How to Get Publicity

Playing to an empty house is every musician' s nightmare. It means their act didn't draw. Draw is a band' s ability to fill a club, concert hall or arena with paying customers. A band' s draw determines the pay scale it can demand, and club owners and concert producers can make or lose fortunes based on their ability to accurately predict what a band will draw on a particular day at a given price.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Letterhead Stationery
• Photographs
• Bios
• Flyers, Posters and Postcards
• Fan Mailing Lists
• Media Lists
• Press Releases

1. No matter what a band' s potential draw is, one thing is certain- if no one knows about a gig, no one will attend. The purpose of publicity is to let people know where and when a gig is happening and persuade them to attend. Publicity can be as simple as calling up fans or, as in the case of a major tour by a top recording artist, a national media campaign that includes print, radio and television.
2. Well-executed publicity persuades people, whose opinions are respected, to share information and enthusiasm with others. This stimulates interest and, since it's not presented as advertising, adds credibility to the idea that they really believe in the music, band, etc.
3. Free publicity seldom happens by chance. In fact, millions of dollars are spent yearly by public relations firms and publicists to guarantee that publicity happens. These people understand that newspaper reporters, radio and television news directors, reviewers and critics often wait for news to be brought to them. They expect to be courted, cajoled and pleaded with to talk or write about an event or to play a recording.
4. Fortunately, you don't have to spend a fortune on public relations firms to help you get publicity. If you know the techniques and tools involved, it can be obtained by anyone who is willing to spend time, energy and a little money.
5. Success depends on how well the following are accomplished: assembling effective publicity materials; researching publicity outlets; and planning and carrying out a campaign.
6. Once you understand the basics of a successful publicity campaign, you can apply the techniques to publicizing any venture.

Tips & Warnings

• The Internet opens up new opportunities for creating publicity materials, communicating with fans and media resources, and making information about your band available.
• Publicity materials and demo tapes are your ambassadors. They deliver information, stimulate excitement, and imprint your name and image in people's minds.
• Remember, there is no such thing as too much publicity!!