of your time and if you're particularly squeamish; help you avoid having to pitch your band to venues yourself.

 

Booking Agents for Bands - what to look for

Given the fact that as a semi-pro or aspiring amateur band you can get as many gigs as you like through your own efforts with a little know how, what are the essentials benefits you need from using booking agents for bands?


1. Make sure they can get you band bookings in places you can't get into yourself.
Corporate gigs for example or tours and festivals take a lot of work and exposure to break into. They certainly can be achieved on your own but it can happy faster through booking agents for bands.



2. Be sure you Improve your gig fees
Given that most booking agents for bands will take a substantial fee from the venue for "providing" you for the night, make sure your own take is significantly higher than the money you can get from gigs you book yourself.



3. Make sure they're coming to you with regular band bookings
You should have to chase good booking agents for bands for work once you have an agreement with them. They should be feeding you band bookings at the rate you've agreed without you needing to "poke" them.



4. Keep an eye on venue suitability
I've been in rock bands which were booked into Irish folk venues. Never a good way to go down great at gigs or build a fan base. Make sure the booking agent knows the kind of venues you need acts on that.



5. Keep you own band booking freedom
You might have signed with band booking agents for access to the new venues or audiences they can get you in front of,  but that shouldn't stop you getting your own gigs too. Don't let anyone try to take a % of fees for gigs they don't book on your behalf.


If you keep these points in mind you can make the booking agents for bands route work for you. And if not, well, you can always do yourself like hundreds of thousands of other bands do.... 

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How to compete with booking agents for bands

How to Promote Your Music Onstage

How to Promote your Music Onstage

How to Promote Your Music Onstage - 3 Keys

Knowing how to promote your music doesn't just come down to the marketing you do before and after your shows. 

There are important and very effective actions you should be taking onstage if you really want to promote your music successfully.

 

How to Promote your Music by Telling them Your Name

I don't know about you, but I've list count of the amount of times I've gone into a bar or club and seen an act onstage without any idea who it was I was watching. Don't make the same mistake these kind of bands make. make sure every person in every crowd you play to is in no doubt who you are.

You can do this via a large flag/poster at the back of the stage, a bass drum skin with your name on,  or band flyers or business cards scattered round the venue. Also, don't not be afraid to tell people who you are on mic. Remind them of your name at least once per set. At the start and end of sets are obvious opportunities for this.

 

How to Promote Your music by Selling it

OK, so you're onstage and people know the name of your band or act. How are you going to translate this into selling your music and converting some of tonight's gig crowd into fans?

You need to make sure an enthusiastic gig crowd can get hold of their own copies of your material.  Always try to agree at least  the availability of a small table somewhere at the gig venue where you can sell your CDs and other merchandise which will help promote your music.

Tell the crowd on mic, where this table is. More than once - but obviously don't overdo it.

Make sure your music is available as mp3s for purchase online on your website and social media. If you haven't done this you can try these guys

 

 

How to Promote Your Music by Playing Great Shows

Of course neither telling people who you are or where they can buy your songs and merchandise will help you promote your music if you disappoint onstage. You've got to compel them to take action and become fans by playing gigs they'll remember - and for the right reasons.

Rehearsing until you could play your material in your sleep, crafting and using set-lists with highs in all the right places, looking like your enjoying yourselves onstage and crucially - interacting with your audience will all set you apart the dime a dozen bands and acts out there.

More on how to promote your music onstage here