Write kick-ass emails

I'm Greg, a 15-year veteran of the independent music scene. Despite playing hundreds of shows, not a single booker signed any of my bands. But I found a method that helped me secure over 40 gigs in just one year– even with a brand-new band.

Now, let's dive into the nitty-gritty. Most venue bookers are drowning in emails every day. So you might be wondering: “How do I stand out?”. Simple: make their job easier. Here's how to structure your emails for maximum impact:

Subject Line

First, the subject line: keep it simple, like

Booking - dates - dash, your band name.

Bookers only care about one thing: “Can you sell tickets?”. If the answer is “no”, don't worry. I've got a solution for you.

First paragraph

After the greeting, keep the first paragraph simple with a compliment. For example:

Hey, we're Metallica, a heavy metal band from San Francisco. We're coming to your city, and we heard great things about your venue. We're interested in playing.

Here's what many artists get wrong: they ask for a specific date. Huge mistake! Instead, ask for a hold (waitlist). It's an easy commitment for bookers, and there could be multiple holds on a date. You might be the fourth or fifth in line to confirm a show, but that's okay.

Second paragraph

In the next paragraph, be honest. If it's your first time in their city, say something like:

It's our first time here. If you can give us the slot, we'll rally up some locals and confirm with you.

If you've played there before, mention your ticket count, even if it's just 20, for example:

When we last played here, we sold 20 tickets. We'll find local artists and finalize the line-up.

They don't care about holds in front of you – a solid line-up is what matters.

Closing up

Include your Spotify, Instagram, and TikTok links, express gratitude, add your signature, and there you go!

Stay tuned for more insider tips! 🎸🤘