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What does a Concert Promoter do?

Stacy Blumberg
Stacy Blumberg

Concerts and other musical events require a great deal of behind the scenes planning to put on. Many people come together to organize and set up the event before the actual show. A concert promoter is the person responsible for many of the marketing and organizational aspects of a musical performance.

A concert promoter may work for bands or for venues. Promoters who work for bands need to find locations for the band to play in addition to promoting the gig once it is booked. Concert promoters who work for music venues are required to find bands to play at the location. Making sure the venue is a good match for the music group or artist in question is an important part of the promoter's job.

A concert promoter is responsible for finding locations for bands to play.
A concert promoter is responsible for finding locations for bands to play.

Once a concert date is confirmed, the promoter is responsible for generating interest in the event. On a small scale, this may be achieved by posting fliers, placing ads in free or inexpensive publications, and generating buzz online. Promoters with larger budgets at their disposal may purchase radio ads as well as ads in larger print publications and on established websites.

Many artists make their money by selling merchandise to their fans at their shows with the help of a concert promoter.
Many artists make their money by selling merchandise to their fans at their shows with the help of a concert promoter.

Promoters also generate awareness of a show or event through public relations initiatives. Concert promoters tend to have a network of music industry contacts that they use to spread the word about upcoming shows. Interviews with artists and promotional giveaways are two widely used promotional tools.

A concert promoter is responsible for other aspects of the concert aside from generating interest. The promoter often handles security, ticket sales or cover charges, venue decoration, setup, sound, lighting, and staffing. To keep up with all of the different tasks, a concert promoter needs to be very organized and able to handle many projects at a time.

Once a concert date is booked, promoters are responsible for generating interest in the event.
Once a concert date is booked, promoters are responsible for generating interest in the event.

There are two common ways to get started in promoting concerts. The first is to work for an established concert promoter. Working for someone who knows the business takes away some of the initial risk and is a good way to learn the ropes of concert promotion. The drawbacks of working for someone else are less autonomy, having to do things someone else's way, and a limit on earning potential.

Concert promoters use social media and other online channels to encourage attendance.
Concert promoters use social media and other online channels to encourage attendance.

It is also possible to begin a career as a concert promoter simply by going out and starting to promote. Starting small is usually the easiest way to do this. Check with local bands and start with smaller venues or house parties. After organizing a few successful events, a promoter can to grow to larger concerts with more popular artists.

Discussion Comments

summing
When you are thinking about how to promote a concert, think about who will be coming to that concert and who you would like to bring out to that concert.

A few years ago I did some work promoting the Police reunion tour. We knew that die hard Police fans would come out. What we wanted to do was get younger people, and minor fans of the police to come out as well. We ran ads on some of the younger radio stations and also tried to position the Police as a classic rock giant on par with The Who or Led Zeppelin rather than the post punk curio that they actually were. The show sold out.

whiteplane
I have always wanted to be a concert promoter but I have no idea how to go about getting a job like that. What kind of degree do I need? What kind of background do I need?

Also, do most promoters work for just one band and focus all their efforts on that one band, or do they offer their services to many bands?

truman12
A lot of bands take concert promotion for granted assuming that there is enough enthusiasm amongst their fans to bring people out to the show no matter how little marketing there is. But the simple truth is that all bands, from big to small, benefit when they put their name out there and make an effort to promote the shows.

They can do this by putting up flyers, doing spots on the radio, and most importantly, keeping up with their social media and other digital marketing tools. Makes it easy for your fans to be excited about you and they will stay excited longer.

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    • A concert promoter is responsible for finding locations for bands to play.
      By: Moreno Novello
      A concert promoter is responsible for finding locations for bands to play.
    • Many artists make their money by selling merchandise to their fans at their shows with the help of a concert promoter.
      By: Sandor Jackal
      Many artists make their money by selling merchandise to their fans at their shows with the help of a concert promoter.
    • Once a concert date is booked, promoters are responsible for generating interest in the event.
      By: Andrei Tsalko
      Once a concert date is booked, promoters are responsible for generating interest in the event.
    • Concert promoters use social media and other online channels to encourage attendance.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      Concert promoters use social media and other online channels to encourage attendance.
    • Concert promoters generate buzz online for upcoming shows.
      By: SolisImages
      Concert promoters generate buzz online for upcoming shows.
    • Tickets to concerts may be offered during a promotional giveaway.
      Tickets to concerts may be offered during a promotional giveaway.
    • Some concert promoters work for an amphitheater or other venue.
      By: florinoprea
      Some concert promoters work for an amphitheater or other venue.