So, if you are ready to start booking gigs, you have:
▫️ Set up a good work space
▫️ Tried and true promo material in place
▫️ A good letter to send to promoters
▫️ Sorted your niche market and are ready to pitch to the right folks
As if booking gigs is not complicated enough, the reality is, each type of venue has it’s own booking time frame depending on who they are and what they do. Keep in mind this is a general rule, but one I have had success with. Here is what I have learned over many years of booking gigs for myself and artist I have represented.
An important rule of thumb: Quite often, the decision makers will sit down and do all the booking for several months in one or two sittings. If your name is in front of them, and you have contacted them many times (sometimes many, many) through email and phone calls, you stand a better chance of getting hired. Yes leaving messages with gate keepers and bar tenders does help. And when the bookers do sit down (often randomly) to book their shows, your name will be in the pile. Persistence is the key.
Booking gigs in clubs:
Clubs tend to work on the shortest time line, between 6 months to 2 weeks out and sometimes up to a year. Sometimes they leave room for last minute bookings or cancellations and opening slots. However, this is a bit of a crap shoot. If you are on tour and already have your anchor dates, you can sometimes get lucky booking clubs at the last minute, especially when you are on the road and looking to fill in some empty days. Keep in mind it does take admin time which can be a precious commodity on the road. So try to plan at least a few months in advance if you can. Sometimes you can get a last minute opening slot but these may not become available until the main acts are booked, or there is a last minute cancellation
House Concerts:
I LOVE playing house concerts. They can be a fantastic way to fill in your itinerary, make great money, build a loyal following, and make life-long friends. The audiences are attentive and there is no TV or cappuccino machine blasting in the background. They can sometimes come with accommodation and often lead to other gigs. House concerts book at least 6-8 months to a year out. Sometimes you can slip in with shorter notice, or organize them at the last minute through your friends and fans. But your best bet is to start early. Since playing house concerts is different from being hired to play at a party (which tend to be background music gigs) the hosts need time to promote you on their lists and to their friends.
Performing Art Centers:
Performing arts centers book 12 to 18 months in advance so it is best to give yourself around 2 years lead time all in. There are two ways to get into a performing art centers; booking conferences or directly through the artistic director or board members. Artistic directors and sometimes their board members go to booking conferences to find talent and get recommendations from other artistic directors. These conferences happen roughly between August and the end of February and are definitely worth attending. Unfortunately, a lot of performing arts centers like to do all their booking in a short window. You can submit directly to the artistic director or board members and they may add you to their consideration list. But there still is a long lead time. Building a long–term relationship with the artistic director or board members is an investment of time and energy, but can be worth it and keep you returning every few seasons. They will often save a spot or two for local acts and artists they know and like.
Festivals:
FYI, there is a saying in festival land, although it is a bit tongue-in-cheek: they day after the festival ends, the artistic director starts working on the next festival. They may not ink their calendars right away, but they are thinking about it and this is where persistence comes in. Start contacting them a few weeks after their festival ends. Artistic directors attend festivals, showcases and conferences throughout the year and by three to four months before the next festival, they are booked. Of course this may depend on the festival. If it is a festival with only one or two stages, they are going to be almost completely full by 4 months out, except for maybe an opening act or two. But if it is a festival with lost of venues ranging in size, you stand a better chance of getting in although you may not get on the main stage. It depends on the festival.My name is Suzahn Fiering. I am an international touring artist, successful songwriter, award-winning educator (presented by Sir Paul McCartney) and a Master Level Internationally Certified Business Coach. I have helped many musicians and artists move forward towards their goals and dreams, and I am looking forward to helping you! Be on the look out for Part 2: Booking universities, public and private schools, libraries and museums.
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