Contests
I've been digging around and found an interesting one running right now. EMI Records (Canada) has a contest going right now and artists can win a single produced and marketed by EMI. I thought I would put a few up there and see what happens, you never know right.
You can always get feed back from contests. look for them all over the place. just make sure your not giving away the farm and all your rights to the song or songs you enter. It would suck if you had a hit song and never see a penny from it because you gave it away.
Have fun and always be on the look out for any way you can get you music out there. you never know what can happen.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Saturday, December 4, 2010
WebSite and Email
Advertising part 3
Web sites and email
The next step in advertising your music and shows is email, mailing lists, and web site. With web sites some hunting on line you can find fairly cheap web hosting and web site building programs. One thing I would suggest is to a program and the tools to collect email addresses so you can build a mailing list. Some will have templates and simple lay outs for you to follow to make it easy to start out. Mailing lists can be a very helpful and useful tool when trying to spread the word you have a show coming up in an area, or a new CD on the way.
You want to have some basic stuff always in these email messages to your fan base. Things like a band photo or logo, web site address, and simple basic things like up coming shows.
The information in your emails should always reflect what is on your web site. Write in a simple quick to read format or style. To much chit chat and the reader will move on. One or two paragraphs to get your information out there is all you need. Things like hey we have a show coming up, or a CD release party, a new T shirt design ready to go, are all you really need. Don't over load the ready with non critical information like Joey just changed his bass strings while Fred was painting his drum sticks. These extras take away from a professional feel and make you seem to the reader less of a up and coming band but more like a group of garage wanna Be's.
Secondary stuff can be further down in an email like an over all list of up coming shows, recent press quotes, or if your song has played on radio and a few fun things like a video shoot coming up.
With some templates you can try and mirror your web sites visual look. This helps make you look a little more professional and help show an over all band style.
For a web site there are lots of places advertising services and there are a lot of free sites you can also use. There are more and more features the free sites are offering these days. You may want to start out this way to save your budget at first. The free sites also have payed upgrades and premium services you can later buy into. Places like Reverbnation , Purevolume , New Artist Radio, Noisehead and about 100 more if you go hunting. Most of them have the basics to get you going and premium services for a price. You can also with a lot of these sites link them together so that updates can show up across the board. You can also link in things like Twitter and Face book. This will help you build a better on line look and presence.
Another simple and free way to go is building a blog. Places like Blogger.com and Word Press can have you up and running in no time. They have a few templates you can use as well for a look and other add on's you can place through each page.
Once you have a site set up the next part is getting the word out. So when your putting up fliers, handing out hand bills and stickers. make sure everything have your web site address on it. Think of all these things like business cards, use them to get people to go to the web site for more information. once you get people logging on to your site make sure you keep the information and content up to date.
Web sites and email
The next step in advertising your music and shows is email, mailing lists, and web site. With web sites some hunting on line you can find fairly cheap web hosting and web site building programs. One thing I would suggest is to a program and the tools to collect email addresses so you can build a mailing list. Some will have templates and simple lay outs for you to follow to make it easy to start out. Mailing lists can be a very helpful and useful tool when trying to spread the word you have a show coming up in an area, or a new CD on the way.
You want to have some basic stuff always in these email messages to your fan base. Things like a band photo or logo, web site address, and simple basic things like up coming shows.
The information in your emails should always reflect what is on your web site. Write in a simple quick to read format or style. To much chit chat and the reader will move on. One or two paragraphs to get your information out there is all you need. Things like hey we have a show coming up, or a CD release party, a new T shirt design ready to go, are all you really need. Don't over load the ready with non critical information like Joey just changed his bass strings while Fred was painting his drum sticks. These extras take away from a professional feel and make you seem to the reader less of a up and coming band but more like a group of garage wanna Be's.
Secondary stuff can be further down in an email like an over all list of up coming shows, recent press quotes, or if your song has played on radio and a few fun things like a video shoot coming up.
With some templates you can try and mirror your web sites visual look. This helps make you look a little more professional and help show an over all band style.
For a web site there are lots of places advertising services and there are a lot of free sites you can also use. There are more and more features the free sites are offering these days. You may want to start out this way to save your budget at first. The free sites also have payed upgrades and premium services you can later buy into. Places like Reverbnation , Purevolume , New Artist Radio, Noisehead and about 100 more if you go hunting. Most of them have the basics to get you going and premium services for a price. You can also with a lot of these sites link them together so that updates can show up across the board. You can also link in things like Twitter and Face book. This will help you build a better on line look and presence.
Another simple and free way to go is building a blog. Places like Blogger.com and Word Press can have you up and running in no time. They have a few templates you can use as well for a look and other add on's you can place through each page.
Once you have a site set up the next part is getting the word out. So when your putting up fliers, handing out hand bills and stickers. make sure everything have your web site address on it. Think of all these things like business cards, use them to get people to go to the web site for more information. once you get people logging on to your site make sure you keep the information and content up to date.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Postering
Advertising Part 2
The Art of postering can be fun and time consuming. But it is just one of the ways to let people know you have a show coming up. There are hundreds of posters going up each day, week, and month trying to get attention. The reality of posters is that they have a very short life. Often they get covered up quickly, or the weather damages them, or some one grabs it. It also takes people on average three to 10 viewings of a poster before your band name starts to sink in. Its that way with billboards and signs so don't feel to bad that it may take some time for people to catch on.
When out putting up your posters try not to cover over posters for other bands with up coming shows. You don't want to start any hard feelings before your even get started. Cover over older posters that have pasted there show dates. This way your not stepping on toes.
The typical poster size is 11X 14 inches, usually printed in one colour. You can use coloured paper to help get attention. The art work should be simple, information should be easy to read and simply to the point.
All you need on the posters to cover the basics are:
Now the tools you will need to have for this job:
Look for places you can safely hang you art work. A lot of cities have spots for doing this in the trendy areas of town or around universities and collages. Always look for places that have postes already hanging, you dont want to end up getting a fine for postering where you shouldn't.
Also hit up places for window space. Places like book stores, coffee shops, record stores, maybe even the local liquor store. There are hundreds of places one can hang posters and drop off a stack of hand bills at. Always ask, the worst you can do is get told no. The shop next door might let you. So, think creatively and you might run out of posters faster then you can cover all the places on your list.
The Art of postering can be fun and time consuming. But it is just one of the ways to let people know you have a show coming up. There are hundreds of posters going up each day, week, and month trying to get attention. The reality of posters is that they have a very short life. Often they get covered up quickly, or the weather damages them, or some one grabs it. It also takes people on average three to 10 viewings of a poster before your band name starts to sink in. Its that way with billboards and signs so don't feel to bad that it may take some time for people to catch on.
When out putting up your posters try not to cover over posters for other bands with up coming shows. You don't want to start any hard feelings before your even get started. Cover over older posters that have pasted there show dates. This way your not stepping on toes.
The typical poster size is 11X 14 inches, usually printed in one colour. You can use coloured paper to help get attention. The art work should be simple, information should be easy to read and simply to the point.
All you need on the posters to cover the basics are:
- Band name
- Location
- Date
- Time
- Other bands that are playing with you
- Ticket price or cover charge
- Your Web Site address
Now the tools you will need to have for this job:
- Staple Gun
- Staples
- Packing tape
- Small knife
Look for places you can safely hang you art work. A lot of cities have spots for doing this in the trendy areas of town or around universities and collages. Always look for places that have postes already hanging, you dont want to end up getting a fine for postering where you shouldn't.
Also hit up places for window space. Places like book stores, coffee shops, record stores, maybe even the local liquor store. There are hundreds of places one can hang posters and drop off a stack of hand bills at. Always ask, the worst you can do is get told no. The shop next door might let you. So, think creatively and you might run out of posters faster then you can cover all the places on your list.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Advertising
So this will be the first look into some of the different areas a band or artist can use to get the word out. This will also be the fist part of your over all planning to a successful music career.
Advertising is one thing, no matter what, you and everyone in the band should be doing from the beginning. Start out simple and affordable to save the budget. Unless you have scads of cash sitting around for big budget promotions.
Once you have a band name, a logo, a hand full of songs, and a show you need to get the word out. The first things you need to think about to get people into the show are:
These hand bills are great because you can hand out 4 times as many for the cost of a flyer.
Where do you go with hand bills?
Some Ideas would Be:
With email and other media networks don't over do it. If you have lots of time in advance of a show send out a simple email or message with the basic information. You want to keep it simple and cover the basics like:
Advertising is one thing, no matter what, you and everyone in the band should be doing from the beginning. Start out simple and affordable to save the budget. Unless you have scads of cash sitting around for big budget promotions.
Once you have a band name, a logo, a hand full of songs, and a show you need to get the word out. The first things you need to think about to get people into the show are:
- Hand Bills
- Flyer's
- Word of mouth
- Web site updates
- Social Media networks
These hand bills are great because you can hand out 4 times as many for the cost of a flyer.
Where do you go with hand bills?
Some Ideas would Be:
- Local coffee shops
- Different local events
- Other shows
- Leave some on the tables at the library
- Record shops
- Book stores
With email and other media networks don't over do it. If you have lots of time in advance of a show send out a simple email or message with the basic information. You want to keep it simple and cover the basics like:
- Place
- Date
- Time
- Other bands playing that night
- Ticket price / cover charge
Friday, September 24, 2010
Press Kits
Every Band has a press kit and needs one these days. What is a press kit? Well a press kit is a nice little package that tells the story of your band. Think of it as a resume that's going to get you gigs, reviews, and any other opportunities you can think of.
To start there are a few basics every press kit needs:
These are the standards for basic press kits that you should have ready to go at any time.
First thing to start out with is a cover letter. Now your going to do a few of these for different uses. You will need a basic cover letter for getting a show, one for getting reviewed, one if you are trying for a recording deal or other industry avenues. Each letter should be directed at a specific person and should be a fairly short simple introduction.
You want to cover the basics like who you are, what you are intending to do, and what you can offer. Always write in a positive tone and thank the person you are soliciting. You don't have to go into lots of detail. If you are looking to play a show, ask if you would be able to play a show in a opening spot or as a head liner. If your trying to get a review of your new Cd, ask if you can get feedback on your music and if it would be possible to contact the person who is giving it a listen. Or ask if they can contact you.
The Biography. Should be about One page long. It needs basic details that cover what you have done, if your have made a CD, where you have played, how the band came together, some back ground on each member of the band, how the band came together, or any other odd or exciting things that have happened to the band in the last Three to Five months. Also include any information on upcoming shows, interviews, or Cd release parties or plans. Try and keep everything to one page in about 3 or 4 paragraphs. then have some one read it over before you print a bunch and send them out.
The photograph or band mug shot. You want a good 8 X 10 photo of the artist or the group. Really basic nothing to overly crazy will get things rolling. A black and white photo is usually best for reproducing if you are getting reviews in the paper. Plus the information on your web site will have colour photos of high resolution if more are needed. Always put on the back of the photo your band name, web site, contact information and names of each person in the photo. This is a good thing to do in case someone looses or has a stack of press kits at hand and can not remember what photo goes with what kit.
If you have press clippings that you can include you will want to have the most recent in each press kit. You don't need to send a whole stack of them either usually three to fire will work. keep a file with each press clipping on its own page. For each page have the mast head of the paper and then the article below or beside. Make copies and if you find good or interesting quotes you can high light these onto a separate page with the basic information you would need, For example: Mike Somebody from the Armpittville Press says " These guy rip up the stage with gut wrenching rhythms and crazy tsunami vocals that stick with you for days!"
The quotes or sound bites are also great for on web sites where you can link the quotes to an online article.
Next you will need a sample of you music. If you have a full length Cd or a 3 to 5 song sample or EP add it in, make sure all the information is with it like song order, song names, name of band is on the disc, contact information web site address. If your sending out you own recorded sample make sure you have you best songs on it. By best songs I would say most engaging, catchy and reasonably recorded. Also include a lyric sheet to each song if you go this route.
Make sure you if you have a good web site try and mirror it with your bio. Think of your band web site as an extension to your press kit. You may even want to have an area on your site for additional press kit information. Like high resolution photos, samples of your songs, more information on each band member. Your site should have most of that any way as well as any up coming shows, Cd releases, or what ever else you can think of.
For swag and give aways think simple and useful. If you have stickers put in a few or band postcards, pens, bottle cap openers, key chain or what ever you can think up. Everyone like to get free things that are useful.
Now the over all package should be neat and tidy, easy to drop into an envelope or drop off in person at venues. Remember in the end it will be the first thing people are going to see that represents you or your band. Always keep it up to date. You may want to do this on a regular basis either every month or every three months depending on how busy your become.
That is the basics of a press kit and should give you a good start.
Rock and Roll and have Fun.
To start there are a few basics every press kit needs:
- A cover letter
- Band or Artist Biography
- 8 X 10 photographs (go with black and white)
- The most recent press clippings / quotes
- A Cd sample of your music
- Web site links and information
- Minimal swag or merchandise (more for reviewers and venue booker's)
These are the standards for basic press kits that you should have ready to go at any time.
First thing to start out with is a cover letter. Now your going to do a few of these for different uses. You will need a basic cover letter for getting a show, one for getting reviewed, one if you are trying for a recording deal or other industry avenues. Each letter should be directed at a specific person and should be a fairly short simple introduction.
You want to cover the basics like who you are, what you are intending to do, and what you can offer. Always write in a positive tone and thank the person you are soliciting. You don't have to go into lots of detail. If you are looking to play a show, ask if you would be able to play a show in a opening spot or as a head liner. If your trying to get a review of your new Cd, ask if you can get feedback on your music and if it would be possible to contact the person who is giving it a listen. Or ask if they can contact you.
The Biography. Should be about One page long. It needs basic details that cover what you have done, if your have made a CD, where you have played, how the band came together, some back ground on each member of the band, how the band came together, or any other odd or exciting things that have happened to the band in the last Three to Five months. Also include any information on upcoming shows, interviews, or Cd release parties or plans. Try and keep everything to one page in about 3 or 4 paragraphs. then have some one read it over before you print a bunch and send them out.
The photograph or band mug shot. You want a good 8 X 10 photo of the artist or the group. Really basic nothing to overly crazy will get things rolling. A black and white photo is usually best for reproducing if you are getting reviews in the paper. Plus the information on your web site will have colour photos of high resolution if more are needed. Always put on the back of the photo your band name, web site, contact information and names of each person in the photo. This is a good thing to do in case someone looses or has a stack of press kits at hand and can not remember what photo goes with what kit.
If you have press clippings that you can include you will want to have the most recent in each press kit. You don't need to send a whole stack of them either usually three to fire will work. keep a file with each press clipping on its own page. For each page have the mast head of the paper and then the article below or beside. Make copies and if you find good or interesting quotes you can high light these onto a separate page with the basic information you would need, For example: Mike Somebody from the Armpittville Press says " These guy rip up the stage with gut wrenching rhythms and crazy tsunami vocals that stick with you for days!"
The quotes or sound bites are also great for on web sites where you can link the quotes to an online article.
Next you will need a sample of you music. If you have a full length Cd or a 3 to 5 song sample or EP add it in, make sure all the information is with it like song order, song names, name of band is on the disc, contact information web site address. If your sending out you own recorded sample make sure you have you best songs on it. By best songs I would say most engaging, catchy and reasonably recorded. Also include a lyric sheet to each song if you go this route.
Make sure you if you have a good web site try and mirror it with your bio. Think of your band web site as an extension to your press kit. You may even want to have an area on your site for additional press kit information. Like high resolution photos, samples of your songs, more information on each band member. Your site should have most of that any way as well as any up coming shows, Cd releases, or what ever else you can think of.
For swag and give aways think simple and useful. If you have stickers put in a few or band postcards, pens, bottle cap openers, key chain or what ever you can think up. Everyone like to get free things that are useful.
Now the over all package should be neat and tidy, easy to drop into an envelope or drop off in person at venues. Remember in the end it will be the first thing people are going to see that represents you or your band. Always keep it up to date. You may want to do this on a regular basis either every month or every three months depending on how busy your become.
That is the basics of a press kit and should give you a good start.
Rock and Roll and have Fun.
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