DO's and Don'ts

[bknot1]

This is from another board with the posted permission..he had some real good info on Bookin Shows..Hope it helps...

DeeBlaze33

BOOM! You're a rapper and you want to book a show. $$$$$

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Not to say I know EVERYTHING about everything, cause really I know shyt about shyt, but let's share our knowledge of booking shows and getting PAID for all the broke ass rappers out there wondering how the hell do I turn my music into money?

I've been booking shows for my artists (when I had artists) and myself for about a year now, and I've learned some good things. Here's my step by step. PLEASE add on suggestions.

1. DO target venues that support local live music (local bands)
2. DON'T target your local hip-hop club that brings through national acts.
3. DO walk into the bar and ask to speak to the person in charge of booking.
4. DON'T call or email the bar asking how to book a show.
5. DO have CDs and promotional material on you to give to them.
6. If they ask for a follow up call, follow up.
7. DO pay a designer to do a professional flyer for you (around $50), or if you're good enough, do it yourself.
8. Get your flyers one month in advance of the show.
9. DON'T book more than one show a month in a certain market unless you live in a major market like NY LA or Miami with a high population.
10. DO show up to the show sober
11. DO do a sound check.
12. Make sure the club is providing a PA system for you. If not, rent one (around $100)
13. You should ask for the WHOLE DOOR and the venue keeps the WHOLE BAR
14. The venue may charge you a fee for security/doorman/soundman etc that will come off the top.
15. The venue may take a percentage of your door. If they ask for this, ask for a percentage of the bar once capacity hits a certain number.
16. DON'T target venues with a capacity of over 300 when you are just starting, you're only wasting your time.
17. DO target venues with a capacity of 100-200
18. DO ask the venue if you can have drink specials/ladies night/ladies free until.. etc. if you manage to get a deal DON'T forget to put this on the flyer.
19. DO make sure your flyer has all pertinent info, who, what, where, when, why
20. DO host other events (wet t-shirt, FREESTYLE, dance contest) with your show if you think you have not following and will draw a lousy crowd.
21. DO make sure you are paying attention while the night is going on to what is going on around you, not getting high in the parking lot with your boys. This is work time, not play time. Get serious.
22. People will have more fun at a 100 capacity venue that is PACKED with 100 people than a 500 capacity venue with 100 people.
23. DON'T overestimate your crowd
24. DON'T lie to promoters/booking contacts about your draw
25. DO put other acts on the bill with you, they will bring their small following as well, and you get paid
26. DON'T offer to pay the other acts. Their payment is exposure to a large audience.
27. DO offer to allow other acts to sell merchandise at the show.
28. DO have CDs and other merchandise of yours to sell at the show.
29. DO order at least 5000 flyers ( http://www.miamiflyers.com ) use their 4x6 postcard promo, 5000 CDs for $85 plus shipping
30. DO hand out promo CDs with flyers to promote your event
31. DON'T get too wasted that you give a lousy performance, your reputation follows you everywhere you go. Venues expect artists to get "loose" but don't be stumbling over yourself, cussing out the crowd.
32. DO send follow emails/phone calls the day after the show thanking the venue for everything they did and asking if you can book another date.
33. DO get paid in a back room, not in the middle of the venue.
34. DON'T forget to thank the venue/booking contact when you are on stage.
35. DON'T forget to thank the other artists for coming out to perform.
36. DO act like the "nice-guy" to your fans, be personable, talk, say thanks, keep it movin.
37. DON'T be the stuck up artist that's too hard to say what's up.
38. Once you start doing shows other acts in town are going to try and copy what you are doing. Embrace this and keep it movin.
39. DO open up for other acts, even if you think you're better than them, whenever you can. It's all about exposure. Use the night to promote your NEXT show.
40. DO always have another show booked in advance at a different venue when you are performing.
41. DO make sure you get out ALL of your flyers.
42. DO use myspace for further promotion in your area.
43. If you pull 50 people to your first show, with a $5.00 cover, that's 250 bucks, minus your 100-200 dollar expense, you pocketed $50 for the night. Not much, but if you hustle like this for about six months, six shows, you should be able to pull a stead crowd of 200+ and this is where you can really start to make money. Your expenses stay relatively the same, however you're now pocketing $800 for the night.
44. DON'T oversaturate your market. Every six months or so take 2 months off and let people forget about you. Record new material, drop a new promo CD, in the streets and then BAM hit 'em again, they'll be hungry for more.

Hmm. That's all I can think of now. Just things that I've learned along the way that have helped. Please, feel free to add suggestions/comment about my ideas.

[bknot1]

if you have any Dos and Don'ts...for anything add them here....

[mentalattica]

All of it's some good info... but I think the number #1 thing is Show up Sober.
I've seen quite a few acts get pissy drunk at the bar prior to performing which led to weak ass performances or stumbling around on stage and not performing at all.

[bknot1]

so true...that shows you are professional about your work(business)..

[Mindset]

That's some cheap printing on that miamiflyers site...

[Fieva]

And cheap is always good (as long as the word quality isn't added to it)

[Change of POETS]

I don't drink at all at my shows. I've seen too many emcees get housed, and ruin their night.

So, I don't drink anything but Red Bull or something...

[Fieva]

I've had a single beer while my crew got wasted back in the day. I actually didn't even finish the beer or intend to, I used it to clear my throat. I was pissed when I realized everybody else was going to mess up the show.

[Mindset]

Yeah for real. When at work, be sober. Although a joint wouldn't hurt jp.

[bknot1]

and thats the way it should be...sober to peform and put on a good show....drink afterwards....or whatever you do..

[Fyre]

I guess its a lil different for me I mean ill have a couple beers or maybe a shot or two b4 i go on but It take a lot more then that for me to get drunk..... as far as smoking iown think I could blaze b4 a show.... blazing b4 writtin or recordin is one thing but not b4 a show........

[BillyBo]

11. DO do a sound check.

he said do do. lol.

i got miamiflyers. 3x6. 5000 for ~$70 after shipping. basic flyers for the album tho, not for shows.

[Fieva]

Don't doo doo while you're trying to soundcheck. How are you gonna know if it's all in check when you keep hearing water splashes and loud farts that get echoed in the bowl?

Plus who wants to have that mic back after you wiped and didn't wash afterwards. Nasty fucker.

Fiev.

[Trumpspade]

Originally Posted by Change of POETS

I don't drink at all at my shows. I've seen too many emcees get housed, and ruin their night.

So, I don't drink anything but Red Bull or something...

I hear that!

That's a strong sign of taking your craft serious!

[BillyBo]

DO make sure you have someone at your merch table at all times. that way no one will steal your stuff and they have someone to pay. maybe even be there yourself in case people want to talk to you or get their cd signed after the show.