Some players asked for this article again as well as more audios and even a video of me talking about how to make a Press Kit for their band. Or doing the same for other bands and creating Joint Ventures with them that work. But for now this article will do. But later in the new year I'm actually going to do more audios and some videos so you can learn and implement these strategies more efficiently for your band.
I know you guys need this type of "How To" info for your band and other ones who I know have it in them to succeed wildly! Start off with this article and get creating a solid press pack and helping local bands. Then make some cash you deserve.
Really smart bands out there are going the DIY way. With the advent of the Internet it’s been even easier to get your “stuff” online. But most can’t drive the traffic they need to generate any sales or interest. Going the major label route or even using an independent label is more risky than doing it yourself.
You’re probably thinking, that’s bullshit Mark! Why should I take all the risk when someone else can do it for me.Yeah, that may well be. But they usually end up taking half the profits and ask that you give their producers points on projects. Does that make logical sense guys and gals?
Any bands with a lot of drive and determination will do it the DIY way. That’s the only way your band should be going. I talk about doing it yourself and you should be. You can set up a Myspace or Word press blog and start plugging your band’s Mp3’s for free at first with questions for fans to answer.
Have band interviews done by other band members. Have a lot of how to stuff for other musicians and even get some rabid fans with a lot of drive to interview your band. Even set up a press conference at your gigs. Forget mainstream media. Remember what I said about mainstream media. Basically, Fuck them!
Look at college Radio and college papers and magazines. Part of that can be creating value for other bands by doing interviews with them and putting them on your blog. Going back to College Media. They can create the real fans of music that really understand your music, and chances are they'll be rabid fans who buy your CDS and go to your gigs.
But the concentration should be helping your band and helping other bands as well. In two other articles that can really help your band help others is starting an A and R consultancy service for bands, and your own on line label. If you don’t know what A and R is, it's called Artist and Repetoire and it's bands send you their CD’s for a critique and what they need to do to tighten up the work or edit certain areas of their recordings. These bands are hoping to get a deal as well. Interview the bands who are good enough and put their MP3’s on your blog.
One thing I always tell bands to do as well is record a 4 song EP on Analog Cassette. An old Tascam off E- Bay if you can find one. The reason I say to do this is it will force your band to be creative in recording without using digital technology. Then when you do record with digital technology you can infuse some warm, natural sounding Analog feel to your recordings. A lot more fans love analog, not just us old timers.
Ask your fans what they want in that regard. Now going back to working with other bands. You can write promo articles for them, record them and making extra cash selling their material. This can lead to producing and selling that band’s CD’s at their gigs. Once other bands see what you're doing they'll want your help as well. Even making 10 percent off bookings as well as CD sales.
Always create value for bands, don't just be all business. it's a relationship guys.
If your band and other bands sell enough CD’s, start online affiliate programs where you get a cut of their sales. This helps both bands. Forget trying to sell CDs online. That doesn't work in a lot of cases. Focus on playing gigs, joint ventures with other bands and selling CDs at gigs as well. Think about it, besides making extra cash with your own band you can help out local and regional bands and make a lot of extra cash in off the beaten path ways.
Forget selling rock band merch as well. Keep your money in your pocket. But if you want to still get in on the independent label deals, offer to work with them selling their CD's. Offer to write articles for their roster and do promotions for their bands. But ask for a cut of the profits of the bands you work with. At least 5 to 10 percent. This way your hand is in their cookie jar without having to do a deal with them in a way that has your band lose 50% of their income. They might have a modern studio with Pro tools or top of the line recording equipment and that could help your band and others you work with.
By offering them free services writing and promo of their bands can get you more than you think, and a cut of other band’s profits, not your band. Like I said do it your way. This is the only way a band should go. Think about it, you'd have your own roster of bands you write for, have joint ventures with, book their gigs and manage to boot. As well as doing business with both indie and possibly major labels to boot.
Besides making cash with your own band this is the best way to go.
Email me with your questions on this subject, or want your band interviewed in a DIY way.
email me for more info at: mdgrove@rock.com
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