Think Like a Venue Owner
Venue bookers are not sitting around listening to Spotify looking for new talent. They are running a business. They care about two things. Will this artist bring people to the bar? And will this artist cause me headaches?
Your pitch needs to address both of those concerns immediately. If your email is a rambling biography about your childhood influences. You will be ignored. You must present yourself as a completely de-risked asset.
"A booker makes a decision about you in roughly six seconds. Do not make them hunt for your music or your live footage."
The Perfect Pitch Email
Keep it under four sentences. Every word must serve a purpose. Here is the exact structure you should use when emailing a new venue.
The Hook
State exactly who you are and what genre you play. For example. "We are a heavy rock four-piece based in Melbourne." Do not overcomplicate the genre.
The Draw
Give them a realistic estimate of your local draw. "We consistently bring 40 to 50 paying punters in the CBD area." Honesty is crucial here. Do not inflate your numbers.
The Ask
Be specific about what you want. Do not say "We want to play sometime." Say "We are looking for a Friday support slot in late October to promote a new single."
The EPK Link
Close the email with a single link to your Electronic Press Kit. Tell them it contains live video. Streaming links. And high res photos.
Red Flags That Kill Bookings
Attaching MP3 files to emails
Never attach heavy audio files or PDFs to a pitch. It clogs up their inbox and triggers spam filters. Send a single URL.
No live footage
A polished studio track proves you can record. It does not prove you can perform. Your EPK must include a video of you playing live. Even if it is just shot on a phone in a rehearsal room.
The easiest way to impress a venue is to look undeniable on paper. Build a StarrBase EPK today. And stop losing gigs to bands who are simply better organized than you.
Build Your Press Kit →