Band marketing/promotion

[Grantrudd]

hey all,

after a long talk with my band tonight, we decided to get off our duffs
and start getting out and trying to get gigs. we havent been too
successful in the past, but we have a new, solid demo.

what tips do you guys have for marketing a band?

[adamrobertt]

You don't have to be marketable to get gigs. Just call places and ask to be booked. Pretty simple.

[Stumbo]

Here are some links that may interest you:

~Band management
Introduction to Management Forum - important links here ... Intro
TB Compilation: Must-Read Book Recommendations Books

Any tips for a first band? First band
Is your band a democracy? or the opposite? Running a band: democracy or dictatorship?
How to fire someone from a band How to fire a band member
gig money = band fund ?? Band "funds", "to be or not to be?"

The "Get Mad at Local Acts/Venues" Thread Originals Band "paying dues"
I'll Never Play for Free Again Is playing for "free" really "free"?

How do we get a gig and get paid? Getting gigs
Aspiring band newbie seeks craigslist ad advice Advertising yourself
Business cards on the cheap? Any sources or ideas? Business cards

[Ubersheist]

Real band marketing takes time. Expect to spend about as much time on the phone, writing emails and otherwise communicating with club owners, event promoters, etc. Better yet, get an agent.

I've been in a few bands where the guys aren't too experienced, and they don't want to give 20% to some guy (or girl) who hasn't sung a note in their lives. Then you ask them if they've ever actually booked a gig or tried to put together a press kit.... The answer is ALWAYS a sheepish "no."

Band promotion is a TON of work.

[tdogg]

i used to set up alot of gigs for the bands that i ws in during my highschool years. to start out i would just grab a handfull of your demos andd head out to the small rock joints around town. go to the bar during the day, ask for the owner or the manager, give them the demo and talk to them for a minute. tell them you'd love to play there. dont expect to get paid much (or anything) your first time.
another tactic that i used was to find local bands that i liked and ask to open for them. eventually this turned into me promoting small shows around town. it worked really well because my band might have only brought in 25 people, but a bigger headliner will bring in 300, so my band got exposed to more people (and the bar owner was very happy with me)