A Glimpse
In their entire career, artists come across a lot of people who help them in boosting the profile of their music and increase their following as much as possible. Here is where a good music booking agent is needed. This particular person or a team help artists get to the level of stardom by organizing his/her performances and helping in creating a buzz about the events of their artists. Today, almost everything is taking place online, and provided the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic, more and more services are being moved to the digital world. Nonetheless, nothing can beat the feeling of seeing your favorite artists or bands performing live.
What Is The Role Of A Booking Agent?
A booking agent is accountable for booking performances of artists in the music industry. This can be for festival performances, tours, radio gigs, and whatnot. A booking agent primarily works with bands, artists, and musicians and plays the role of a salesperson on behalf of their clients. Agents also manage the process of arranging performance contracts and eager promoters about upcoming gigs.
Basically, a booking agent can take your career to another level of stardom by scoring new performance opportunities. Apart from this, they help in increasing your fan-following by networking with other essential players in the music industry.
How Much Do Agents Cost?
Hiring agents generally charge a 10-15 percent commission fee for the performances they book. But some might also charge a standard flat fee (hiring such agents is not encouraged). Many agents work for a music booking agency while many freelance booking agents work in the business.
When you are searching for the right booking agent, the success of the company or agency and the number of artists it represents are crucial indicators.
How Do You Need A Booking Agent & Why Do You Need One?
There are many websites for hiring agents that have a section where you can submit your music directly. You just have to simply search for a booking agent, and send your music to the agency or a person you are interested in.
Perform thorough research before sharing your music with booking agencies. Many budding artists make the mistake of sharing their work with all the booking agencies they come across. Imagine sending a classical music demo to a heavy metal music agent… Not such a good idea. Start by finding music booking agents who work with artists with whom you have a similar sound. Here is when Industry Live Agency comes to your rescue.
How Can Performing Live help?
Performing live is extremely important in helping you to get a booking agent as it makes their job a whole lot easier. If an artist has built up a live fan-following already and has experience of going on stage in front of thousands of people, the process of pitching that artist will be a cakewalk instead of negotiating a booking deal with an unknown artist.
You will see many booking agents lurking in the crowd at open mic evenings and amateur concerts observing potentially talented artists for bigger venues. If your performances are filmed, those videotapes can also be used by booking agents to help create a buzz leading up to your upcoming gig.
Being an opener is yet another way of getting yourself noticed by booking agents. Chances are the booking agents, as well as music managers and promoters for artists you will be opening for, will be present there. Again, this will make things easier for you as booking agents will know your stage presence and performance style already.
Here Are Some Extra Tips For You…
If you are finding it challenging to get opening gigs, you can always give solo gigs or work with artists in the local music scene a try. You will get the opportunity to put on a small show of your own. Either way, getting in touch with the local venue owners is the key. Building an organic buzz will also help while pitching to booking agents, and a proven track record is essential.
Putting on concerts can also help you develop your own network of artists to tour or collaborate with in the future. Staying active online is necessary. Posting your music on social media and music platforms regularly gives booking agents great material to use when it comes to pitching you for a gig.
Even if you have gotten in touch will all the booking agents on your list and still have not heard from them, there is no harm in reaching out to them again. Get in touch with them again after a couple of weeks or a month with new music from your most recent project. Keep in mind not to bombard music agents with your music every day.
Wrapping Up!
Finding the right artist booking agent can be challenging. The competition out there is fierce and the process can be really frustrating at times. It can be disheartening when sending out one email after another, waiting for someone to get back to you and sign you up for a big concert.
No matter, this detailed guide is here for you. It will prepare you for approaching music booking agencies, and increase your chances of being approached yourself. Many booking agents do not usually reply to artists. But if you do receive feedback from booking agents about why they cannot add you, remember to make note of this and see what you can work on.
Keep in mind to be targeted with your approach to booking agents. This way, you will save yourself and the booking agent a lot of time. The right booking agents will be more than happy to literally pay attention to your music.
