How to Get a Booking as a Rapper
Not only are live performances fun and exciting, they bring in money once a rapper becomes established enough to tour. Musicians often forget to treat performing as a business venture. Conduct all dealings with club bookers, promoters and club managers in a professional manner.
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Things You'll Need
- Telephone
- Computer
- Internet access
- Camera
- Word processing software
- Printer
- Printer paper
- Folders
Instructions
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Research venues in the area. The Internet provides the best way to conduct a search because you can easily access the locality's website. Get information on the place from the Internet to find out what type of acts the club books. The people who book usually hire a certain type of talent.
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Create a promotional kit. A successful package sells the rapper to the promoter. Bookers and promoters typically prefer to have it sent to them electronically which also saves time and money.
A typical kit includes: a cover letter, cover page, bio page, pictures (industry standard is an 8 x 10 black and white), contact information page, 3 to 4 demo songs (for email delivery, post the songs on a video site such as You Tube and include the link in your packet), song list and gig sheet, lyric sheet to go with the demo songs, review sheet for any reviews done on you and a business card. Every page of the promotional kit should include contact information.
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3
Find the booking agent or promoter in charge and get acquainted. Making visits to nightclubs helps get to know booking agents and promoters. Ask for times and phone numbers for bookings.
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Call during the time specified and pitch your act to the booking agent. If the call goes well and the agent shows interest, ask for the email address to send the promotional kit.
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Email the music link and packet to the booking agent immediately. These people talk to several acts daily, so sending the information soon after speaking with the agent may keep you from getting lost in the shuffle.
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Wait to hear back from the venue. If you have not received a response in a few weeks, make a follow-up call or email to find out what the booking agent thought of the demo. Don't become annoyed if they don't remember or didn't have time to listen to your demo. Seize this as another opportunity to remind them about your talents. Offer to email another package. Remain persistent until you get your booking.
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Get and agree on the details before the show. Type up a contract and go over it with the booking agent. This assures both parties know what the expectations are. The most important information is the estimated performance time slot, date and set duration. When first starting out most rappers perform for free or for drinks, but with gained popularity and professionalism, paid shows will soon follow.
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References
- Photo Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
