Getting your band known discussion

happyman81

Following on from the advice thread.

Once a band has written and rehearsed a score of songs,
what is the best way to promote your material?

Playing lots of gigs?

Sending demos to record companies?

Getting a manager?

I would like to see a discussion on this topic. What are peoples experiences of the above?

dimitry datus

Gigs gigs and more gigs. It's a long road though as in general people don't come to your gigs unless they know who you are, and they don't know who you are unless you have people at your gigs. To start with you really need to just get in with other bands, nights where 2/3 bands are performing on a night, there's a chance some of the other band's audience might like you and come to the next gig, tell their friends about you etc etc.

We're not exactly well known ourselves so we're learning this as we go too but so far that's what seems to be working the best for us anyway.

SpikeMilligan

Hey happyman - just pm about a gig

roast

Gigs! For gigs in your own hometown, bring along a couple of local acts who you know will draw in a crowd. For gigs outside your hometown, play as support for other acts local to that area.
Secondly, a good online presence is almost a necessity these days. Facebook, twitter etc. (Myspace, not so much anymore). Register for your own website (cheap as chips) and post regular updates. Try not to spam people with pointless info on your social networking sites though, it's a sure-fire way to lose followers.