Now that you are confident with your talent and are head-over-heels in love with the songs you’ve recorded, it’s time to let the whole world know that you exist.
Once you decide to turn your passion for music into a career, there’s no turning back. It’s either you give it all you’ve got or you just don’t do it.
To guide you for the first few steps in promoting your music, we’re giving you the basic marketing stuff you need to market your music.
Table of Contents
1. KILLER PRESS KIT
A Press Kit, also known as media kit or bio kit, is one of the integral elements of a musician’s career.
It contains the artist’s bio, background, photos, demo CD, newspaper clippings, and many other useful information and gimmicks to inform the big guys that you exist.
You will send it to record companies, promoters, radio stations, clubs, journalists, and to anyone who can possibly help him become more established.
Related Articles:
Indie Musicians: How to Make a Kick-Ass Press Kit
Indie Musicians: Tips in Making a Band Bio
2. BUSINESS CARD
Although a website may seem sufficient, business cards are still the foundation of a formal introduction to your band.
When you meet with booking managers, a business card makes you appear more professional. You will miss a lot of opportunities if you have nothing to hand new-found contacts.
Related Article:
Very Creative Die-Cut Business Cards
3. KICK-ASS WEBSITE
Make your website look really legit and make sure each page is in line with the brand you’re trying to create.
Include a blog, biography, songs, videos, a calendar, and more. Nowadays, you simply cannot not have a website if you’re a musician.
4. QUALITY BAND PHOTOS
The photos communicate what you look like, but also what your whole vibe is about.
By looking at one picture, the viewers should be able to tell if they want to hear your music.
A metal band must have a different style presentation from a pop band. Photos are needed for your Facebook page, press kit…well, everything.
Related Article:
Band Promotion: How to Shoot Conceptual Band Photos
5. GIGGEM PROFILE
Giggem is a new (June 2013) matchmaking tool designed solely for Musicians, Bands and Music Industry Professionals.
Bands can find new members, musicians can find bands to join and all artists can find a manager or a label for moving their career forward.
Custom profiles for each user type enable Musicians, Bands and Songwriters to add all the info, multimedia, career highlights and who they seek on their profile while industry pros can promote their businesses to others and seek new talents to represent or sign.
6. NEWSLETTER
With email of course you also “fight for attention” like you do on Facebook.
However even with the amount of emails coming in every day, most people generally read all of their emails (eventually).
So with e-mail you have a more direct and “deep” engagement with your fan.
7. DEMO CD
Of course. A Demo CD is a must.
You just cannot promote without it. This should include only 3-4 of your best songs.
Make sure that you check the sound quality of each before sending them.
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James Hill is a veteran of the music industry. He first worked at Warner Reprise Records then later joined Interscope/ Geffen Records where he managed producers and songwriters and got his first platinum record for Keyshia Cole’s The Way It Is. He is now helping indie artists with branding and manufacturing through his company Unified Manufacturing, a CD/DVD, custom vinyl records and merch company in LA.
