Touring is a great opportunity for small musicians to meet their fans and gain recognition. Performing live can create a lifelong addiction to the stage. However, you must remain realistic about your budget. Tours can be expensive, even for small artists, so turning your dream experience into a rational plan is crucial.
Tours Are Investments
For small artists, your first tour typically does not generate a profit. Reframe your idea of touring into an investment rather than a lucrative endeavor. You are building your fanbase and gaining experience performing, which are valuable traits.
Small-scale tours are less likely to break even. Ensure you have a significant fanbase if you are considering a large-scale tour. The price of touring expenses has also increased recently, so monitor this accordingly.
Create a Realistic Budget
Realistic budgets are essential for both large and small tours. Compile a projected cost list and record your actual expenses for future tours. You will not be able to predict every single expense, but setting aside money for the bigger ones is a good idea.
Because you need to save money, consider using a calculator to determine how much you should save based on your current income and projected expenses.
Main Expenses of a Tour
Small-scale and large-scale tours typically have similar expenses, but the amount of money spent differs. Below are some main tour expenses.
1. Transportation
Transportation is a major expense for any tour. Gas, parking and tolls are costs to consider. Also, you may need to pay fees for shipping equipment or heavy baggage, depending on your mode of transportation. Small tours primarily use a tour bus or large van, while extensive tours may travel by plane. Schedule the stops according to your budget to avoid unnecessary travel expenses.
2. Accommodations
You and your staff need a place to sleep. A tour bus sometimes provides enough bedding for smaller crews, but larger staff may need a hotel room or Airbnb. Be realistic about the crew members you need while considering the budget for suitable accommodations.
3. Food
Food is a daily expense that you and your crew require. Smaller tours can survive on takeout, but larger tours may need catering services. These costs add up over time, so make food decisions around your available budget.
4. Venue and Production
You need to pay the venues as well as any additional production costs. Smaller venues charge less than big ones. You must also select places where you can realistically fill seats.
Production costs like costume changes and visual effects are usually reserved for larger productions, but minor effects here and there may aid smaller performances. Venues sometimes request a profit on merchandise sales too, so research this before choosing one.
5. Merchandise Bundles
Buying the initial merchandise bundles to take on your tour may be costly. However, they also may make a profit depending on sales. Shirts, accessories and stickers are possible merchandising items. This is a valuable marketing resource.
6. Staff
Your staff includes anyone helping you put together your tour. These people need appropriate salaries, so choose only essential staff for smaller tours. Larger tours may need more members because of elaborate production costs or other moving pieces. Ensure you have the budget to fund every crew member.
7. Emergencies
Unexpected expenses may arise since tours are long and sometimes unpredictable. Small tours may not have significant emergency funds like bigger tours, but setting aside some money is ideal. Accidents can occur in large crowds, and rain delays may incur additional costs.
8. Insurance
You need to purchase insurance for all equipment on the tour. Small tours may own their own instruments, and large tours could rent certain equipment, but insurance is essential for all in case something breaks, and you need a quick fix before the next show.
9. Marketing
If you are a small artist with a limited fan base, marketing is essential to your tour’s success. Setting aside funds for promotional posters or curated social media posts can boost ticket sales and get people talking about your music.
Extensive tours may feature more elaborate marketing, such as billboards and TV commercials. Small tours rely on low-cost marketing methods, such as social media or advertisements on the venue’s exterior.
View Tours as a Business
Tours and live performances are magical experiences for artists, especially those who are small and have limited experience or fan bases. Still, it is vital to view your tour as more than just a great time. Tours are a business that can drive great results when appropriately budgeted. Whether you are planning a big or small tour, take control of the financial aspect.
