The Basic Tools for Marketing a Band or Group

The Basic Tools for Marketing a Band
By Rick A Smith


So, you'd like to know how to market a band? Your interest in reading this reveals a few things about you - two things that set you apart from most musicians:

1. You understand that the music business is an actual business, and your art is a product that needs to be promoted to fans and record label executives; and

2. You don't ascribe to the misconception that you deserve headliner gigs and a big record deal just because you a great musical artist.

In other words, you're smart and you understand the real world. I know it's a cliche, but it's still true... the music business is a business, and if you want success, you have to look at music as a business.

Let's get down to the basics. What tools can you use to get the word out on your band? How can you promote your music to the world? Let's consider some of the most important, basic tools:

Publicity - This can be the most fun and creative way to get attention. Does it get any better than that?

Press Releases - They are easy and free, and they often work great. They are used by big companies all the time, but hardly any musicians use them.

Social Media - Probably, you're already working with Facebook and MySpace, but there's so much more. Social media can be very powerful.

Street Teams - If you don't have a street team now, you should.

Performances - Q: What's the oldest form of band promotion? A: An energetic, top-notch live performance. You can't beat it.

Merchandise - Also known as "merch." A simple T-shirt can be a walking billboard.

Licensing - Maybe you can get your song licensed for use on a TV commercial.

Sponsorships - There are companies who want to reach your fans, and you might be able to help them... in return for promotional support.

Professionalism - What? I know, it doesn't make sense at first. I know it doesn't mean anything now, but in my opinion, this is the most important tool you have in your tool box.

Look back at this list. Can you see that you have a lot of tools in your possession? And this isn't even the entire list.

The fact is that this is a good time for musicians. Modern technology - and creativity - gives every musician marketing tools that never existed before. And many of these opportunities are low-cost or free.

You can find great information about marketing your music at http://www.howtomarketaband.net. How To Market a Band is a site created to help musicians learn the ins and outs of publicizing their music and finding opportunities