It takes a lot of planning and attention to detail to put together a show for your band. These steps will help you plan a tour that goes well.
- Make your goals clear.
Set Objectives: – Write down what you want to get out of the tour. Are you pushing a new album, getting more fans, or getting known in new areas?
Budgeting: Make a reasonable budget that includes costs for travel, lodging, food, marketing, and other things. Find possible ways to make money, like selling tickets, products, or getting sponsors.
- Look into and book venues
Select Locations: List the places and areas where you already have fans or where you could grow. Think about the size of the venue, the music scene in the area, and how far you have to drive.
Contact places: Get in touch with places and book your shows early. Send a press kit with information about your band, song samples, and a list of shows they’ve played.
Negotiate Terms: Talk about how you will pay, such as through promises, door splits, or a mix of the two. Make it clear when the sound check, performance slots, and load-in times are.
- Make a plan for your route
Optimize journey: Make a plan for a logical route to cut down on journey time and costs. Combine gigs that are close to each other to avoid long drives between them.
Think About Transportation: Plan how you’ll get from one gig to the next. If you need to go farther, you can take a van, drive your own car, or fly.
Book Accommodation: Make reservations for lodging ahead of time. Try to find cheap places to stay, like hostels, cabins, or with family and friends.
- Get the word out about your tour
Make a Marketing Plan: Make a marketing plan that includes things like email newsletters, social media, posters, flyers, and press statements. Get the word out about your tour at least a few months ahead of time.
Connect with Local Media: In the places you’re visiting, get in touch with local radio stations, newspapers, and music blogs. To get people excited, offer interviews and special material.
- Use social media to your advantage Share behind-the-scenes video, tell fans about your tour dates, and interact with them on social media. Make pages for events and ask people to share them.
- Get your set list and merchandise ready.
Rehearse: – Go over your set list several times to make sure you can perform it smoothly. Get ready for any technology problems that might happen and have back-up plans.
Merchandise: design and make things like T-shirts, signs, CDs, and stickers. During your trip, selling goods can be a big way to make money.
6. Take care of logistics
Equipment: Make sure you have all the tools you need and extras. Write down the names of the instruments, amps, wires, and other gear you need.
Transportation: Make sure you have a safe way to get to your destination, and if you have a lot of stuff, you might want to take a van.
Insurance: – Get trip insurance that covers your health, your gear, and your liability. This can protect you from things you can’t plan for.
- Show interest in your fans
Pre-show Promotion: Use social media and email to talk to friends before the show. Offer special deals or events to get people to come.
During the Show: Talk to the people in the crowd while you’re performing. Get your friends to snap pictures and post them on social media.
Post-show Engagement: Stay to meet friends, sign merchandise, and take pictures after the show. Making a personal link can turn people into loyal supporters.
8. Watch and adjust
Track Sales and Expenses: During the trip, keep track of how many tickets were sold, how much money was made from merchandise, and how much you spent. Make any necessary changes to your budget to stay on track.
Get Feedback: Ask fans and place staff for feedback to find out what went well and what could be made better. You can use this information to make your next trip better.
Stay Healthy: Take care of your health by drinking plenty of water, eating well, and having enough rest. Touring can be hard on your body, so take care of yourself first.
Final Thoughts
Setting clear goals, studying and booking venues, planning your route, advertising your tour, making your set list and merchandise, handling logistics, talking to fans, and keeping an eye on your progress are all parts of planning a tour for your band. You can make a great and memorable tour experience with careful planning and execution. Working with a full-featured music distribution tool like Armus Digital can help you reach more fans and stay in touch with them while you’re on tour.