Landing Your First Gig - Part 2

OK, you've established the venue where you want to play.  Now comes your pitch in the form of a proposal to the person in charge of the booking.  If you don't know the name of the person who handles the booking, call and ask.  You'll want to make sure your proposal ends up in the proper hands.

What should your proposal contain?  You'll want to give the booker a choice of possible dates and preferably a couple months into the future.  Have all of the specifics of the show mapped out and lay it out for the booker.  The booking agent is a busy person, so the less work the booker needs to put into organizing your show, the better.  Give your intentions on how you plan to publicize the show and any angles that the media can pick up.  If you plan on having giveaways or other incentives, mention that as well.  These are things that will get people in the door, and a packed house leads to a happy booker, which could lead to more gigs.

Your proposal is done.  Now what?  Check out part 3 to see how to close the deal on your first gig.

Stacy Ramsey
Consulting Writer, YouMusic.com