How to Develop a Good Relationship With a Club Booker

If you have a band, you obviously want to play shows. Standing between you and that stage is the club booker. Here are some ways you can get your music up on that stage.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Make sure your band can bring enough people to fill 45% of the club on an off night. If you think you can do this, proceed to Step 2.

2. Do some research on who books that club. Sometimes it is one person in house and sometimes it is an outside company. If you can't find out on the Internet, go down to the club and ask the bartender, usually a fountain of knowledge.

3. Find out exactly what the booker wants in order to consider your band. Some want a full press kit. Some just want an email with a website address. Sending them what they don't want will just get your submission thrown into the trash.

4. If you send an email, be pleasant but to the point. State your band's name, where you have played before, its website address and how many people you can attract. This is the most important thing to a booker.

5. If you don't hear back within 2 weeks, send a followup email or give the booker a friendly call. If they specifically say "No calls," then do not call.

6. Spend some time in that club networking. You can get a show more easily if people know who you are and have heard of your band.

Tips & Warnings

• Be honest about your draw. If you lie about your draw and a much smaller crowd comes, you will never play there again.
• Once you get the show, send the booker a thank you email. Booking is a thankless job and bookers do appreciate it.
• Do not pester the booker with relentless emails and calls.