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getting endorsed?
- Thread starter Ayliffe
- Start date
Hell if I know. I tried to get an endorsement with Peavey, but they didn't give me the time of day, even after some decent tunes and owning 8 USA Peaveys.
They want you to have a certain minimum number of shows booked and confirmed.They also want you to have a good following and to have a buzz about your band and some airplay doesnt hurt.Try starting with a smaller endorsment such as strings and small items such as that.No one is going to give you an all out free amp and bass endorsment until you have made a name for yourself,and most endorsments arent free but they give you a certain discount on their gear.
- Jun 19, 2004
- 4,782
- 83
- 42
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist, Schroeder Cabinets
- Jun 19, 2004
- 4,782
- 83
- 42
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist, Schroeder Cabinets
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A&R
By the way, does this belong in the Basses forum? I think it would get more appropriate attention in the Band Mgmt/Performance or Misc. fora.
- Dave
sometimes they come to you.... more than not, things ARE NOT free. Slight discounts and such are what's there for non stadium filling talent.
Bryan R. Tyler
TalkBass: Usurping My Practice Time Since 2002
Staff member
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- May 3, 2002
- 28,948
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- Reviewer: Bass Player Magazine
I go about getting endorsements a different way. I call up a company and threaten to use their gear, and they pay me not to play it so it can't be associated with me 
hasbeen
Commercial User
- Sep 23, 2004
- 4,806
- 2,667
- Disclosures
- Executive Vice President, The Adam Hall Group
I get approached everyday from people that want a package.
I'll sincerely try to help here:
* First off, and this IS important: YOU (the artist), is NOT endorsed....it is the other way around. And this is a very common misunderstanding. If an artist approaches me and doesn't understand this........
* Common mistake I see: "Dude, I'm like ....umm...in a band and would really like and endorsement". My response: "Ummm....like, I don't see any ummm like dudes here. Ummmm.... which model of ours do you like?" Artist: "Ummm...wow man...Ummmmm ...I've never played your stuff....whatya got?"
* Another common mistake I see is that people will want "an endorsement". I then ask them what "promotional consideration can we expect in return for supporting you?" This is often greeted with blank stares.
This type of conversation often stalls because it is one of the first times an "artist", under the age of 22 for example, comes face to face with a business man. And the artist rarely understands the economics of business or simply the hundreds of such requests the business man gets each week.
What is successful?:
"High, I'm Leonard Repman....I manage (insert name here)". "My client played your rig/instrument at the last blah blah. He loved it. He's going on tour with so and so. You can log on to.....and see there tour schedule. You can also go to my artist's site....www...blah blah. If you support us we will....... " And this is how business is done: it comes down to that "if you support us ...we will". That is what promotional consideration is.
Way too many artists approach manufacturers on their MySpace, at NAMM shows with yello badges etc.
Also, state what you want up front: are you looking for free gear?....be honest. Very often an artist will approach: "hey ..love your stuff. I used to play Brand X but can't stand their stuff. Can you support me?" My reply: "Based on the exposure we'd get ...yes. Your price would be .....". The artist: "Wow man....umm.....like I want it free. The brand I currently play gives them to me for free." I say: "But you said you love our and hate theirs. I'm so confused....do you want free gear or gear you like?" I've even referred people to competitors that give stuff for free.
I hope this doesn't come of as being a wet blanket.....I'm truly attempting to be helpful. It's just that I fear I might offend somebody here because this is where love and art start to cross over to business.
I'll sincerely try to help here:
* First off, and this IS important: YOU (the artist), is NOT endorsed....it is the other way around. And this is a very common misunderstanding. If an artist approaches me and doesn't understand this........
* Common mistake I see: "Dude, I'm like ....umm...in a band and would really like and endorsement". My response: "Ummm....like, I don't see any ummm like dudes here. Ummmm.... which model of ours do you like?" Artist: "Ummm...wow man...Ummmmm ...I've never played your stuff....whatya got?"
* Another common mistake I see is that people will want "an endorsement". I then ask them what "promotional consideration can we expect in return for supporting you?" This is often greeted with blank stares.
This type of conversation often stalls because it is one of the first times an "artist", under the age of 22 for example, comes face to face with a business man. And the artist rarely understands the economics of business or simply the hundreds of such requests the business man gets each week.
What is successful?:
"High, I'm Leonard Repman....I manage (insert name here)". "My client played your rig/instrument at the last blah blah. He loved it. He's going on tour with so and so. You can log on to.....and see there tour schedule. You can also go to my artist's site....www...blah blah. If you support us we will....... " And this is how business is done: it comes down to that "if you support us ...we will". That is what promotional consideration is.
Way too many artists approach manufacturers on their MySpace, at NAMM shows with yello badges etc.
Also, state what you want up front: are you looking for free gear?....be honest. Very often an artist will approach: "hey ..love your stuff. I used to play Brand X but can't stand their stuff. Can you support me?" My reply: "Based on the exposure we'd get ...yes. Your price would be .....". The artist: "Wow man....umm.....like I want it free. The brand I currently play gives them to me for free." I say: "But you said you love our and hate theirs. I'm so confused....do you want free gear or gear you like?" I've even referred people to competitors that give stuff for free.
I hope this doesn't come of as being a wet blanket.....I'm truly attempting to be helpful. It's just that I fear I might offend somebody here because this is where love and art start to cross over to business.
A guy came into GC a little while ago to look at some basses. I started talking to him and he said that he got endorsed by Spector by just calling them up and saying that he used their gear on stage. Now he can only play Spectors on stage and he gets them for 1/2 price. That's an alright deal, but I could never stick with one brand.
I totally aree with the post directly above....getting endorsed is a business decision for a company.......they endose a person or a band in order to get advertising (which does cost $$$$ and that is why they offer discounts or free gear)....
I would say wait for them to notice you.....if you MUST approach a company to get an endorsement be prepared to tell them what THEY will get out of the deal.....
In my opinion, too many people approach companies (not just music companies but business people in general) with a "...what can you give ME?" mentality...this is the wrong mind set.
show a company that you are dedicated to their gear and that you will be a good spokes person for them (i.e. you will "sell" their gear in a manner that will put them in the best light)....and you will get noticed....
peace and good luck!
I would say wait for them to notice you.....if you MUST approach a company to get an endorsement be prepared to tell them what THEY will get out of the deal.....
In my opinion, too many people approach companies (not just music companies but business people in general) with a "...what can you give ME?" mentality...this is the wrong mind set.
show a company that you are dedicated to their gear and that you will be a good spokes person for them (i.e. you will "sell" their gear in a manner that will put them in the best light)....and you will get noticed....
peace and good luck!
hasbeen
Commercial User
- Sep 23, 2004
- 4,806
- 2,667
- Disclosures
- Executive Vice President, The Adam Hall Group
he is not endorsed by Spector. Spector is endorsed by him. The artist is the endorser....the manufacturer receives the endorsement which makes them the endorsee.
hasbeen
Commercial User
- Sep 23, 2004
- 4,806
- 2,667
- Disclosures
- Executive Vice President, The Adam Hall Group
hasbeen
Commercial User
- Sep 23, 2004
- 4,806
- 2,667
- Disclosures
- Executive Vice President, The Adam Hall Group
BTW...since this is the "bass" forum...noticed your avatar. I played my first Lakland pickup equipped bass today. My "go-to" five string as been a USA Lakland with Barts for the past five years or so. How do you like the new Lak pups if you've had a chance?
You have to be pretty serious about your playing to even consider endorsements. I don't think i'll ever be at a level where a company would feel comfortable using me as a spokesperson if i can't even display that i can use their gear right 
Some good information here (thanks Roger). But, this really isn't a Basses topic.
Moved to Misc.
Moved to Misc.
i take the labels off all my gear for this very reason.
until i'm paid i don't do your advertising.
until i'm paid i don't do your advertising.
I love them....I have a DJ and a 55-02 with the "new pickups"....not the "New New" Chi-sonics, but the previous "New ones".....I tried out the Chi-sonics recently at the Chicago GTG - they are VERY nice! I cannot wait to get a bass with the "New New" Chi-sonics (we are doing a LE LOG bass which will have them - IF we can enough orders....we are only about 1/2 way there now!)......peace.
