1. Be great

It’s not said enough. All the “tricks and tips of the trade” can only do so much if your recordings and performances don’t affect or connect with people when they listen. If you are not satisfied with the public’s (or house concert host’s, or booking agent’s) response to your music, this is the first place to look. ALL of us can improve - and maybe the lack-luster emotional response to your material will tick you off enough to write your best song. Or maybe you’ll give up.

But don’t be too hard on yourself. No matter how great you are, most people will not connect with your music enough to reach out to you. So maybe a 20-30% response rate is what you shoot for. But if fewer than 1 in 10 are inspired enough to let you know, it’s time to look seriously at two things.

 

  • a. Are you contacting the right people? If you do bluegrass only, and you are reaching out to hosts who only like contemporary singer-songwriters, or simply pitching everybody, then you can expect poor results. Refine your approach, go after the right people.
  • b. Look at your presentation. Does you site/page/lead track paint you as an amateur? Compare your wares with successful artists that you know. What are they doing differently? Can you learn something from their approach? Are you leading with your best songs, and tunes that would appeal to the people you are pitching?

2. Be concise

Don’t overwhelm people with 10 links and 10 paragraphs of bio. Hit the highlights.

3. Show interest in them

Show you’ve done your homework, that you understand their needs/wants, and that you appreciate their effort/approach/favorite artists, etc.

 4. Arouse interest

Ask a relevant question they’ll be compelled to answer, even if they aren’t knocked out by your music on the first listen. “I see you’ve hosted, John M., Victoria V., and Hans Y., which show was your favorite?”

Find something in their profile that is genuinely interesting to you, and ask about it. If they respond, this allows you to create a dialogue to pitch your act again when you have new material. A great mp3 is rarely reason enough to invite someone to perform in your home. Give them another reason.

If this sounds manipulative - it is. It just might manipulate you into becoming a nicer, friendlier human being. In the long run, it’s just too much effort to fake it well. Eventually, you’ll mean it. I used to be very shy - I faked being an extrovert (out of necessity) and now very few people would describe me as a shy person.

 5. Follow up in a reasonable way

There is a fine line between being persistent and annoying. There’s an art to it, though, and it can be learned through trial and error. The trick?

Be consistent. People are busy, and sometimes messages don’t get returned. If that hurts your feelings, you are doomed. Every host is different, but it is wise to follow up (no more than once or twice a month) until you get at least a “we received your package/email/etc..”

After that, back off. An occasional polite reminder (”I’m touring in your area in November…”) no more than once a quarter should keep you from wearing out your welcome. If you get a “no, thank you” or no response for a year - be respectful and move on.

 

More booking tips
Why won’t people take a chance on me?
Get focused with your fans