Editor's Note: We came across this article by Simon Tam and decided to share it. If you're a Reggae, Dancehall or Caribbean-Urban artist, contact Mi6LLC@gmail.com to be added to the booking roster!
HOW TO FIND A BOOKING AGENT
Music booking agents
are the people who make the live music happen. A good agent with well placed
connections can make all the difference in getting a band in front of the right
audience and increasing their profile. Agents work closely with promoters and record
labels to make sure they bands on their books are getting the proper exposure.
Music agents also take care of the negotiations with promoters and venues when
it comes to the pay for performances and to arrangements for things like
backline and accommodation.
5 Tips on Getting a Booking Agent:
1) Make sure that you
are ready for a booking agent
A common mistake is
for artists to oversell themselves. If you aren’t ready for serious regional
and national touring (spending 4-6 months touring), then you probably aren’t
ready to take that step yet. A booking agent is going to want to see solid tour
history with a track record of success (making money at shows, around
$800-$1000 per show). You almost always should have a publicist or PR agency, a
manager, and some kind of distribution in place first. All of these things will
help you when you make the pitch. Have you been playing industry festivals like
SXSW or CMJ? That’s a good sign too.
Think about the
reasons why you want a booking agent. Is it worth cutting up to 20% of your
income? It is possible to book your own tour, that’s how I got started. I even
wrote this piece on how to book your own tour, step-by-step. Besides, booking
your own tour gives you a better insight into the process so you know what they’ll
look for and if you are ready.
2) Find the right
booking agent
There are many
agencies out there. Try and find one appropriate to your level, genre, and fits
with your goals. Don’t leave your chances to a Google search. Find similar
bands or artists who you’d like to work with and see who they’re using. Is that
agency booking similar venues that you’re playing (or even slightly larger)? Do
they specialize in a certain region or do they cover more territory (national,
multinational, etc)? Also, figure out if you want to go with a smaller,
boutique agency or a larger firm with many artists. You can also ask your
manager, distributor, or other members of your team for recommendations.
3) Making the pitch
Once you’re ready, go
ahead and make the pitch. Remember, the main objective of the booking agent is
to make money. Find a way to prove how you will be valuable to them, worth
their time. Read my article on pitching your band. A booking agent will want a
different press kit than anyone else, cater to that. Specially address your
average show attendance, detailed tour history, stage plot/tech needs,
attendance records (if available), and the fees charged or guarantees you
command per show.
4) What booking agents
charge
Most booking agencies
charge a percentage of your fees (10-20%) and a 3 year exclusive commitment is
fairly common. These are usually more established agencies who only work with
well-established artists, most who have strong label support or exceptional
tour history. Some agents charge a flat-fee ($25-$45 per show). These usually
do not require a contract and provide another option for up-and-coming artists.
Determine what is the best deal for where you are at in your career. However,
remember that often times, terms can be negotiable. If you are skeptical, hire
a good entertainment lawyer to help you with the agreements.
5) Bring the team
together
Make sure that
everyone working with your band is working in concert together. Keep
communication lines direct and clear so that the publicist knows immediately
when you get a gig booked, that your booking agent knows when your record’s
sales are picking up in a certain market, etc. Unfortunately, it’s common for
things to devolve in the music industry where every member of your team will be
working independently from one another, trying the best that they can instead
of having an overall strategic plan. That’s where having a competent manager
comes in handy!
By Simon Tam
Simon Tam is owner of
Last Stop Booking and author of How to Get Sponsorships and Endorsements.
Editor's note: If you're a Reggae, Dancehall or Caribbean-Urban artist, contact Mi6LLC@gmail.com to be added to the booking roster!
