Promo Ideas For Your Band

Once of the most important points that I make to other indie artists is to take every opportunity that you get to promote your music. Any chance to get your name or music to new people is always a good thing. You never know where it will end up and sometimes it’s truly amazing how far your name will travel. Check out some of the ways that I promote my music on a daily basis.

1. Stickers – Make bumper stickers with your website address on it and post them anywhere. Give them to your friends, family and fans. Lots of clubs that I play in allow bands to post stickers or posters in bathrooms, hallways or even the club main room.
2. Email – Add a link to your website on your email signature and send it with every email. It doesn’t matter whom you send it to because anyone could potentially be a new fan. I’ve even sent emails to people regarding non-music matters and received return emails about my website. Again, it’s free and you never know where it will go.
3. Post to music related discussion forums and include a link to your website – This is a great, easy way to do a little networking from your kitchen table. There are lots of great sites on the Internet that can really help promote your music and even make some new friends. As a start check out www.nashvillesongwriters.com, www.jpfolks.org, or www.realitysnap.com.
4. Play live – As silly and obvious as this point sounds, it does need to be clarified. I’m not always talking about paying gigs, but rather non-paying, promotional performances. I’ve often volunteered to play guitar for local church bands or events, schools, nursing homes or other groups. Although it doesn’t pay, I’ve sold CD’s, made some new fans and even picked up a paying gig or two from people that I’ve met at these gigs. Think of it as advertising.
5. Talk to people – Anytime you meet someone new, make a point to tell them what you do and ask them the same. It’s a great opportunity to introduce your music to someone new and make a new contact. Most people never know what their neighbors and friends do for a living or how they might be able to help your career. In the past I’ve met the News Director for a local network TV station at my son’s Boy Scout meeting, a Music Programmer for a very large community radio station at a fund-raising event, an Events Coordinator for a neighboring city at an outdoor market and the lead singer of a very well-know rock band in the sushi section of my favorite grocery store. You never know and it never hurts to talk to someone new.

I hope that these tips will be of some help to you. If you have other ideas, please email me and we’ll compare notes. As always, check back later for other ideas and tips on how to promote your band.