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Get Your Band Out Of The Garage And Into A Gig
Part II: Band Promotion
Part 1: Presskits & Demos
Part 3: Band Websites, Agents, And Sound Techs
So you have you press kit and demo CD and want to know what to do next. Why
not try an open microphone (mic) night at a local club. Most clubs advertise
these open mic nights in your local music papers or entertainment magazines.
Open mic nights will give your band experience on stage, and the club will most
likely have a built in audience to perform for. Most of the time all you have to
do is show up with your instruments. The PA system and drums are usually
supplied. Call ahead just to make sure this is the case. Many of these events
are hosted by local established bands and produce great networking
opportunities. Make contacts with the bands playing the open microphone night,
and leave a press kit for the club owner. Maybe the hosting band likes your
music and needs an opening act in the future. Sometimes people in the audience
may be interested in your band, so have some business cards ready with all your
contact information.
The reality of starting out as a band is that your most likely not going to
get paid at first. Your not in it at first for the money anyway right, your
there because you want to get your music heard. Offer to be an opening act for a
band you know or met at an open microphone night. Email some bands in your area
and see if they accept opening acts. Offer to open for free to get some much
needed exposure. Many established bands love opening acts because they don’t
have to pay them much, and they won’t have to play as long so this makes their
job easier.
Promote your band any time you get an opportunity. Hand out business cards at
open microphone nights, and send fliers to clubs that you will be performing at
in the future. Call or email clubs or venues that handle your genre of music.
Once you get some shows, contact your local music newspapers with your band’s
name, venue name, phone number, show time, and any other information you feel
necessary. Many entertainment newspapers offer this service free of charge.
Solicit your press kit to local venues. Start visiting local clubs in person
with your band mates and talk with the booker or entertainment director. Leave a
copy of your press kit and get them to listen to your demo while your there if
possible. Call a day or two after your visit, and be persistent. You may have to
call a few times, because it can be difficult to get a hold of the band booker.
Most work late hours at their venue.
Now that your have emailed or called your local newspapers with any show
dates to be published in their entertainment section. Contact any music
newspapers or magazines in your area to see if they would write an article on
your band or visit one of your shows. If your successful in getting an article
or review of your band, make sure to have the article writer include your
website address and booking information in the piece. There are many
opportunities to promote your band, so don’t miss a chance to have your contact
information added to a newspaper article or review of your band.
Send your demo CD and press kit to any local battle of the bands competitions
or song writing contests. Battle of the bands locate up and coming talent for
their shows. They need acts so this can be a great opportunity for your band.
Battle of the bands gives the opportunity to network with local promoters, other
established bands, and to be heard by an audience searching for new talent. Many
times these events are promoted through radio, newspaper ads, and internet
marketing. The winner of the battle of the bands typically receives some nice
perks like studio time, equipment, or free advertising. I know a band in my area
who won a competition and actually got a chance to play live on the radio. Next
thing you know they were playing some of the best venues in the area. Check out
these events whenever possible.
Approach town fairs, county festivals, or city concert venues to get gigs and
exposure for your band. Most of these types of shows are performed for free by
bands, but there is an opportunity to play for a built in audience. Do some
research on the internet and see what local agencies or websites book bands for
these types of events.
Now that your band promotion is off to a great start it’s time to get your
band on the internet, and possibly look for a band manager, booking agent, or
sound technician. See part III of our article
Get your band out of the
garage and into a gig: Part III Band Websites, Booking Agents, Managers, and
Sound Technicians. See also Part 1 of or our article on
Press Kits and Demos for Garage Bands. For more
information on press kit and demo tips, band resources, and band promotion visit
the Media Web Source website at
http://www.mediawebsource.com. This site is a valuable resource for start up
and established bands everywhere.
Article written by:
Media Web Source
http://www.mediawebsource.com
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