Booking tours can be a complex process, especially for independent artists and small bands. Using Indie On The Move streamlines your tour planning, helps you find the right venues, and manages your bookings more efficiently. If you’re new to the platform, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the process, ensuring you make the most of its features to grow your touring opportunities. Before you begin, ensure you have a stable internet connection, your band or artist profile set up on Indie On The Move, and a clear idea of your tour dates and target cities.
What You’ll Need
- Active Indie On The Move account (free or paid subscription)
- Tour dates and cities planned out
- Basic information about your band or act (bio, press photos, music samples)
- A list of venues you want to target
- Contact info for your band or booking representative
Step-by-Step
- Create or log into your Indie On The Move account. Visit the Indie On The Move website and sign in. If you’re new, set up your artist profile by filling out your band details, uploading photos, and adding music samples. A complete profile increases your chances of being booked.
- Research and select venues. Use the platform’s venue directory to find venues that match your genre, size, and location. Review their booking policies and past booking history to ensure they’re a good fit.
- Build your tour plan. Outline your tour dates with specific cities and venues in mind. Be flexible with dates to accommodate venue availability and travel logistics.
- Use the booking request feature. For each venue, submit a booking request through Indie On The Move. Include a personalized message, your press kit, and links to your music. Be clear about your availability and what you’re offering.
- Track your submissions. Keep a record of which venues you’ve contacted, the responses received, and follow-up dates. Use the platform’s organization tools to stay on top of your outreach.
- Follow up professionally. If you haven’t heard back within a week, send a polite follow-up message. Sometimes venues need a reminder or clarification.
- Negotiate terms and confirm bookings. Once a venue expresses interest, discuss details such as payment, technical requirements, and promotion. Confirm the booking in Indie On The Move and keep all correspondence documented.
- Prepare for your tour. After bookings are confirmed, organize travel, accommodation, and promotional materials. Keep your schedule updated on the platform for easy reference during your tour.
- Post-tour updates. After completing each tour leg, update your profile with reviews and new contacts. This helps future booking efforts and builds your reputation on the platform.
Common Mistakes
- Not customizing your booking requests for each venue, leading to generic messages that aren’t compelling.
- Failing to keep track of your outreach efforts, which can cause missed follow-ups or double contacts.
- Ignoring venue feedback or technical requirements, resulting in logistical issues on the day of the show.
- Overloading your tour schedule without considering travel time and rest, leading to burnout or poor performances.
- Neglecting to update your profile regularly, which can reduce your chances of booking.
Tips
- Personalize each booking request with a brief message about why your act is a good fit for the venue.
- Use high-quality press photos and music samples to make your profile stand out.
- Be professional and courteous in all communications; building good relationships can lead to repeat bookings.
- Stay organized with a spreadsheet or booking calendar to monitor your outreach and responses.
- Leverage the platform’s filters to target venues that fit your style and touring goals.
- Follow up politely, but don’t be pushy—timely persistence often pays off.
Troubleshooting
If your booking requests aren’t getting responses, consider the following steps:
- Review your profile and press kit—ensure they are professional and up-to-date.
- Check that your messages are personalized and clearly state your availability and what you offer.
- Verify that your contact information is correct and easily accessible.
- Try reaching out to alternative venues or expand your search radius.
- If the platform isn’t sending your requests properly, contact Indie On The Move support for technical assistance.
- Attend industry forums or social media groups to get feedback on your approach or discover new venues.
Remember, persistence is key. Sometimes, venues take time to respond, or your message might get lost in their inbox.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Indie On The Move free to use?
Yes, Indie On The Move offers free basic features, but a paid subscription provides additional tools like advanced venue filters and priority listing options.
2. Can I use Indie On The Move to manage multiple tours at once?
Yes, the platform allows you to plan and track multiple tours, keeping all your bookings organized in one place.
3. How do I improve my chances of getting booked?
Ensure your profile is complete, personalize your booking requests, and target venues that fit your style and audience.
4. What should I include in my press kit?
Include high-quality photos, a brief bio, music samples, past performance videos, and links to your social media profiles.
5. How quickly should I follow up after sending a booking request?
Wait about a week before sending a polite follow-up. If no response after that, consider reaching out to alternative venues.
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