Booking A Tour: 10 Tips For Musicians For An Amazing Experience

Are you about to book your first tour? Congratulations! Touring can be an amazing experience for any musician, but it’s also a lot of work.

There are a lot of things to consider when booking a tour, from logistics to marketing to financing. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of 10 tips for booking an amazing tour!

Let's get straight into it!

1. Plan Ahead

2. Book Gigs In Advance

3. Have a Clear Vision and Goals for Your Tour

4. Find the Right Touring Partner

5. Line Up Good Transportation and Lodging

6. Secure Sound and Lighting Systems

7. Budget Accordingly

8. Promote, Promote, Promote!

9. Make Sure You Have the Right Paperwork

10. Have Fun!

Booking A Tour: 10 Tips For Musicians For An Amazing Experience

1. Plan Ahead

Plan Ahead

The first step to booking an amazing tour is to plan ahead. This may seem obvious, but it’s important to start thinking about your tour several months in advance.

This will give you enough time to book venues, line up transportation, and promotional materials. It will also allow you to take advantage of early-bird discounts and other offers.

In addition, planning ahead gives you the opportunity to really customize your tour to create an unforgettable experience for your fans. So if you’re looking to booking an amazing tour, be sure to start planning early.

2. Book Gigs In Advance

When booking a tour, it is always best to book your gigs well in advance. This will allow you to have first choice of venues and dates, and will give you more negotiating power when speaking with venue owners.

It is also a good idea to have a backup plan in place, in case some of your first choices do not work out.

Having a few different options to choose from will help to ensure that you are able to find a tour that meets your needs and budget.

3. Have a Clear Vision and Goals for Your Tour

Have a Clear Vision and Goals for Your Tour

Before booking your band's tour, it is essential to have a clear vision for what you want to achieve.

  • What are your goals for the tour?
  • Are you looking to build a fan base in new markets?
  • Increase awareness of your music?
  • Or simply generate income?

4. Find the Right Touring Partner

One of the most important decisions you will make when booking a tour is finding the right touring partner.

Your touring partner should be someone who shares your vision for the tour and is willing to work hard to make it a success. They should also have a good understanding of the music industry and know how to book and promote shows.

5. Line Up Good Transportation and Lodging

Line Up Good Transportation and Lodging

Another important aspect of booking a tour is making sure you have good transportation and lodging lined up.

If you are touring by van or bus, be sure to book your rental well in advance so that you can get the best rate possible.

For lodging, there are many options to choose from, including hotels, Airbnbs, and hostels.

Be sure to compare prices and read reviews before making your decision.

6. Secure Sound and Lighting Systems

Secure Sound and Lighting Systems

If you are planning on playing shows at clubs or venues, it is important to secure sound and lighting systems in advance.

Many venues already have this included, but be sure to confirm before booking.

If you are bringing your own equipment, be sure to test it out beforehand to make sure everything is in working order.

7. Budget Accordingly

When booking a tour, one of the most important things to keep in mind is your budget. Make sure to have a clear idea of how much money you have available to spend on travel, lodging, and other expenses.

Once you know your budget, you can start to look for tour options that fit within your price range. It's also important to remember that tours can be unpredictable, so it's always a good idea to have a little extra money set aside in case of emergencies.

If you are mindful of your budget and plan accordingly, you can ensure that your tour goes smoothly and is an amazing experience for both you and your fans.

8. Promote, Promote, Promote!

One of the most important things to do when booking a tour is to promote, promote, promote! Make sure that you have a way to get the word out about your tour so that people will actually come to see you play.

This can be done through social media, flyers, and word-of-mouth. You should also try to book shows at venues that are already popular with music fans. Promoting your tour heavily can be the difference between a packed venue every night and a sparse one!

And, of course, don't forget to promote your merch! Make sure that people know where they can buy your CDs and shirts so that they can support you even after the tour is over.

9. Make Sure You Have the Right Paperwork

When you're booking a tour, there are a lot of things to keep track of. From making sure you have the right venues booked to dealing with transportation, it can be a lot to handle.

One thing that's often overlooked is the paperwork. Make sure you have everything in order before you head out on the road.

Get your touring contracts in order and make sure all your band members have signed them. You should also have copies of your press kit, rider, and technical specifications. Having everything in place will help ensure that your tour goes off without a hitch.

10. Have Fun!

Tip 10 – Have Fun! After all the hard work you've put into booking your tour, the most important thing is to have fun!

This is your chance to get out there and play your music for live audiences, so make sure you enjoy every minute of it.

Of course, there will be some challenges along the way, but that's all part of the experience. Keep your eyes on the prize and enjoy the ride!

About Author

Arielle P

Arielle P

Songwriter | Music Producer | Engineer.

With a background in music production and a strong passion for education, Arielle is dedicated to helping emerging artists navigate the music industry. She has worked with a diverse range of artists, from indie rock bands to well-known hip-hop and grime artists. Arielle's unique approach to teaching focuses on empowering artists to take control of their brand, ensuring they retain creative ownership throughout their journey. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting with new sounds in her home studio and sharing her insights through music production tutorials and workshops.

📧 Email Arielle