In the music industry, competition isn’t just for gigs but for agents as well. “Agents basically work for free until they get commissioned on a show,” says Bud Anderson, founder of InHouseBooking.com. “So it’s hard to invest in a brand-new artist.”

Anderson, 34, created InHouseBooking.com as a sister company to Prince SF, the agency he already owned that couldn’t handle all the talent coming its way. His new company takes a different approach, allowing artists to hire agents to make cold calls, pitching their acts for $1.50 per call. At the end of the minimum 100-call run, the artist gets a color-coded spreadsheet detailing each call and contact information. It’s more than telemarketing, Anderson explains–bands still face a strict review process, but the shortened relationship allows more talent through the door.

Startup was simple. With the agency infrastructure already in place, Anderson paid $50 for a web domain and programmed the site himself. He opened separate phone lines and a bank account, and he hired three agents. As IHB’s business jumped–from sales of $175,000 in 2004 to $500,000 for 2005–the agency expanded into larger offices and hired additional staff.

http://www.inhousebooking.com