What Is A Music Booking Agent & Why Do You Need One?
Throughout their career, artists will come across many people who help to raise the profile of their music and grow their following. Enter the great music booking agent. This individual or group help artists reach stardom through organising live performances and helping to create a buzz about their artists’ event.
Nowadays, most things are happening online and given the current global pandemic, more services are being shifted to the digital world. However, nothing beats performing or seeing your favourite artist perform live.
This is what makes the role of the music booking agent so important.
The Role Of A Booking Agent
In the music industry, a music booking agent is responsible for booking performances. This could be for tours, festival performances, radio gigs, and so on.
They mainly work with artists, bands and musicians and act as a salesperson on behalf of their clients. Agents also handle the process of negotiating performance contracts and approaching promoters about upcoming gigs.
Ultimately, a booking agent can propel your career into stardom through scoring new performance opportunities. They can also help by growing your following through networking with other key players in the music industry.
How Do Agents Work & How Much Do They Cost?
Booking agents usually charge a 10-15% commission fee for the performances they book. However, some may also charge a standard flat fee (it’s best to avoid these agents). Most agents work for a music booking company or agency, although it is possible to be a freelance booking agent working in the business.
When looking for the right booking agent, the success of the agency and/or the number of clients they have are key indicators.
We have made a list of some of the best booking agents in 2020, who have gotten many artists off to a flying start in their music career.
How Do You Get A Booking Agent And Why You Need One
Most websites for booking agents have a section where you can directly submit your music. Simply search for a booking agent, and send your music to the person or company you are interested in.
Thoroughly do your research before sending your music to booking agencies. Many artists make the mistake of sending their demo to every booking agency out there. Imagine sending a heavy metal demo to a classical music agent… not a good idea at all!
A good starting point is finding music booking agents that work with artists that have a similar sound to you. We might have already listed a few contacts to give you a rolling start!
How Playing Live Can Help
Playing live is also crucial in helping you get a booking agent – it makes the job a whole lot easier for them! If an artist already has built up a live following and has experience performing, the process of pitching this artist will be a lot easier than negotiating a booking deal with a completely unknown artist.
Booking agents may also be lurking in the crowd at open mic nights and amateur concerts scoping out potential artists for bigger venues. If your performances were filmed, these videoscan also be used by booking agents to help market and create buzz leading up to your next gig.
Becoming an opener is also a way to get yourself seen by booking agents. Chances are the booking agents, as well as promoters and music managers for the artist(s) you are opening for, will be there. Again, this will make the a whole lot easier as booking agents will already know your performance style and stage presence.
Extra Tips
If you are finding it difficult to get opening gigs, try organising solo gigs or working with artists in the local music scene to put on a small show. Either way, speaking to local venue owners is key. Creating an organic buzz will also help when pitching to booking agents, and a proven track record is crucial.
Putting on concerts will also help you build your own network of artists to collaborate or tour with in the future.
Keeping active online is also key. Remember, a range of artists from Justin Bieber to Adelewere discovered through music content they had posted online. Regularly posting your music on social media and music platforms gives booking agents a wealth of material to use when it comes to pitching you for a gig.
Even if you have reached out to all the booking agents on your list and haven’t heard anything back, there is no harm in getting in touch again. Leave it a few weeks or a month, then get in touch with new music or soundtracks from your most recent project. Just don’t bombard music booking agents with music every day.
Your Electronic Press Kit (EPK)
Creating an Electronic Press Kit (EPK) is also a crucial step in gaining a booking agent. If you need help with this, speak to our team at MG here.
This acts as your musical resume, and usually takes the form of website or page on websites such as Sonicbids. Your music is the most important part for your EPK, so ensure your best songs are listed at the top of your page or on the homepage of your website.
Also include band/artist images, a biography, links to social media accounts, websites, news articles that mention yourself, and contact details.
Ensure that your EPK is in line and consistent with your music brand. The images and videos in your digital resume should be high quality and display professionalism, as well as your unique tone.
Videos of live shows also allows agents to see you in action and make the decision to contact you about potential shows.
Conclusion And Final Advice
Finding the perfect booking agent can be a big challenge.
The competition is fierce, and the process can be frustrating. It can be upsetting when sending out email after email, waiting for someone to respond or sign you up for the next biggest concert.
However, following the advice laid out here will prepare you for approaching music booking companies, and enhance your chances of being approached yourself. Most booking agents will simply not reply to artists. However, if you do receive feedback from booking agents about why they can’t add you, make note of this and see what you can improve upon.
Make sure to document key aspects of your career, i.e. receiving a great review from another artist or completing your first DIY tour. These events are great for your EPK, socials and to talk about booking agents. Events such as these will help you land an agent, strike a booking deal and eventually sell out shows!
Don’t forget to be targeted with your approach to booking agents. This will save yourself and the booking agent a lot of time. The right booking agents will be much more likely to actually pay attention to your songs.