3 Questions to Ask Before Going on Tour

You have heard it several times already: the music industry is not the same as it was 30, 20 and even 10 years ago! Today, you have to be a successful indie artist, before one of the Big Three record labels even consider signing you. A great way to promote your music and yourself, and gain more fans is to go on tour. Here are 3 questions to considers before going on tour:

Do you have a solid fan base?

You cannot go on tor if no one is going to pay to see you. Even if the concert tickets are sold at a cheap price, or even free, if the venue and promoters don’t think you have a good enough fan base, they won’t be interested in working with you and your band. Start off in local areas, and expand from there.

Does everyone have the time?

How long can the band and crew be away from home? Most independent artists have responsibilities like a family or a daytime job. The length of the tour is completely up to you. Think about much you’ll gain from the tour. Determine how long everyone can be away from their families, keep from work, and stay out of their comfort zone.

Is there enough money?

This is probably the most frustrating of the three. When considering how much money is needed for tour, start with the finances for before the tour. This includes marketing, advertising and promoting; you have to let everyone know you’re coming! Next is transportation. You need reliable transportation to get to your gigs on time. Make sure that the vehicle you choose is efficient, and can carry you, your band, crew, and equipment. The rest of the money will go to several other details such as overnight stay, food, gas, etc. This part of planning a tour can be tedious, but if it isn’t done right your expenses will end up being higher than your profits.

If you can answer YES to these three questions, then go for it. Touring is a rewarding experience, and will help further your musical career.