Most booking agents won't touch you until you're already drawing 100+ people per show. So if you're trying to get your first 10, 20, or 50 local gigs, you're on your own. The good news? That's completely fine. Agents aren't the gatekeepers most musicians think they are.
Start With the Venues You Already Know
Before you do anything else, make a list of every bar, brewery, coffee shop, and club in your area that has live music. Don't just think about the big rooms. Think about the taco spot with a PA in the corner. The brewery with a Saturday acoustic series. The restaurant that does jazz on Thursdays.
These are the rooms where most musicians cut their teeth. And most of them are desperate for acts. They might not advertise it, but if you send a short, professional email, you'll be surprised how many say yes.
Build Your Venue Hit List
Here's how to find venues in your city:
- Google "[your city] live music venues" and go deep. Page 2, page 3.
- Check Instagram location tags for local music spots.
- Look at who's playing shows in your genre and see where they perform.
- Ask other musicians. The local scene is smaller than you think.
- Use a venue database like Shows For Artists, which has 10,600+ venues across all 50 states and Canada.
Once you have your list, find the booking contact for each one. This is usually on the venue's website under "booking" or "contact." Sometimes it's the owner's personal email. Sometimes it's a booking form. Sometimes you have to DM them on Instagram.
Write a Pitch That Actually Works
Your email should be short. Like, five sentences short. Include:
- Who you are and what you sound like (one sentence)
- A link to your best live video or top Spotify track
- What dates you're available
- A specific ask: "Do you have any openings in March?"
Don't write a novel. Don't attach a press kit PDF. Don't list every show you've ever played. Bookers are busy. Give them what they need to make a decision in 30 seconds.
Follow Up
This is where 90% of musicians fail. They send one email, hear nothing, and assume the venue isn't interested. The truth is, the booker probably didn't even see your email. They get dozens every week.
Send a follow-up 5-7 days after your first email. Keep it short. Something like: "Hey, just bumping this up. Would love to play [venue name] if you have any openings."
Most shows get booked on the second or third email. Sometimes the fifth. The musicians who follow up are the ones who play shows. The ones who don't are the ones sitting at home wondering why nobody books them.
Play Your First Few Shows for Free (Then Stop)
If you've never played out before, it's okay to do your first handful of shows for free or for tips. This gets you comfortable on stage, gives you live footage, and builds relationships with venue owners.
But don't make a habit of it. Once you have a few shows under your belt, start asking for a guarantee. Even $100 or $150 is better than nothing. Venues that consistently refuse to pay aren't worth your time.
Build Relationships, Not Transactions
The musicians who get rebooked are the ones who treat the venue relationship like a partnership. Show up on time. Be easy to work with. Bring people. Promote the show. Thank the sound person. Send a follow-up email after the gig saying thanks.
If you do this consistently, you'll stop having to pitch cold. Venues will start reaching out to you.
Or Let the System Do It
If the idea of researching venues, writing emails, and following up sounds like a second job, that's because it is. Shows For Artists automates the entire process. It finds venues that book your genre, writes personalized booking emails, sends them from your Gmail, and follows up automatically. You focus on the music. The system handles the grind.
Shows For Artists sends booking emails to real venues from your Gmail. from $49/month. Cancel anytime.