By Mark Grove
"What Do The Stones Have That Your Band Doesn't? Nothing. They promo the shit out their band. That's why they are called "The World's Greatest Rock and Roll Band"
This first part is what I came up with on the fly on my day off which is today from my JOB. Yeah, I still work a job. I like working so I continue. Okay, here it goes and I hope you help out a band doing media and opening for and creating a mutual joint venture in this business of music. Don't forget the playing and being a good friend. What you want to do is create as much free value for a band by helping with their press kit, getting media for them and even helping them sell their CDs. As well, help getting them gigs, and then offer
to open for them. Even for free.
That's the best part guys.
Hey Guys... I hope I'm truly creating value for you with the free articles on how to write your band's own Press-Kit, and approach other bands you would love to open for and work with. Like I said don't think this to death. Well, actually I didn't say that but I'm saying that you need to start thinking differently and not thinking of other bands as "The Enemy". They are not. We are all in this to create great music, jam with each other, play gigs---and yes make money. Making friends is also important to lasting success as a musician.
Pushing The Free Line:
Giving you guys free articles and free how to material is not my idea. I'll take credit for it if you want. Scratch that. No, an internet marketing guru named Eben Pagan who's in the dating field came up with the idea of giving out free advice. So that's what you guys should be doing as well to help out other bands. I've said to help them get media interviews, interview them regularly and write articles for them. You could also write songs for them for free too. Yes, free. If you don't feel right doing that, don't do that part.
I would do it. But at some point offer this band a proposal to help them media and press kit wise, but ask if your band can open for them. Ask them to open for your band as well. Who cares if they're better than your band. If they are real musicians, who see you creating value and solutions for your band, they will work with you. And they will start paying you to open. Hell, if your band is smart you'll start offering to get a cut of their CD sales if you do CD reviews, live interviews on their CD and help their band sell Cds at their gigs as well. Take 10%. You don't need to be greedy.
Offer to help get them bookings if they have a hard time doing that as well. Take 10% of their gigs. You're not asking for a lot, but helping their band and providing a service most bands won't pay for, then end up giving up. This way you're helping them see they can succeed and become the band they know they're capable of.And your band makes 20 percent in total. Not bad I do say so.
You and your band can actually make a lot of money somewhere down the road. It is possible to start doing just that by giving out "Free Stuff"--for a while. It's not that difficult and you can start today by offering to interview a band in your town or city you like. Then keep doing that and writing articles on them and bringing out the local media to interview them.
I’ve tried to get it through to musicians again and again on the importance of having a press kit. That’s basically fallen on deaf ears for the most part. What I’m going to do here is not rant and rave, but just give you some basics on how to get it done. We here at Canadian Guitar Player also offer Press-Kit writing services like--article writing, doing interviews and innovative material for your press kit, like articles on aspects of music like tips on recording, studio session work, gear and guitar tips along with music business acumen. Things other musicians and music industry people want to read about, and fans who want to know how it all comes together in the studio and on the road.
All these music business know-how tips would be written by our writers, but the knowledge would come from musicians, and become part of your Press-Kit. This shows creativity on a musicians part, and depending on if it’s a club you want to be booked at, session work or interest in a label deal--will all be beneficial in progressing not just a band’s career--but for each band member depending on their individual situations.
I have prior articles on writing bios, article writing, and Press-Kits implementing that, that Canadian Guitar Player can send to musicians who are serious about getting ahead in this business we love so much. The first 2 articles in our press packages are free. We will develop solid press material that will help your band for what ever you’re currently doing as a band. Tell me what you want to achieve in the business.
If you don’t use our press writing services, be ready to work hard. If you love music enough you’ll do it. If you’re a musician in the AFM union, look for our recently published article---How to write a press kit that won’t get thrown out. It’s in the London Musicians Association newsletter called Crescendo. Start with a basic bio of the band and each member along with how the band got together, and any funny anecdotes along the way. Also include any special talents of each band member such as song writing, recording experience, session work, clubs played at, bands opened for etc.
At that point when you’re done that, get some media coverage from local college press and radio. Ask a student journalist if they would interview your band regularly. See how they do with a couple of articles, and be prepared to pay them with band funds. Getting media coverage from big-city papers, TV and radio is not a great way to start for a band.
Shun mainstream media. Fuck them!
Yeah, if you don’t like what I’m saying and you know I’m right anyway, I’ll help you get started with a Press Kit. Like I said above, get a student journalist who believes in your music, get regular interviews every time you play, and even be prepared to think differently and interview band’s in your genre. This will show a lot of interest and other bands will follow suit. Also, a website or blog is important now to promote your band online, with interviews, Discussion boards, tour dates, what the band is doing currently, and have free material on your site while you’re recording a new EP, album or compilation CD.
What you can do to promote your band is endless. Just be ready to pounce on ideas even if they don’t do what you want at first. So let’s get started and email us at Canadian Guitar Player and we’ll talk about setting you up with an Instant Press-Kit.
C-Ya,
Mark Grove mdgrove@rock.com
