How To Get a Booking Agent

Relationships are key in any industry but especially the music industry. Getting your foot in the door with a booking agent is a great start and this lecture teaches you how.

Booking agents take a commission based on how much they book you for. 10-20% is normal and all the deals I've done have been at 15%. So if the booking agent gets you a show for $1000 there commission is $150.

a booking agent is always on the look out for new talent. Let's set yourself up for success and have them calling you instead of you chasing them!

There is no perfect order of growing your team. I've seen it where a manager has helped an artist get a booking agent. I've also seen booking agents connect artists with managers. Most common is managers bringing artists to booking agents.

You want an agent that is going to hustle on your behalf and not just sit around waiting for the phone to ring. Unless you've built such a buzz that the phone is ringing off the hook and you need someone to filed all the incoming requests.

Knowing how much your worth and what to charge for a show can be frustrating at the beginning because for most of us we just want to get out and play. This lecture discusses some ideas/thoughts on that.

If your playing a local show and the agent happens to be in that town then invite them out to the show. Most agents reside in major cities so you may need to travel to their city to get them out to see you perform live.

I can stress enough how important it is to network with other bands and build relationships. That can open more doors then any business relationship can. I also share how this can work against you if your a jerk.

This is my personal story how I reached out to a booking agent to book me a paid tour to Japan playing two shows in both Osaka & Tokyo.

a talent buyer is the one with the money in charge of bringing in bands/artists. The booking agent is the one that speaks to the talent buyers on your behalf to get you booked.

Having an EPK (Electronic Press Kit) & Live Concert Footage is important when reaching out to a booking agent so they can see you rock the stage. You can watch my EPK here: http://www.smartmusicbusiness.com/manafest-epk/

Hire a professional photographer to take some good shots of you in studio for press and also live in concert.

Get a friend in high school or college that's good at writing to interview and write a good bio for you. If you hire a professional I wouldn't spend more then $150 if your just starting out.

Showing your touring history & being able to tell the agent where you can sell the most tickets is super helpful in framing where your at as a band or artist.

This lecture shows you the exact email I sent to a booking agency that got me a response within 24 hours.

This is the process I used to book shows.

I've booked hundreds of shows and tours sending cold emails.

Make no your vitamin. Your going to hear it a lot but don't be discouraged.

Here is the contract that I used when I booked shows. Hope this helps and always have a contract signed between you and the promoter.