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+--- Thread: What is the best way for an independent band to promote themselves? (/thread-42156.html)
- Deke - 11-18-2012 01:10 PM
I'm not familiar with Twitter's site capabilities (I think the entire idea is stupid), but on MySpace, at least one can listen to songs. That's a huge selling point. Also, connect with the fans created on MySpace. Don't just add them, but involve them in the process. Answer EVERY message you get. Blog. Post tour dates. Give away things like stickers and T-shirts with the band's logo. Make them feel like they're part of the process.
Offer to play at any establishment in your city. For free. The club isn't taking a risk, and they might even ask you back.
If you've got a live show coming up ANYWHERE...record it. Upload it to Archive.org. You would not BELIEVE how many listeners this will gain for you. Three days ago, I learned of a band called Moon Taxi. I went to Archive, found three shows, and downloaded them all. By the time I got home, I had purchased their live CD from Amazon. I'd have been less likely to give them my money if I'd not been able to listen to them perform entire songs/shows online, rather than 30-second snippets.
Organizing a street team is key, also. Even in the digital age. Get a group of people -- even in various cities -- to spread flyers everywhere they can in the days before a show. In my opinion, the way to go would be to saturate the city with flyers. Record stores, gyms, grocery store bulletin boards, public parks...everywhere you can legally do it. People, by nature, tend to follow trends. If they see the flyers enough, they very well might think, "Hey, these guys sound like a big deal, I should go check them out". If they do, and if they like you, they'll jump on the bandwagon -- which is exactly what you want.
Music fans, in particular, LOVE to feel like they're getting in on the ground floor of a musical artist whose star is about to take off. We're somewhat possessive about the bands we love.
- mariah - 11-18-2012 01:10 PM
both, try to book local venues as much as you can and tell everyone you know to tell everyone else. also i know of bands who go to other shows they aren't playing and stand outside handing out flyers or even impromtu (sp?) concerts
try hot topic i know unsigned band who have played there.
hope you make it big someday
- Madcamp389 - 11-18-2012 01:10 PM
All of the above. That, and play, play, play. Honestly, the Myspace/Twitter thing can be good. Maybe out of every 20 or 30 accepted friend requests, 1 or 2 people will actually check you out. Twitter could be good for rallying people who know about you to get to shows, let them know band news, but you're not going to get better promotion than from playing good show after good show from place to place, working your way up the ladder to get gigs with better acts.
My best advice is to get a good, quality recording and send about 4 songs (always leading with your best track) to the venues you want to play at and try to land good shows.
*************
Listen to Deke. Great answer!
- oceaniclrdwck - 11-18-2012 01:10 PM
Sign up for CDBaby.com! It's an independent artist label. They put your music on amazon and itunes, and in borders book stores. I want to sign up for it too!
- jazman stevens - 11-18-2012 01:10 PM
All of them, probably
- Ted F - 11-18-2012 01:10 PM
A combination of both with more of a focus online. The reason for this is that you can put yourself up on thousands of different website for FREE, but with flyers and offline marketing you're going to need to incur some fee.
Touring is probably the biggest thing you can do though. If people hear your music and like what you do, they will be more inclined to check you out in the future.
For online..there are a TON of things you can do (as I mentioned).
Give the following free places a try:
http://www.ourwave.com
http://www.purevolume.com
http://www.twitter.com
http://www.myspace.com
http://www.facebook.com
http://www.youtube.com
All good starting points. OurWave and PureVolume are similar..create your own profile and upload your music. Twitter you'll need to post a combination of some of your tracks with also more general posts (what are you up to, tour dates, etc.). You'll need some variety with your Twitter account to achieve success. Also..if you're touring in a specific area, search for Twitter users who are within that area and follow them (makes sense right?). MySpace same thing as OurWave and PureVolume except you're going to want to try and get some friends. You should contact people first that you know personally who have an account and tell them to tell their friends.
YouTube you can figure out I'm sure..upload some of your video content.
If you're strapped for cash stick with the online marketing efforts more than the offline ones (you'll burn through cash quickly). Again, though, touring is huge. That, in my opinion, is really how most bands get their name out there.
Hope this helps and good luck!
By the way..you should have mentioned your band here for more exposure! haha
- Josh - 11-18-2012 01:10 PM
bandofrock.com is good for that