Hire a Booking Agent For a Band
If your band is planning on booking a 12-month world tour, it's probably a good time to hire a booking agent. In fact, you would be hard pressed to even get to the point where you're booking cross-country tours without already having worked with a booking agent. Booking agents do the work that most bands either don't have the time or the resources to do, which is to book big shows and long tours. Most big venues won't work with you unless you have a professional booking agent. They give your band more credibility. You need to take the necessary steps to take your career to the next level, and booking agents can help you get there. If you want to hire a booking agent, you need to prove yourselves, network, research and find the right agent for your needs.
Instructions
1. Make a name for yourselves. This is the music "business". Booking agents are looking to make a profit just as much as you. It's not just for the fun of it. If you can establish yourselves as a band worth booking, then booking agents will be more likely to take you seriously. Book your own shows and promote yourselves until you reach the point where booking agents will either come knocking at your door or be much more approachable.
2. Network and look around. Find out who's who in terms of booking agents in your particular scene and region. Talk to other bands in your genre and scene who take their music career seriously. Look at the bands who are getting great shows and packing the clubs. Ask them who does their booking. Indie bands can do their own booking for a time, but bigger name acts tend to work with a booking agency when their reputation starts to precede them. Many bands list their management companies and booking agents on their websites. Visit the websites of these booking agents and do some investigation. See if they have a FAQ or some section pertaining to contacting them for possible booking services. Attend booking conferences where you can meet agents firsthand.
3. Create a career overview and outline your goals. Compile all the information about your band that a booking agent might find relevant. List all the venues you have played, show attendance, touring history, etc. Determine where you are in your career and where you want to go. When you approach a booking agent, have this information on hand. Make a press kit. This information will better help booking agents determine whether it's a big gamble to work with you. It will also help them to guide you in your career once you have signed with them.
4. Have a long discussion with any booking agent before hiring them. Present your information to them and what you hope to achieve. Find out what they can do for you and in what period of time. Read through all contracts. Know what you're getting into. They can book individual shows and/or nationwide tours.
