5 POWERFUL TIPS TO HELP YOUR BAND BECOME SUCCESSFUL

By:  Jarnard Sutton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have under 10,000 followers collectively on Facebook and Twitter, this applies to you. 

 

• Have a press kit

This is as simple as having a detailed bio on your websites.  This helps radio stations, podcasters and writers identify where you’re from and who’s in the band.  A press kit also means an accurate and updated bio picture with a quick paragraph detailing the style of music and the names of band members.  This is essential when you’re sending music to radio stations.  Make sure the mp3/wav files you send to radio stations/podcasters have titles. For Example – It’s hard identifying a song when the file is label “track2.mp3”.   If band members change frequently, please update this ASAP so there’s no confusion on who's currently in the band.

 

• Have a good Social Media Presence

This is important.  Make sure have a youtube channel, reverbnation, bandcamp, twitter, vine, pinterest (seriously!,  Instagram, and facebook page.  This is very crucial and will help you gain more followers. Post often.  Let people know you’re alive and the band is doing well.  If you have a show coming up, post about the show at least a week or two in advance.  If you’re just now posting that you’re show is in two days, more than likely, people will not show up. 

 

• Have contact info available

This is very crucial for promoters.  If someone wants to contact the band about a song or if they’re interested in playing a show, there should be contact info on all your social media outlets.  If there’s no contact and you have very little social media presence, more than likely, no one will contact you to play shows.

 

• Interact and respond to fans/promoters

I guess this goes back to contact info and social media presence.  Numerous of times, I’ve asked bands to perform shows that I’m booking and I get no response.  A simple “No, We are unavailable” will do.  Or I’ll ask about a song or when they’re performing again and I get no response.  Again, if you don’t interact with fans and promoters, more than likely, you’ll miss out on opportunities. 

 

• Play shows for exposure

I understand that local bands need money in order to survive as a band but at the same time, if money is the first thing on your mind, you will not make it in the music industry.  Yup, I’m talking to most of the local bands.  I’ve had bands asked me how much they would make on a week night and when I tell them the number, they usually back out. Again, I understand you need to make money but at the same time, if you have 300 followers on facebook and twitter, that tells me that you will probably bring 10 people to the show and as a promoter, I can bring in triple that plus offer you additional exposure such as a podcast or video.

 

I think these 5 tips can definitely apply to those who enjoy playing music for fun but also want to gain a little exposure in the community while doing so.  There really is no right way – but these tips I think could help you gain exposure, help submit to media outlets and build a fan base.  Definitely play shows for exposure, have a press kit, interact with fans/promoters and have an email where people can contact you.

 

What are some tips you think are valuable for bands to know?