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| Photo by Rebecca Wilson |
One of the most elusive tactics independent artists struggle with is how to win over each new booking manager they deal with at venues they haven't played before.
A big part of an indie musician's work life is booking themselves, therefore they have to be their biggest cheerleader without coming across as an egotistical diva.
I have had a few experiences where people in charge of booking don't necessarily take the time to review materials I have sent to them because they aren't too keen on hiring a solo, acoustic female performer. There is the assumption that I am going to take the stage and sing soft ballads about love and strawberry wine to an audience who wants to hear bar songs.
Of course, any one who has seen me perform understands that I prefer to sing Miranda Lambert's 'Gunpowder and Lead' over any love song ever written.
But no matter how good you are, the business of music deals greatly with appearance. And sometimes, even if you have a killer press kit, stereotypes can still affect your booking.
While you can never please every single venue you come into contact with, there are a few things I've come to find that help with the bookings process.
Press Kits
I've already mentioned this above, but having a press kit that represents your act as closely and professionally as possible will make a huge different in dealing with a bookings person. Include everything from press quotes, sets lists and a list of venues you've played at, to photos, a bio and one of my favorite things to include, a small piece of merchandise.
If you are unsure of how to create a press kit, call on Google's search engine to give you great tips on the creation of a stellar press kit.
Persistence
Yes, sometimes you will receive an email or phone call from a venue who has received your press kit. But depending on how heavily you want to book, you will need to follow up. Persistence can be a musician's best friend or worst enemy. You have to find the right consistency for it to work.
About two weeks after you have sent out or dropped off press kits, follow up with a manager of a venue you are really wanting to play at if they haven't contacted you. It may take a couple of phone calls or emails to actually seal the deal. But if you just aren't getting anywhere, move on. There are plenty of other venues to look into.
Professionalism
Always, always, always be professional, no matter if you are hired or not. Of course, it's easy to be professional and kind if you are hired, but if you aren't you may be asking yourself why you still need to close things with a professional tone.
A bridge with a dead end sign is better than a burning one. Even if a venue contacts you with various reasons as to why they aren't hiring you (they're looking for a different sound, different look, etc.), always thank them for their time and politely move on.
I promise, down the line, it will be more gratifying to know that you have a great reputation with many different venues, than to recall how you told one venue who didn't hire you that they'd be sorry they missed out on your sound.
No matter what road blocks you've run into, whether you are struggling with making an appealing press kit, or you're struggling with knowing how to contact and talk to music managers, or you're a girl who wants to stomp her feet on stage, living in a world full of ballerinas(a girl after my own heart you would be), if you keep working at it, you will figure out a formula that works for your brand.
Not every venue will hire you, but you will find out that the ones that do hire you work out far better any way. Focus all your efforts on pleasing the venues that take a chance with your music, and your brand will elevate to a new level in no time.
Rebecca Day
