ROADUNO

Category: Artist Resources

  • How to Book Your First Tour Without a Manager

    How to Book Your First Tour Without a Manager

    How to Book Your First Tour Without a Manager

    Planning your first tour can feel overwhelming, especially without a booking agent or manager to guide the way. But with the right tools, strategy, and determination, you can build a successful tour all on your own. Here’s how to make it happen.

    1. Start Local, Think Regional

    Before you start mapping out a cross-country adventure, focus on your hometown draw and be sure you can fill a show here first but when you are ready research nearby cities within a few hours’ drive. Not only is this more cost-effective, but it also helps you build a fanbase in realistic, reachable markets. Focus on weekend warrior runs, (play hometown Friday night, 4-6 hours away on Saturday, find a place on the way home on Sunday.

    Tip: Use your social media insights or streaming data to find out where your listeners are located. Prioritize those cities with targeted ads.

    2. Research Venues the Smart Way

    Skip the endless Google searches and outdated directories. Instead, use RoadUNO an AI-powered tour assistant that helps artists instantly access up to date venue contacts, tailored by location, budget, and routing.

    Pro Tip: Keep track of all the venues you reach out to in a spreadsheet or inside your RoadUNO account for easy follow-up.

    3. Reach Out with Purpose

    When contacting venues, do the work for them, find locals and build a show, then, keep your message short, professional, and tailored. Include:

    • A short bio
    • Your proposed tour date(s)
    • A link to your music and social profiles
    • A clear ask (e.g., “We’d love to support a bill” or “We’re looking to headline a local showcase here are bands we could play with as well as potential dates.”)

    4. Team Up with Local Artists

    One of the best ways to get booked in a new city is to partner with a local act. Offer to co-headline or support a show — and return the favor when they come to your city.

    Tip: Follow and DM artists in your target cities on Instagram, Facebook, or Tiktok. Personal connections open more doors than cold emails alone.

    5. Keep Your Costs Low

    Without label support or a manager, your budget matters. Look for:

    • Free lodging (friends, family, Couchsurfing)
    • Gas-efficient routing
    • DIY merch to sell at shows

    Using a smart routing tool like RoadUNO can help you avoid expensive travel mistakes by building an efficient itinerary from the start.

    6. Make It Official

    Once you’ve booked your dates, create a clean tour flyer, update your website, and promote the tour consistently across your channels. Treat it like the real deal — because it is.

    Final Thought

    Booking your first tour solo may seem intimidating, but it’s one of the most empowering things you can do as an artist. With AI tools like RoadUNO and a DIY mindset, you’re not just booking a tour — you’re building your career from the ground up.

  • Touring on a Budget: Tips & Tools for Independent Musicians

    Touring on a Budget: Tips & Tools for Independent Musicians

    Touring is one of the best ways to grow your fanbase, test new material, and make lasting memories — but it can also be expensive. Between fuel, food, lodging, and gear, costs can add up fast. That’s why touring smart is just as important as touring hard. This guide breaks down practical tips and tools to help you tour efficiently without breaking the bank.

    Plan Smart: Routing and Distance

    • Use RoadUNO to build a city-to-city route that minimizes fuel costs and maximizes audience reach.
    • Book venues in clusters (e.g., 2-3 shows within 2 hours of each other)
    • Avoid unnecessary zig-zagging across the map
    • Factor in tolls, parking fees, and time between gigs

    Stay Cheap: Lodging Hacks

    • Stay with fans, friends, or local bands (network ahead of time)
    • Use apps like Couchsurfing, Hostelworld, or HotelTonight
    • Share hotel rooms with bandmates and split the cost
    • Bring sleeping bags for worst-case floor-crash scenarios

    Eat Smart

    • Pack a cooler with snacks, fruit, and water
    • Skip gas station junk and opt for grocery store meals
    • Use apps like Too Good To Go for last-minute cheap eats
    • Budget $10-15/day per person if possible

    Gear Up Without Going Broke

    • Bring backup strings, cables, batteries (buy in bulk before the tour)
    • Label everything to avoid lost gear
    • Use power strips to share outlets at venues
    • Split gear transportation duties between vehicles or members

    Maximize Merch (Low Cost, High Return)

    • Print merch in bulk before the tour (T-shirts, stickers, etc.)
    • Offer bundle deals (e.g., shirt + CD + sticker = $20)
    • Accept Venmo, CashApp, and cards via Square or Stripe readers
    • Keep a cash box with change for smaller venues

    Free Tools You Should Be Using

    • RoadUNO: Smart tour assistant that helps you plan fast and route efficiently
    • Bandcamp: Great for online merch during and after tour
    • Canva: Free poster and social media graphics
    • Google Sheets: Budget tracker + show log
    • Trello or Notion: Keep your schedule organized

    Touring doesn’t have to drain your wallet to be worth it. With the right tools, a focused mindset, and a willingness to hustle smart, you can play the shows you want — and still make it to the next city with gas in the tank.

  • How to Register with a PRO (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC)

    How to Register with a PRO (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC)

    How to Register with a Performing Rights Organization (PRO) – A Guide to BMI, ASCAP & SESAC

    If you’re a musician, songwriter, or producer, joining a Performing Rights Organization (PRO) is one of the smartest moves you can make. PROs make sure you get paid every time your music is performed publicly — whether it’s on stage, radio, or even in a coffee shop. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what PROs do, who the top three are, and how to register the right way.

    What Is a PRO and Why Do You Need One?

    A Performing Rights Organization collects and distributes performance royalties to songwriters, composers, and publishers when their music is played in public. This includes:

    • Live performances
    • Radio airplay
    • Streaming services
    • TV/Film syncs
    • Restaurants, clubs, and more

    Without a PRO, you could be missing out on royalty payments that you’re legally owed.

    The Big 3: ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC

    These are the three major PROs in the United States:

    PROOPEN TOCOSTNOTES
    BMIAnyoneFreeLarge catalog. Strong radio presence
    ASCAPAnyone50$ feeNon-exclusive. Great for indie artists
    SESACInvite OnlyFree
    More selective. Often composers & film scores.

    Official Registration Links

    What Happens After You Register?

    Once approved, you’ll receive a member ID and gain access to your PRO’s online portal. From there, you can:

    • Register songs for tracking
    • Report live performances (for royalty payouts)
    • View royalty statements

    You’re officially ready to get paid for your work!

    Maximize Your Membership

    • Always register your songs once released
    • Submit live performance setlists to collect royalties from your gigs
    • Pair your PRO with services like SoundExchange for non-interactive streaming
    • Consider a publishing admin service like Songtrust if you’re releasing internationally

    Final Thoughts

    Joining a PRO isn’t just for chart-toppers — it’s for anyone making original music. Whether you play coffee shops or sell out clubs, you deserve to be compensated. Once you’re registered, RoadUNO is here to help you book those shows — so the world can hear (and pay for) your art.

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