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Guides and templates for bands
What we learn talking to independent bands, no fluff: concrete steps to play more and manage less.
- Technical rider templateFill it in, print it or save it as a PDF.
- How to make an EPK for your bandWhat to put in your band’s EPK (press kit), in which order and what to cut. With a one-screen layout, before-and-after examples and a checklist.
- How to get gigs with your bandA method to book shows without relying on luck: work out how many venues to write to, choose well, follow up and measure. With templates.
- How to email a venue to book a gigStructure, tone and mistakes to avoid when emailing a venue for a show. Includes a short template and what to do if they do not reply.
- How to apply to music festivals with your bandHow to prepare your application for a festival open call: what they ask for, when to send it and how to stand out among hundreds of submissions.
- How much to charge for a gigWork out your minimum fee and choose between a guarantee, a door deal or a mix with a worked example. Includes how to negotiate and a template.
- How to make a setlist that worksWhat a setlist is and how to build one: work out the time, shape the show in five stretches, order by key and tuning, and copy three templates.
- Tour day sheet: what to includeHow to prepare the day sheet for a show or a tour: times, contacts, load-in, sound and accommodation. With a checklist.
- Hospitality rider: what to ask a venue forWhat a hospitality rider is, what an independent band can reasonably ask for and how to present it without sounding demanding.
- How to run band rehearsalsHow to plan rehearsals that get results: frequency, a goal for each session, a shared calendar and how to stop wasting time.
- How to promote a gigA week-by-week promotion plan for a gig: poster, socials, trackable links, local press and how to fill the room.
- How to collect fan emails for your bandWhy a mailing list is a band’s most valuable asset and how to build it: QR codes at gigs, an incentive, a short form and a first email.
- How to split money in a bandHow to share income and costs between band members: a band fund, equal split or split by work, and how to avoid arguments.
- Gig contract checklist: what to includeA checklist for a live performance agreement: parties, date, fee, payment, rider, cancellation and rights. General guidance.
- Band management softwareWhat an independent band needs to get more organized than with spreadsheets and group chats: booking, repertoire, calendar, press kit, finances and fans.
- How to choose a band nameCriteria for picking a good band name: memorable, easy to spell, easy to find online and available. With a checklist to run before you decide.
- How to design a gig posterWhat a gig poster needs, how to organize the information, which sizes to use and the mistakes that make nobody read it. With a checklist.
- How to run a soundcheckHow to prepare and order a band’s soundcheck: input list, channel order, monitors, talking to the engineer and how much time to spend.
- How to record a live show with your phoneHow to get a live recording that works for your press kit using a phone: where to place it, how to avoid audio clipping and how to cut a teaser.
- How to get local press coverage for your bandHow to reach local media, blogs and radio: what to send, how to write a short press note and how to follow up without nagging.
- How to collaborate with other bandsHow to set up gig swaps, shared bills and tours between bands: how to propose it, what to agree and how to split the work and the audience.
BandManager.io · Guides · the manager in your pocket