How to get a booking agent
Though a tiring process that requires research, patience, and perseverance, booking your band is a necessary evil if you wanna get out on the road and let the people hear your music.
As you continue to play out, you will, if you promote your shows properly (using flyers, word of mouth, e-mail, social networking sites, etc.) begin to draw more and more paying customers to your performances. This accomplishes two goals simultaneously: First, it shows the club that you are worth something—namely money. And second, as your draw gets bigger and bigger, you become attractive to Booking Agents.
The responsibility of a booking agent is simply to secure live performances for his clients. That’s it. He has no part in career planning and no stake in the band, other than his 10% commission from paying gigs that he secures for you. Here’s how the agency scenario works: If you are a new, baby band just starting to play-out, and your worth to a club is zero, then your worth to an agent is also zero because there is no income to commission. On the other hand, if you are being paid several hundred dollars per show, there is an income to commission and, quite possibly, an opportunity for an agent to increase that income with crafty negotiations. A definite reason for a booking agent to consider adding you to his roster.
There are many industry directories listing hundreds of booking agents, but the real chore is to find one who books the kinds of venues you play and who works with other artists compatible with your music so the possibility of “packaging” a show exists.
In most cases, finding the right agent is as simple as a telephone call. Most will ask you to send them a complete package including photo, bio, list of clubs you played at, and some of your music—a demo or finished CD. If they’re impressed, they will ask what it is you’re looking for and will then decide if you’re “worthy” of their time and effort.
