harpdude61
1760 posts
Jul 17, 2013
12:11 PM
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Hey guys,
I have been in my own local band for a year now and want to share with you guys a few tips for successful Facebook promotion at the local level. What worked for me anyway.
I use this site to make what I call my cheesy flyers.
http://pixlr.com/express/ I have some on my page. I search google for free backgounds entering key words like harmonica, dancing, party music. You will be amazed at what you find. Most have room to paste on other pix and do the lettering.
I also make schedules in a flyer form as you will see. I try to make my flyers fun. Show people having fun. Feel good! Who cares about seeing four guys standing in front of an old buliding.
Having as many "likes" as you can on your band page is important...but, say you have 1000 "likes" and you share your flyers, maybe a little over half will see it and very few will come. The key is getting other people to "share". Above your flyer write something like "Share, share, share and be there! What a night it will be!" When their friends see it, they will see the same thing and hopefully share as well.
Don't stop there. Go to the venue a few days before the show and ask the staff to share. The cute young waitress have several thousand friends. Buddy up with a few local TV and radio celebs. They have tons of friends. Of course have your family share. When I meet someone at a show I shake hands, ask them to like my FB page, and with a big smile say "I sure hope you can helps us out by sharing our FB flyers..it would really mean a lot to us." It works!
Another thing I do is partner with other top local bands. I have 4 bands in a group that share each others flyers as long as they don't have shows the same day. This helps local live music in general.
So every flyer I post gets thousands of views for free. Genereally 1% show up, but guess what.... that means a packed venue.
The most recent flyer you see on my page, is one my darling wife of 33 years modeled for. With the quote I used, it had over 50 "shares" in three hours. Each of those that shared probably averaged 600 friends. Check out the other flyers and schedules I share as well if you scroll down. The Pig Palooza is not mine.
We do a little community service or charity once in a while and why not let people know.
I have learned so much from this forum over the years. I've also tried to contribute back what I have learned. I hope this is a good contribution to those of you that play music close to home.
I do ask one favor. We do have a rival blues band in the area that has no harp player. Matter of fact, they hate harps players. They are trying to outshine us on the number of "likes" on our band page. Venue owners around here DO look at "likes". I really appreciate you guys giving my band the "likes". I only post usually once a week and you can see my latest cheesy flyer. Too much posting runs people off.
A friend recently posted a video at the marina of us doing SRV's Lovestruck. Kind of funny, all thos years spent learning technique and OB's and this is what I play.
I appreciate you all. Comments, good or bad, welcome!
You can like my page at
www.facebook.com/catfishfryeband
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tookatooka
3391 posts
Jul 17, 2013
1:25 PM
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Hi harpdude61. First off I can't believe the lady on your latest flyer is your wife of 33 years. She doesn't look any older than 19. You lucky devil.
Secondly, I've had a look at your Facebook page and can't see any ways that I would want to improve on it. You seem to have everything under control and getting everything right.
It's colourful, engaging, informative complete with video clips. What else could you add?
I have liked it and enjoyed my visit. Good job. Best of luck with it.
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harpdude61
1761 posts
Jul 17, 2013
1:41 PM
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Thanks took! We got married at 18...old for east TN...lol
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harpdude61
1762 posts
Jul 18, 2013
2:48 AM
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Thanks for all the "likes" y'all! Hope the info helped someone!
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KingoBad
1350 posts
Jul 18, 2013
6:26 AM
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I would encourage others to check this out if this you are looking to use Facebook effectively. I think Harpdude61 does a fantastic job.
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Danny
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jim
1455 posts
Jul 18, 2013
10:23 AM
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By the way I've just finished a new FB page.
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Free Harp Learning Center
Last Edited by jim on Jul 18, 2013 10:23 AM
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KingoBad
1352 posts
Jul 18, 2013
11:34 AM
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Jim, that is a very nice page.
I was more referring to the promotion Duane does for his band on a regular basis.
I am a Facebook friend and have been watching for some time.
He has a consistent output of high quality and attractive promotion for his band.
I have not chosen to embrace Facebook as much for promotion, as I have been reluctant to embrace the medium for any reason. However, if I did, I would certainly use much of what Duane does.
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Danny
Last Edited by KingoBad on Jul 18, 2013 11:35 AM
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harpdude61
1763 posts
Jul 18, 2013
11:51 AM
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Great job Jim! You guys give Jim and I both some "likes"!
Thanks KingoBad. I thought I had something that everyone in a local band might not be aware of. Just trying to help my fellow harpers. We may not always agree on certain thingies but we provoke thought, experinentation, and research from new players. Thats what it's all about.
I'm sure if one of the superstars of this forum had put the same ideas up, the same ones that respond to all their posts and threads with ooo's and aahhh's would have been right there again.
I know I don't have the skills of many of the artists on this forum but I have found it takes much more than talent to have a successful band.
Promotion is a huge part, but once you get them there, a few great songs is still not enough. I try to ensure that my audience has a good time. I want them to feel the passion and love I have for the harmonica and the music. I strongly emphasize to my guys that we are not just musicians, but entertainers. We get in the zone and hopefully the crowd does too.
When the band takes a break, I go into politician mode..shaking hands and kissing babies. I also tell my guys that our audience MUST MUST MUST know that we appreciate them.
Maintaining a 40 hour work week and having a successful local band is tough, but with hard work and dedication it can be done!
My dream was to have a successful local band that could play 4 or 5 shows a month and fill the larger venues close to home so I could maintain my work career and enjoy my 3 grandsons.
Thanks to all of you that have been a small part of making my dream come true!
If I can help any of you in any way just let me know.
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Rubes
730 posts
Jul 19, 2013
4:17 AM
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Go Harpdude 61!
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One of Rubes's bands, DadsinSpace-MySpace
Old Man Rubes at Reverbnation
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jim
1456 posts
Jul 19, 2013
1:31 PM
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I tried to keep it clean, light, and tidy.
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Free Harp Learning Center
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