How To Promote or Produce a Concert
Your Pre & Post Production Specialist
"Let's Take It To The Stage"
Author: Michael Burton Sr.
Copyright © 03/30/2011 by Michael Burton Productions -Michael Burton International - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
"Let's Take It To The Stage"
"MBP e-Book Table of Contents"
"Michael Burton Productions e-Book Introduction"
..... 16. What is an Investor?
..... 19. What is an Angel Investor?
..... 23. Addressing The Investor.
..... 26. What Is Networking?
..... 29. Related Acheivements.
"PROPOSED BUDGET OUTLINE & FACTS"
..... 34. Investor Summary.
..... 36. Production Cost Projections.
..... 39. How to Produce a Concert.
..... 45. A Personal Message.
..... 46. Get on Board.
..... 47. An MBP Event.
..... 50. MBP Video Conference Website.
"Michael Burton Productions e-Book Introduction"
A Michael Burton Productions
$1,000,000.00 "one million dollars"
"Concert Production E-Book!"
Real simple and to the point:
If You Want To Call Your Own Shots… Retire Early Or Live A Life Of Total Freedom... Then This Will Be The Most Important Message You Will Ever Read.
Dear Friend;
Let's face it, none of us are getting any younger. Regardless of how we feel and what we do, we only have a limited time on this earth to work, enjoy life and spend time with people we care about.
Unfortunately, most of us quickly discover that the burdens of life… such as commuting, working, raising families and other daily obligations... take up the majority of our time, year after year.
I still remember back in my early twenties, when a year seemed like an eternity… and 90% of time spent outside of work was doing things I enjoyed.
But time flew by quickly, and as I started getting older I realized in order to live the life I wanted of freedom, a nice place to live and the cool car I wanted to drive, I needed to do a little better than 10 bucks an hour. So naturally I spent more time focusing on what I wanted my career to be -- just like the majority of you reading this are doing right now.
I studied, I learned, and I took action. Sure, there were hard times. But not long after, I had started earning an income that a brain surgeon would envy. Nothing happened overnight, but it did happen rather quickly… so quickly that the last 20 years seem to have flown by.
I was living high on the hog… traveling to some of the most exotic locations on earth.
Yeah, everything was great... except... I was still missing a piece of the puzzle. Because although I had a nice income, I still had the same stress I had when I was making 10 bucks an hour.
You see, when you start making huge amounts of money, your lifestyle changes. For example, before my income shot up I'd plan a vacation and set aside, let's say, $5,000. That would cover the airfare, hotel and leave some spending money. Nowadays, that $5,000 barely covers airfare. I can count on spending $20,000 now for a short weekend getaway!
Not that my personality has changed. I still like grabbing a plate of chicken wings and chugging a cold beer at the local Bar's. I still spend some evenings sitting out in the dark Las Vegas nights, or tearing down I-15 at 100 mph... the same things I would have done 20 years ago.
The difference is that now I've become accustomed to a new income level, and I spend a lot more money. Trust me on this -- it will happen to you too, once your income goes to the next level.
Keep in mind, I've never spent beyond my means… I could have done twice as much as I have so far and still have a huge bank account.
So What Was My Problem?
It was simple… I wasn't building wealth! I had a huge income but I also had an expensive lifestyle to keep up.
You see, regardless of how confident you are, your subconscious mind will play tricks on you. For example, even if you start making a million bucks a year, you'll start to think like this… "Well, now I owe Uncle Sam $400,000… my house payment is at $6,000 a month… the car is another $3,000 a month… a vacation will set me back about $30,000..." etc., etc. When you look at it that way, the million bucks you earned doesn't look like much anymore. Which throws your subconscious into a 'fearful' mindset.
So how do you get around that kind of destructive thinking and still live the good life? It's easy:
You Invest For The Future.
That's it! I'll tell you, when I started investing for the long-term, my life changed dramatically. Everything I did became carefree; I took jobs I wanted to do, not ones that I had to do, because I knew I had other investments making me money everyday without me having to do a thing.
Now the investing I'm talking about isn't 'buy and flip'… which can produce income fast, except you're going to pay 40% of that fast income to Uncle Sam, who will gladly take every penny of it. It's good for cash flow but won't cut it for the long term.
It's also not about putting your money in some stock or bond that barely keeps up with inflation, plus, with all the crooked CEO's out there and diminishing retirement accounts, that's one place I wouldn't want to put my money.
And last of all, it sure as hell isn't about buying single family homes and renting them out for cash flow. I guess that's fine if you have all the time in the world and 40 years until you retire... but for most of us there just isn't enough time in the day to make this pay off.
So... What Do You Do?
Well, I’m not a financial advisor so I can't give you advice... but... I can tell you what I do.
Simply put, I invest in Concert Productions.
If you're not familiar with concert production investing, it's really rather simple. You invest in a concert 30 - 45 days out and reap the benefits.
Why on earth would you want to do that? That's exactly what I thought... until I looked closely at the numbers many years ago:
a. You don't have to get a mortgage… no banks, no credit checks… no hassles. The deal closes in one day!
b. You don't have to make any monthly payments, which means more money to invest... bringing bigger returns!
c. You don't have to pay any real estate taxes… that saves you thousands of dollars.
d. You don't have to deal with tenants. If you're a landlord, you already know what I'm talking about...if you're not, well -- just be GLAD you're not!
e. You only get hit with a 10 to 15% income tax versus 40%. It's a lot easier to build wealth when the government isn't talking almost half!
f. You get built-in investment discounts! It’s a no-brainer!
g. Best of all, you can make a truckload of money fast! I'm talking $100,000… $250,000… yes, even $1,000,000.00 off a single concert! It doesn't take but a few deals like this to become very wealthy!
Before you start counting all your millions in profits, I'll tell you up front that this opportunity isn't for everyone. In fact, only about 30% of you reading this will be able to do this because it requires a special type of investor:
1. A special person who has already paid his or her dues and is looking for a passive yet safe way to add to their wealth in a short amount of time.
2. A special person who's been investing a while who wants to contribute their opinions and wisdom to other like-mined people with the same goals, while building an empire for themselves and their families.
3. A special person who knows making 4-5% a year on their money will not leave them financially free, and wants to bring back the excitement and hope that a new investment strategy will bring.
Now, if you're not at this point…don't sweat it. Keep flipping and doing other things and eventually you'll get there. You have to start somewhere.
But for those sophisticated investors who want to rise to the next level -- this is something you need to investigate if you have the available funds and want a proven path to.
REAL Wealth… Really FAST!
The project I'm talking about is Michael Burton Productions.
That's hundreds of thousands and yes, even millions of dollars in profits off of Concert Production.
It’s a perfect investment for the busy professional who wants to grab their share of the massive returns these types of projects can bring, yet doesn't have the necessary time to do all the endless research, negotiations and hours of work required... because I do it all for you.
So How Can You Get Into This Exclusive Club?
Well until now, you simply couldn't get into any group like this unless you were already a well-known concert promoter or you personally knew me, Michael Burton Sr.
First off, you will need about $80,000 of liquid capital to invest. This covers the cost of your buying in on the project.
Remember -- this is half of what it would cost you to do this on your own.
But There Is A Catch...
This is your backstage pass into the hush-hush world of concert promoting. You'll be shocked and amazed when you see how much money you can make.
There's so much more I want to tell you, but due to the confidentiality of this type of investment, I simply have to end it here.
But if you think you have what it takes to take part in this investment and have the proper funds, then I need you to contact me in the links provided -- I mean, like, right now! I'll instantly receive it in my private email account, give it the once-over and then contact you.
-- so this is about as exclusive as it gets.
Hope to see you at the end of the month!
Michael Burton Sr.
"What Is An Investor?"
Someone Who Invests!
A person, company, or other organization that has money invested in something, especially one that holds stock in publicly owned corporations.
The portfolio of an investor commonly includes a variety of assets that balance the rewards and risks of each investment. An investor is distinguished from a speculator, who seeks to make quick, large gains from price increases on risky assets. Generally, an investor has a longer time horizon for achieving a return, which may include regular cash payments from the income the asset generates, capital appreciation from the rise in the asset price, or both. A young investor tends to buy assets with price appreciation potential, because a 25-year-old investor has many years for the asset to appreciate before the funds are needed for retirement. An older, retired investor ordinarily seeks income and thus wants assets that offer regular cash payments.
What Is an Investor-Ready Business Plan?
Not all business plans are created equal. A plan for internal use will look drastically different from one you plan to submit to lenders. And one you will use to generate investor interest will be different still. If you will be sending your plan to potential investors, you need to tailor it to them. This is what is known as an "investor-ready" business plan.
An investor-ready business plan will tell venture capitalists and angel investors what they need to know to decide whether or not to invest in your company. To make your plan investor-ready, you will need to look at your plan through the eyes of the investors and address their concerns.
The investors, both VCs and Angels, are risking their hard-earned capital by investing in your venture in the hope of long-term returns worth many times their original investment. They will want to see a well-executed, investor-ready plan that demonstrates that you have a clear mission.
Here are some of the things your plan should address.
a. Management!
Investors invest in management — not ideas. Express your knowledge, passion, and dedication to your business as best as you can. The competence of your team, along with their experience levels and their commitment levels, are factors that investors look into before making their investment decisions.
b. Your product or Service.
Describe in detail the product or the services you will offer.
c. Customers!
Communicate to your potential investors that you understand the market for your Production.
Include a definitive description of your customers, market size, demographics, characteristics, growth prospects, trends, and sales potential per production City/State. You will also define your pricing strategies and describe how pricing will influence the growth potential of each Concert Production.
What Is An Angel Investor?
An Angel Investor or Angel (also known as a Business Angel or Informal Investor) is an affluent individual who provides capital for a business start-up, usually in exchange for convertible debt or ownership equity. A small but increasing number of angel investors organize themselves into angel groups or angel networks to share research and pool their investment capital.
Source and extent of funding Angels typically invest their own funds, unlike venture capitalists, who manage the pooled money of others in a professionally-managed fund. Although typically reflecting the investment judgment of an individual, the actual entity that provides the funding may be a trust, business, limited liability company, investment fund, etc.
The Harvard Report by William R. Kerr, Josh Lerner, and Antoinette Schoar tables evidence that angel-funded startup companies are less likely to fail than companies that rely on other forms of initial financing.
Angel Capital fills the gap in start-up financing between "friends and family" (sometimes humorously given the acronym FFF, which stands for "friends, family and fools") who provide seed funding, and venture capital. Although it is usually difficult to raise more than a few hundred thousand dollars from friends and family, most traditional venture capital funds are usually not able to consider investments under US$1–2 million. Thus, Angel Investment is a common second round of financing for high-growth start-ups, and accounts in total for almost as much money invested annually as all venture capital funds combined, but into more than ten times as many companies (US$26 billion vs. $30.69 billion in the US in 2007, into 57,000 companies vs. 3,918 companies).
Of the US companies that received Angel Funding in 2007, the average capital raised was about US$450,000. However, there is no “set amount” for angel investors, and the range can go anywhere from a few thousand, to a few million dollars. Software accounted for the largest share of angel investments, with 27 percent of total angel investments in 2007, followed by healthcare services, and medical devices and equipment (19 percent) and biotech (12 percent). The remaining investments were approximately equally weighted across high-tech sectors. Angel Financing, while more readily available than Venture Financing, is still extremely difficult to raise. However some new models are developing that are trying to make this easier. Many companies who receive Angel Funding are required to file a Form D with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Investment profile Angel investments bear extremely high risk and are usually subject to dilution from future investment rounds. As such, they require a very high return on investment. Because a large percentage of angel investments are lost completely when early stage companies fail, professional angel investors seek investments that have the potential to return at least 10 or more times their original investment within 5 years, through a defined exit strategy, such as plans for an initial public offering or an acquisition. Current 'best practices' suggest that angels might do better setting their sights even higher, looking for companies that will have at least the potential to provide a 20x-30x return over a five- to seven-year holding period. After taking into account the need to cover failed investments and the multi-year holding time for even the successful ones, however, the actual effective internal rate of return for a typical successful portfolio of angel investments is, in reality, typically as 'low' as 20-30%. While the investor's need for high rates of return on any given investment can thus make angel financing an expensive source of funds, cheaper sources of capital, such as bank financing, are usually not available for most early-stage ventures, which may be too small or young to qualify for traditional loans.
Profile of Investor Community
The term "angel" originally comes from Broadway where it was used to describe wealthy individuals who provided money for theatrical productions. In 1978, William Wetzel, then a professor at the University of New Hampshire and founder of its Center for Venture Research, completed a pioneering study on how entrepreneurs raised seed capital in the USA, and he began using the term "angel" to describe the investors that supported them.
Angel investors are often retired entrepreneurs or executives, who may be interested in angel investing for reasons that go beyond pure monetary return. These include wanting to keep abreast of current developments in a particular business arena, mentoring another generation of entrepreneurs, and making use of their experience and networks on a less-than-full-time basis. Thus, in addition to funds, angel investors can often provide valuable management advice and important contacts. Because there are no public exchanges listing their securities, private companies meet angel investors in several ways, including referrals from the investors' trusted sources and other business contacts; at investor conferences and symposia; and at meetings organized by groups of angels where companies pitch directly to investor in face-to-face meetings.
According to the Center for Venture Research, there were 258,000 active angel investors in the U.S. in 2007. According to literature reviewed by the US Small Business Administration, the number of individuals in the US who made an angel investment between 2001 and 2003 is between 300,000 and 600,000. Beginning in the late 1980s, angels started to coalesce into informal groups with the goal of sharing deal flow and due diligence work, and pooling their funds to make larger investments. Angel groups are generally local organizations made up of 10 to 150 accredited investors interested in early-stage investing. In 1996 there were about 10 angel groups in the U.S.; as of 2008, while there are no official statistics, data from the company that provides deal management services for the majority of organized Angel investors indicates there are over 300, with a roughly equal number in all other countries combined; these groups accounted for approximately 12,000 individual angel investors in 2008. The more advanced of these groups have full time, professional staffs; associated investment funds; sophisticated web-based platforms for processing funding applications; and annual operating budgets of well over US$250,000.
The past few years, particularly in North America, have seen the emergence of networks of angel groups, through which companies that apply for funding to one group are then brought before other groups to raise additional capital. The development of the Angelsoft network, connecting a majority of existing angel groups, has led to an increase in the syndication of investments among more than one group.
ADDRESSING THE INVESTOR
Thank you for your Interest
My e-book will detail what we expect to be a very profitable year with regard to the show packages we present at this time.
Our primary goal is to show a profit for the investor. Thus our productions over the 2011 - 2012 season will be geared toward the socially aware 30 to 60 year olds.
Another primary focus, in any venue city will be to utilize all of our marketing campaigns effectively, i.e. Radio, TV (when necessary), record store autographs, personal appearances, contest, etc.
I have worked to deliver some of the top R&B grossing shows in the Country over the past 40 years.
With my vast knowledge of pre & post productions, which of course includes logistics, I've worked hard to be the best that I can possibly be.
SHOWS THROUGHOUT 2011
Concerts start Valentine Day 2011 and run through September. We plan to average 2 - 4 shows per month, that's 16 shows doing two shows per month, or 32 shows doing four shows per month.
The frame below shows that of the 16 arenas only twelve have 10,000 seats, and of the 32 arenas only 28 have 10,000 or more.
As you can see, any potential estimate generates very good figures. As stated above, our primary goal is to show a profit for any investor. This is with a buy-in of only $80,000.00 in which we roll over the gross proceeds. Remember that description 'roll over'.
Here is where I will address the four-day Labor Day event. Our success is only as good as we make it. As you read on you will see that with preparations the gross cash potential is only limited by the work we agree to put into it, (television, percentage of CD sales, percentage of pay-per view, sales of t-shirts, caps, jerseys, all food items, sponsorships from major players such as airlines, bus services, video services, contest, our own 900 number, the list is as large as we make it).
The cost of preparing the Labor Day production comes from taking $ 30,000.00 from every concert we promote thru August of any given year.
One-year projections at best have been described here. We can continue for the unforeseeable future to provide quality shows around the Country.
As you read creating the show, it outlines how multiple artists are added and how the structure is put together for the show. How I described the buy-in to you by investing $80,000.00, would cut a three-act show investment of $150,000.00 in half, and increase the estimated gross potential. Having an opening act of local talent, or a named comedian does this. Although this depends on the City, we will provide what the City demands for a sold out show, allowing a possible second show to be added.
As you can see, any potential estimate generates very good figures. As stated above, our primary goal is to show a profit. With a buy-in of only $80,000.00 to $100,000.00, there is no limit to the number of shows we can promote. My contacts are of this caliber throughout the Industry. I can in most cases bypass Management Agencies also.
"Let's Take It To The Stage"
What Is Networking?
and "Why" is it so important to Michael Burton Productions?
Networking is the practice of gathering of contacts: the process or practice of building up or maintaining informal relationships, especially with people whose friendship could bring advantages such as investments for business opportunities.
Networking Essentials:
The art of networking has several essential aspects:
a. Meeting people who can be of help to you.
b. Collecting and updating contact info, like phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
c. Keeping in regular contact with those in your network.
d. Thanking people for their help.
e. Helping others when asked.
Networking is about building relationships, not just filling an address book with as many names and numbers as possible.
It is a two-way process where you make contacts that may be beneficial to you, but where you also offer information and assistance in return.
Networking should become a lifelong habit that you use throughout your career - and it can be relevant and useful outside of work too!
There are many skills that will make you an effective networker. If you have done any skills assessment exercises, you may have realised that you have some of them already. Here are some of the most important ones:
1. Listening skills.
2. Awareness of body language.
3. Able to present yourself positively.
4. Good questioning.
5. Conversational skills.
6. Able to build rapport.
7. Genuine interest in others.
8. Willingness to offer help as well as seek it out.
9. Ability to adapt your approach according to the person and situation.
10. Confidence without arrogance.
11. Willingness to push yourself out of your comfort zone.
12. Readiness to practise networking skills and to learn from your own mistakes as you go.
If you think of yourself as an introvert or you feel awkward talking to strangers, don’t panic. Networking is not just for the extroverts amongst us. You may prefer to do more 1-1 networking or when in groups, focus your attention on asking questions to get others talking first.
At the same time, remember that networking is a great opportunity for you to develop, so try to push the boundaries of your comfort zone by taking small but manageable risks with your networking from time to time.
All these networking skills have made Michael Burton Productions what it is today and the tomorrows to come....Without the networking connections their would be no Michael Burton Productions. With that stated I would like to say thank you to each an every one of you!!!!!!! Let Us Keep Connected.
This is an offer I'll make you think about. We all know very important people. Some of those special friends of ours are very special, so much in fact that you will only talk about them to other special friends or family. These very special friends have accumulated much wealth. To most of you that have read about or know about what it is I do, you may not be in the best of financial shape of your life. But there is still hope. You can’t give up, you won’t give up. I've done everything for everyone else myself, and I can’t give up either. This is where you come in, bring someone special to the table, I’ll give you $ 50,000.00 dollars the night of that Concert. We don't do heavy metal or rap!" We can satisfy any and all commitments.
"Lets Take It To The Stage".
RELATED ACHEIVEMENTS
Michael Burton (d.b.a.) Genesis 1 Productions, Inc. was established in 1974 in Richmond, Calif., its original concept was to provide musical entertainment for stage shows in night clubs, but quickly diversified due to the multi-faceted training of its founder. Developing stage shows and tours for Greater Bay Area Production & Development (HONEY RECORDS) of Oakland, Calif., joining forces with Harvey Fuqua, former head of talent for Motown Records. Of this collaboration came two albums buy the noted singer "Sylvester". This association produced two more albums; Arthur Adams' "Midnight Serenade" and the first gospel album "Rejoice", voices of St. Johns Baptist Church of Richmond, Calif.
In August 1975 the company promoted its first major concert featuring Soul Train recording artist "The Whispers". On the same show was an up an coming band called "Raw Soul" that I had promoted throughout the San Francisco Bay Area that featured the talents of singer Frankie Beverly. Signing a recording contract with Capitol Records and changing its name to "Maze featuring Frankie Beverly" a major success story was born.
In January 1976 I was chosen to handle stage and technicals for Maze featuring Frankie Beverly". We headed into the studio and recorded the classic album on the Capitol Records label "Maze featuring Frankie Beverly"; an extensive six- (6) month nationwide tour followed with the album going gold.
The 1977 year was a pivotal one for both the band and Michael Burton. The next album "Golden Time of Day" was of the times and the masses were ready. As stage manager Michael Burton demonstrated with ease how to handle logistics. Six weeks into the tour the album went gold.
In April 1978 after leaving the Band, I was given top honors in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area music circles as local boy does good. This opened the door to a variety of offers which included audio/video and film productions for advertising agencies, public relation firms and private industry. I was also able to design and implement marketing strategies, public relation activities which included advertising campaigns. We stepped behind the scenes as we became even more dedicated serving this part of the industry for nine years.
In 1989 Las Vegas was the next move where I continued to provide audio/video and concert/stage production services which contributed advertising, marketing and musical entertainment services to the industry to a degree. The future of my services is
without a doubt a highly profitable one. A service oriented highly motivated person with vast experience, ultimate diversity and a higher potential for unlimited growth.
In February 1995, after 5 years of gaming service I relocated to Buena Park, Calif., I added to my resume' a web design course, evident here.
September 1997, I head back to Las Vegas. Missed It. I am, with this website planning to tackle the stage once more. Another concert? The possibility looks good. Its just so many things left to do. But I have started. I have delivered some of the top money grossing artist & acts in the Las Vegas area over the past 18 years doing pre & post-productions. I have an opportunity to take it back to the stage. Instead of doing pre & post productions for the major promotion houses, I'm receiving more and more feedback from artist to go it alone. The monetary percentage has increased, which means my small percentage per show for pre or post productions has increased enormously, I owe no one.
Now the light is brighter, and I feel it's time.
2007 - I choose to leave Las Vegas for a much needed vacation/rest. I toured the United States without a band or crew, just me and the Bus, yes I drive. I visit as many States & Cities as I can. Six months or longer I travel. At the time it was a much needed break. You know the South has some beautiful sites, and some interesting places.
2008 - Music is what I do, so in the end the East Coast, particularly South Carolina is where I pulled over and parked, looked around & found a beautiful old style colonial home that will be used as my home/office.
Enjoy it on the next page.
Las Vegas has served me for many years, and although I still will use it for my West Coast Productions, South Carolina will serve as Michael Burton Productions' East Coast operations.
Effective creativity is my business specialty. I will take pride in my ability to provide and supervise every aspect of the production or entertainment service. Whether your needs are for complete productions or support, the work ethic my team brings will meet and satisfy any production requirement.
Now 2011, I have an opportunity to take it back to the stage as sole promoter with you as my investor.
Instead of going through the major promotion houses, I am receiving more and more calls from artist to go it alone. The monetary percentage has increased, which means my 6 to 12% per show for pre and post-productions has increased to 100%.
I've been promoting concerts for over 40 years. "I shy away from the aggressive, heavy stuff" although we are prepared for this type of production as well.
We don't do rap! "We target a slightly older demographic".
"Let's Take It To The Stage"
"INVESTOR SUMMARY"
After each show using the software below, I download from wherever we're at everything into the office server where you will be able to see the receipts from that night's ticket sale. Very comprehensive, it does everything.
Tourganizer® is a dedicated concert and tour management software available. Tourganizer® allows the tracking of all concert and tour specifics including, venue, air transportation, ground transportation, accommodations, per diem, advances, itineraries, guest lists, merchandise sales, and generates financial reports on individual dates, as well as entire tours.
Tourganizer® is the perfect choice for tour management professionals and touring bands looking for a tour management program that is both unique and comprehensive.
Remember, we do not use any cash.
"TALENT INTRODUCTION"
We will take awesome talent into the studio to record.
This Keyboard Player is where it starts.
Website Introduction, w/ Bio & Pictures.
Tentative CD title, "A Long Road Home".
Studio time available.
Produced by "Michael Burton Productions".
Distribution & Sales - 80 % "Michael Burton Productions".
Michael Burton Sr. & Kevin Burton
We will be able to add to the already life changing GROSS ESTIMATES stated here.
"PRODUCTION COST PROJECTIONS"
LABOR DAY EVENT
For many years I've had this dream. It's always the same. Lights, stage, music, lots of people, green grass, and lots of vendors.
Over the years this has taken on many faces. But finally I've found out what it meant.
"Soul, Style, Sass & Funk"
"4 Days Of Music, 50 Years of Soul"
My four day festival at Hyundai Pavilion, reminiscent of "WOODSTOCK" or the "WATTS STAX" 1972 Production, was the answer.
Hyundai Pavilion, in Devore, Calif., is by far the largest outdoor Amphitheater in the World with a capacity of nearly 80,000 people.
I've only showed estimated gross potential of the Pavilion with a capacity of 30,000 people, this being a realistic figure to show sales.
As a side note, with pay-per-view screening, it will give us a very large bargaining tool. In essence, every act, every label, every agent, will want to get their artist on the show.
The cost of preparing the Labor Day production comes from taking $ 30,000.00 from every concert we promote thru August 2011.
"How to Produce a Concert"
Selecting appropriate venues can be challenging but rewarding. The challenge lies in that there are a finite number of venues where one may play and an infinite number of other acts competing for those venues. The reward is realized when you begin to qualify the venues you choose to promote your show, in order to fulfill your commitment to reach the full potential goals of this production.
There is a different way of approaching booking.
Consider the following factors each time you approach booking a gig:
1. Know the audience/venue.
I think this is the overwhelmingly most important thing a promoter can do, understand and know their audience. When you know your audience, you are able to immediately determine whether one specific venue is right over another.
For example:
Is your audience more likely to be downloading songs from iTunes, Rhapsody, Real, or listening to NPR?
If you think you should be staging your production at the one and only club downtown that starts most shows at 11pm, and you've noticed your audience is generally between the ages of 25-50, your audience may not follow you into that venue. If on the other hand the age demographic of the audience is 17-25, then attempting to book yourself in the club downtown may be appropriate.
Consider the following factors:
Age
- A majority of people in the 25-50 age groups have considerations that influence their decisions for late night entertainment such as, family and children, early work days, availability of discretionary funds, desire for creature comforts like soft-seat theaters. Those in the 17-25 age group may not have those constraints. Late night start times may not impact their day schedule as much. They also may not be as concerned with seating or a non-smoking environment.
Time
- If late night production starts impact you and your ability to be at your best, certain venues may be wrong for you. If your audience is more of the 8pm crowd, they just won't be there for the second show starting at midnight. If there is such demand, do a second night rather than two shows on the same night. Perhaps schedule a matinee or early evening show and then a 8pm show later the same day.
Types of Room
- Are your potential customers accustomed to standing for a show or sitting? If your potential customers are used to sitting for shows and people know that a particular venue never provides seats, your audience won't appreciate seeing your show there and ticket sales will slump. If, in your attempt to play a bigger, hip venue, but your audience is not used to seeing your type of show in that type of venue, you may also lose sales.
As the promoter you must understand your chosen act's audience.
I will not do hip hop or rap.
Knowing your audience can influence the type of venue in which you chose to promote any show. I will use pollstar.com to check my venue data, and my Radio Station Guide to pinpoint the station to contact for advertising.
If your audience is of the soft-seat theater variety, you must use a similar tactic of selecting the right theaters.
2. Where do you want to promote?
You must determine the best space to present the music you're permoting according to your goals and comfort level. This pre-determination helps eliminate a lot of unnecessary phone calls, then you can concentrate on the appropriate venues according to your goals, your audience and your preferences.
Details to consider:
1. Capacity
- are you ready for the room? Is the room too large or too small? Have you ever sold out a room that size? Prior to calling a venue, research the venues by using some of the available directories such as Pollstar's Concert Directory or Club Directory; Musician's Atlas; Billboard's Musician's Guide to Touring and Promotion or many of the online gig directories.
Each of these directories will list the venue, address, phone, email, contact, capacity, type of music presented and submission policies. By evaluating each venue before calling, you may determine which ones will suite your acts and which ones are just not right.
2. Stage Size
- Often this may not matter. In some instances, knowing this information when you begin discussions with the booking person may help you decide if you can fit your entire six piece group with drum kit, keyboards and all the other players comfortably on stage or not. If you can't fit your act, and the stage configuration is not flexible, then this venue may be wrong for you. Always keep in mind that you want a situation to showcase your act at its best. Move on to another venue when you run into an insurmountable obstacle. Try not to compromise the integrity of the performance.
3. Technical Requirements
- If you bring your own sound, lights and engineer and the venue will accommodate you, then you are set in most rooms. If, however, you require sound and lights to be provided for you, checking the specifications offered by the venue can also be an important qualifying factor. If the venue does not have most or all of your required equipment, will they rent what's necessary at their expense?
4. Budget and Fee
- I believe you understand the fact that known acts get better fees and unknown acts have to build a track record of ticket sales in order to have more leverage to command higher guarantees and more advantageous percentages.
5. Box Office and Ticket Outlets
- Is there a box office where one may purchase tickets in advance. Does the venue use outside ticket venders? If the venue uses local business to sell their tickets, are these familiar and easily accessible to your audience. Are phone reservations possible? Knowing this will give you some advance indication of how the show is selling. This can give you some sense of how the advance promotion is going and you can work with the venue to increase the promotion when advance ticket sales are slow.
6. Door Sales
- When there are no box office sales, then tickets are usually sold at the door. Who collects the money? Does the venue provide a door person to collect the money or can you provide your own person?
In many situations, having someone working for you at the door that you trust can mean a great difference in the amount of money you make. You get to determine who is a guest and who is not. If you are unable to insist on your own door person, make sure you can have your own person at the door checking the count.
7. Advertising and Promotion
- What kinds of advertising does the venue do? What is the advertising budget for each act or for your show(s)? Many rooms only place strip ads in the local papers in the entertainment section that comes out once a week. Will your act get enough attention by this means of advertising? Is the venue willing to do more? What other forms of promotion can you expect?
When you approach your bookings with this method of evaluating each venue, you are once again making your determination by using facts rather than feelings, research rather than impetuousness.
Just as each venue booking person will attempt to qualify you and determine whether you are right to perform in their room, the same will go for any auditorium, conference room or stadium.
You now have some tools to equalize the process and be pro-active rather than reactive. Qualifying each venue will save you time, effort and money and boost your career to the next desired level. GOOD LUCK.
Michael Burton Sr.
"Let's Take It To The Stage"
"A PERSONAL MESSAGE"
Lets close this out with this personal message:
If you've attended concerts over the years, and possibly imagined what these thousands of people paying this money added up to, you're about to find out. I've been in this business a very long time, and because of paying customers I've enjoyed all these 45 years in the "BUSINESS". THANK YOU ALL.
I am also well known because of My Team & My Productions.
Consequently, as a responsible Promoter, I operate a strict policy. It is for that reason that I am closing with this message...
If you are genuinely interested in making money from the doing Concerts, this overview of how it is done might solidify your opinion and help you find what you're looking for.
I will be using this as a theme as we travel together into the world of Concert Productions.
This UNIQUE opportunity may, indeed, be right for you, which is why I'd like offer you a chance to find out more.
This is not a whole new concept; promoters have been doing it for years. Not only that - a majority of them are filthy rich.
With very little effort, you can jump into overdrive and take the giant leap forward that you've been searching for.
That's not hype - it's Fact!
And in addition, you'll be getting a chance to see and travel the whole of the United States doing Concert Productions.
No puff. No smoke. No mirrors! Just Hi-Way.
Sincerely;
Michael Burton Sr.
"GET ON BOARD"
"LETS TAKE IT TO THE STAGE"
1991 40ft GOLDEN EAGLE ENTERTAINER - TURBO DIESEL BUS"
"It Feels Good"
What would a Michael Burton Production look like?
What would a Michael Burton Production look like?
How would it be produced?
I would suggest an outside event with sponsorships from vendors, i.e., radio, food, community based organizations, homeless shelters, banks, realtors, and many more in any venue city.
How many bands?
8000 – 12,000 seats - up to four acts.
6000 – 8000 seats - two to three acts.
Who?
We have many acts we can choose from, however, who ever we choose must have the potential to sell that show out.
Michael Burton Sr.
"Let's Take It To The Stage"
Michael Burton Productions Video Conference Website
Michael Burton Productions has taken Michael Burton Sr., CEO & Founder around the World, doing pre & post productions since 1974.
Traveling and meeting with potential investors and angel investors that also included performers across the Country while creating Live Concerts Productions. Rewarding in itself as well as having its disappointments and setbacks, and leaving little time for loved ones (family & friends), their had to be another means of resolving this for his time on the road with all the traveling and their was.
Finally, "Video Conferencing and Webcams". Interactive video conferencing, that allows you to see and hear people at multiple sites in real time. Indeed, this was the way of bringing everything and everyone together, cutting expenses to less than half the cost.
You can purchase your NEW webcam just by clicking on the link below and it ships directly to you.
Copy and paste this address into your browser.
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Product Description on Page 52.
Product Description:
12 Mega Pixel USB Webcam with Microphone/Snapshot
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•Frame Rate: 30 frame/second.
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System requirements:
IBM PC or compatible PC or laptop with USB ports.
Pentium 200 or higher CPU.
Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/VISTA(32 bit) Windows 7(32 bit).
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Michael Burton Sr.
Michael Burton Productions
Impressum
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 16.04.2011
Alle Rechte vorbehalten
Widmung:
To everyone who has asked the question......"How to Produce or Promote a Concert".