How to Go on Your First Tour
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Booking a concert tour, especially if it's your first one, is a lot like booking your first gig. You'll have to introduce yourself all over again.
Step 1:
Budget for all expenses – gas, food, hotels, and incidentals. And don't forget to leave a cushion in case of emergencies.
Step 2:
If you've been getting airtime in a certain city, or your web site gets a lot of comments from people in one particular area, try to book a gig there. Otherwise, your budget will determine how far from home you go. Make sure your van is in good working order.
Tip
Get a tune-up for your van before you hit the road.
Step 3:
Think cheap! On your first tour, you won't be staying in five-star hotels. You might even be staying in your van.
Tip
Stay in hotels outside major metropolitan areas to save money.
Step 4:
Just because you're drawing 200 people every time you play in your hometown doesn't mean you'll do the same on the road. Book smaller clubs unless you know you have a fan base.
Tip
Try to open for an established band in a new city, and in exchange have them open for you in your hometown.
Step 5:
Promote your shows via your web site and social-networking profiles. The day of a show, book some local morning radio shows for interviews and to play live. You lose sleep, but it's great advertising.
Step 6:
Get someone to man the merchandise table. If you can't invest in CD's, have someone with a laptop charge people to download songs onto their mp3 players and phones.
Step 7:
The best way to get invited back to a club is to be professional. So be on your best behavior, show up on time, and meet your obligations to the music club that booked you.
Did You Know?
Bob Dylan has given more than 2,000 live concerts since 1988.
