Booking your first tour, for most, is a daunting task to say the least. In the beginning it will be next to impossible to find a booking agent to book you into a great venue in your favorite cities.  It’s all you baby!

Here is a brief, step-by-step process for booking your band’s tour.  It’s tough work, requires a lot of phone calling and follow-up but this is what it’s all about.

A tour is the single best way to get your band noticed, spread the work, meet new friends, and have some fun.  Fun, yeah!  That’s what its about.

Let’s get started:

• Plan Ahead/Choose a Date Range: You are going to have to plan at least 4 to 6 months ahead.  Most clubs book 6 months in advance.  It will take you months to make cold calls to all of the venues, call them again, and again, then follow up once you finally reach the booking person.  Once booked, you’ll also need time to market and promote each show in each city and town.
• Choose a General Route: Start with a general plan of the Cities you want to hit.  You’ll no doubt change it as you book, or don’t book, a city.  Decide on drive time and whether or not you want days off in between.  Some cities are easier than others and some venues might have a “pay-to-play” policy.
• Choose and Contact Venues: Start by searching for venues along your tour route.  Look at show lists from some of your favorite bands and see where they play.  Check websites like Indie On The Move, byofl.org, and onlinegigs.com for free searchable lists.You can also pay for Billboard’s tour guide, the Indie Venue Bible, and more. Use the phone, email, and venue websites to contact the venue.  Some have different preferences so find those out.  I recommend making an excel spreadsheet to keep track of all contact info and make notes about each contact and follow-up you make. Be ready to answer the question of how many people you expect at the show.  That’s how the venue makes money (and how you will too).
• Follow-Up, Follow-Up, Follow-Up. Follow-up with the person often until you get your gig.  When you do: make sure it is confirmed.  Check their website to be sure you are listed.  Contact local media people to get your gig listed.  Then, follow-up just before you leave for the tour.
• Book Gaps.  You will find you have some gaps between the shows you have booked. Sometimes these gaps happen while you are on the road too if a venue cancels you.  Get creative to find other venues where you might be able to present your music.  Book stores, churches, record stores, and other spots.
• Book Travel and Lodging. Hopefully you will be able to stay with friends and fans along the way.  Sometimes that doesn’t always work out and you will have to pay for hotels.  Many bands find new friends at the gig and go home with them.  Some just plan to sleep in the van and take whatever comes when it comes.  Its up to you.
• Promote Your Shows. Once the tour is booked, start working on marketing and promoting your shows.  Use your Facebook connections: tell your fans about the tour and ask them to tell their friends in your tour cities you will be coming and urge them to go to the show.  Call the local newspaper or other media that may have concert listings and be sure you are on those.  Contact radio stations to see if you can do an interview when passing through their town.  Be sure to be on the phone while you are touring too staying in contact with your venues, publicity contacts, and fans.

After the pain of booking your first tour, you will find later tours to be much easier,  You will have made new contacts and friends along the road that you can call on again to jump start your next tour not to mention the wonderful new fans you will have made who will be waiting for you to come to their town again.

Good Luck and Have Fun!