Why I Decided To Tour In The First Place
I know I was going to post Part Two of the Economics of Touring this week but I decided I would write about why I tour and then post Part Two next week.
Background
I had made a bunch of films and the only distribution offers I had were not good deals for me. (I will post more about this at a later date…) The distributors would have done okay financially, but I was the one who took all the risks and made the work so I figured I deserved to make money off of my work as well.
I needed to find my audience.
I ripped a page out of the Punk Rock Handbook and booked my own tours just like the original punk bands did. I was happy to go anywhere I could get an audience and hopefully sell some DVDs and later, my books and my other merchandise.
When I started touring I was in my mid-40’s, I kept at it into my early 60’s. It would have been a lot easier when I was younger but I did it anyway and 2 months on the road twice a year certainly wears on you.
You can’t write a book about being on the road promoting your work and not take it out on the road and promote it. It doesn’t work that way.
As weird as it may seem, there are some people who don’t like to travel. And there are people, especially writers, who don’t like meeting others, crowds, or navigating out of their comfort zone. If you’re one of those people who need to sleep in your own bed every night and need to have a routine then I would say this isn’t the sort of thing you should do.
Here’s why I did it.
It’s not about the money! I wish it was, then maybe I would have made more money, at least most of them broke even after expenses.
It’s about building an audience.
I love travel, meeting new people, and having adventures. That’s what life is. That is what touring is all about. Shit happens on the road and you either deal with it, laugh about it, or it’s going to tear you apart. If you can embrace the unknown and look at each day as an adventure, you’re going to be okay.
There are times when you show up to do a reading, screening, signing, or whatever, and no one else does! You and the sponsors are sitting by yourselves waiting. And if only one person shows up you treat the event like it’s a packed house. You want to let the people who do show up know that you appreciate them.
Another reason to tour is to cut through the noise.
How often do you hear about an independent writer/filmmaker coming to do a reading and he’s traveling in a van with his dog?
There’s so much crap out there especially on social media that you have to figure out a way to make yourself heard. To find your audience. They’re out there and they’re not actively looking for you so you need to find them. And when you do it’s wonderful.
On my last tour I was in Fort Worth where I only knew one person. After three days of events I have a bunch of new friends that I believe I’ll stay in touch with for the rest of my life. And even better, they liked my work and told friends about me.
It gets you out of your comfort zone.
Who really likes getting up in front of people and talking? When I started I hated it. I would have to really get myself geared up to do it. I was nervous. I was sure I was boring as hell, and screwing things up. So I worked at it. I put myself into a position where I had to do it, often. Now I don’t even think about it. And you know what? It’s a lot more fun than it used to be.
Being on tour and in front of people who are friends and possibly fans is an honor. They are coming to see and hear you. Take it seriously and be the best person you can be. If you do a good reading and you’re personable they just might tell their friends about you. And if they like your work they’ll share it with their friends. Slowly you will build a fan base for your work.
You get to meet people on their turf. If you’re lucky you’ll share meals and stories with them and you’ll get a glimpse in to what your fan base is like. Do they like the same things as you? What is it about your work that drew them to it?
I have people who I'm still in touch with from my very early tours and that means a lot to me.
Visiting new places and meeting new people.
On one tour I met a guy in Texas who is a third-generation demolitions expert. That was a fascinating conversation. I ate alligator with a couple friends in a small town in Kentucky. How the hell this guy got alligator is beyond me?.
Among the places I’ve seen are the Grand Canyon, and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I drank rum with a bunch of folks at Hank Williams grave at midnight, and real moonshine on more than one occasion. I’ve seen sunrises and sunsets in all parts of the country and they’re all unique.
The US is huge. The terrain is varied, as are the people. The food is different in different regions. I have been lucky enough to experience fall and spring in some of the most beautiful places in the US. Whenever I hear people talk about how boring and ugly some states are to drive though I know they’ve picked the wrong routes. Most of the terrain I travel through is different than where I come from and that makes it interesting to me. Plus I’ve had some of the most wonderful regional meals when I’ve avoided interstates and chain restaurants.
And wherever I travel I get new ideas for books and films. There is so much material out there waiting to be discovered.
Yes some of my tours don’t make lots of money, but they enabled me to expand my audience. I made tons of new friends and had new adventures. As a side benefit touring helped me grow as a person and as an artist.
This is why I feel more people should put their work out there however you can. Stop sitting around waiting for someone (agent, editor, producer, or whatever) to discover you. Remember, even if one of those people signs you to a contract, you’re still going to have to go out and promote your work anyway.
You might as well promote yourself now, and on your own terms.
Please Support Independent Artists! Thanks for reading.
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