ianasdfg
Registered: Sept 13, 2008
Posts: 19
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| April 26, 2009 at 05:44 AM |
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| #1 |
Thanks to tunecore we can compete with any label when it comes to production and distribution - but marketing?
We’ve just released our second album and this time around I wanted to give promotion/marketing a serious go – though on a very limited DIY budget. The object was not sales but just to be listened to.
Here’s what I’ve learned so far…
*Get the Indie Bible – it is essential. And don’t share it – like Tunecore the guys who sell the PDF deserve every penny they make. After a lot of cutting and pasting I created from it an Access Database of relevant press and radio stations worldwide from which I can create address labels, track, rate, etc.
*Get on MySpace and Twitter – and say ‘hi’ to people. It’s amazing how many people welcome and appreciate it. This social networking thing is something big labels won’t condescend to doing - where with a little effort you can build one to one relationships with fans, indie radio, music bloggers, etc.
*When sending to radio don’t send jewel cases – not only are they more expensive, Music Directors and DJs hate them! Buy a lightscribe player and try make packages look like they’re from a professional plugger. This article is a must read http://www.tomrobinson.com/resource/pluggers.htm
*If you’re offered a radio interview take it! – even if it means a long car journey or doing it by multiple phones at ungodly hours to another time zone. We did a studio interview the other day – it gave us an hour to talk about and play our album to 90000 homes.
*Don’t bother with web ads – a waste of time. Didn’t try little ads in print media – so can’t comment on their value.
*Sonicbids worthwhile – though don’t pay more for a submission than you would sending a CD to a punter for consideration. Their EPK service is also really useful.
*In my experience forget A&R agents like Taxi in the hope of an ad or movie placement. I can’t say anything good about them – maybe others can.
*Be wary of compilations – some charge ridiculous fees, put any crap on their CDs and have limited circulation. Though some offer genuine opportunities – if someone approaches you with an offer telling you you’re fabulous check them out on forums, etc first. There are music enthusiasts out there - but there are also exploiters, parasites and crooks – be careful!
*US print media worth the effort – UK print media (NME, Q, Mojo, etc) still see us DIYers as ‘unsigned’ and not worth an inch of print space next to Pete Doherty or Liam Gallaghar's latest wackiness – which is frustrating – but life I guess.
*Live365 submissions via CMJ or GarageBand are worth the effort. MusicSubmit is also worth the effort though should be a lot cheaper - given its just a guy spamming EPKs.
* Last FM is a must – though the likes of Spotify are going to takeover big time – Tunecore MUST get involved!
Has anyone anything to add to this?
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http://www.myspace.com/soshush |
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robertzombie
Registered: April 25, 2009
Posts: 14
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CadenceCreed
Registered: April 06, 2009
Posts: 16
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midnightsunsam
Registered: Jan 13, 2009
Posts: 83
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megahurt
Registered: April 21, 2008
Posts: 22
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| Sept 28, 2009 at 09:46 AM |
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| #5 |
@midnightsunsam, what successes have you had (album sales, etc.) that you would at least partially attribute to what you've learned in that book?
I only ask because I'm less likely to take recommendations from someone who has sold 36 albums vs. someone who has sold thousands, yknow?
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http://www.darkdiscoclub.com |
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Jailhouse
Registered: May 02, 2008
Posts: 30
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| #6 |
a&r agents and publicity firms can be very highly useful. But it also seems as if it's limited to a certain genre.
I run a punk rock label, and in terms of radio, or publicity firms, it has proven very useful. But I think it is becuase it is a very niche' market. Easier to push product to a smaler more focused genre/demographic.
I can imagine it would be a nightmare trying to promote and push your way through the mountains of pop, or country, or straightforward rock music that is all scrambling for attention. Plus you have labels, and bands with extremely high budgets, or who's mommy and daddy give em money, and they can afford 10,000 on pushing a new release, regardless of the mediocrity.
I even see that in our little nich'e area. Trying to set up co-ops. and getting in with CIMS, we have to really really push 10x harder than the other labels and bands that have a seemingly unlimited amount of funding. It's very hard to get product placement, or listening stations when your offering "cleans" and the the other 100 labels are offering 1000 bucks a week.
Very unfortunate how money talks. But I guess it's what has always been going on since retail first started.
If your really trying hard to reach brick and mortar stores, I very very highly reccomend
http://www.almightyretail.com
That resource is invaluable. And although pricey as hell, it deffinitely pays for itself, if your a distributed, or even non distributed label, with it's first campagn.
Anyway, too much coffee, I'm rambling
Very good observations ianasdfg! thanks!
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