Be Persuasive
Booking agents come from a variety of backgrounds. Some have a musical background, while others are lawyers. Successful booking agents combine musical knowledge with business acumen. Working with musicians and concert promoters requires patience and confidence. Booking agents do most of their work on the cellphone and computer. Some are constantly on the go and keep late hours, while others keep a typical 9-to-5 schedule.
Instructions
1. Sharpen your skills and gather experience by working with local bands. Finding venues and booking gigs is a time-consuming process. Many local bands book their own gigs because otherwise they wouldn't have any. Convince a few local bands that you will be able to find gigs for them. The important point for you, at this stage, is to gain experience and credentials. Volunteer your services until the band knows that you are reliable.
2. Request a promotional packet from the band. The packet should include a professional band photograph, a short bio of the band and its members, a list of gigs they have played and a demo CD.
3. Research appropriate venues and festivals in the area for your band's music. At this point, you are developing reputation as a booking agent, making contact with venue owners and festival promoters. Satisfied venue owners and satisfied bands is the goal.
4. Study the music business. Working as a booking agent will only be lucrative if you sharpen your business skills as well as your knowledge of the music industry. Learn about contracts, basic business procedures and tax law. Take courses at the local community college, research business tips online and read books and articles about the music industry.
5. Set up your booking agency. Investigate the local and state laws that regulate the entertainment business. Some states require a license. Set up an office space, either at home or in a professional office building.
6. Find several bands that you are interested in working with. To make a living as a booking agent, you need more than one or two bands. Visit music festivals and clubs to scout new talent. Search for bands that are musically talented. Let them know that you are interested. Arrange a meeting where you feel each other out. Investigate their reputation. Unreliable bands that show up late or don't perform well on a regular basis will quickly give you a bad reputation in the business.
7. Create a website and business cards to promote your booking agency. Venues and festivals who want to book your band will have to go through you. An interesting website convinces them that you are someone they would enjoy working with.
