TOUR MANAGEMENT:10 REASONS WHY IT’S NOT ALL

MONEY & GLORYA Promo Rockstars Publication

Written by Edwin J. Goitia

#1: THE ROAD BECOMES YOUR HOME

• Sleeping in the car is normal.

• Truck stop showers? Sure!

• Gas Stations = Five Star Restaurants

• Hotel Room Service

• Exercise Wherever You Are

• WalMart/Home Depot=You Will Visit All The Time!

#2: YOU HAVE TO BE FINANCIALLY SAVVY

• Party all the time=Broke

• Save where you can, walk away from your tour with savings!

• Keep track of your spending!

• Don’t use too much credit, unless you know you can pay it off monthly!

• Have one hobby to enjoy and splurge on (to stay sane).

#3: WHAT 8 HOUR DAYS? MORE LIKE 24

• Brand’s Objectives=Your 24 Hr Day

• Commitment you sign up for is anything happens, you take care of it, 24/7

• Every tour is different, but you must be willing to drop relaxation for taking care of last-minute emergencies.

• Even if it means getting up in the middle of the night, or doing things after a long work-day, this is the reality.

• You have to live every day as if every hour, you’re on the clock.

#4: SLEEP IS NO LONGER

• Your sleep schedule will be all out-of-whack.

• Sleep when/where you can (quantity over quantity, instead of vice-versa)

• Bags under your eyes is expected.

• Lots of caffeine and water!

• You will have many moments, where you remember something else you forgot to do, just as you’re about to call it a night.

• To improve quality of sleep, invest in sleep mask, and a white-noise machine.

#5: BE PREPARED FOR DISASTERS

• Last-minute disasters/fixes are common.

• Accidents happen.

• You’re expected to be quick and resolve issues as they arrive (around the clock).

• Make sure you can handle high-stress, unpredictable situations with a level-head. If not, you will not last long, or worse, get fired.

• First step during crises: Calm down, breath, and figure out the next step.

• Second step: Present a solution quickly and act on it right away.

• Third Step: Get in touch with company, to let them know of situation, proposed solution, get final approval (if necessary), and move!

• Fourth Step: Resolve issue(s) as fast as possible and communicate with client/marketing agency on status and results.

• Document, document, document: photos, reports, quotes, videos, everything you can do to back yourself up and protect your job and reputation. Also, companies will need documentation.

#6: RELIABLE STAFF? PFF!

• Don’t expect staff to always show up.

• Be ready to be proactive and staff friends to cover for you last-minute when pre-scheduled staff doesn’t show up.

• Always have backups.

• Don’t be surprised when staff questions you or disappears on their breaks.

• Be prepared to fire people, whenever necessary.

• Network as much as possible, as to always have backup options available.

#7: FORGET MANICURES!

• Your poor hands and nails!

• Use work gloves as much as possible.

• You’re expected to life heavy objects and move things around all day.

• Carry sanitizer, hand wipes, etc at all times.

• Don’t get your nails done right before setup/activation/breakdown. You’ll be wasting your money.

• Get ready for cuts, scrapes, and burns.

#8: GET READY TO GET DIRTY

• Use old clothes for setups.

• You may ruin some clothes in the process.

• Tour Manager Life=No place for a diva.

• Again, carry paper towels, wipes, etc.

• Always carry extra clothes, socks, shoes (especially in the case of intermittent weather).

• Carry trash bags and grocery bags for soiled clothing, shoes.

• Carry extra body spray, cologne/perfume, and even car fresheners for those extra strenuous setup days.

#9: MALNUTRITION

• Prepare for days where so many things go wrong, you barely eat (or you just forget).

• Pack lots of snacks all the time.

• Some days you will over-do it and feel the effects of it.

• You can never have too many backup snacks, sandwiches, salads.

• Keep your hotel fridge stocked (for those long days where you don’t have time or feel like going out).

• Invest in a travel-sized shaker or blender for making quick smoothies and green drinks.

• Buy vitamins and B12 for natural energy on the road.

#10: SORRY I MISSED YOUR CALLS!

• You will miss lots of calls/texts/emails.

• Some people won’t hear back from you as often (such as family/friends).

• You will be busier than ever in your life (in most cases)

• Try using Google Voice to get voicemails in a readable format, and redirect calls from your cell phone (so that your phone is not blowing up while you are working events)-For family/friends, not for marketing agency.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

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