4. PR Distribution
Fit your pitch to the recipient
Free wire services
Build your own list – reviewers,
local press, national reviewers, etc.
Sites that have news submission
forms – Blabbermouth, Mi2N.com, more
Hire a publicist – make sure they are the right fit.
And be a squeaky wheel.
5. Social Media
Facebook, Twitter, MySpace
Update your posts and profile regularly
Include contact info
Interact – make it a dialog
Respond – your fans want to
know you listen
Numbers count – build that fan
base
Get your fans to invest in you
emotionally
Be careful with tagging
Don’t completely disregard your
MySpace base
6. YouTube
Make a YouTube channel that you control
Use the skin to support your projects
Link from your website
Keep the best videos at
the top
Put key words in your
descriptions
Include URL or contact
info in video descriptions
Do cover songs of new
/popular material
Respond to comments
Post your videos on other social media
Include links and embeds on your website
7. Foursquare, Linked
In, Pinterest, Instagram, more!
Use social media for its strengths
FourSquare: Reward fans for coming to shows
Linked In: Network, network, network
Pinterest: Share photos of you, your band, your favorite cup
of coffee, and more
Instagram: Photos of you
on the road, on stage,
back stage, your gear,
your clothes, etc.
Give people a reason to
come back
Be visible in a variety of places
8. Your eMail List
Opt in email lists are extremely valuable
Use an email service that starts off for free like MailChimp or
Constant Contact
Do not abuse your list – mail only relevant, timely info
Keep a record of how you acquired your list
Touch base with
your list at least
once a month
9. How to Build Your List
Include a sign up field on every page of your website at the top of
the frame
Encourage people to sign up to receive specials
Do a contest on Facebook that requires someone to both like you
and give you email info
Have sign up sheets at your
shows. Give away a t-shirt to
encourage sign up.
Put other info in your list besides
email: where they live, age, source
Offer a free song for signing up,
or a first crack at your tour dates
If you have a store on your site,
encourage opt-in for your list
during checkout
10. Advertising
Try free event listings
If it’s time to pay, shop around so you know
you are getting a good deal
Don’t be afraid to negotiate, but be fair
Make sure your target audience matches
theirs
Can you share costs?
See if you can barter – a banner on your site
for one on theirs
11. More Exposure
Forums: Share your music, comment, participate. Include
your web link.
Blogs: Comment on posts. Include your web link.
Groups: Yahoo, Linked In,
more. Comment on
discussions. Include
your web link.
Media outlets: Share
articles, comment,
vote. Include your
web link
12. Endorsements
Show your value to the endorsing company
Provide what they need without being
asked – audio clips, video demos, a quote,
pix, more!
It’s not just about free gear – it’s about exposure
This should be a win-win relationship
Be the most responsive, helpful partner ever
Don’t be a nudge
Get their attention through social media –
posts, tags, pix
13. Contests
A way to get names and email addresses on your list
Get your face and name out there and associated with other
companies
Have news to talk about
Share the winners with
your audience, give
your fans a reason
to repost
Good will!
14. Website Checklist
Photos – rights cleared with photo credit in low and high res
Bio – long and short version
eNewsletter sign up
Social media icons with links,
and news feeds
Video embeds
Audio files and a
way to buy songs
Tour info
Merch store
Contact info
Something fun
