Booking gigs can feel like a full-time job, especially when you’re constantly emailing venues and not hearing back. It’s discouraging! But what if I told you that a lot of indie musicians miss out on gigs because they overlook small details? These aren’t the obvious errors like forgetting your Electronic Press Kit (EPK) or sending poorly written emails—these are subtle mistakes that can make a huge difference in whether or not you land that gig.
Here are five often-overlooked mistakes musicians make when reaching out to venues, and how you can fix them to increase your chances of getting booked.
Mistake #1: Vague Subject Lines
The Problem: Your subject line is the first thing a venue or promoter sees in your email. If it’s vague or generic, it’s going to get ignored. Especially when they get dozens of “Booking Inquiry” emails every day.
The Fix: Craft a subject line that grabs attention and is specific. Give them all the details they need right away. Instead of “Booking Inquiry” or “Band Submission,” (boring!) try something that tells them exactly what you’re offering. If you’re looking for a specific date include that too.
Example: Opening Act BAND NAME Sold-Out Shows & Unique Light Show (4/13 Booking Request)
Mistake #2: Not Mentioning Local Support
The Problem: Venues aren’t only interested in how good your band sounds—they also want to know if you can draw a crowd. Remember, this is a business for them, just as it is for you. A lot of musicians forget to mention local connections that could help promote the show, such as your fanbase or press that you can bring to the show.
The Fix: Reference any local followings, collaborations with other bands, or press you’ve received in the area. Let them know you’re bringing more than just your music—you’re bringing people through the door and an unforgettable experience that will have people talking about and sharing their venue. Even offering to co-promote with local artists or influencers shows that you’re serious about helping fill seats.
Mistake #3 Ignoring the Venue’s Calendar
The Problem: Timing is everything. Artists often send out booking requests without checking the venue’s calendar for availability or to see if they’re a fit for a certain opener. This means you could be pitching for a date that’s already filled, or asking to add your folk band to a metal show, which will get you nowhere or worse, on the venue’s bad side.
The Fix: Before reaching out, take a look at the venue’s upcoming schedule. If you notice gaps in their calendar, reference those specific dates in your email and propose your availability. If you see a show you’d be a good fit for, find out whose responsible for filling it. Usually, it’s the artist’s team, but it might be a separate promotion company. This saves the venue and promoter time and makes it easier for them to say yes.
Mistake #4: Overlooking the Power of Mid-Week Shows
The Problem: Everyone wants to play Friday or Saturday nights, but these slots are often reserved for more established acts. Newer artists can often overlook the value of mid-week gigs, which are less competitive and in some ways, even easier to fill a room for.
The Fix: Offer to play on a less crowded night like Tuesday or Wednesday. If the venue has themed nights where you might fit in, mention those. Venues are more likely to give indie artists a shot on these days, and once you prove you can deliver, you’re a lot more likely be invited back for a weekend gig. Plus, word travels — if you can do well on a mid-week show, word will get around, and you’ll be invited to play more shows and be able to request higher guarantees.
Mistake #5: Forgetting to Include a Highlight Reel
The Problem: You’ve followed all the steps to a T, but there’s one problem—you have no footage of your live performances! While studio tracks are important, they don’t tell the full story, or really, any of it when it comes to booking shows. Promoters and venues want to know what you sound like live, and if you’re only sending your polished recordings, they can’t get a sense of your energy or the way the crowd reacts to that energy.
The Fix: Always include a live performance video in your pitch. Ideally, a highlight reel that shows multiple performance clips, like we created for Rachel Maxann here:
It doesn’t have to be high production—an authentic live recording gives the booker a better idea of what they can expect from your show.
What’s Next?
By avoiding these overlooked mistakes, you’ll drastically improve your chances of getting a response and landing more gigs. Over time, this will also help you request higher guarantees and make more money from your music! It takes time, patience, and most of all, strategy and consistency in that strategy.
But if you want to make the entire process easier and more efficient, there are tools and strategies that can help. If you’d like help with the process, feel free to reach out here or email angela (at) muddypawpr (dot) com.
I can’t wait to listen to your music!