Write an Email That Will Get You the Gig

I’m still amazed at some of the emails that I receive.  Artists or managers write with what are intended to be pitches to get looked at as a potential new client or to be booked on the weekly show.

Unfortunately, I am amazed at them in a bad way, not an impressed way.

For openers, if you want to write to me/Now Hear This (or anyone else for that matter), just do it.  Don’t say that you want to.  Emails that start with “I wanted to write to tell you about my new album,” make me scratch my head.  When I read that I think, “Well, you must’ve wanted to, that’s why you took the action of emailing me.”  After all, would you write, “I didn’t want to write to you, but figured I had to”?

Speaking of don’t state the obvious, you don’t need to tell someone that you’re pretty proud of your new album.  I would hope so!

Three days ago I watched someone do a presentation that included photos of people that he assumed everyone knew.  We all know that ‘assume’ is a bad word and action.  So, don’t name drop in your email if it’s not someone that’s a household name.  And even then, be absolutely sure that it’s a household name, not someone that you think should be a household name.

That said, if the name you’re dropping is someone who referred you that is going to be your ticket to getting booked there, I suggest not only starting off your email with mentioning such, but even putting that as your email subject line.  After all, SO many others are probably just putting “Live music” as their subject line, so “Referred by (mutual acquaintance’s name)” should certainly stand out.

Getting back to stating wants, don’t tell a booker that you “want to play at (their venue).”  Of course you do.  That’s why you’re contacting them.  You say, “I’m writing to work with you to schedule a date for me and my band to perform at (insert venue name here).”

Don’t make promises you can’t keep, like telling a venue that you will fill the place up, when you know you’re just saying what you think they want to hear in order to get a booking.

DO make an impact with your email by referencing notable venues you’ve played at and/or good reviews you’ve gotten recently. 

Probably the biggest question on most people’s minds is, how long should their email be.  The short answer is, not as long as this blog.  Keep in mind how many people read their emails on their mobile device these days.  If someone is reading what you wrote on their tablet or, gulp, smartphone, they don’t want to scroll and scroll and scroll.  Hit the highlights, ask for the sale, stay on point, and hit Send.

And remember, no attachments unless they ask you to send something that can’t be provided via a link.  Remember, you want to stand out for all the right reasons.