The Reality: Getting a Booking Agent in the Early Stages Is Tough
For many up-and-coming musicians, finding music booking agents is one of the biggest hurdles they face. The reality is that agents are often selective and focus on artists who already have an established audience, a proven track record of successful gigs, or a unique selling point that guarantees profitability. In the early stages of your career, it can feel like a Catch-22: You need an agent to book bigger gigs, but you need big gigs to attract an agent.
Why Is It So Difficult to Get a Booking Agent as a New Artist?
- Agents Prioritize Profitable Artists
- Music booking agents work on commission, usually earning 10-20% of a gig’s total revenue. For them, it’s a numbers game. They’re more likely to invest their time in artists who can guarantee them a decent paycheck from each performance. Emerging artists, who may not yet have a large fanbase or consistent gigging experience, are often seen as too risky.
- You Need to Have a Proven Tour Record
- Booking agents want to work with artists who have already shown they can sell tickets, put on professional performances, and maintain an engaged fanbase. If you’re new to the scene or have only played a handful of small shows, agents may view you as unproven.
- It’s a Competitive Market
- Agents are inundated with requests from bands and solo artists, many of whom already have a following or industry connections. Unless you stand out in a significant way—through viral success, a unique sound, or stellar industry buzz—you may struggle to capture an agent’s attention in the sea of other hopefuls.
- Limited Resources
- Many booking agents work within a specific genre or region, meaning their rosters are limited. If an agent already represents artists similar to you, they may pass on signing you, even if you’re talented, simply because they don’t have room or resources to take on more clients in the same niche.
What to Do When Agents Won’t Take You On
If you’re in the early stages of your career and struggling to get a booking agent’s attention, don’t worry. You’re not alone, and many successful musicians started out by booking their own gigs. This is exactly where Anyone Can Book a Gig comes in—helping you to develop the skills and confidence to take control of your own live performances. Here are some actionable tips:
How to Attract a Booking Agent (If That’s Your Goal)
While our focus is on empowering musicians to book their own gigs, we understand that some artists may eventually want to work with an agent once they’ve built momentum. If getting an agent remains one of your long-term goals, there are steps you can take to make yourself more appealing to them.
- Build a Strong, Engaged Fanbase
- Why It Matters: One of the first things a booking agent will look at is your audience. They want to see that people are willing to pay for tickets to see you perform. This doesn’t mean you need to have millions of followers, but you should show that you have a committed, engaged fanbase that actively supports your music.
- How to Do It: Focus on growing your social media presence, interacting with fans, and building a strong mailing list. Consistency is key—post regularly, engage with comments, and make sure your content reflects your brand as an artist. Also, consider playing small local gigs where you can directly connect with fans, encouraging them to follow you and attend future shows.
- Develop a Solid Performance History
- Why It Matters: Booking agents love to see that you’ve already been actively gigging and that you’re not just starting from scratch. The more shows you’ve played, the easier it is for an agent to gauge your performance reliability and potential appeal to venues.
- How to Do It: Start with smaller venues or opening for local artists. Track every gig you play, whether it’s a local bar or a festival slot, and use that data to build your performance resume. Over time, you’ll gain valuable experience and start building relationships with venue owners, promoters, and local media, all of which help make you more appealing to agents.
- Polish Your Online Presence
- Why It Matters: Your online presence serves as a first impression for booking agents. They will likely Google you before considering your pitch, and if your website, social media, or streaming platforms look unprofessional or neglected, they may pass on working with you.
- How to Do It: Make sure you have a professional website with an up-to-date electronic press kit (EPK), high-quality photos, and performance videos. Your EPK should include essential details like your biography, past gig history, music samples, and social media stats. Ensure your social media profiles are consistent, clean, and regularly updated with relevant content, including performance footage, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and new music.
- Release Music and Build Momentum
- Why It Matters: Agents want to represent artists who are active in their careers, and releasing new music shows that you’re progressing and staying relevant. New releases also create marketing opportunities, driving buzz and ticket sales.
- How to Do It: Release singles or EPs on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp. Share your progress with your audience through social media, newsletters, and live streams. Try to schedule tours or gigs around releases to capitalize on the momentum. Booking agents look for artists with active discographies who can market themselves effectively.
- Network and Collaborate
- Why It Matters: Booking agents are part of the wider music ecosystem, and they pay attention to artists who are making waves, whether it’s through industry buzz or collaborations with other musicians.
- How to Do It: Attend music industry events, conferences, and local shows. Collaborate with other artists, both locally and online, as joint projects can expand your fanbase and get the attention of agents scouting for talent. Use platforms like LinkedIn or even Instagram to network with music professionals, but be authentic and genuine in your approach.
- Be Professional
- Why It Matters: Booking agents want to work with artists who have their business together. If you’re known for being difficult to work with, showing up late, or unprepared for gigs, no agent will want to represent you.
- How to Do It: Maintain a professional attitude in all your dealings, whether you’re booking gigs on your own or collaborating with other musicians. Respond to emails promptly, show up to gigs on time, and keep a positive attitude during interactions with promoters, venue staff, and your audience.
When Is the Right Time to Pursue a Booking Agent?
You might be wondering when you should start pursuing a booking agent. While every musician’s journey is different, a few signs indicate that you’re ready to approach agents:
- You’ve built a solid following, either locally or online, and can consistently sell tickets to your shows.
- You’ve played a good number of gigs and have a professional EPK that showcases your talent and marketability.
- You’re starting to get offers for gigs or tours that you can’t manage on your own anymore, due to the complexity or number of bookings.
- You’re ready to scale your live performances and want to focus more on music while someone else handles the logistics.
By following these steps, you can make yourself more appealing to booking agents. However, until that time comes, there’s no reason to wait around. Booking your own gigs is not only possible but empowering, and it gives you the experience and control to manage your career on your terms.
Take Control Now, and Agents Will Follow
While getting a booking agent early in your career can be a challenge, learning to book your own gigs provides valuable skills, control, and confidence. As you build your fanbase, perform regularly, and create momentum, agents will take notice. But until then, you don’t need to wait for someone else to open doors for you. With the right tools and strategies—like those offered in our program—you can start booking gigs today, on your own terms.
Ready to take your music career to the next level? Subscribe to our online program “Anyone Can Book a Gig” or grab a copy of our textbook to learn more about securing gigs and building a successful music career. Sign up for Anyone Can Book a Gig today and take the first step toward a successful, independent music career.
