I was asked by my friends at World Vision if I would come teach a seminar on helping artists become more effective in booking more events in churches. Because I’ve worn many hats in the past (artist, manager, promoter, consultant, booking agent, publicist, radio promoter, blah blah blah) and am now the one receiving phone calls from artists I was able to put some (hopefully!) helpful ideas together for people who are looking to share their ministry with churches.

If you want the full notes from my talk, send me an email or leave a comment but here’s the quick recap:

Top 10 Things I Wish Artists Knew About Booking Events In Churches

1. Plan ahead
My calendar is sometimes 18 months ahead. Don’t call in November for a Christmas booking. September kick-off planning starts in the spring, Christmas planning starts in the summer, Easter planning starts in the fall, Summer special event planning starts in the winter. Be working 6-9 months ahead. Coming with a tour routed and 2-3 potential dates is very helpful.

2. Know when to call
Not Monday or Friday – those are usually church staff days off – don’t call those days.
Tuesday is staff meeting – don’t call that day.
Wednesday & Thursday are good options but Wednesday is best. Thursday is usually doing final details for Sunday. Best approach – send an email Tuesday evening letting me know you’re calling on Wednesday and send me links to your website, clips of your music, video and references.

3. Who are you?
Make sure all of your promotional material (emails, websites, printed pieces) advertise the same “you”. Are you a children’s entertainer? Your promo picture should tell me that. Don’t make me figure out what you’re about!

4. Have a crystal clear mission
Are you a worship artist best-suited for Sunday morning? Do you have songs to sing specifically to women? Is your focus outreach to youth? If you have a clear description of what you’re trying to do with your ministry, it will help me decide what events are suitable for booking you. And, perhaps more importantly, if I don’t have an event that would fit you I will probably know someone who does.

5. Come with realistic expectations
If this is the first time we’ve worked together, don’t call with huge expectations of payment. Unless I’ve budgeted for X number of performance events per year I’m going to have to pull the budget money from somewhere else. If you’re calling me as a chance to get some exposure in a new market or to gain some experience then that may be “payment” enough for the event. If you’re going to a “big church” for the first time, don’t expect that to mean you’ll get a big audience unless your performance is tied to a bigger church-wide event – ie. Christmas banquet, community outreach event, etc.

6. Develop relationships
Getting an opening slot through the artist vs. talking with the promoter about that opening slot. The artist may or may not be able to get you added and they may or may not ever go back to that venue BUT the promoter will more than likely work that venue again AND will have other events in the same region that will need artists.

7. Give permission to say “no”
You called me, I didn’t call you. So if it doesn’t work out and I need to say no, please don’t be disappointed or upset. “You can do anything, but you can’t do everything!”
And remember..

8. “No” doesn’t mean “never”
Just because a church says no to you this time, don’t drop communication with them. Ask if it’s okay to add them to your email or mailing list – you should have a “fan list” and a “promoters list” with different content targeted towards each group. (NOTE: You may also want to consider having an “industry list” as well for radio stations, booking agents, labels and other industry people who are looking for different info than fans or potential promoters.)

9. Help spread the word
Once the booking is confirmed, get all the info online as quickly as possible. The church is investing significant amounts of money, time, volunteer hours, energy and logistics on making this event happen – make their investment worthwhile! An artist that promotes events along with a church is an artist that will be booked again!

10. Do what you say you’re going to do
This goes back to “who you are”. If you’re booked to be entertainment for a dinner theatre event, don’t spend half the show talking. If you’re booked to perform at an outreach event and give a clear presentation of the gospel intertwined with your music, make sure you give a clear presentation of the gospel. The church is not asking you to sell out or be someone you’re not – the church is just looking for an artist with the skill set that matches their need for that particular event.