In your final quest to get yourself on the radar, we offer a guide of easy, inexpensive tips for exposure. As its name suggests, our guide is packed with helpful tips and also pays homage to your favorite cheezy ABC sitcom from the mid nineties...word to Patrick Duffy and Suzanne Somers!
1. Determine Your Budget
How much money can your realistically spend on launching your career? Most people have to supplement their performing income with, gasp...a real job. knowing all of this beforehand will save you a huge amount of grief and debt. Sit down, get a calculator (and your W2's) and get to work...Now!
2. Hire A Firm, or...
If you already have a CD, then you need to find out how to get people to know it exists. If you have a rich uncle who was nice enough to leave you loads of cash upon his death, feel free to hire a large PR firm. Cornerstone Promotions is a great way to go.
If you're on a low budget, which we assume is the case, since you're here, you may think about a boutique promotional firm. Audible Treats and Ballin PR are a few firms we suggest. Check your local yellow pages, and don't hesitate to do an Internet search.
3. Do It Yourself
If your budget is nonexistent, start with the basics. Make sure you have an audio CD with your three strongest works at the beginning. The good news for you, is that social networking is free. Upload your material onto a free Myspace Music Page. You can also do some free musical/social networking via Soundclick, Imeem, CD Baby and a host of others.
If you don't have any physical product, here's a few quick tips. That CDR with the Sharpie writing on it, isn't going to work with professionals. Digital Disk Manufacturing can press up bulk product for you in a cheap manner. In the digital age, fliers are becoming obsolete, but paying for a small amount is a good investment. We suggest EbbTight Multimedia.
4. Perform!
Sitting on your porch with that acoustic guitar looks great for that picture on your Myspace profile, but it won't capture the attention of any label heads. The fact of the matter, is that almost all major radio stations are controlled my a vertically integrated mass media conglomerate. This means live performances are your life blood. Look up venues in your area that have open-mic nights. Here in Nashville, Gibson Showcase and the Bluebird Cafe are quite popular. There are also various conferences, record pools, and seminars which you will find helpful. We update our calendar on the O.T.R. Media Myspace page daily with events of this nature that you will find helpful.
5. Spread The Word
Aside from social networking and viral marketing, an alternative/weekly entertainment paper is your best friend. The Village Voice has many satellite papers in major cities. Here's a link to the various different ones. Since they're usually free, grab one, and find out who covers the local music beat.
In addition to the Village Voice, there are usually two other alternative weeklies in every city. The writers of such publications need artists and events to write about, and as an emerging artist, you need the exposure. If you can't find one, do an Internet search on your cities name and the words "alternative weekly" and watch what happens. For all you Nashvillians we suggest, The Nashville Edge, All The Rage and the Village Voice affiliate, The Scene.
Once you're done, decide if you need a press release. PRNewswire and Marketwire are literally used by thousands of journalists, who in turn, spread the word to millions. You can have the news of an album release and anything else related to your product for as little as $180.
Step By Step...