Local gig booking and promotion agent
Book gigs for a small roster of acts at bars, venues and events, and promote the shows to build crowds.
- C$500-3k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
You build relationships with local venues, breweries, festivals and event organizers, then book your artists into them. You also promote each show through posters, social media, local media and mailing lists.
Your first three steps
- Visit local venues, breweries and festival organizers and ask who books their music and what they look for
- Sign two or three artists on a simple written booking agreement and build a one-page info sheet for each
- Book and promote a first show or small showcase night, and track ticket sales and attendance to show venues what works
Who pays
Artists who want more paid shows, and sometimes venues or event organizers who pay a fee for finding and promoting acts.
How it makes money
A percentage of each artist's performance fee, or a flat booking or promotion fee per show agreed with the artist or the venue.
Skills that help
- Friendly and persistent when dealing with venues
- Negotiating fees and schedules
- Social media and poster promotion
- Keeping track of dates, contracts and payments
Watch out for
- Check whether your province or municipality regulates talent or booking agents (Quebec has rules for artists' agents)
- If you run your own events, check for event permits, venue liquor licence rules and commercial general liability insurance
- Winter weather can hurt turnout and cancel outdoor events, so plan for seasonality
- Agree who pays for cancellations and no-shows in writing
- Check GST/HST registration once your revenue passes the small supplier threshold
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: local gig booking and promotion agent
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a gig booking business in Canada?
Startup costs are estimated at typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on your promotion materials, software and any travel to meet venues. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $500 to $4,000, depending on your roster and the shows you book.
Do I need a licence to book and promote gigs?
Check whether your province or municipality regulates talent or booking agents (Quebec has rules for artists' agents). If you run your own events, check event permits, venue liquor licence rules and commercial general liability insurance, and GST/HST registration.
What skills and time does gig booking need?
You need to be friendly and persistent with venues, good at negotiating, and able to promote shows and track dates and payments. The estimate is at least about 10 hours a week. Agree in writing who pays for cancellations and no-shows.
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