Video Summary
In the Symphony University's YouTube series episode titled "How to Book Your First Tour," Cristela Rodriguez from Saba Management offers a thorough guide for new artists looking to hit the road. Cristela, with extensive experience in artist management and venue production, outlines essential strategies such as understanding fan demographics, budgeting carefully, and the importance of knowing both the management and venue sides of touring. She details the routing process, emphasizing targeting major markets and college towns, and discusses the value of having a booking agent to help navigate the complexities of tour planning.
The episode also delves into practical advice for securing opener gigs, managing tour costs, and the intricacies of negotiation, such as dealing with merchandise fees at venues and optimizing ticket sales strategies. Cristela encourages artists to start touring early, leverage their networks, and prioritize active fans when choosing tour locations. The session concludes with a Q&A and the introduction of a new Symphony Discord community, designed to support artists by providing a platform for discussion and networking, reinforcing the community-focused approach to a successful music career.
