The Ins And Outs Of Becoming A Successful Concert Promoter

By Paul Long


If you have a passion for music, and want to have a career that includes it, you should prepare for a long, difficult road. Playing in a band is not the only option you have. You might have a great career behind the scenes as a concert promoter for instance. To make a success of this job, there are a number of skill sets you will have to develop. You have to become proficient at managing, marketing, logistics, and communicating. You will also have to become a media savvy entrepreneur.

Some promoters have college educations and others don't. Experts in the field say whatever your level of education, you must learn how to write. Most people aren't naturals writers, so that means taking courses in English grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure. You have to be able to write great press releases. You must learn to write compelling copy. If you already love to read, you will be ahead of the game.

There are other skills you must master before anyone will consider you for a job promoting concerts. You could start a blog that addresses the club and music scene in the city in which you are attending college. You have to learn how to photograph bands in clubs and how best to manipulate the pictures to enhance the quality, making them something people will notice. These pictures can be posted on social media.

Experts say the best way to understand the life of musicians is to become one yourself. To do that, you might learn how to DJ or take up the guitar. Whatever you do, it's important to stick to it so you'll understand the performers you're booking and the things they go through to put on a good show.

When you begin your job search, you must have a relevant resume. Managers want to see writing samples and blogs when they interview job candidates who are looking for entry level positions. Qualified applicants will be proficient in graphics editing and with spreadsheets. Serious candidates will know the music scene and have strong opinions about which promoters they respect and why.

To become successful in this business you have to be detail oriented. You must decide what kind of promoter you are going to be. Some just want to throw parties, and others specialize in booking celebrities into clubs.

The best promoters started out going to shows in all different genres. They attended rock concerts and operas, jazz clubs and electronic dance music festivals. They watched what happened between sets, how many drinks the bartender sold, and what kind of security groups used.

You will learn a lot of skills along the way. You will learn to be an effective marketing manager and discover the best ways of handling the wide array of volunteers necessary for big events. If you are a music lover and have a knack for what attracts audiences, you can become a successful promoter.




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