Advance Person Jobs

About This Music Career

Before a tour begins, it is the Advance Person who leaves and arrives before others to make sure that everything is set up as planned, which includes checking to make sure posters and billboards are up. The Advance Person might also deliver press packages, photos, and promotional copies of albums to the press and promoters in each concert city. Before the Sound Technician arrives, the Advance Person checks the acoustics of the concert venue, and might make sure there are enough electrical outlets available for set up.

Other things the Advance Person checks are seating set up and venue entrances and exists. The Advance Person might also measure road mileage and check road routes between concert cities, while also seeing what types of transportation options are available in each city. This type of information is then relayed back to the Tour Manager, Tour Coordinator, or Management office so they can plan accordingly. It is common for certain acts to have large fan clubs that organize certain vents and parties in honor of their favorite act coming to town. In such situations, the Advance Person might get in contact with the fan club president to deliver press passes and memorabilia.

To be a successful Advance Person, an individual must be dependable, responsible, and thorough. They are essentially on their own to structure their day in a way that everything that needs to be done will be accomplished. In addition, this individual must be personable and articulate, as much of their job involves talking to people about the concert tour, etc. The Advance Person essentially represents the artist that he or she is working for, so it's imperative they have an outstanding work ethic. They must like travel, and should not mind being on their own for most of the time.

The Advance Person answers to the Management Booking Agency, or act that hired the Advance Person for his or her services.

Salaries
Salaries depend on the group or management team with which the Advance Person is working, and range from $25,000 to $48,000 plus per year. The Advance Person always receive a per diem for travelling expenses or a reimbursement for any expenses incurred. In terms of pay schedule, the Advance Person is usually paid by the week for the time that they work. During weeks that they are not on the road, the Advance Person might have a reduction in salary, no salary, or kept on a retainer.

Employment
Employment prospects for the Advance Person position are poor. It is becoming quite common for many management firms to just overnight materials that need to be delivered, while making phone calls to obtain information.

Advancement
An Advance Person has the opportunity to eventually become a Tour Manager or even a Tour Coordinator, depending on the type of organization with which he or she is working. The Advance Person can look to increase their salary by working with bigger, more prestigious acts.

Education and Training

The Advance Person does not need a formal education to perform their job. However, they will probably be required to have a driver's license. An Advance Person will often be required to hold a driver's license. They most likely will also need to possess a clean driving record.

Experience, Skills, and Personality
Travel is a must, so the Advance Person must like travel, and should not mind doing so alone. The Advance Person might have experience in other areas of the entertainment industry. They must be very organized, responsible, dependable, personable, articulate, and efficient.

Last, but not least, the Tour Publicist must maintain a list of national media contacts to call upon while his or her client is on tour.

Unions and Associations
There is no major association specific to Advance People.

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