If you don’t have the resources to hire your own booking agent, don’t resign yourself to the idea that you’ll need to handle all of your booking alone. In fact, you have a resource that is even more helpful than a booking agent. That resource is your fan base.

Put Your Fans To Work

These are the very people who will be attending your shows, so why not enlist their help in booking the gigs?

• Send out an email to your mailing list. Ask your fans to send you the contact info for their favorite local venues.
• Follow up with each person who sends contact information and ask them if they’ll give the venue a call to recommend you for a show.
• Follow up with the venue to schedule a gig.

Make It Easy

The key here is to make it as easy as possible. When asking for the contact info, just ask your fans for the name of the venue and the phone number. You can find out the rest of the information later if the gig pans out.

Add Incentive

Offer free merch, show tickets or even a lunch/dinner on the day of the show for fans who make a recommendation that turns into a gig.

So get out there and book some gigs.