10 Ways For Unknown Musicians To Get The Word Out
When Clear Channel controls the radio and the monopoly newspaper doesn't like you, how do you win over new audiences?The good news: there are many, many ways. Here are ten of my favorites.1. Approach a local college or alternative radio station or community access cable TV station with a programming idea, like a live songwriter showcase. Other musicians will want to be a part of your show, and you'll build an audience for your own music--and theirs.2. Write CD or concert reviews for a local alte...
Your CD Cover To Advertise Your Music Another Opinion
One of the Brobdingnagian Bards' early CDs, Songs of the Muse is going into it's second pressing. When I saw Christopher Knab's article Your CD Cover is Your Best Ad For Your Music, I decided this was the perfect inspiration I needed to update the CD graphics.I've been a fan of Christopher Knab for about as long as I've been a fan of Bob Baker. He is without a doubt one of the top Top 10 music marketers in my book.Well, whenever I create graphics, I find too often that I forget a bunch of stuff....
(Don’t) Play By The Rules
I was walking on campus today back from our weekly gig at the University of Texas' South Mall, when I heard a member of the Young Conservatives of Texas speak. March 2nd is Texas Independence Day and so this fellow was preaching that if you work hard and play by the rules you too can lead a good life.Maybe it's the skeptic in me, but it made me think, What a bunch of crock! Most people, including most musicians, work hard and play by the rules, but did you know that Americans carry, on average, ...
Your New Best Friend The Mailing List
For startup musicians, email is a gift of God. When I first started managing bands a number of years ago, I spent hours licking stamps and sending out postcards for upcoming gigs, spending over $100 on people that never showed up to my bands' gigs. We didn't even make that much at the gig, and we were blowing money left and right.Don't get me wrong. For a band that sticks around, $100 for one fan is worth it, in my opinion, because that fan will be tell friends, buy CDs, and more, but there is a...
5 Sure Fire Ways To Get Radio Play For Your "Independent" Music!
You have to find radio airplay time if youre going to be heard and were not just talking the local college campus. The trick is called promotion. Now that doesnt mean you just put your press kit in an envelope with a demo and hope they take pity on you. Perhaps you call a station and they give you the standard pitch of, Send it and if we like it well put you in rotation. After a few months of never hearing your music, you automatically think youre not worthy.First, dont buy that. Youre one of hu...
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