Studio Booking Agency... viability?

[Tibbon]

So I had an idea recently, to start a Studio Booking Service/Agency.

Here's what i figure; most small to medium studios out there either

1) Don't have the time to pound the pavement, network and book their studios
or
a) Some also don't quite know how to sell their studio the best
or
b) and I have met a few that are just too lazy

Also, many of the "major" studios, that have Studio Managers to do booking are closing. It's obviously a shift towards smaller, more specialized studios.

I thought that it would be a Win-Win situation to try to contact local studios, and negotiate that I would basically be a "headhunter" (hey I work for an employement agency at the moment, so i know that name well) looking for bands.

I would ask to have some price flexiblity (say 10% off standard rate at most), and that I would get 15% of whatever the total studio time costs were in the end.

Basically, they get a BIT off the top, but they don't outlay anything, but they have someone pounding the pavement, and hitting the bars/clubs and making contacts with bands to find them the best studio possible (that fits their needs), for the best price, and the studio gets more business (because most of us need it) and doesn't have to waste a ton on advertising.

They pay only for results, and they would get results. No risk, but definately something to gain from more and better (ones that match their studios best) bands.

Any inputs? Would you use such a service? Or do you have someone on staff that does booking for you constantly?

Anyone wanna sign up?

[Gregg Sartiano]

Find me the work. I'll give you a cut as soon as their check hits my bank. No problem.

[chuckj]

Not a bad idea but would probably be difficult to implement outside of your own local area. I've found my best source of pavement pounders is current/former interns and students. Treat them right and they'll evangelize for you and the studio. Toss them a
cut of the booking or maybe discount them some studio time and life is good all around.

[MASSIVE Master]

Make it 12% and you got yourself a deal.

[Drumsound]

I'd be interested.

I'd also be willing to travel if bands didn't want to come to my room...

[RichT]

Originally Posted by djui5

... but he was a dick on the phone so I blew em off.

DJ, that reads OH SO WRONG

Perhaps a re-phrase?

Cheers,
Rich

[Telecastr]

Originally Posted by RichT

DJ, that reads OH SO WRONG

Perhaps a re-phrase?

Cheers,
Rich

Thanks for the laugh Randy.

[Blue Bear Sound]

If only you were in Ottawa, Tibbon........

I'd love for those kind of services to be offered around here! I'd be in!!

[dave-G]

I look forward to picking up some kind of management ... to handle scheduling, contract negotiations (including buffering attorney communications), billing... etc.. I think the savings in time and the benefits of isolating me from the anguish and resentment that can come from some of those negotiations would be well worth the %... I imagine it would keep the relationship with the client a little more pure in its focus on the creative work.

IMO, an important aspect of someone in that position is personality.. Obviously you want some bulldog-ish traits, but not an asshole... It's like sports agents... every player wants Scott Boras/Drew Rosenhaus money, but there's a degree to which those players look like assholes for choosing those agents because of the style in which they do business.

This may be a bit of a tangent from what you're proposing to do, Tibbon, but I hope you do well with your efforts.

-dave