Going on tour as an independent artist is a great way to grow your fan base, make connections, and gain live performance experience. Although it can be challenging without a label backing you, planning ahead and managing logistics carefully can make it possible. Here’s how to organize a successful tour as an independent artist.
1. Build Your Local Following First
Before hitting the road, make sure you have a solid local following. Performing in your hometown helps you gain experience and build your fan base. The stronger your local presence, the easier it will be to attract audiences in other cities.
How to build a local following:
- Play local gigs: Perform at small venues and open mics.
- Collaborate with local artists: This can help you reach more fans in your area.
- Engage your audience: Use social media to keep in touch with fans and promote your shows.
2. Choose the Right Cities for Your Tour
Once you’ve built a following, start planning your tour by choosing cities where you can attract an audience. Look at your streaming data and social media insights to see where your music is popular. Focus on cities within driving distance to keep costs low at first.
Tips for choosing cities:
- Check your streaming stats: Platforms like Spotify show where your music is getting the most plays.
- Start regional: Tour cities near your hometown before expanding to other areas.
- Consider local scenes: Choose cities with a thriving music scene where independent artists get attention.
3. Research and Contact Venues
After selecting cities, research venues that fit your style and fan base. Look for small clubs, bars, or cafes that regularly host live music. Then, reach out to booking managers to inquire about available dates.
How to contact venues:
- Email booking managers: Send a professional email with links to your music, bio, and any past performance footage.
- Offer to open: If you’re just starting out, offer to open for other bands or musicians.
- Be flexible: Venues might not offer you prime slots, so be prepared to play on weeknights or at smaller venues.
4. Budget for the Tour
Touring can get expensive, especially as an independent artist. You’ll need to budget for travel, lodging, food, and other costs. Make sure you plan for everything to avoid running out of funds midway through the tour.
Key expenses to budget for:
- Travel: Factor in gas, tolls, or airfare if needed.
- Lodging: Look for affordable accommodations like motels, or stay with friends or fans.
- Food: Stick to budget-friendly meals to save money on the road.
5. Book Lodging and Plan Transportation
Once your tour dates are confirmed, make sure to plan where you’ll stay and how you’ll travel between cities. If you’re on a tight budget, try staying with friends or using home-sharing platforms like Airbnb.
Tips for managing lodging and transportation:
- Carpool: If you have a band, share vehicles to save on gas and parking costs.
- Stay with friends or fans: Reach out on social media to see if anyone can offer a place to stay.
- Look for affordable lodging: Use budget options like motels or Airbnb.
6. Promote Your Tour
Promotion is crucial to ensuring that people show up for your shows. Start promoting your tour at least a month in advance. Use social media, email newsletters, and posters to get the word out.
How to promote your tour:
- Social media: Post tour dates and promote each stop individually.
- Create event pages: Make Facebook events for each show and invite fans.
- Email your fans: Use an email list to share tour details with your followers.
7. Sell Merchandise to Fund the Tour
Selling merch is a great way to fund your tour and make some extra income while on the road. Bring T-shirts, CDs, vinyl records, or other branded items to sell at your shows.
Merch ideas:
- T-shirts: A staple for any touring artist.
- CDs and vinyl: Sell physical copies of your music to fans who want to support you.
- Posters and stickers: Small, affordable items that fans can easily buy.
8. Be Professional and Stay Organized
Touring as an independent artist requires you to handle all the logistics yourself. Stay organized by keeping track of your bookings, finances, and travel plans. Being professional and reliable can also help you build a good reputation with venues and fans.
Ways to stay organized:
- Use a tour calendar: Keep track of all your dates, venues, and travel plans.
- Keep receipts: Stay on top of your budget by tracking your expenses.
- Communicate with venues: Confirm your gigs a few days before and show up on time.
9. Engage with Fans at Shows
When you’re performing live, make sure to engage with your audience. Take time to talk to fans after the show, sign merchandise, and make connections. Building personal relationships with fans can help grow your following and make your tour more successful.
How to engage with fans:
- Stay after your set: Meet and talk to fans at the merch table.
- Sign merch: Autographs and personal interactions can create loyal fans.
- Thank your audience: Always express gratitude to the people who come to your shows.
Conclusion
Going on tour as an independent artist requires planning, budgeting, and a lot of hard work. But with the right approach, you can make it happen. Build your fan base, choose the right cities, promote your shows, and stay organized to ensure a successful tour. Every show you play brings you one step closer to growing your music career.
