MN
258 posts
Jun 12, 2013
7:29 AM
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Mojokane's post about his Facebook posting for his weekly gig got me to thinking. Say you've got a gig coming up in a few weeks. What do you all do to spread the word? For me, my first step is creating a Facebook event. Next, I have a list of local media and I make sure the who/what/where/when info gets e-mailed to the various entertainment/listings editor. Then, ideally we'd put together some sort of a poster and -- at the very least -- make sure it's hanging in the venue as soon as possible. What about you guys ..... what works for you?
MN
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smwoerner
186 posts
Jun 12, 2013
8:13 AM
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Stealing Mojokane's poster :)
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arnenym
149 posts
Jun 12, 2013
8:23 AM
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That poster :)
It got me to ask...
How dull is our band poster?
Okay..
Seriously,
-The pub/Club/organizer get some posters.
-I do a event on facebook as band admin and as a private person.
-sometimes I write something on Swedish harp forum.
-I write to a internet "gig-guide"
Last Edited by arnenym on Jun 12, 2013 8:26 AM
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Kingley
2746 posts
Jun 12, 2013
9:10 AM
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I advertise with all the local radio stations and newspapers, put posters in the venue and leave flyers at other local venues (with their permission of course). I also put some in the local music shops and the local college and university. I also use word of mouth, email and text messages to inform people I know who may be interested in the gig.
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Rick Davis
1940 posts
Jun 12, 2013
9:58 AM
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Aside from some guest appearances (like opening for Johnny Winter in August) the only gigs I have lately are the jam. I've been more involved with the blues society and less with performing.
We promote the heck out of blues society events. Here is something important: Take a LOT of photos of happy people having fun at your events and post them all over the place. It works.
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Tip Jar
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BronzeWailer
1025 posts
Jun 12, 2013
3:35 PM
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Generally Facebook. One place we played printed up a bunch of posters but response was disappointing. People ain't gonna spend $20 to see an unknown band.
My YouTube
Last Edited by BronzeWailer on Jun 12, 2013 4:10 PM
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walterharp
1113 posts
Jun 12, 2013
3:44 PM
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yup, facebook, we have a band web site where people sign up for an email list, we do posters but who knows how much good they do
http://www.redstatebluesband.com/
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harpdude61
1711 posts
Jun 12, 2013
4:54 PM
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People tell me I am a ho about promoting gigs. Hey...just another type of busking to me. I do make a FB event and I do post a home-made cheesy flyer. When making online flyers for FB, keep in mind that most will be viewed on a smart phone. So get to the point and use bigger font.
The flyer like the one below is common for me. Get a pic of a full venue on a sunny day, pretty waitresses, for sure add the lips with harp. Most anyone will find a few artists they like among those I list. Don't let the list fool you. 60% of what we do is 12 bar at all tempos. Most of the rest aint far from the blues. Also, people either like to dance or like to watch people dance. Play some dance stuff and promote it. I wish you all had a marina deck that seats 400. Talk about a party.(2nd pic)
The 3rd pic is our recent CD party/ Anniversary party.
Lastly (4th pic)I make schedules to fit 4 x 6 photos. Walgreens website offers special codes. Sometimes get for $.04 each. Much better than a card with a web addy they won't go to anyway. I walk out during guitar solos, shake hands,and hand them out. Some put them up at work, others on the fridge, some on their sun visor. Some ask for extras to give friends. Been a great investment.
Bottom line though. Once you get them in you must have a good product. We went from begging for gigs to them coming to us and a couple venues put us on the schedule once a month thru the year. Nothing promotes a show like a good show! Hope this helps!
Last Edited by harpdude61 on Jun 12, 2013 4:58 PM
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nacoran
6859 posts
Jun 13, 2013
1:26 PM
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I'm not doing much playing out now, but I've got ideas for promoting things!
First, I'd add a QR code to the flyer and link it to a couple free song downloads. I've got an idea for T-shirts with QR codes- you make several batches, each with a link to a different free song. The trick is, you put them on the inside color, or some less obvious place. You put something really visible with an arrow or something, your band name, and 'free music' written large. The idea is your fans can't pick which QR code they get, so it's a little like baseball cards, only more social, because they need to go up to each other and ask if they can scan each other's tags. Hopefully, by networking your fans, they become friends and drag each other to more shows. :)
I also have a wifi busking idea, where, again, using QR codes, (or RFID or just a link to your site but QR codes are simplest). You put it on your sign with an add for free music if they join your mailing list. (You could also put the digital tip jar there). The piece de resistance is that they also see a menu of the songs you know. For a tip, they can make a request and you'll play it- and you'll even stream it. For their tip they even get a free download of the stream of that song.
Of course, unless you are famous enough so they know your originals or unless the RIAA suddenly decides licenses, shmicenses... oh well.
Facebook, Craiglist, all the local calendars, fliers, radio stations- play a couple open mics nearby, blackmail friends, pay homeless people to show up... whatever it takes. :)
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Nate
Facebook
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Rubes
717 posts
Jun 13, 2013
1:43 PM
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Nice one Harpdude61!......eyecatching!!!!!
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One of Rubes's bands, DadsinSpace-MySpace
Old Man Rubes at Reverbnation
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KingoBad
1321 posts
Jun 13, 2013
1:52 PM
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Duane (harpdude61) has been doing a great job promoting on Facebook. I was going to mention him, but he posted first. I have enjoyed watching his band and their following develop.
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Danny
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Rick Davis
1953 posts
Jun 13, 2013
2:00 PM
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Harpdude, that big photo of people dancing is golden! THAT will bring new folks to your shows.
The posters are good but a little busy... Do you know a graphic artist who can give you a hand? I finally had to admit to myself that I am just lame at graphic arts. The improvement was dramatic and it made our events seem a lot more professional.
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Tip Jar
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