15 Mar 7 Tips to Start Planning Your First Music Tour
Original Article: Artvoice by Jamie Moses
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Slowly but surely, more artists are going on tours and fans are excited to experience live shows again. Planning a tour takes time, but think of all that you’ll gain as you play at different venues with new faces every time. The rush of connecting with people through music is one of the biggest rewards musicians have the privilege of receiving. Increasing your income from ticket sales is another huge win. If you’re wondering what venues you could possibly play at, join FanFlex to search through the venue list and book shows. Artists who are ready to promote their music on the road can begin the tour planning process by following these seven tips from Jamie Moses of Artvoice.
1. Have a Set List
The first thing you should know is how much time you have for your set. Knowing your set length will determine how many songs you’ll be able to play. Next, decide how you can make each song stand out. Try to have a mix of tempos and keys to create a distinction of sounds. By choosing to play songs in a certain order, you can build up excitement in the crowd and keep their attention.
2. Create an EPK
What is an EPK? Your Electronic Press Kit is made up of your music, social media accounts, website, bio, photos, and press coverage. This kit gives venues an idea of how many people you can bring to a show.
3. Plan Your Route
Have ideal tour dates in mind as you are booking shows. You’ll need time to travel and rest so don’t overbook yourself. Avoid playing at locations farm from one another if you are trying to minimize costs. When you have figured out the best route, you’ll have a good estimate at how much funding you’ll need to cover costs.
4. Ask for Fan Insights
Maybe you already know where your fan base is, but it doesn’t hurt to ask people where they want to see you play. Use your social media channels to quickly conduct a poll or send an email blast to have a better idea on where you should go.
5. Reach Out to Other Artists
Opening for the headliner means having the opportunity to win over a big crowd that hasn’t been introduced to your music yet. This is also a great way to meet more people who can support your music.
6. Raise Funds Ahead of Time
Most likely you’ll have out-of-pocket expenses that pay for food, housing, travel, and unforeseen situations. You won’t know how much you earned from touring until the last gig, which means you need to save up as soon as you can.
7. Be Consistent Online
For every show you play, make sure to post about it on social media. Engage with people online by sharing pictures of the event, tagging other artists who shared the stage with you, and shouting out the venues. If it’s possible, designate someone to take pictures and videos of the show so you can keep focusing on the music.
Conclusion
Artists who are part of the FanFlex community benefit from having easy access to open time slots at venues across the country and get to keep 100% of earnings made from ticket sales. After you experience your first music tour, you’ll have an easier time gathering all the primary details involved in touring. We hope you have a blast as you perform at different locations and enjoy what each city has to offer.