Reverb Nation or Soundcloud

[PDXbassdad]

My band just recently finished recording an EP and is prepping for booking some gigs. I'm pretty new to this whole promotion side of bands. We went ahead and setup Soundcloud and ReverbNation account. It seems to me that play counts/likes/etc for these two options are independent of each other. I could see myself pushing out links and begging for likes on both mediums that would tire out everyone and might mean nothing in the grand scheme. Is there one that you would see as more important to venues/promoters? As you can tell I'm a newbie at this stuff.

Here's a link to ReverbNation if you'd like to hear what we're trying to do. I was nervous as could be going into the studio, but ended up loving the experience. Most of the tracks were one or two takes and done.

Another Neighbor Disappeared Songs | ReverbNation

Thanks for the comments or suggestions

 

[DirtDog]

I dig it. Early 90's vibe...needs Chris Cornell vox!

 

[PDXbassdad]

Thanks. I really dig playing with these guys. They're quite talented and all that, but mainly we just enjoy writing/playing music. Very low stress.

So does anyone have any thoughts on the best social media (soundcloud/Reverbnation) to push music for success with venues/promoters? Do they really play into booking much? I'm a complete newbie on this front.

Thanks!

 

[buldog5151bass]

We use reverbnation. Having songs available easily on line means you don't have to bring cds everywhere.

 

[Joebarnes]

Reverbnation has "charts" that you can point to for venues "We're #1 on the Reverbnation charts in the Post-Music Genre in Wichita". Plus, it pulls data from your other Social Media (other than Soundcloud) for its rankings. To me, it is a more "centralized" tool for promoting your band. Soundcloud, to me, is just another website.
Of course, for promotion, the more outlets to reach your fans and get your music out there, the better.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Those charts mean nothing. It's all made up for marketing, but don't really give you anything imo.

 

[PDXbassdad]

Thanks for the input. It seems like RN might be the best to make sure is the preferable one-stop shop to link to for a venue owner that we approach. I'm not sure that we'd be ready to consider doing song sales through the site instead of cds. I still like getting cds when I go to shows.

 

[marko138]

I like RN becuase of the email and digital distribution and gig map/listing. But we had both. Both integrate easily with facebook too.

 

[Joebarnes]

Those charts mean nothing. It's all made up for marketing, but don't really give you anything imo.

True enough... but they look good to venues same as Facebook likes. And that's the point. It has little to do with reality and all to do with perception.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Meh - I've never gotten a gig based on FB likes.

 

[Luke19Boarder]

Have you considered bandcamp? I find them to look better.

 

[PDXbassdad]

I like RN becuase of the email and digital distribution and gig map/listing. But we had both. Both integrate easily with facebook too.

I hadn't messed around much with the gig/map listing yet. That looks like a good way to track events that could be just pushed out/posted on the bands Facebook page.

Now to start booking shows........

 

[marko138]

I hadn't messed around much with the gig/map listing yet. That looks like a good way to track events that could be just pushed out/posted on the bands Facebook page.

Now to start booking shows........

RN has a lot of tools that help bands and they all integrate with facebook fairly well. We used RN, Souncloud, Bandcamp. All differently and all effectively.

 

[loveandbass]

pretty sure reverbnation has some scammy elements to it but you could easily ignore those aspects.

 

[PDXbassdad]

pretty sure reverbnation has some scammy elements to it but you could easily ignore those aspects.

Do you mind elaborating? Is it the paid bits of the site that you think are off? im always a bit skeptical of add-on "services" that sites offer.

 

[marko138]

Do you mind elaborating? Is it the paid bits of the site that you think are off? im always a bit skeptical of add-on "services" that sites offer.

Probably what he means. Yeah, there are some scammy paid services on there. The digital distro is a paid service but worth it, I think.

 

[loveandbass]

Yeah they have a lot of "pay to play" garbage on there. Like pay us to showcase your band to industry insiders. Total BS

 

[newmusicmichael]

Those charts mean nothing. It's all made up for marketing, but don't really give you anything imo.

Ditto. As a music blogger I find soundcloud a ***LOT*** easier to work with. Take that for what you will.

 

[Shimmi]

Reverbnation is more targeted at serious musicians looking for shows. Soundcloud is for advice when you don't really want to be discovered you just want a link to share, stick with reverb,soundcloud is more underground and therefor not taken as seriously, most people I know are still playing with fruity loops calling themselves musicians which to a degree they are but really your not until you get out of the basement.

As for those "Charts mean nothing" I have to completely disagree, if you want to grow you better look into understanding them, yeah you're right it is "Marketing" but guess what, marketing is selling yourself and exposing yourself which as a musician you should want to learn. I'm actually a marketing student and I find most all of reverbnation tools extremely effective, they have everything you need and I'd recommend spending the measly fees. Most everything is free and chances are you'll get more fans and exposure and only pay 2% of your grocery budget.

My band always got pissy with me as they approached reverbnation as a waste of money but in reality they just didnt understand it, hell they both were reluctant to use facebook

Maybe back in the 60-70s and maybe even 80s - 90s you can just play music and play gigs until someone finds you but nowadays record companies have TALENTED musicians sending samples by the truckloads, they dont have to go anywhere to find the next big thing as bands have the tools to do it all on their own. Get with the program and learn all you can about the marketing tools, submit your music nonstop for radio play, use the crowd reviews and LISTEN to those trashing your music, some people are just haters but most people have good advice for improving your sound. Even if you get people saying "This song is garbage but I really liked the last chorus and outro" theres good advice in that, just be open.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Shimmi, with all due respect, there is a difference between the classroom and real life some times. I've seen bands gigging 8+ times a month (and getting paid significantly more per gig) behind bands gigging 2+ a month. The main thing those sites market is themselves.

Just like facebook. It has its purpose, and will help tell your fans where you are playing, but "likes" do not translate to payng patrons, which is what venue owners care about.

Those sites have their uses, but there is a difference between clicking a vote for your friend on a site and showing up to see them (just like a thread we have here asking everybody to "like" other TB member bands.