How To Make A Booking Kit For Your Band
Result
Create a physical booking kit to help you get booked for live shows.
Overview
A booking kit is one of the few times an indie musician needs printed materials. These have to look perfect because you will be handing them to venues and bookers that you want to impress. You should also have these materials available online.
Related Categories: Online Press Kits
Estimated Preparation time: 3 hours
Estimated Result Time: Immediate
Estimated Cost: Low
What You Need to Do This:
- A CD of your songs
- Band photos
- All press materials/men you have collected
- Testimonials
- A DVD of live shows (Optional)
Directions
1. Create a cover page.
The cover page should be a letter addressed to the person at the venue, festival, or booking agency you are giving the booking kit to. This should have your contact information, website, and basic details about your music and band. Put your contact information on every page of the kit. This page should be eye-catching and visually appealing since it is the first thing that will be seen.
2. Include a separate page about your band bio.
A bio is a one-page sheet about the band. This should be story-based, easy to read, and interesting.
3. Include your CD.
Include your latest CD or CDs. If you have a live album, be sure to include this. Make sure all of your contact information is on the CD itself, in case it gets separated from the rest of your kit and the case.
4. Include your mailing list and/or Eventful Demand numbers.
Venues, festivals, and booking agencies want to know your draw. Include your mailing list count. If you use Eventful to help you plan your shows, then include this number as it's a verifiable number from a third party. If you're just starting out, skip this step.
5. Include any press clippings, reviews, or positive mentions.
If you have press coverage, include a page of quotes and reviews of your band or albums.
6. Include any testimonials from fans, other bookers, or other venues.
7. Include a list of where else you've played.
If you've played out a lot, include a list of the key venues or festivals you've played to prove your performing experience. If you're just starting out, skip this step.
8. Include an 8x10 photo (optional).
9. Include a stage plot (optional).
You could include a stage plot - a diagram of the instruments in your band, the equipment you have (amps, keyboard, etc.), and your stage, monitor, and microphone needs. This is usually used after you get a gig, but the at-a-glance information it provides about your band and its sound needs if often useful to bookers.
10. Include a live DVD (optional)
Include a video of your band performing live if you have one, it is the most convincing proof of your ability to entertain a crowd.
11. Make sure all this information is also available online at your website.
You should have a section on your website that includes all the above information so venues, festivals, and booking agencies can download the information at their convenience. Services such as SonicBids and ReverbNation provide online press kits that can house this information for a fee.
What should I do next?
References