You can’t go back once you experience the excitement and thrill of live performances.
One of the main reasons why musicians choose to be artists or join bands is that they enjoy live performances and can’t get over the adrenaline and the dopamine cocktail.
This is until, of course, they have been rejected ten times in a line and become tired of trying.
The bassist will usually say, “I know!” We need to find a booking agency!
Is now the time to hire a booking agent or not? How do you find one if that’s the case?
Let’s start with the cold, hard facts.
You have to sell out all your shows to find a booking agent. Some would even say that finding a record label will be harder. You’ll need to hit the road and work hard in order to reach the point where you have hundreds of fans hounding you to buy tickets for your show.
You might be able to convince an intern or independent agent who is passionate about your music to work for you. But not at the usual 10 to 15 percent commission rate.
What is a new band earning? What if they booked a venue other than the local dive bar and earned $150 to $300 per day?
An agent who earns 15% will bring home $120 per month if you only perform four times per week at $200 each. They’d have to work with several acts in order to make it worthwhile. You won’t even be on their radar when they are looking for the next band to join their roster.
Don’t be alarmed. You can be proactive in getting an agent to book you. If you are committed to getting your band in shape, it will require hard work.
Take action
It’s easier to say than do, but you need to be able to play your entire set in your sleep.
Even that may not suffice. To become a big fish, you may have to work on your stage presence, your stage moves, and your setlist.
You’ll need to not only take your act out on the road but also get feedback as much as you can from people to help you fine-tune it.
Prepare your brand for the market.
Labels don’t usually sign artists who aren’t prepared to be packaged and sold. The same goes for booking agents.
Your branding is important. Your image, your personality, and your persona are not something that agents want to do for you. You are responsible for figuring out what you want to portray. You need to know your purpose and mission, as well as your colors, fonts, and logos. A well-crafted brand will allow agents to visualize how you can be sold.
You should ensure that your branding is consistent across all channels, including online.
While there are no “set in concrete” numbers, you can create a website to work towards the “magical” milestone of 1,000 fans, 1,000 listeners, or 1,000 subscribers. This should be achieved on Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify, as well as your email list.
Create your music website to promote your brand in just minutes. Create a website now with Bandzoogle.
The right fit
Metal bands are often surprised when they contact booking agents to discover that the agent is only interested in booking hip-hop acts.
You can’t waste your time on agents who don’t do the job you want them to.
The right fit for agents is essential. Bands should also be aware of this.
Booking agents are not unable to book bands that they don’t care about, but they shouldn’t. They won’t be able to talk about your act with enthusiasm. This can damage your reputation. This is not helpful.
Research prospective agents thoroughly before you do any outreach.
Know your numbers
The music industry’s data conversations may be old, but they will only grow in importance.
It is important to provide all the information you can. It’s important to know how many tickets are sold at each performance. This helps agents decide when and where they should book you. Agents will have a difficult time booking you if there is no clear path.
Nice-to-haves
The following are not essential but can make a difference in finding an agent that wants to work with your company:
A manager. Agents will often prefer to speak with an industry professional rather than a band when evaluating your act. Managers are familiar with the industry, know all of the jargon and facts, and can provide statistics and data that matter. Artists are often not.
Track record. It’s the age-old “chicken or eggs” question. If you’ve worked with an agent before or launched a successful tour, you will have a better chance of finding an agent.
A draw. Conventional wisdom holds that an agent would only consider you if you were able to draw 100 or more people in a few cities. This is still the case. It’s best to assume that you will not be an exception to the rule.
Final Thoughts
Booking agents may seem cruel gatekeepers from the outside, who never let you into your dreams. It’s not true. The agents are usually very passionate about what they do and love to work with bands that excite them.
There are some boxes you can check to give booking duties to an experienced professional. But these are all things you need to consider whether you are working to become a successful signed or independent band. If you want to have an agent book your band, then it’s time for you to start working!