Stereo Junkie
01-14-2009, 11:35 PM
A friend recently asked me if I knew of any way to help promote his music and rather than reply personally I will reply here and see what else people can add so that it may be useful to others in future.
Firstly you need to get your promos created, you don't need professional recordings, but they need to be clear and any artwork you can do may help but don't spend lots of money on this.
CD is good enough but nowadays a myspace link can be sent provided you know it's going to arrive in the right mailbox. You can also try uploading and sending via a file share company which are often free but have downside of lots of advertising before you get to the download.
1. Before you send off to agencies or record labels... I would suggest sending off your demo to as many reviewers in music publications as you can... go out and buy all the ones you can think of or just check them out online. Make sure you get a reliable contact name and (email) address, the trick is to make sure you befriend someone who you know is going to actually listen to your stuff. Music publications like NME are a good place to start.
2. It's probably nice to have a few gigs under your belt to begin with if you are a live band/musician but it is no longer essential I would say. Maybe include a live recording on your demo.
3. Send off to as many radio stations as you can think of... spend time researching all the stations you think would champion new music, in the UK that would be people like Steve Lamacq, Nemone etc on BBC radio 1, BBC radio 6, also XFM Manchester, XFM London, Kerang FM Birmingham, and your local BBC radio station will ahve something called "introducing"... there are dozens of avenues but in every case get a contact that you can pursue at a later date.
4. Once you have compiled a list of your places to send your demos, get to work... make sure you then follow up each and every demo, asking for feedback whether good or bad.. this is essential and don't be afraid to make a nuissance of yourself but be prepared for people to say they hate it... I've had this lots, just par for the course.
5. Once you have some positive feedback, you can start looking at sending demos to record labels, compile a profile for your music, detailing in brief (never use long winded biogs) your achievemnts to date... like where you've played, who you've supported, who ahs played your songs... keep it short and sweet. Ask your mom or dad or whoever to proof read it for you.
6. Keep at it... listen to what your contemporaries are doing and make sure you keep it original with a definite direction so that a label can see where you're going and maybe buy into it.
7. Find someone to do some remixes and collaborate with you, myspace is an easy bet... get befriending... get commenting but listen to their sound first and see what they think of your stuff? don't be scared to approach people.
8. If you don't get much luck with labels etc, why not fork out a few hundred quid on a professional recording at a studio, check out some of the links we've provided or hust google studios and mastering facilities near where you live. Don't be afraid to ask them for examples of their recordings. Once you have a good quality recording you could promote an EP digitally direct to online record stores... again google online record store and whatever your genre is as well... it seems to be the way to go and use the same tactics as has been explained for targetting labels/radio stations etc. You could even release a limited 7 inch record if you are brave enough for under a thousand pounds but make sure you have distributors ready and willing to sell them first.
9. Look at getting a promoter or manager.
Hope some of this helps... it's all logocal really but these tips have helped me in the past.
Firstly you need to get your promos created, you don't need professional recordings, but they need to be clear and any artwork you can do may help but don't spend lots of money on this.
CD is good enough but nowadays a myspace link can be sent provided you know it's going to arrive in the right mailbox. You can also try uploading and sending via a file share company which are often free but have downside of lots of advertising before you get to the download.
1. Before you send off to agencies or record labels... I would suggest sending off your demo to as many reviewers in music publications as you can... go out and buy all the ones you can think of or just check them out online. Make sure you get a reliable contact name and (email) address, the trick is to make sure you befriend someone who you know is going to actually listen to your stuff. Music publications like NME are a good place to start.
2. It's probably nice to have a few gigs under your belt to begin with if you are a live band/musician but it is no longer essential I would say. Maybe include a live recording on your demo.
3. Send off to as many radio stations as you can think of... spend time researching all the stations you think would champion new music, in the UK that would be people like Steve Lamacq, Nemone etc on BBC radio 1, BBC radio 6, also XFM Manchester, XFM London, Kerang FM Birmingham, and your local BBC radio station will ahve something called "introducing"... there are dozens of avenues but in every case get a contact that you can pursue at a later date.
4. Once you have compiled a list of your places to send your demos, get to work... make sure you then follow up each and every demo, asking for feedback whether good or bad.. this is essential and don't be afraid to make a nuissance of yourself but be prepared for people to say they hate it... I've had this lots, just par for the course.
5. Once you have some positive feedback, you can start looking at sending demos to record labels, compile a profile for your music, detailing in brief (never use long winded biogs) your achievemnts to date... like where you've played, who you've supported, who ahs played your songs... keep it short and sweet. Ask your mom or dad or whoever to proof read it for you.
6. Keep at it... listen to what your contemporaries are doing and make sure you keep it original with a definite direction so that a label can see where you're going and maybe buy into it.
7. Find someone to do some remixes and collaborate with you, myspace is an easy bet... get befriending... get commenting but listen to their sound first and see what they think of your stuff? don't be scared to approach people.
8. If you don't get much luck with labels etc, why not fork out a few hundred quid on a professional recording at a studio, check out some of the links we've provided or hust google studios and mastering facilities near where you live. Don't be afraid to ask them for examples of their recordings. Once you have a good quality recording you could promote an EP digitally direct to online record stores... again google online record store and whatever your genre is as well... it seems to be the way to go and use the same tactics as has been explained for targetting labels/radio stations etc. You could even release a limited 7 inch record if you are brave enough for under a thousand pounds but make sure you have distributors ready and willing to sell them first.
9. Look at getting a promoter or manager.
Hope some of this helps... it's all logocal really but these tips have helped me in the past.