Posts tagged gigs
41 ways to promote your Music or Band
Mar 9th
1) Make sure people have resources available to find out more about you. Websites, Myspace, Facebook and Twitter
2) Make sure people can easily find out how to find those resources.
3) Word of Mouth is best the form of promotion! Give them something to talk about
4) Get involved with your local Music scene. Go along to local Gigs, see other Bands, get to know promoters and network.
5) Get some Business Cards done, vistaprint.com offer 250 for free!
6) Brand your Music, get an eye catching logo designed.
7) Set up a mailing list, notifylist.com, aardvarkmailinglist.net, yourmailinglistprovider.com, freelists.org
8 Set up a Blog wordpress.com www.blogger.com and write about your Music, other Music anything that will pull in readers. Make sure you write about well known artists similar to your Music style, by doing this you will attract fans for that artist and will then be able to market your Music to those fans.
9) Get involved in Music sites, forums and internet radio. There are hundreds of Music sites available and some of them only concentrate on certain music styles. Target the small ones and they will love to have you onboard, then the big sites will follow suit. Music forums are also brilliant for promoting music, include your website links in your signature and your traffic will grow.
10) Keep your fans updated. Read my article on how to do this easily
11) Start a video advertising campaign, upload videos to youtube.com, vimeo.com and www.muzu.tv. Ideally you want to upload music videos, if you don’t have one then create video blogs talking about your music or reviewing other artists that are similar to you. For example if your Music sounds a lot like The Beatles then review The Beatles or make a video which has a connection with the Beatles. Include your website details at the end of the video and in the Descriptions and Tags that go along with the video. This way whenever someone searches for the beatles, your video has a chance of appearing and interest will lead them to your site. Another handy tip is to also have your username as your domain name. For example my username on youtube is rocklinkscouk.
12) Get more Twitter followers, the average rule with twitter is the more people your follow the more followers you get back. Tweetadder.com is a really cool tool to automate the process of following people, not only that you can also target certain twitter members by interests and location. For example a keyword could be Music, and a location Portsmouth, tweet adder will then find users in Portsmouth who have the keywords music in their profile. Now you should be able to see the awesome power of this tool!
13) Add a Twitter widget to your Website or Myspace. Login to your Twitter account and click on Gadgets at the bottom.
14) Create a page on Facebook so people can be come a fan. Invite all your friends to become a fan.
15) Add a Facebook Page widget to your website, so your website users can become a fan.
16) Be social on your social networks
17) Start a local magazine? Like our good friend Nick J Townsend did
18) By a shed load of custom printed t-shirts and give them out for free. When everyone turns up at your gig in the same t-shirt it really attracts attention. I know for a fact this works as I have done this on a number of occasions.
19) Appear on Videos and TV, a prime time slot on itv3 might be hard to come by but not impossible (there are loads of big name acts who have been discovered this way). If your not lucky enough to get these opportunities then create your own, send emails to film organizations, art councils and anyone involved with film. You can also attract attention by contacting small film companies and another good idea is to contact extreme sports style websites who create sports videos.
20) Create a lens (a page) at squidoo.com it really does create a wealth of traffic for your site
21) Create a decent Press Release, I personally feel press packs have become extinct. If someone is seriously interested in working with your Music the first place they will go is your myspace or website.
22) Contact Newspapers and Magazines
23) Offer freebies everyone loves Badges and Stickers!
24) Get out on the streets and talk to people about your Music, invite them to you upcoming Gigs.
25) Contact Radio stations, radio is a massive asset to promoting Music. Luckily there is a lot of National and Local Radio stations opening their doors to unknown Artists. Use this to your full advantage.
26) Get involved with a charity. By scratching their back they will also scratch yours.
27) Create an account at eventful.com
28) Start a text service, like the t-mobile advert or using a service such as txtlocal.com
29) Make people feel apart of what your doing, you should make time for everyone who comes along to your gigs.
30) Contact build, it’s what makes the Music Industry work.
31) Start a facebook event for every gig. This has always been successful for my own gigs you can also persuade other people to invite their friends. Make sure you do periodic status updates reminding people of the gig.
32) Go round local Music Shops, get to know the staff and ask if you can leave some promo gear in the shop. I find a lot of music shops actively try to promote the local music scene.
33) Create a Last.fm account!
34) Start podcasting, they weirdly attract a lot of attention.
35) Pay a professional photographer to take some snaps of you.
36) Get your Music reviewed
37) Get Interviewed
38) Place carefully positioned Posters around your local area, cafes, bars, clubs, venues ect
39) Flyers are handy when used effectively. I wouldn’t suggest handing them out willy nilly. Use them to your advantage at Gigs, leave them on tables, at the bar, hand them to people as they leave a venue. If your Band is playing that night then great, if someone likes your music they will more than likely pick up a flyer and keep hold of it.
40) Get involved with local Music sites
41) Leave a comment below with a link to your website. If you have another method of Promoting Music that I haven’t mentioned above then please add it below.
Why you should indentify 3 selling points to Promote and sell Your Music
Mar 3rd
I have a little saying that i say to most Band’s “it’s about time your turned your Band into a Brand”, although i’m not directly writing this article about branding your Band, it does come under the same bracket. From when you walk past a product on the shelf in Asda to driving past a billboard on the M3, they all you use the same principles to get your juices flowing. Every product or service that is advertised identifies 3 selling points for that product and it should be the same for your Music. Most people who read an advertisement will make a decision on that product or service within 10 seconds, if they haven’t identified keywords that interests them in a product they will most likely put it back on the shelf. If you think of your Music as a product you will start to see how advertising your Music properly is important, by identifying 3 selling points about your Music that will grab the reader within 10 seconds you will more than likely generate more interest. The Human mind is very curious so make full use of this fact!
So how do you identify selling points?
Selling points are everywhere, back in 2008 Rock Links was awarded an Innovation and Entrepreneurial Business award, so one of our key selling points is “The Award Winning Rock Links”, maybe your Music has won an award? Maybe you won a talent contest?
I happen to know a few all Lesbian girl Bands, imagine walking past a poster with the words “Band name! The all Lesbian Girl Band”. It provokes interest to read more!
Have you been featured on a National or Local Radio Station? In my local area we have Heart FM, although i don’t think they actually play Unsigned Acts i’m sure other local Radio Stations do, so again “Band Name! As featured on Radio FM”.
Maybe your age is a key factor? Maybe you under 16? Maybe your over 60? Again this provokes interest.
Maybe your a Country/Electronic/Funky/Banjo Playing act? Now that i would like to see!
Other key selling Points
Genre style, Size (maybe you have 8 Band members), fashion, bizarre instruments used, connection with a charity, jedward hairstyles, Free Music, Cover Songs, Endorsements, maybe your all born in the same city / town? (people love to support local people), basically anything that sets you apart from the rest that people can relate to or would want to know more about.
Once you have identified your key selling points, make sure they are the first thing anyone reads, your Myspace, Website, Press Releases, Artwork, Posters, Facebook, Twitter, i’m sure your getting the picture. Like i have previously said, you have about 10 seconds to ‘catch’ the persons attention, choose your selling points wisely and the rewards will be more interest in your Music, it’s guaranteed and has been used by marketers since the first roman sandal hit the south coast!
RnB star Shola Ama confirmed for the Judging Panel for Live and Unsigned Festival
Feb 24th
RnB mega star Shola Ama has just confirmed her place on the judging panel at the Live and Unsigned Festival!
Billed as one of Britain’s most successful RnB artists, Shola will be taking her place on the judging panel in July and casting her eye over some of the UK’s best unsigned talent. The London based singers debut album Much Love sold over one million copies and she enjoyed chart success with the top five singles You Might Need Somebody and You’re The One I Love.
The culmination of her critical and commercial success resulted in four MOBO nominations with Shola going on to collect two awards for Best Newcomer and Best RnB. She also impressed the industry and her fans when she was nominated for two Brit awards, taking home the title of Best British Female.
Amongst her many achievements within the music industry, Shola has collaborated on the Glamma Kid single Taboo, reworking the Sade classic to make it her own and scoring her another top ten single. She released her sophomore album, the critically acclaimed In Return, co-writing 11 of the 16 tracks with a host of international writers and producers. She’s worked with legendary names like Darkchild, Babyface, Stargate, Ali Shaheed Muhhammed, Angie Stone and Shaun Labelle. Her single Imagine remixed by Asylum, went on to become one of the biggest club singles of the noughties. Shola co-wrote her third album, Supersonic, which is one of her most personal works to date. Chris Grayston, Events Director of Live and Unsigned, commented, It’s very exciting to have one of the UK’s best RnB acts involved in the competition. She’s had huge chart success, spent years in the studio and knows exactly what it’s like to be in the spotlight. I’m confident that her appearance on the judging panel will be popular! I’m sure most of the acts in the Urban category of the competition will want to ask her lots of questions!
Shola is now back in the studio once again, writing tracks for her fourth studio album, due for release on independent label Dirty Canvas. The new single DJ Play has already received great reviews and lots of airplay! And of course, watch out for her at the Live and Unsigned Festival!
Main Man Of BBC Introducing Vic Galloway Joins Live and Unsigned
Feb 16th
The main man of BBC Introducing in Scotland, Vic Galloway, is set to join the Live and Unsigned 2010 judging panel.
With an extensive background in music and a thirst for unsigned, fresh acts in the UK, Vic’s knowledge and experience is sure to be a hit on the panel!
Currently fronting the BBC Introducing show in Scotland, Vic is obsessed with unsigned and established musicians. He was launched into the world of music after he witnessed his first live concert by The Damned, and as his obsession grew so did his record collection!
Vic began his career as a musician himself. He immersed himself in Rock ‘n’ Roll when he left school and set out to form a band, get into recording and perform music. And to prove his dedication, he busked his way around Europe for 6 months.
Vic moved onto to working on the other side of the industry, writing for fanzines, working as a venue lighting director in Edinburgh, helping to set up and develop independent labels and working as a press and radio promoter. It was when he was prompted to make a tape for his new regional Radio 1 show that he moved onto the airwaves.
Hayley Stovold, Press Officer for Live and Unsigned commented, “It’s fantastic news that Vic’s joining us for the 2010 live shows, he’s a very influential name. He’s already so busy with the station and his packed out events! He’ll be joining a few other famous names from the world of unsigned music, so we’re sure lots of bands will want to ask him lots of questions about the industry! And let’s face it; he’s always after new bands so some bands might even get played on his show!”
Nowadays, Vic fronts the Introducing show in Scotland and also writes and produces his own music – he’s currently working with prog-pop pioneers Deaf Mutes and punk band Family Man. You’ll also find Vic co-running a club night at the Glasgow Barfly every Friday, called the Funhouse. He’s been pulling in crowds of over 400 people for the last three years. He also spends a lot of time DJ’ing in clubs and writing a freelance column for The List magazine.
Vic lives in Edinburgh , likes getting tattooed, eats spicy food and wants World peace…
For more information on Live and Unsigned please visit http://www.rocklinks.co.uk/music-competitions/live-and-unsigned-2010-the-largest-national-music-competition-for-band-singers-and-musicians
An entertaining and hilarious interview with Zeeb?
Feb 13th
How did the Band first get together?
We were trying to form a band with 17 bassists, one drummer and a lad called Roki on violin, along came the first practice and the only people to turn up were me (Andrew), Dom (drummer) and bassist Graham, who had just bought a guitar for shits, giggles and posing opportunities. We wrote Intergalactic Sulk and Trust No One, talked about boobs and chose a name, ZEEB? was born. By the next morning we had a website and no plan to take the musical morning after pill to save us from the previous night’s musical conception.
What makes you different to other Bands?
We’re unrestricted by genre, pressure, shame or personal hygiene.
Do you think there is enough opportunities for Bands to get noticed?
He who makes the loudest noise, will indeed get the recognition he so richly deserves. Or in our case, we just bung our stuff on MySpace.
What are your views on the current Music scene?
We prefer the raisin music scene, a far superior dried fruit. We’re not fans of the winkle-picker identikit bands that look like they’ve all self spawned in some sort of soggy biscuit circle jerk that ends with them giving each other mad haircuts with jizz drenched scissors.
Do you prefer buying CD’s to Downloads? Explain why
We all still like the artwork you get with CDs but don’t see any harm in downloading tracks first to try them. After all you wouldn’t marry without checking the goods would you, unless it’s like in that film ‘The Crying Game’.
How did you get your first booking for a gig?
Unlike other bands we don’t sit around writing songs about feelings waiting for promoters to beat down our door, we put on gigs ourselves, and after this promoters did start booking us.
Do you have a favorite Unsigned Band?
The term ‘unsigned’ is utterly irrelevant to us, record deals are obstacles to everything creative. When it costs so little to get your stuff online why bother giving 95% of your profits to the schmoozy shareholders of EMI? For bands why not try www.myspace.com, I hear it’s the new mp3.com
Do you use social networking to promote your Band? Do you find i effective?
Social Networking has opened up a world of opportunities, but we’re not foolish enough to ignore offline methods though, word of mouth is important – one recommendation from a drunk bloke in a pub is worth more than a thousand hits on a website.
Do you agree with TV shows such as X-factor?
It’s licenced degradation; in the early stages viewers revel in failure, it’s like being a cheering crowd member at the execution of a lamb in a neon slaughter house (but it is fucken funny). It’s sad that people outside the music scene think shows like Pop Idiot and Next-Factor embody music, and are a reliable gauge of musical quality. How many times have we heard people we know say “oh we’ll see you on x-factor” when they find out about our band, and each time we die a little on the inside. People making that assumption is like losing your virginity then having a nun compare it to sexual interference with large knitting needles. Nuns are known for having dirty habits.
How would you change the UK Music Industry?
People that profit from music without any talent of their own should be punished in the same way as rouge traders.
Where do you see your Music in 12 months time?
Where it is now, on itunes, MySpace Music and Amazon MP3. Musically I think we’re going to do a PROPER metal EP, using 80s television as a motif.
To summarise you should probably buy our album and further fund our research into dark unspeakable things that will improve your lives – www.zeeb.co.uk
More Zeeb?
Interview with Hold Your Fire
Feb 11th
How did the Band first get together?
James: I contacted Reed through Facebook after seeing a video of Reed drumming along to a Wilhelm Scream song. I then spoke to Chris and Pallot who had been in bands with me previously and Dan was recruited through Facebook some months later.
What makes you different to other Bands?
James: I think that in a lot of ways most bands are quite similar in the sense that after a while you all become best friends, almost like brothers. I think we’re different from a lot of other bands because we have such a passion for playing live, even if the crowd are unresponsive at first it wont stop us from giving it our all.
Dan: Plus i’ve never seen another band try and fail so many times at trying to swing a guitar around their head!
Do you think there are enough opportunities for Bands to get noticed?
James: I think our main issue is the fact that we live in the Channel Islands; if we were to live on the mainland I have no doubt that there would be plenty of opportunities and chances to get noticed.
What are your views on the current Music scene?
James: I’m still having trouble finding time to listen to the bands I’ve got on iTunes let alone find new bands, so I would say that the music scene is doing pretty well! The music scene in Jersey is really being pushed by the active bands that are trying to gig regularly, but with such a small audience it’s difficult to maintain a large crowd if the gigs are too frequent.
Dan: So if anyone out there wants to get us over to the mainland, wink wink nudge nudge!
Do you prefer buying CD’s to Downloads? Explain why
James: Only because I’m a minimalist, I prefer downloads. I use to have a huge CD collection but after moving house a couple of times it got a little bit annoying! I think that as long as the band get the recognition they deserve and the money to keep them going then there’s no reason why we can’t get rid of CDs and keep moving on.
Dan: I’ve probably got to agree. Although it still feels nice to get a CD every now and then. When you download music you have the choice of just getting the songs you like, when you buy a CD album you’ll sometimes find a track you hadn’t heard of that you love!
How did you get your first booking for a gig?
James: Our first gig was through La Motte Street Studios where we practise. A summer festival was advertised so we submitted a recording and got on the bill.
Do you have a favourite Unsigned Band?
Dan: I don’t really have a favourite unsigned band. I love scouting around MySpace trying to find them. If no one listened to unsigned bands then they’d never get anywhere! I hope people listen to us! haha.
Do you use social networking to promote your Band? Do you find it effective?
Dan: we have been labelled “social marketing wh*res” on several occasions! we tend to put everything we are doing in the band in at least one site, whether it be twitter, facebook or myspace. We’re getting into other forms of band network like bandfortheday.com as well. It is a bit of a catch 22, some people love getting all the updates, some people hate it! I’m sure a couple of people have removed us from their friends lists since the band got together.
Do you agree with TV shows such as X-factor?
Dan: Hmmm, tricky one. I agree that they should be there for entertainment value, the auditions and that are hilarious. I don’t like that the final is always right before Christmas so they try to get the Christmas number 1 though. You could have someone who’s been bringing out great stuff all year then this programme launches someone in to pinch this number 1 out of nowhere. I think that’s where all the issues with last year cropped up, was so happy to see RATM nab it!
How would you change the UK Music Industry?
I think i’d wish that record labels had “minor labels” created underneath them, which were looked after by trainee producers/agents etc. This would let them look after the upcoming bands, and then move up with them through the ranks etc.
Where do you see your Music in 12 months time?
Dan: I’d love to be famous, I’m sure anyone in a band would! I’d honestly like to see us getting the chance to play a big festival and get a real crowd. We love being on stage and having the crowd to justify jumping around like idiots would just be insane!
For more information on Hold Your Fire, vist Holdyourfire.co.uk
BBC Star Bethan Elfyn confirms her spot on the Live and Unsigned Judging Panel
Feb 10th
The main voice behind BBC Introducing Wales Bethan Elfyn has confirmed her place on this years Judging panel for the national Music Competition Live and Unsigned. From a small town in Wales, Bethans interest in Music and Media led her straight to a successful career. Starting of at spiller records she also got involved with student radio, writing for college newspapers and went on to study journalism. This was followed up by landing a production job at the BBC in North wales and later on secured a producer position for a late night radio session, Bethan was then approached to present Radio 1’s new Nations show, kicking off the rock ‘4real’.
Bethan went on to present on Thursday nights with Huw Stephens and now fronts the BBC Introducing in Wales show every Wednesday. She has DJ-ed and presented onstage at many festivals including Wakestock, The Greenman Festival and Radio 1’s stage at Carling’s Reading Festival. Behind the scenes she DJs with the Vinyl Vendettas, manages a band, runs a record label, edits an independent magazine, produces documentaries and programmes for Radio 1 and Radio 1 Wales.
Hayley Stovold, Press Officer for Live and Unsigned, commented, “Bethan’s experience with unsigned music is invaluable to the judging panel. She’s worked with unsigned bands from all over the country, listens to hundreds of demos every week and as the main voice of BBC Introducing Wales, I’m confident Bethan will be a well known and respected opinion on the panel. We’re really excited to have her involved in the competition!”