Using email to request gigs

[bassguppy]

Just curious how everyone presents their band in an email request. On some websites for venues, city events, etc. they have a link for booking requests or info.

so...my questions is yes you send an EPK (press kit), Facebook page, and band website but what do you actually say in your email? Do you keep it simple and say your interested in performing & here's our info. Or, do you compose a letter touting your band and other info along with band links?

I await the vast plethora of TB wisdom.

 

[bassbully]

I keep it simple. I tell them about the band, our music and then give them a link to our site...works for us.

 

[bassguppy]

It just got me thinking as I'm not usually the one who is out getting gigs. I offered to help out the primary gig getter and while composing an email I was thinking "is this too much information" since the links I was providing would only rehash what was in the email.

I kept it pretty simple...a hello, a short paragraph about the band, then links.

 

[sleeplessknight]

Well, I presume that my initial email is going to be ignored no matter what. I use it as an excuse to follow up with a phonecall a few days later. However, I try to 'customize' what I say a little bit to each client so it sounds less like boilerplate. The generic form is:
-----
Subject: Any interest in booking a 10-piece funk band?

Hello <person>, my name is Lee Whalen, and I do booking for a Boston-based funk band called Soulphonic. I was wondering if you had any interest in booking our 10-piece dance-oriented funk band for <venue>.

The band consists of lead and background vocals, five horns, and a guitar/bass/keys/drums rhythm section. Our setlist is curated from the music of Tower of Power, Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, The Bar-Kays, and more! We have enough material to fill four one-hour sets, but of course that can be trimmed down to suit however late you'd like the party to go. The website (Link Removed) has MP3s for your listening pleasure, as well as links to our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and ReverbNation. I would love to follow up with you to chat about your entertainment needs, and how we might be able to help!

Many thanks for your time and consideration,
--Lee Whalen
Link Removed
<phone #>
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That first paragraph is the one that gets the most editing. I'll modify it sometimes to say something mildly customized along the lines of "I saw your ad on Craigslist seeking a party-oriented band for your wedding (or whatever) and thought I would write to offer our services..."

 

[TBrett]

It just got me thinking as I'm not usually the one who is out getting gigs. I offered to help out the primary gig getter and while composing an email I was thinking "is this too much information" since the links I was providing would only rehash what was in the email.

I kept it pretty simple...a hello, a short paragraph about the band, then links.

The shorter and snappier you can be, the better. Google successful subject lines for bands, too. The right subject line can be the deciding factor as to whether they even open your email. There are some interesting stats on that.