Frequently Asked Questions
I want to bring in an artist, but I have never done anything like this before. Where do I Start?
The first place to start is in prayer. Seek direction on which artist would be the best fit for your event. If you are planning to do a concert and selling tickets to the public, then you want to consider an artist that is well known within your community. Do your homework by getting feedback from your local Christian Radio station and Christian bookstores to determine which artists are most requested in your area. If you are planning a 'built-in' event, you will want to evaluate what you want to accomplish through your event and which artists would help you accomplish those goals. For example, if you are looking for someone to lead corporate worship for an event, there are certain artists that are called to that. If you are looking to do a youth oriented event, perhaps a rock band would make more sense. If you are not sure which artists would best fit your situation, your GOA Agent would be happy to help you.
Now that I have picked the artist, what do I do?
Once you have clarity on which artist is the right fit for your event and have spoken with your GOA Agent to determine availability and pricing, the next step is to submit an official offer via our website. Before you do this, there are a few questions you need to consider: 1 - Are you authorized or in a position to make a financial obligation on your organizations behalf? 2 – Do you have to obtain permission from a board or committee? 3 – Have you confirmed in writing with the venue that will host your event? 4 - Are you depending on ticket sales to pay for the event? 5 - How will you pay for the event if the turn out is less than expected?
Once you have answered these questions, and feel you are ready to submit an offer, go to our online offer page and complete the offer form.
What happens after I submit my offer online?
Once you have submitted the online offer, we will submit the offer to artist management for their acceptance. It normally takes 24-36 hours to process your offer and 3-5 days for management to review your offer. For the entire process, please allow up to 1 business week. Circumstances can arise that may cause a delay in receiving an answer from artist management. In these cases, your GOA Agent will be in touch with you throughout the process.
How will I know when the artists' management has approved my date?
If your date is accepted by artist management, you will receive a call from GOA. The contract will soon follow via email from our Contract Administrator.
How do I approach my local Christian radio station about coming on board and sponsoring the event?
Our first suggestion is to approach them before you do anything. Support from your local Christian radio station is vital in hosting a successful concert. Talk to the person who heads up all the promotions for that specific radio station. This is usually the Program Director or in some cases the General Manager. When you establish who it is, approach them with the following idea.
Official sponsor of the event - This means, where it looks like the event is brought to you by (_____) radio and (your org.). What's in it for them? It looks and feels like their event, they can have an emcee at the event, their logo goes on all printed material, and if necessary, as a last resort to get them on board, offer them $0.50-$1.00 off of every ticket sold. What's in it for you? Radio presence that you probably could not buy, discounted or free radio Ads, hopefully a very successful show.
Are their companies that supply mailing lists that I can purchase?
There are two companies that we would recommend. American Church Lists – (888)733-1812 – www.americanchurchlists.com OR Williams Direct – (800)830-9002 – www.churchladies.com
Who do I call to obtain promotional material?
GOA has some promotional materials on the Promotional Tools page of our website. If you don't find what you need there, look through your artist's rider that was sent with your contract. It should contain information on how to obtain promotional materials. If not, contact the respective artist's management and they will let you know how to obtain all promotional material.
If I want to set up an on-air interview to help in advertising my show, who do I call?
Look through your artist's rider and call their manager. They will set it up or tell you how to proceed in scheduling an artist interview.
How do I set up an in-store appearance with the artist I am bringing in for my event?
First approach your local Christian bookstore and see if they would allow you to do this. 90% of the time they will agree. It helps them while it helps you. Next, look through your artist's rider and call their manager. They will set it up or tell you how to proceed in scheduling an in-store appearance.
I have not heard my commercial on the radio, what do I do?
This is not un-common. So don't panic. First thing you need to do is contact your radio station that is advertising your event and request a spot log. This log tells you the exact time the commercial will be playing. Listen at those times. If you do not hear your commercial then, call the Program Director and bring it to his attention.
Ticket sales are sluggish, what do I do?
First, we would ask you to review the Promoter Your Concert section of our website and make sure you have covered these suggestions. If there are elements you have not covered, implement them immediately. Also, call your GOA Agent! Our agents have over 40 years combined experience with concerts and are more than willing to analyze the situation and help find solutions to get things back on track.
What is a venue?
A venue is just another name for the building or place to have your event. (i.e. church, local High School gym, municipal auditorium in your area) Note: When you are looking for a venue for your possible event, ask about cost, union labor costs, Insurance and any type of extra fees they might have. (i.e. merchandise fees, restoration fees, etc.)
What is a merchandise fee?
Most of your bigger auditoriums and theaters have a 10-25% merchandise fee that they charge on all merchandise sold in their facility. This is where at the end of the night, the venue expects their percentage of all merchandise sold on their premises. This is standard, but is sometimes negotiable.
What is a restoration fee?
This is just another way the bigger venues make money off of their events. This is where they charge you anywhere from $0.25 up to $0.75 for every person that comes in their facility for your show.
What does percentage of net or back end split mean?
A percentage of the net or back end split basically means that after you pay for all your expenses on hosting that artist or client, that you and the artist will take the profit and get a percentage or split of it. The amounts range from 80/20, 70/30, 60/40 to 50/50.
What does a vs. Gross deal mean?
This means that you take all monies that the event grossed (not profited) and split it. You do not take your expenses out and then split the money. That is a percentage of net or back end split deal. The amounts range from 50/50 to 80/20.
Will any of your artists do a benefit concert?
If you would like an artist to come and perform a benefit for your organization, you must submit a letter to that specific artists management. Fax all letters to GOA, Inc. @ (615)376-4515-9990.
Why can't the artist come for a love offering?
Each of the artists we represent have various facets of their ministry, which have monthly financial requirements that must be met. Therefore we have set honorariums established for each artist so that they can budget accordingly.
Can you send me a CD on all of your artists to see who we like?
The quickest and easiest way to se which artist you think will meet the needs of your event is to look at their specific bios online and listen to their online song selections that are available. At that time, if you narrow it down to 2-3 specific artists, call or email your GOA representative and have him send you a complete project on those specific artists.
Which copy of the contract do I send back?
When you send back your signed contract, make sure that all 3 copies are signed and send them back along with the deposit check.
After I receive the contract in the mail, how soon do I need to send it back?
Once you receive the contract, you need to sign it and send it back within 2 weeks of its issue date not the date you received it. If for some reason you cannot meet this commitment, let your GOA representative know.
How much do I need for the deposit?
GOA's company policy, unless agreed upon beforehand between you and your responsible agent, is 50% of the Artists honorarium. It is to be sent in with all 3 copies of your signed contract.
I have lost my contract. What do I do?
If you have misplaced your contract and cannot find it, please contact GOA immediately. A new one will be re-issued and mailed to you.
If I have problems with the artist rider, who do I call?
Please call management with all rider issues and/or questions. Their phone number should be found on the rider itself.
If I cancel the date, do I get my deposit back?
Your deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel the date within 60 days, you must pay the artist the full amount that they would have received if they played the date.
If I have to change the venue of my show, what do I do?
If for some odd reason you do have to change the venue, you need to call GOA immediately. Our agency will submit the proper forms to let management and the artist know. NOTE: If you are doing ticket sales and percentages, you need to keep in mind seating capacity. No manager wants to go from a 1000 seat venue to 500 seat venue, if they are doing some sort of percentage on the back end. Also, do not change the venue less than 30 days out from your date. This creates mass confusion and will affect your attendance and ticket sales.
If I have to move my date, what do I do?
If you have to move your date due to unforeseen events or circumstances, you need to do the following: 1 - Touch base with your church or event calendar and pick a date. 2 - Call your local radio stations and other churches in the area to make sure that no had anything planned or other concerts coming in on the new date that you have selected. 3 - Contact your GOA representative immediately with the new date.