One of the most varied and unpredictable jobs in the entertainment industry is that of a concert promoter. If you want to work as a concert promoter, you’ll need to know everything there is to know about booking a show and getting the word out to the public. Because there is little specific educational preparation for this job that can be obtained in school, real-world experience is essential to your success. The main challenge of the job is the large number of responsibilities you must fulfill, which range from negotiating with musicians and venues to marketing your shows to sell tickets.
If you want to work as a concert promoter, you don’t need any formal education, especially since many promoters work independently. Many skills, on the other hand, can be developed and sharpened in school. Working with bands and negotiating performance contracts necessitates written and verbal communication. Economics classes will teach you how to manage your money and balance your books. Music classes, particularly those that expose you to a variety of instruments and equipment, can also help you prepare for a career as a concert promoter.
If you want to be a concert promoter, you don’t need a college diploma; instead, you’ll need a lot of work experience to help you learn how to handle every aspect of concert promotion. Working as an assistant for an established concert promoter will provide insight because you will assist him or her in organizing and promoting events and will have a knowledgeable source to ask questions to. Working in a concert venue is another way to gain experience with how bands, clubs, and promoters collaborate. It’s also an opportunity to work on a variety of tasks, from setting up bands to managing lighting to overseeing ticket sales and compensating performers at the end of the shows. Working in event planning, even for weddings or corporate events, is a great learning opportunity if you have never worked in music but still want to work as a concert promoter.
The job of a concert promoter is constantly changing, and dealing with anyone even remotely associated with the production is a big part of it. To work as a concert promoter, you’ll need to build strong relationships with music venues, artists, and booking agents, who may or may not be handled the concert promoter. You must also work with radio stations, newspapers, magazines, and online sources to communicate information about the concert to the appropriate market after a venue and concert acts have been secured. Working with poster designers and printers to create a visual advertisement that can be posted on bulletin boards, walls, and telephone poles, as well as distributed to clubs and record stores, is a common responsibility.