How to Book More Gigs
A practical 5-step guide to getting more shows — whether you're just starting out or trying to fill your calendar consistently.
Build a Professional Online Presence
Before you reach out to a single venue, make sure you look the part. Bookers will Google you — and what they find determines whether they respond.
At minimum, you need a website with your bio, photos, music samples, and a way to contact you. A dedicated EPK page makes it even easier for bookers to say yes.
GigPro lets you build a professional website with a built-in EPK in minutes — no design skills required.
Create a Target Venue List
Don't spray and pray. Research venues that book your genre, fit your draw size, and are within your touring radius.
- Check who else has played there — do similar acts perform?
- Note capacity — don't pitch a 500-cap room if you draw 30
- Find the booker's name and email, not just a generic contact form
Write a Great Booking Email
Your booking email is your first impression. Keep it short, professional, and personalized to the venue.
- Reference the venue by name and mention why you're a good fit
- Include a direct link to your website or EPK
- Suggest 2–3 specific dates you're available
- Keep it under 150 words
Having a professional website with your EPK link makes every booking email more credible.
Follow Up Consistently
Most bands send one email and give up. Bookers are busy — a polite follow-up after 5–7 days is expected, not annoying.
Keep your follow-up brief: reference your original email, restate your availability, and make it easy for them to say yes or no.
If there's no response after two follow-ups, move on. You can always try again in a few months with new material or a stronger draw.
Leverage Every Show for the Next One
Every gig is a chance to book the next one. After a great show:
- Ask the venue if they'd like to book you again
- Collect emails from the crowd for your mailing list
- Post photos and tag the venue on social media
- Use the show as social proof when pitching new venues
Building momentum is how working bands stay booked consistently.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many venues should I contact per week?
- Aim for 5–10 personalized emails per week. Batching keeps you consistent without overwhelming your schedule.
- Do I need a website to book gigs?
- You don’t strictly need one, but a professional website with an EPK makes you look more credible and saves bookers time. It’s one of the easiest ways to stand out.
- How long does it take to start getting responses?
- Expect a 10–20% response rate on cold emails. If you’re sending 10 per week, you should start seeing replies within the first two weeks.
Start Booking More Shows
A professional website, gig management, and booking tools — all in one place.