Practical Tips for Touring and Booking

Practical Tips for Touring and Booking 

by Lydia Walker Athey

CSMI IMPACT Conference 2015, Gatlinburg, TN

Planning - Keep a calendar, map out your goal. When do you want to book? Where? Keep track of your mileage for tax deductions.

Booking:

• Make a list of venues or contacts

• Write a short script of what you want to say.

• Place the call or email. Sometimes calling can be terrifying, but keep your goal in mind.

• Ask for the booking, ask about the payment, write down all the details.

• If they say no, ask them to refer you to others or recommend someone else to call who might be a better fit.  Give them something to say yes to.

Confirm - Call back ahead of time, confirm details, ask any questions, send flyer or info to promote.

Promote! Make it your goal to be the first person to come to mind when they need a musician. Create Facebook event pages and invite your friends (send reminders with interesting content like videos or links to your music). Send out your schedule to your email list. Print flyers and put them up around town on community boards. Text individuals in area and personally invite them.

Prepare - practice songs, make setlist, send lyrics or videos for projection, plan what to say between songs, remember to mention merch. Spontaneity will flow out of your preparation, and will give you more confidence. Remember to make a plan for travel, food and rest!

Show Up! (On Time = Early) Sound check is important to assure a quality experience. Play the gig, do your best, give 100%. Be confident, smile, be kind. Be respectful. Even if you’re not the most talented musician, people will appreciate a good attitude.

Make contacts- meet people, give out business cards. Say, “Can I give you a card?” or “This is for you”. (If you have a blank back on your cards, you can use it to write extra information and even offer for others to write on the back of your card and keep it.) Encourage the ones who are excited to refer you to their business, friends, family or organization with your card. This is the time when ministry can happen when you can ask about their story.  They will remember you positively if the conversation is not all about you :)

Thank the host /contact /sound guy. Smile, make eye contact, say “thank you”. It’s important to let them know that they are appreciated.

Repeat business - they will call you back if you do a good job, communicate well, and show up on time. They will also refer you to others. Feel free to ask them to keep you in mind for future events, and to refer you to others who are booking music. You can also ask people for a review or reference that you can use on your website, press kit, etc. 

After the gig,-report to fans how it went. Post highlight photos or video to social media. Use it to expand your audience and start promoting the next gig.

Resources:

CDBaby.com - Disc Manufacturing and Digital Distribution

MailChimp.com - Email lists made simple and easy

IndieOnTheMove.com - Venues and Booking Contacts organized by location and genre

Find more about Lydia at www.lydiawalkermusic.com

Her new worship album, Communion, is now available for download on iTunes!

What's Next? How you can help.

Friends,

I hope you are having a wonderful day! I wanted to check in with you since it's been about a month since the new cd, "Communion", released to the public!

Many of you have listened to the CD and given me some feedback on what your favorite songs are. I would love to have your help to let other people know what you think of the music.

Would you consider rating and reviewing "Communion" on iTunes? It only takes a few minutes. Here's how!

1. Go to the album on iTunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/communion/id1033368767

2. Click "View in iTunes"

3. Click "Ratings & Reviews"

4. Select "Write a Review" and Rate the Album (5 Stars!)

Thank you so much! Your support is so important and valued. I appreciate you!

Blessings, 
Lydia

To my supporters, fans and friends...

I am so thankful to those who have supported me and my music ministry from the beginning and throughout my career so far. It means the world to know that friends have my back, and believe in what I'm doing. Thank you all for being there for me and being a part of what God is doing through this music. It would not be possible by myself. This is a team effort of supporting and encouraging each other on the journey to becoming who we were made to be. As a musician, it means so much when you support in simple ways. Many people ask how they can help. Here are a few things that my supporters have done that make such a difference.

Attend a Performance (Bring a friend, bonus points!)

Buy a CD (or buy one of everything off the merch table = super fan! <3)

Book me for an event / Recommend me to a friend.

Share a post on Facebook of your favorite music video or LYRICS! from your fave song.

Talk to me in person about your story and which song touched you.

Prayers are essential, and it almost goes without saying that prayer drives the whole ministry. Please put me on your list and pray for me to have guidance for the places God would have me go. I want to glorify Him above everything else, and have peace about His calling on my life.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your continued support of my music. To those who have paid it forward, and poured into my life, you will never know how grateful I am for you. God bless you!

Love,

Lydia

P.S. Fun fact! This random video I posted of my first song on ukulele has gained over 25,000 views with little to no promotion. Check out my version of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow". Enjoy! Love ya'll!

Find more music at www.lydiawalkermusic.com!

Supporting / Partnering with Missions

There are many organizations and ministries to choose from to make an impact for good in the world. I wanted to share about my experience giving and some of the people that I support. A little effort can make a big difference. A few people united for one cause can change the course of history.

I'm a 22 year old full time musician, and I believe that I should give to people who are doing Kingdom work. God has provided for my needs through people who are willing to partner with me and who believe in my ministry. I believe that giving is a revolving door of sharing what God has given each of us. If I can do something like this, anyone can! We all can make a difference.

I've been so blessed by supporting several missionaries. I love hearing their stories of building relationships, sharing the gospel, and going wherever the Lord calls them. I know them each personally and I have seen their dedication to their faith. Most of them have been interviewed on my radio show to share their testimony with my listeners. I also support a 10 year old boy named Jason through Compassion. I have not regretted it! It's important to know what you're giving to. Let me share with you about people that I support, to inspire you and give you some examples of how you can give:

 

Jason, a child from Nicaragua sponsored through Compassion International
Sponsor a child here: http://www.compassion.com/

Lydia Grider, Every Nation, Youth Leader at Bethel Community Church
Go to https://admin.everynation.org/giving/, select "give to individual" and find Lydia's name

Heather Theilacker, Every Nation, Ministry to Students at Austin Peay
Go to https://admin.everynation.org/giving/, select "give to individual" and find Heather's name

Gregory Hayes, Long term mission trip to Africa through Operation Mobilization
Type in Greg's name to sponsor him: https://my.omusa.org/OM-Missionary-Search 

Maggie Norfleet, Missionary to Central Asia
Partner with Maggie - Enter code 44073 at https://antiochcenter.webconnex.com/support

Gathering In Oz - Missionaries to Australia
Donate to the Chapmans: http://web.nazarene.org/goto/ChapmansinAustralia
Donate to the Tarrants: http://web.nazarene.org/goto/Tarrantsgatheringinoz

Those are a few examples of ways to give towards building the Kingdom of God. Each person has a story and a specific calling. I'd like to give you an opportunity to have the blessing of giving to any of these missionaries, and also to share an opportunity to partner with me this year.

In 2014, I have the opportunity to go on several trips. The first is a mission trip with Community Life Church to Puerto Rico in June. We will be prayer walking in the areas where other groups will be leading Vacation Bible Schools during the following weeks. Some of us are musicians and will be singing and playing worship music in the different areas, and promoting the Bible Schools.  The cost of the trip is $300, with the rest being covered by the church. If you would like to partner with me and sponsor part of the cost of the trip, please send me a message.  I believe this is a great opportunity and I'm thankful for the chance to go. UPDATE! The trip has been completely paid for! PTL! Please be in prayer for us as we prepare. We will be in Puerto Rico June 11-16.

In October, I have the chance to go to the Hillsong Worship Conference in New York City (www.hillsongconference.org). I was sent last year and absolutely loved it. I got to spend time with friends there who are leaders in Gallery Church, and had great conversations with several people that attended the conference.  As a worship leader, I was refreshed by participating and learning from such great leaders. It was a breakthrough moment for me spiritually and I still am inspired by what I experienced there. As my friends and I are preparing for the trip, I've created a cost breakdown to estimate my expenses:

Registration - $179
Airfare - $250
Hotel - $200
Meals - $150

Total Budget: $779

If you feel led to give towards my trip, please send me an email at lydiawalkermusic@gmail.com.
If you choose to partner with me, I will give you updates on my trip and bring you a souvenir from New York! Thank you for your love and support! I'm excited about how God has provided for each opportunity so far, and I'm grateful for this season in my life to be able to go. God is good, and He gets all of the glory!

Here's a video of me singing in Central Park for a busker (street performer) named Bert.

Moving Forward, Big Things Ahead.

People ask me all the time why I haven't tried out for the Voice or American Idol. I take that as a compliment, that they like my voice and they think I could be on the show. But I see my purpose as being much more than being famous. I would actually be quite content if I'm never world famous, because that's not where I put my hope. If I trusted in music or money or stuff to make me happy, I might as well quit now. The only solid thing I can put my hope in is Jesus Christ, and He is the one who gives and takes away, opens and closes doors.

It's been awhile since I posted an update about my goals and the future of my music. Frankly because I've been trying to figure that out myself. Last year, I launched my own radio show which airs twice a week, and preparing those shows has taken a lot of time. I have learned so much from that experience, and have heard many testimonies through the interviews that have encouraged me along the way. God has such a creative plan that we can't always see coming. His bigger picture is way better than anything I could dream up.

That's where I'm at. I'm in awe at where I've been placed in my life, and I see how things in the past have shaped who I am. I have had so many de ja vu moments, where I feel like I've been in places or situations before. It almost feels familiar. I take that as a confirmation that God has gone before me and He is never surprised by what happens. He is not confined by time and is always working towards the good and towards His glory.

I'm 21, and it has almost been 10 years since I began writing music. All through middle school and high school I wrote songs, practiced and learned about the music business. I have been willing to work hard, to do something every day, and to always try my best. Music is an expression for me to share what I'm going through and what I'm feeling. It's been a great outlet that helps me process my own thoughts. I have played these songs hundreds of times and met many amazing people along the way who have encouraged me and supported me. I try to pay it forward and invest in other people's lives, like so many do for me.

By the time I graduated high school, I knew I wanted to play music full time. For the past 3 years, I have been playing around 200 gigs a year, at weddings, coffee shops, restaurants, churches, colleges, community events and festivals. I have been songwriting, recording, traveling, marketing, designing, printing, booking, and learning how each piece of the process works. As an independent self-employed musician, I've had to do a little bit of everything. As momentum builds in my music career, I realize I can't do everything myself. I am currently praying that God will help build a team of people around me to help and organize the business side of the music, so that it can continue to grow and thrive. Please pray with me in that! He knows what I need.

There are some big opportunities coming up that could potentially take my music career to the next level. I am working with a different producer to begin recording a new album! I am very excited to experiment and create the sound and style that I hear in my head. It's going to be an indie folk sound, with lots of acoustic instruments, strong vocals and creative harmonies. We are going to release the first song as a single soon, to give everyone an idea of the new direction. The first song is called "Troublesome Heart". The message goes against the popular opinion of following your heart, and it is about choosing to do what is right, no matter what it feels like. We are at the beginning stages of writing the rest of the songs for the album, but I will keep you updated on the progress.  I'm planning to set up a crowd funding campaign where fans can be a part of creating the album and helping me fund it while getting some awesome rewards! That will probably happen this fall. Let me know any ideas that you have for rewards!

This year I have also had many opportunities to record background vocals on country albums. Several of those artists have cut songs from my last CD, "Beloved". I love being in the studio and gaining experience. It is the biggest compliment for someone else to sing my songs, and to know that it relates to them.

We have released several professional music videos to songs from my last CD, and I plan to make several more videos before the end of the year. Never underestimate the power of YouTube. This past week, a company called me that found a live video of one of my songs on YouTube, and they asked about licensing it for a new commercial! We are in talks now to work out the details, but I'm very excited about the opportunity for my music to reach a whole new audience, possibly on a national level.

We will be re-designing and re-launching my website in the next month or so, with a more professional presentation and easier navigation. I am willing to invest in taking things to the next level, one step at a time. I feel peace and motivation at the same time, to be a good steward of the time and resources that I have. I want to do the right thing, and try to have discernment about what to say no to and what to move forward with. I feel like this is perfect timing to work on defining my image, to be ready when the world wonders what I'm all about.

With so much going on, it's hard to keep everyone updated through Facebook. I try to let everyone know what's going on, but it's difficult to get through all the clutter and "noise". With the re-launch of my website, I will be setting up an email list to keep you in the loop and get new music to you first!

If you read through this whole post, I just wanna say WOW, and THANK YOU. I know it's a long one and the fact that you took the time to read it shows that you care.  I appreciate your support of my music and ministry. Please pray for me to continue to have direction about the decisions that I need to make that will honor God and give Him the most glory. I would love to hear what you think and any ideas you may have. Don't be a stranger!

Email me at lydiawalkermusic@gmail.com, call me at 866-672-9034, or comment below!


DOWNLOAD LYDIA'S MUSIC ON iTUNES: CLICK HERE!

My God Shall Supply All My Needs

I just want to brag on God, and how He provides for His children. The Word tells us...

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to the riches in glory in Jesus Christ." - Philippians 4:19

Let me tell you, God provides for me in more ways than I realize. But sometimes He likes to show off. He moved some sweet friends to give me a brand new sound system. I hadn't even asked, but He laid it on their hearts to bless me with this wonderful gift. I have used my sound system for several years, at hundreds of shows, and it has a lot of wear. We have patched it and fixed it several times, but it was falling apart. So thankful for this provision, at the perfect timing!

The Lord is bringing new opportunities and opening doors. Pray for me to have guidance and to move in the right direction. I want to make good decisions and use my music for God's glory.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me and encouraged me. Your prayers mean the world!