Publicity tips for bands and musicians
Here are some good publicity tips for bands and musicians.
So you belong to a band, you've just written a bunch of great songs, cut a cd, and have a ton of shows scheduled, but nobody is buying your music and nobody comes to hear you play. Making it in the music business, whether your goal is national, international, or even just local, is a result of a lot of work, a lot of creativity, and dedication. There are thousands of bands out there; you have to make yours stand out, and you have to make sure that people hear your music. The following are some publicity tips for bands and musicians that will help you get noticed, and will help you keep and gain fans and exposure.
1. Wait until you are ready.
If you're not ready to perform live, then don't. If your songs aren't ready for that cd, don't record it. No matter how well you advertise yourself, if people buy your cd and it's terrible, they aren't going to buy your next one. If people come to your show and you're an unrehearsed mess, they aren't going to give you another chance. With so many bands out there, why should they wait around until you figure things out? Wait until you are ready.
2. Put together your press kit carefully.
The press kit is what you send to all of the radio show hosts, magazine and newspaper writers, and reporters that you want to play, write, and talk about your music. If you are going to stand out from all of the other bands who send in press kits, plan yours carefully. This is an important publicity tip for bands and musicians. Press kits consist of a bio, several good photos, a summary of shows and achievements, a summary of favorable reviews and articles, maybe a few lyric sheets, show dates, and a recording of some of your songs. The most important thing to remember when putting together your press kit is to be concise! Include your contact info on every item. Your bio, or artist overview, needs to be to the point and informative. Finally, you need to make sure that you have a little something extra in there to make you stand out. Include your personality, but make sure that it doesn't overwhelm your presentation. Adding a few brightly colored items is a good idea, and including some trademark artwork will also make you appear organized, professional, and inventive.
3. Use your fans.
Use your fan club. Ask them to work the street: provide buttons, flyers, and posters for them to pass out in their community, especially before you play a show. If you're traveling, you need field staff to prepare the area before you arrive. This is an important publicity tip for musicians and bands.
4. Use the internet.
Make yourself available. Using the net will spread your fan base across the world, and will help you when you need to publicize in a particular area. Design your website carefully, and make some of your songs available for download. Involve yourself in net radio, live web casting, chat rooms. Don't forget webzines!
5. Provide merchandise.
Hand out buttons at shows. Make bumper stickers and pass them out for free. Doing so equals free, roaming publicity for bands and musicians. When you can afford to do so, provide t-shirts and other products. Fans love to display their devotion; enable them.
6. PROMOTE PROMOTE PROMOTE!
Nobody will know about your shows and cds if you don't get the word out! Try flyers with tear-off bottoms so that people can carry the information away with them. On all flyers and posters, make sure that you provide all the information necessary: directions, websites, time, date, address. Hold contests for fans to participate in as a way of generating more excitement in your band and better ideas for your own publicity as a band or musician. Send your press kit to every radio station that plays your genre of music. Don't forget local, independent stations, as they are usually the ones most willing to experiment with local bands. Play at battle of the bands events, and get to know your local college campus well.
