Many people have been blessed with the gift of music ministry. As a booking agent I am frequently asked, “What can I do to broaden my impact for the Lord and share my music ministry with more people?” My reply is, first of all to pray earnestly about what direction He would have you travel, realizing that many gifted musical artists are exactly where God wants them right now. Singing in your own church and in your own general area is a very noble and worthwhile music ministry and is definitely an area where God needs many.

After seeking the Lord, if you feel he is leading you to a broader area, there are several basic items necessary to gain bookings for yourself. We will assume that you are involved in sharing your music ministry at your home church and that you have put together a tape of your music.

Press Kit:
The first thing to do is put together a basic press kit. This kit should include your tape or CD, a picture of yourself, a brief biography, and testimonial or recommendation letters assembled in a nice folder. The picture needs to be mostly a facial shot and need not be done by a professional photographer. It should be an 8x10 black and white that can be reproduced into a poster or handbill with minimal distracting background.

The bio should briefly tell about your musical background and should not contain personal details (date of birth, place of birth, favorite artists, food, colors, etc.) It should contain any pertinent music history or information that would help you be a candidate for concert consideration.

The tape or CD should contain your best original music and/or cover music that you feel represents you well. If you do cover music, accent it your personal style. Testimonial letters from pastors (including your own) and music ministers on church letterhead should attest to your spirit, talent and overall ministry. Ask for a testimonial letter for every place you perform.

Make Contact!
Begin contacting churches in the area in which you can comfortably travel. Learn the art of networking. Ask the music minister and senior pastor in churches where you have performed if they can give you names of other music ministers and senior pastors that you can contact, using their name as an introduction. Begin to take note of any churches that bring in artists, and contact these churches to pitch yourself.

Contacting radio stations is another great way to learn who is doing concerts. Subscribe to publications such as CCM magazine, The Singing News and/or Christian Activities Calendar to obtain itineraries of other artists. Websites like itickets.com and artist websites also feature comprehensive tour listings. These itineraries will usually contain phone numbers of concert sponsors.

After making contact with the proper people, ask if you can submit a press kit for consideration. Send or email a brief cover letter reminding them of what you discussed and thank them for their time and consideration. Follow up on your letter/email with a phone call in two to four weeks to confirm receipt of the press kit and to ask how their thoughts are progressing toward concert opportunities with you.

Do not be discouraged with rejections that you will receive, recognizing that statistics bear out that you achieve one booking for every 50-100 contacts. The more contacts you make, the more dates you will play. Even the most established major label artists must be pitched, followed-up, and repitched to potential concert sponsors.

Finances:
Your financial agreement will vary from concert to concert, depending on the circumstances. Be prepared to come in for little or no guarantee or honorarium, plus a love offering where appropriate. Always politely ask if the sponsor will pick up lodging and cover travel expenses. Flexibility is critically important as you establish your touring base. Be available before and after the concert to meet people. Always remember to bring plenty of your cassettes and CDs to sell. Merchandise income can frequently provide a great revenue stream.

Accountability:
Always stay accountable to your home pastor, elder, or deacons. You might consider forming a ministry board to help you make good decisions regarding how to run your ministry and for you to be spiritually and financially accountable to. If you feel that God is calling you to do this full time, prayerfully consider whether you should “quit your day job.” Many people step out too quickly in this area.

If touring music ministry is your calling and you work hard to find opportunities and exhibit patience, with your persistence God will confirm your efforts with opportunities. Always remember, very few are destined to win Dove Awards and tour sell-out concerts. God needs local, regional and national music ministries to strengthen, edify and reach out to the lost.