primarily looking for part timers that have bands that use a booking agent for gigs. Did venues get better/worse, are there pitfalls to look out for. Thanks for the input.
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Anyone use a booking agent?
- Thread starter Jrussblues
- Start date
two bands: one band uses multiple booking agents: the agents get good high paying gigs for the corporate/wedding market. the other band: doesn't use agents, but could, as that band has some limited value in the corporate/wedding area. a pro agent is about contacts, contracts, and continuity/routing. wannabe agents, or 'smaller' agencies can often be of help as well: by providing 'insulation' or 'cover' for the artist when negotiating for money, accommodations, equipment, yada yada.
if you know an agent(s) or know of one: interview him/her. can't hurt. the agent will want promo/marketing materials which fit the agency's style. expect the agency cut to be anywhere from 5% to 20%+ (averages 10-15%) depending on the services offered and the total amount of money involved in the booking process. a good agent can be a great asset. an agent who 'doesn't get' your act can be time-consuming without much benefit.
if you talk with an agent: tell the agent what you want, i.e., better venues, more money, etc. and agents can be a little like lawyers sometimes: "time is money" --- so make your points and then listen!
let us know how you are faring! good luck!
if you know an agent(s) or know of one: interview him/her. can't hurt. the agent will want promo/marketing materials which fit the agency's style. expect the agency cut to be anywhere from 5% to 20%+ (averages 10-15%) depending on the services offered and the total amount of money involved in the booking process. a good agent can be a great asset. an agent who 'doesn't get' your act can be time-consuming without much benefit.
if you talk with an agent: tell the agent what you want, i.e., better venues, more money, etc. and agents can be a little like lawyers sometimes: "time is money" --- so make your points and then listen!
let us know how you are faring! good luck!
We only go through our agent folks when one of the following presents itself and we want the gig:
1) Insane contract terms, primarily dealing with liability insurance. Agent puts us in their blanket policy.
2) Venue only deals with booking agents
3) Party wanting to book us only uses agents
General fees run 10 ~ 15%.
Once you get established, add 10 to 15% to any "price" that requires the use of an agent so you don't lose.
Do NOT, unless starving, give an agent total control. You may play a bit more but you will most likely receive less and see a lot of places you'd rather have not seen IME.
1) Insane contract terms, primarily dealing with liability insurance. Agent puts us in their blanket policy.
2) Venue only deals with booking agents
3) Party wanting to book us only uses agents
General fees run 10 ~ 15%.
Once you get established, add 10 to 15% to any "price" that requires the use of an agent so you don't lose.
Do NOT, unless starving, give an agent total control. You may play a bit more but you will most likely receive less and see a lot of places you'd rather have not seen IME.
I don't mean to hijack the thread, but how do you even find an agent?
Nobody in our band has the time to do an effective job at getting gigs. I've been doing it for the last year or so but my two contacts, that booked for venues, have fallen by the wayside. I only had those two and a contact at a venue who has also moved on. Now I have no contacts and no idea who/what to look for.
I've asked a couple of acquaintances how they get so many gigs and I get no information. I'm assuming it's a competition thing, even though my band and their bands wouldn't necessarily play all the same types of venues.
Nobody in our band has the time to do an effective job at getting gigs. I've been doing it for the last year or so but my two contacts, that booked for venues, have fallen by the wayside. I only had those two and a contact at a venue who has also moved on. Now I have no contacts and no idea who/what to look for.
I've asked a couple of acquaintances how they get so many gigs and I get no information. I'm assuming it's a competition thing, even though my band and their bands wouldn't necessarily play all the same types of venues.
Not going to comment on finding an agent, because i am not sure. But i know my band leader tends to find gigs by continuous networking with a wide variety of people. He is also very strong on following up on leads, and taking time out of his day to meet people face to face to discuss potential opportunities. Alot of this ends in having good recurring contacts/venues that are willing to have you every 3-6 months or at an annual event. People we've worked with to get gigs include venue owners, venue bookers, community event organizers, private event organizers, other bands, friends of band members. You'd be surprised how many gigs you can get outside of the bar/music venue scene. Our best paying gigs have been community and private events with corporate sponsorship, playing annual arts festivals or benefit parties.
I know the networking part will work, but that's where we have a problem.
Between a assistant US attorney, a regional mgr for a large dept store, a freelance SAT tutor, a phone/network install/service guy and myself, nobody has that kind of time. Work and families make it difficult.
Having said that, we did just get booked for a 'market days' event in a small town outside of S.A. for the first Saturday in June. It will be the largest payday we've had to date.
Between a assistant US attorney, a regional mgr for a large dept store, a freelance SAT tutor, a phone/network install/service guy and myself, nobody has that kind of time. Work and families make it difficult.
Having said that, we did just get booked for a 'market days' event in a small town outside of S.A. for the first Saturday in June. It will be the largest payday we've had to date.
Totally understand, i don't have the time for it either! I am lucky to have someone leading the band who does.
I've been a few bands that used agents, most did not. Yes, the bands with agents got better paying gigs. It's worth paying 10-15% of the gross to not spend all day on the phone.
In my case, the agents were primarily booking private gigs (parties, weddings, etc.) and concert situations (town gazebo shows, fairs, etc.) rather than bar gigs.
In my case, the agents were primarily booking private gigs (parties, weddings, etc.) and concert situations (town gazebo shows, fairs, etc.) rather than bar gigs.
Classic and 90's Rock cover band. We use a booking agent (or 2) for a lot of the reasons already mentioned, mainly because some venues only book through an agent. We are non-exclusive and therefore can book anywhere on our own if we choose. We pay them 10% of the gig pay.
And yes they are worth it, getting more gigs at new venues.
And yes they are worth it, getting more gigs at new venues.
Sorry to rehash an old thread but my new mod country southern rock band is hitting a wall lately. Yes we are new but its a good high energy band that can bring a crowd with it. Sad thing is there is a market here. We have only done two gigs with the retooled lineup but we need to get gigs to get out and be seen. Looking for ideas and where to even find a booking agent.
Find wedding planners and ask who they call for bands. Wedding agents also tend to book corporate stuff as well.
We used a booking agent for awhile, in fact, most of our competition currently uses this agent. We quit because of a few reasons:
1. Agent would be at gigs sometimes and act highly inappropriate.
2. Agent crossed the personal/professional line with guitarist.
3. Agent was expecting a cut of gigs that we already had booked ourselves.
All this said, I'm sure they can be a good thing if there is no other drama, we just had really bad luck I think. Our band leader is doing all the booking again. The one thing the agent did that is still positive is got us into a few new places within an hour drive at a slightly higher pay rate than normal. We still have those gigs plus some new ones because of those connections.
1. Agent would be at gigs sometimes and act highly inappropriate.
2. Agent crossed the personal/professional line with guitarist.
3. Agent was expecting a cut of gigs that we already had booked ourselves.
All this said, I'm sure they can be a good thing if there is no other drama, we just had really bad luck I think. Our band leader is doing all the booking again. The one thing the agent did that is still positive is got us into a few new places within an hour drive at a slightly higher pay rate than normal. We still have those gigs plus some new ones because of those connections.
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One more thing to look out for with agents: If the agent is also a gigging musician, run far away. Their interests will always be above yours. I was talking to an agent about an event band concept. Agent said "wow, that's a great idea" and rebranded their band for that concept.
We haven't used one yet, but were considering trying one out.
There's an area south of us where we haven't played, and a friend turned us on to a local agent there.
Luckily we spotted his 64-page diatribe on FB about a professional relationship gone bad before using him.
There's an area south of us where we haven't played, and a friend turned us on to a local agent there.
Luckily we spotted his 64-page diatribe on FB about a professional relationship gone bad before using him.
I have been in bands that have used legitimate booking agencies. All gigs paid pretty decent. Always good gigs such as private events, corporate events. Weddings. Outdoor public events. A few club dates here and there. It behooves the agency to book well paying gigs so they can get their 10%-15%. The better the gig, the better the payday for both the band and agent. I've subbed for quite a few of the better paid bands in this area and have gotten some decent paydays. Too bad the bands have like 10 people and a sound company to pay so the money could have been better but still not bad. Last sub gig I played, I got paid $450.
As for finding a booking agent/agency..........Google booking agent for your area. Most cities have a few. We have 3-4 big time agencies in this area. Also, if you're a musician seeking a band, some agents will assist in finding you a band. Same deal, give them a promo package with musical resume, references, vids and sound bytes.
I've posted this before, so I'll keep it short: Redhead works a lot because our BL went out to open mics and sang. Whenever a bartender said "You oughta have a band" she pulled out her iPad calendar and offered dates. We have a circuit of about a dozen venues we play; she is on a first-name basis with every owner. Even in rooms where a booking agent claims to have an exclusive, she's been able to books directly, pointing out that she's saving the venue the agent's cut. In short: Nothing works as well as schmoozing in person. And this: Several band members depend on band income to help make ends meet. This is probably the biggest motivator of all.
Wish it was that easy here. Our market is weak then add that we play to specific venues makes it hard. Some of these clubs this band has played successfully before and have been promised rebooking's but chasing the owners is exhausting us.
I thought why not try an agent but so far there has been no answer to ads for one and local searches came up empty. Oh well, back to the drawing board.
Ugh, that sucks! You do need someone with the time to chase the owners, and we are very, very lucky to have a BL who is willing and has the energy. Do you have a fan who might be persuaded to do this? A person who loves your band may not know anything about the booking business, but at least you'll know he or she puts you first!
