How to Get Press for Your Band

Generally, there are something like a gazillion bands trying to get articles written about them in only a handful of publications. While the Internet has spawned as many music blogs as bands--and became the great equalizer in the process--our concern here is old-school press. You know, that tangible, flattened and bleached tree-pulp that you can hold in your hands and show to your Aunt Edna at the family reunion, and she can be impressed, because it's in an actual newspaper or magazine and was written by someone called a reporter. Yes, those people do still exist and they are still important.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Have a proper press kit. A proper press kit contains your CD, a one-sheet short bio, post card picture--8 by 10 glossies are no longer industry standard--press quotes (if any), venues played, fun facts and, most importantly, CONTACT INFO. Your contact info (phone number, email, mailing address, website) must be on EVERYTHING in your press kit.
2. Make personal contact with the local press. Email music critics and ask for their business mailing address so you can send them your kit. If they have a posted business phone number, call them, but make it quick and don't be pushy.
3. Follow up. Probably the most important rule in any kind of business. The ones who follow up are the ones who get the gig.
4. Stand out. When you network (and you must) don't seem too eager. Be funny or different in your press kit. Music critics are used to the same old stuff, so try to stand out while still being yourself.
5. Hire a publicist. After you've built a local network of fans and press contacts, you're ready to expand regionally, nationally and internationally. Sure, anyone can do anything on the internet these days, but to get real press that you can hold in your hands, in real publications beyond your hometown (and not just an internet blog) you're now ready to hire a professional publicist. In fact, it is now necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Find out who local music critics are and buy them a drink when you see them.
• Don't spend money on a publicist until you've proven yourself in your hometown first.