Create a budget, which will provide information on how much money you will need, including feeding and housing the tour staff.
Determine the number of tour dates and corresponding venues where you want to perform. You must know where your band is popular, so that you can perform in areas where tickets are likely to sell. A lesser budget will mean a smaller, regional tour at more intimate locations such as clubs and amphitheaters. A larger budget can afford you a national tour that hits many big cities throughout the country.
Contact the operators of clubs, auditoriums and other venues to book your shows. You can buy music phone book references online that list thousands of contacts to help you book shows. Some venues may request a CD or sample of your work.
Make a rehearsal schedule so that you can refine and practice your musical set. With many tours, it is nearly impossible to find time to practice and work out arrangements, especially on newer songs, so a pre-tour rehearsal schedule is vital.
List the items you will sell at venues to earn additional money. If the band is not well-known, CDs, EPs, T-shirts and other kinds of memorabilia are essential for promotion and income purposes.