The email comes in. "We'd love to have you. How about Saturday the 15th?" Your heart jumps. Then reality sets in: what do you actually do now?
Getting booked is only half the battle. What you do between the "yes" and the show determines whether you play to a packed room or an empty one. Here's the complete post-booking playbook.
Step 1: Confirm Everything in Writing (Immediately)
Reply to the venue within 24 hours. Confirm:
- The date and time
- Your set length
- Payment terms (guarantee, door split, percentage)
- Who pays for sound? Is there a sound person provided?
- Load-in time
Get all of this in writing. Email is fine. Don't rely on verbal agreements. If there's a discrepancy on show day, you want a paper trail.
Step 2: Advance the Show (2 Weeks Before)
Two weeks before the show, send an advance email to the venue contact. Confirm all the logistics:
- Load-in and soundcheck time
- Stage dimensions and backline availability
- PA system. Do they have one? Do you need to bring your own?
- Parking and load-in access
- Green room or backstage area
- How and when you'll be paid
This is also a good time to ask about promotion. Does the venue post shows on their social media? Do they have an email list? A poster template you can use? The more you know, the better you can promote.
Step 3: Promote Like Your Life Depends on It
Nobody is going to promote your show for you. Not the venue. Not your label (you probably don't have one). Not your manager (ditto).
Start promoting at least two weeks before the show:
- Post on all social media. Multiple times. Not just once.
- Create an event page on Facebook and Instagram. Invite everyone you know in the area.
- Tag the venue in every post. They might reshare.
- Text your friends. Personally. "Hey, I'm playing at [venue] on the 15th. Would mean a lot if you came."
- Make a flyer. Post it digitally and, if possible, print copies for the venue and nearby businesses.
- Email your mailing list if you have one. If you don't, start one at this show.
Step 4: Prepare Your Set
Build a setlist that fits the room and the time slot. A 45-minute set at a noisy bar is different from a 90-minute listening room show.
For bar gigs: keep the energy up. Play your catchiest stuff. Save the deep cuts for the listening room.
For listening rooms: you can go deeper. Tell stories between songs. Connect with the audience.
Practice your transitions. Dead air between songs kills momentum. Have your banter ready. Know how you'll open and close.
Step 5: Show Day
- Arrive on time for load-in. Early is better.
- Be nice to everyone. The sound person, the bartender, the door person. These people can make or break your night.
- Do a thorough soundcheck. Don't rush it.
- Eat before you play. You won't want to after, and you'll play better with food in you.
- Warm up your voice/instrument before your set.
Step 6: During the Show
- Read the room. If people are vibing, keep doing what you're doing. If the energy is low, switch things up.
- Talk to the audience. Not too much. But enough to make a connection.
- Mention the venue by name. Thank them for having you. The staff will notice and remember.
- Tell people where to find your music and follow you.
Step 7: After the Show
- Collect your payment. Don't leave without getting paid.
- Thank the venue contact personally. In person if possible, by email the next day for sure.
- Send a follow-up email within 48 hours: "Thanks for having me. The room was great. Would love to come back. Do you have anything open in [future month]?"
- Post photos and videos from the show on social media. Tag the venue.
Step 8: Get Rebooked
The follow-up email after the show is the single most important email you'll send in this entire process. Rebooking is 10x easier than cold booking. The venue already knows you. They know you're professional, you sound good in their room, and you show up on time.
Most venues rebook acts they like. But they need you to ask. Don't wait for them to reach out. Send that email.
Shows For Artists sends booking emails to real venues from your Gmail. from $49/month. Cancel anytime.