The Complete Guide to Building a Successful Touring Schedule
Hey there! Jackiem Joyner here. As a professional musician who has toured all over the world, I know a thing or two about building a successful touring schedule. But let me tell you, it wasn’t always easy. I’ve learned a lot of lessons along the way, and I’m here to share them with you.
Set your goals
First things first: set your goals. Why do you want to go on tour? Is it to promote a new album, build your fanbase, or something else? This might seem like an obvious question, but trust me, it’s important to have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish. This will help you focus your efforts and make more informed decisions.
How to go about it
Next up: plan your route. This is where things can get a little tricky. You want to choose tour stops that are convenient and cost-effective, but you also want to play in places where you’ll have an audience. My advice? Do your research. Look into local music scenes and identify venues that might be a good fit for you.
And don’t be afraid to think outside the box! You never know where you’ll find your next big break. Take into account the distance, cost, and time required for each tour stop, and plan your route to maximize your efficiency and minimize costs.
Booking your shows
Now comes the fun part: booking your shows. This can be a daunting task, but it’s crucial to the success of your tour. Effective communication is key to building relationships and securing shows. Here are a few tips to help you communicate effectively with venues and promoters:
- Be professional. This means using proper language and grammar, dressing appropriately, and being on time.
- Be concise. Venues and promoters are busy, so get to the point and provide all necessary information in a clear and concise manner.
- Be respectful. Remember, you are trying to build a relationship with these people, not just secure a show. Treat them with the same respect you would like to receive.
- Be prepared. Have a press kit ready with information about your music and tour, and be ready to answer any questions they may have.
- Be flexible. Things don’t always go as planned, so be open to alternative solutions and be willing to compromise.
Build relationships
- Follow up. If you don’t hear back from a venue or promoter, it’s okay to send a follow-up email or call. Just be respectful of their time and don’t overdo it.
- Stay organized. Keep track of all communication with venues and promoters in a central location, and make sure to confirm all details in writing. This will help ensure that there are no misunderstandings leading up to the show.
Promote you shows
Once you have your shows booked, it’s time to promote your tour. This is your chance to get the word out about your tour and build anticipation among your fans. To help you do this effectively, create a press kit with information about your music and tour. This should include things like your bio, press photos, and music samples. In addition to creating a press kit, don’t be shy about reaching out to local media outlets and music blogs to promote your tour.
Utilize social media and email newsletters to keep your fans informed and excited about your upcoming shows. And above all, be creative! There are endless ways to promote your tour and get the word out about your music.
Be prepared
Before you hit the road, it’s important to prepare. Make a checklist of all the necessary items you’ll need on tour, and consider hiring a tour manager or booking agent to handle logistics. This will help ensure that you’re as organized and efficient as possible. And most importantly, be ready for the unexpected. Things won’t always go according to plan, so be prepared for setbacks and be flexible.
After your tour, take some time to reflect on what worked and what didn’t. Use this information to make improvements for future tours. And above all, don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things. The music industry is constantly evolving, and it’s up to you to stay ahead of the curve.
There you have it!
So there you have it, a roadmap for building a successful touring schedule. It’s not easy, but it’s definitely worth it. Touring is a great way to share your music with new audiences, build your fanbase, and make lasting memories. So go out there and rock it! I have no doubt that you have what it takes to build a successful touring schedule and have a blast doing it. Good luck, and happy touring!