This era of the internet and social media has made it easier for indie artists to attain success without record labels. That said, booking shows can be a real chore for an indie artist with no label backing.

It takes all of your persistence and dedication to book good shows. You have to make your music and be your agent at the same time. While some might say there’s almost nothing fun about booking shows, if you enjoy the journey you'll enjoy the payoff even more. Luckily, you can learn how to hack it.

Why should you book shows?

Booking shows is extremely important because it's one of the best ways to build a fan base. It's one way to keep your existing fans hyped up and win over new ones all at once. Releasing songs regularly is good, but performing onstage in front of fans builds a different kind of connection. That real-time connection is what turns regular fans into die-hard ones.

Shows are also a good way to earn money. As an indie artist, you probably don't make so much from royalties on your music and there's no record deal money in the bank either. Booking shows is one of the best ways to make a steady income from your music. That ticket money coupled with the exposure you'd get makes booking shows almost imperative for you.

Why not get an agent?

You might be thinking all you have to do is get an agent and let them do the hard work. That's not a bad plan, but can you afford it? If you're just starting, chances are you can't.

Also, most agents prefer to work with artists who've already built a reputation for themselves. It increases the chances of higher revenue, thus making their cut bigger as well. If you're brand new, an agent might be reluctant to get on board because you're still completely green without any reach.

So it's more likely that you'll have to start out getting those bookings for yourself. An agent can join your team later on.

If you take your music seriously the you have to take booking shows as a job. Put in the work and be rewarded with doing what you love.

5 Quick Tips that Work

Now that you understand why you need to learn how to book shows, let's get to what you came here for. Here are 5 tips that are sure to work for you…

Network

Let's start with a common one. Building a solid network is one of the best things you'll ever do for your career. Your network will help you become a better artist, but more importantly, it'll give you access to important places and people. Sometimes all it takes is the right collab for everything to click in place.

To attend social events and connect with people. Use your social media and connect with people. No matter where you find yourself, try to connect with somebody. It could be a fellow artist, a producer, or anyone that shares music in common with you. Remember, your network is your net worth.

Build an EPK

An EPK, or electronic press kit, is like a portfolio for an artist. It'll contain your social media handles, your songs, and media from previous performances if you have any. You need to set up your EPK in a professional and easy-to-navigate manner to make it easier for venues to understand exactly what you're about. You'll send in your EPK with other details such as the proposed date when reaching out to the venues.

Research venues

When looking for venues to book, it's important to do your research first. You want to make sure a venue fits your kind of sound. If you're a rock artist, you wouldn't want to perform in a calm and serene environment.

You'd much rather go to a noisy bar where the people around can match your energy. Likewise, a jazz band has no business playing in a rowdy environment.

Pay attention to size as well. One common mistake among newbies is to book a venue too big for them to fill up. Don't do that. It kills the atmosphere during your performances, dampens your confidence, and makes for a terrible first impression on your potential fans. Target venues that fit with your music and your reach.

Make contact professionally

When you're done with all your research and you're ready to make contact, remember to be professional. There are more indie artists than ever so expect promoters to be choked with requests and applications. It's, therefore, supremely important that you make a good first impression by sounding straightforward and professional.

Send an email with a polite but direct tone. Attach your EPK, your proposed date, and any other relevant information you'd like them to have. If you don't get a reply within a day or two, follow up with another email. Don't be too pushy, but you need to stay persistent if you're to break the ice and get a reply.

Bonus: Use online platforms

If you're still struggling with booking a venue, you can turn to the internet and use online platforms. There are online platforms that act as agents and help you find the right fit in return for a small fee.

Booking online cuts down all the processes of research and networking to a few clicks. I'll advise you don't rely too much on online platforms, though.

Building real-life connections will always be better for you in the long run. The human bonds and fruitful friendships you'll develop will serve your career much better. So you can use an online platform to get your first few venues, but don't neglect your network.

How to Book Shows/Gigs

Final Thoughts

Booking shows is a job, but you can learn to thrive at and enjoy it. Remember that you need to learn how to perform onstage before you even start trying to book shows. If you're just starting and wondering where to start, watch your favorite artists onstage. You can also do a test run in a private space and record it, then watch it and make observations and corrections.

Booking shows is a central part of your musical career. You can't avoid it, so don't run from it. Instead, learn how to hack it so you can start to enjoy it. First, accept the challenge, then embrace it, and finally revel in it.