Are You Ready For A Booking Agent?
I am often asked, "How to do I attract a agent?" But first an artist needs to ask themselves, "Am I ready for a booking agent?"
The venues and promoters that you want to work with are running businesses. They use your fans to make money and how many fans you have helps them calculate how much they'll pay you. An agent is also running a business. So the first question they ask themselves is, "Can the 10-15% that I collect from this act fuel the engine that runs his business?"
It is true that most agents represent a few acts (usually referred to a developing acts) that they loose money on now because they believe they will make it in the future. But even then, the agent usually wants to see a pattern of steady fan growth.
Are you ready for a booking agent? The answer can be found by looking outward from the stage. If the
audience is enthusiastic and growing, than you are ready. If not, you have more work to do building you show and attracting fans.
Ask your self this question: "What kind of person would work for 10-15% of what I make?" When the answer is clear – whether its because they can make a decent wage, can see imagine a successful future or perhaps a little bit of both – then you are ready for a booking agent.
Next: How To Attract & Approach A Booking Agent
Read more Daily D.I.Y.'s here.
PS: Sorry I did not have a chance to post a Daily D.I.Y. on Thursday.
When your band is already established or has a strong buzz and an ascending path a good booking agent can help you build a better schedule and expand your base of exposure. Regardless of your level every band or musical artist needs to enhance their ability to be booked. Take a look at MPTrax.com a unique online booking utility that was selected as a winner to present at this year’s MusicAlly/MidemNet New Business Showcase. Here is a 3 minute video that will explain the power of this site to anyone who takes the time to watch it http://vimeo.com/2808327
It is also a good idea for a new artist to request the services of a new booking agency. I was in radio and wanted to become a booking agent. I had a friend who started a band in Atlanta last year. I purchased an ebook on how to start a booking agency at http://www.becomeabookingagent.com and started booking on a part time basis. I started booking my friend’s band, making $50 per date. I was able to add two more band for about the same fee. I am waiting for the day to go full time with this but I love it.
Build a fan base by booking your own tour by meeting other bands in a like spot. It’s a great way to get started. Check it out at the link below. Power in community!
http://www.betterthanthevan.com
Then ask yourself: Does your band really NEED a booking agent? These days, the small business that is your band needs to do everything it can to make as direct a connection it can to its consumers (fans). By cutting out as many middlemen and building its consumer base, its small business will grow. Did Microsoft need an agent? Do agents REALLY KNOW how to grow/develop small-business bands? Most are good with itineraries, but as davidsherbow says above, MPTrax offers a utility that’ll do that. Build your fan base, build a strong business model and promoters will want your small business to help their small business. Where’s the agent in that formula?