5 Ways to Make Booking Managers Love Your Band

Juniper Honey Photo by Merrick Webb

When a band goes to get gigs, booking managers play a large role in the process. They are the gatekeepers standing in between you and the venue you'd like to play at, so making a good impression is paramount. Here's our 5 best tips on how to make booking managers love your band.

1 - Be Clear and Concise

Branson Anderson signs The Stand Photo by Gabe Small

Writing an inquiry about performing at a certain venue or event is essentially your first impression with a booking manager and writing a good inquiry will set you apart.

A good inquiry is clear, concise, and congenial and it includes:

• A greeting

• A short statement of who you are, including where you're located and your genre (Don't say you "don't really have one." You do.)

• An explanation of why you think you'd be a good fit for the venue or event, or why you'd like to have the chance to perform there

• Ask about available dates. You can ask for specific dates or ranges, but try to be flexible!

• Links to a website or YouTube video of performance samples and any released music or relevant social media profiles

• A humble thank you and closing

• Contact Info

Having a well written inquiry makes a good first impression and makes booking managers more excited to work with you. To find more in depth information on how to write a good booking inquiry, give this article from Flypaper a read.

2 - Have Audition Materials on Hand

"The Crowd You Consistently Draw" Photo by Merrick Webb

If you send an inquiry to a booking manager, most times you can expect that they'll need some sort of audition material or proof that you can put on a good show. Different organizations will ask for different things but having these on hand will make the process easier for everyone involved:

• Videos of you performing (preferably as a link to your YouTube, Electronic Press Kit (EPK), or website)

• Examples of other reputable shows or venues you've played

• A number of the average amount of people you consistently pull to shows

You likely won't need all of these, the videos are the most commonly needed. However, having these other pieces on hand can make it easier to be compelling in the audition process. For more info on how to bolster your audition, try reading this article by Icon Collective.

3 - Don't Pester

Us when you pester Photo by Gabe Small

Once you've sent out your inquiry and audition, and you've been booked for a date, you can feel free to ask for any important information pertaining to your show. In fact, after this point, you should always free to ask questions about the show.

However, keep in mind that the booking manager and other event coordinators probably have other events going on that they need to tend to as well.

Try to send any questions you have in a single message, if possible. If it's not, just try to send them your questions within a short timeframe.

To stay on the organization's good side, avoid spamming, avoid asking repetitive questions, and be patient while awaiting a response. It's totally okay to follow up and remind the event coordinators if it's been a while but asking too frequently can be annoying and rub people the wrong way.

For more tips on getting the information you need without annoying people, take a look at this article about following-up from LinkedIn.

4 - Say Thank You

Sok Hop Smiles :) Photo by Merrick Webb

This tip should go without saying... And yet, here we are.

When conversing with event coordinators, it's important to be kind and polite. Especially over phone or email, where tones can be more easily misinterpreted.

Event Coordinators will work with you even if you aren't focused on being kind, but they'll be a lot more motivated to help you out at this event and to have you back for future events if they feel respected and appreciated.

Using a kind tone during correspondence, acknowledging the event or venue team, and looking for ways to be helpful through the entire process is the best way to ensure your success in venue/event relations.

And if you're still unsure on just how important a thank you can be, give this article from The Conversation a read.

5 - Follow Up

Event Coordinators at Sok Hop Photo by Gabe Small

After you've had your super successful show, (the one that you were obviously very helpful and friendly at) it's time to follow up. But unlike the previous mentions of following up, this tip is about expressing your gratitude and other thoughts on the event.

Sending a message to the booking manager and event coordinators following the event to thank them solidifies your good standing with the organization and lets them know that you're aware and appreciative of the hard work the event team put in to the show. This is also a perfect time to tell them that you'd love to come back in the future. ;)

This follow up correspondence acts kind of like a thank you note, for more ideas on how to write the perfect "thank you note follow up" take a look at this article from Postable.

Someone's playing the bass Photo by Merrick Webb

Well, now you know how to make booking managers (and other event staff) love your band. Doesn't seem too hard does it?

Did we miss anything in this article? If you have any tips that you've found to be helpful, share them in the comments below!