SONG CONTEST BLOG

I just wanted to give you a quick heads about an amazing tool designed to help you manage your career, and focus on music, rather than the boring business that seems to always get in the way of true creativity.

I recently spent some time with the awesome guys over at BandCentral.  And I have to admit, I was blown away by what they’ve put together.

You’re a musician on the rise, which means you’re probably struggling to find the best way to keep in touch with your fans and organize your ‘music business’, right?

BandCentral can help.

You probably need help keeping track of your money, organizing your gigs and staying on top of your merchandise sales (especially if you expect them to keep climbing).

BandCentral makes it easy.

Whether you’re un-signed and self-managed or you presently have a label and pro manager, BandCentral will save you from the time, burden and career-crushing mistakes so many artists fall victim to…

Anything that helps musicians make more music by helping them delegate the drudgery seems like it’s singing in the right key to me!

See for yourself:
www.BandCentral.com

In the point of view of the booking agent, you – the artist – must be in place in your career that you can attract enough paying gig-goers to your show, do so frequently, and with consistent growth to justify the booking agent’s efforts in exchange for his 10% (sometimes 15%) cut.  Unfortunately, most developing artists, even those with a small but loyal following, are not attractive enough for the reputable booking agents to pursue.  Much like talent scouts, booking agents will sometimes take a chance on an act that they believe will develop successfully and provide a handsome financial return in the future, but this is a relationship that is both difficult to pursue and cultivate and its terms will be strongly in the favor of the booking agent.

If you’re not a savvy manager yourself, find an artist manager before looking for a booking agent.  Keeping in mind that your manager sees a cut of everything you do whereas the booking agent only sees a cut of your live performances, statistically, a manager should be easier to sign with because he is spreading his risk on all of your musical assets.  Your manager should already have music industry connections and a way in to discuss tour scheduling opportunities face to face with an established booking agent, rather than making cold calls yourself.  However, if this is not the case, at least the booking agent can see that you were talented enough to attract an artist manager in the first place and, therefore, worth attending your next show.

The multi-national booking and management agencies such as The Agency Group and William Morris Agency prefer to see that you have financial backing, usually in the form of a label contract.  This, if nothing else, ensures that the label can afford to finance your tour and even take a loss for the privilege of ‘breaking’ you.

Whatever the arrangement may be, everyone involved wants to make money.  As such, it’s your responsibility (or, better yet, your manager’s responsibility) to show that you are a great investment.