What's in your promo kits for booking your cover band?

RudeMood · #1 08-20-2008, 12:15 PM

Attention cover bands: I'm curious what others are doing regarding their promo material that you present to clubs and agencies for bookings.

Do you use the old-style folders with a demo CD, and separate sheets for individual and band bios, pictures, sets lists etc and etc? Or have you simplified and just put your CD in a case with all of the necessary info printed on the case somewhere to minimize the paper? Are you just providing basic info but driving them to your website for details?

What is everyone doing and what has been most effective?

pcollin · #2 08-20-2008, 12:41 PM

Believe it or not, I've had the most success with a traditional folder-type press kit w/CD holder and inserts. It looks very organized and high end (I work with graphic designers) and I get the impression that contacts (club/bar owners) like being able to see everything immediately without having to load a disk and sifting through material. Handing one off also allows me the opportunity to meet and talk to the bar/club owner and make my pitch.

To tell the truth, I hate the legwork part of being in a band but I've been told that I'm good at it. Maybe I should be in sales!

RudeMood · #3 08-21-2008, 08:13 AM

Thanks. I know a guy who brings his ipod in to clubs when he drops off demos in case he acutally gets to talk to the booking person. If so, he has them listen to just a snipit of a song on the ipod right then so they at least get an idea of the sound.

Anyone else...???

RonChase · #4 08-21-2008, 08:25 AM

Sometimes the old fashioned way is the best and it will certainly look pro if your folder reflects your high points and best recording but......You can be the worlds worst band all the club owner cares about is how many people you put in the club,I have witnessed terrible bands packed screaming house and then a week later a great band playing to the crickets.Point is who do you think the club owner will call back,So be pro be your best but most important every band member should invite any one and every one and ask they're invites to bring friends,then I always hand out dozens of my CD'd at these events to create a following because in the end inviting friends gets old fast and the music should take over and oh also equal importance a name for your band is a big draw some names just jump out at you.If someone in the band feels the name is dumb well it probably is

RonChase · #5 08-21-2008, 08:26 AM

P.S As a bassist I have not booked a gig in 20 years remember guys we are in demand and can be pickier then singers and guitarists

jmac · #6 08-21-2008, 08:37 AM

My band uses Sonic Bids to submit an electronic press kit.

Rebop · #7 08-21-2008, 08:59 AM

I just checked out Sonic Bids. Seems like a cool idea but almost none of the clubs in my area use it. The one that does, I am reluctant to play at because that gig goes until 4am.

Cool idea though.

I use the old fashioned press kit; folder, bio, pictures, and a CD. The first time meeting a club owner/manager is everything; and bottom line, even if they really like you and your band, they just want you to fill the house. Which is very difficult in an area where nobody goes out specifically to see live music (only the 45+ blues lover crowd).

zac2944 · #8 08-21-2008, 09:05 AM

My band does the whole folder/CD/pic/bio/press kit thing. We also have everything online too.

Michelob_64 · #9 08-22-2008, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonChase

Sometimes the old fashioned way is the best and it will certainly look pro if your folder reflects your high points and best recording but......You can be the worlds worst band all the club owner cares about is how many people you put in the club,I have witnessed terrible bands packed screaming house and then a week later a great band playing to the crickets.Point is who do you think the club owner will call back,So be pro be your best but most important every band member should invite any one and every one and ask they're invites to bring friends,then I always hand out dozens of my CD'd at these events to create a following because in the end inviting friends gets old fast and the music should take over and oh also equal importance a name for your band is a big draw some names just jump out at you.If someone in the band feels the name is dumb well it probably is

Names are very important!!! I recently quit a band that opted to go with Project 7 over my suggestion of Two Hump Chump. They were too stiff of a group to see the humor and marketing that could have gone with that idea! I mean come on ... people would talk even if it was just about the name ... isn't that what we want!!!

zac2944 · #10 08-22-2008, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michelob_64

Names are very important!!! I recently quit a band that opted to go with Project 7 over my suggestion of Two Hump Chump. They were too stiff of a group to see the humor and marketing that could have gone with that idea! I mean come on ... people would talk even if it was just about the name ... isn't that what we want!!!

+1

My cover band is called "Booty Vortex". People never forget it. Last summer we won a Best Of Boston award in local Improper Bostonian magazine for Best Band Name. That's a lot of free press for just a cool name. I like to think we get booked for our performance, but a good name helps a lot.