Tips on Promoting Your Gigs
Written by Dick Hodgin --  m80@nando.net

Question:
        My band just got a gig in a city we've never played in. What can 
we do to help?
 
Answer:
        That's a great question.  Just because you've landed this gig 
doesn't mean your job is over except for the playing.  In fact, when  
you  book into a place or area where you're relatively unknown, it will 
take a lot of extra work to raise the awareness of your show with the 
general public, as well as the local press. Here's some things a band can 
do to help the promoter,  and most of all,  themselves. 
 
IMMEDIATELY:    
 
        1.  Call every daily, weekly and monthly publication in that area 
to let them know of your gig.  Ask who's in charge of the calendar and 
would they please include your date on the next publication.. Ask who 
does reviews and previews . See if any of them would like to do something 
in advance on your show, or at the very least, come out and see the show 
for a possible review.  Make sure you have all of the information 
regarding the show handy.( Venue, slot, times, ticket price etc.)  It 
will save you a call-back later.   Overnight your materials  if possible 
and necessary.   
 
        2.  Send a press kit, tape or cd,  and photo to them the same day 
you call them!  Make sure you have all of the information regarding the 
show included in the cover letter.  Don't expect much, but if they like 
you, they may just do something even if you're un-known.  Be nice and 
humble. It doesn't pay to have an attitude with a writer or editor who 
doesn't know how well you might be doing in your home town.
 
        3.  Call or fax every radio station (college and commercial) and 
ask to have your date put on their "concert calendar" as soon as 
possible. Ask who is in charge of doing band interviews and try to 
contact them.  Try to get an interview set up for sometime on the day of 
the show.  Even if the gig is far away, it's worth the effort to get 
there early and be on the radio. JInvite them out to see the show. Don't 
tell them you'll out them on the guest list unless you've cleared it with 
the club.  If you have a CD, tape, record etc., make sure you get their 
address and send them a copy. If you can afford to throw a few copies 
away, send them some to give away over the air.
 
        4. If you have a video, check to see if there's a local 
cable-access station that can air your tape and hype the show. 
 
        5.   Call or contact as many record stores in the area as you 
can. Start with the cool indie stores and work your way up to the big 
mall chains.  Ask them if they have a calendar board of shows that you 
could get included on, or if you could send them a flyer. Try to see if 
they'll carry your product. ( whatever it is).  Invite them to the show.  
 
        6.  If you know anyone in that town, call them and ask them to 
spread the word.  If you know anyone in a fraternity/sorority  in your 
town that has a branch in that town, ask them to call the branch and hype 
the show.
 
        7. Send the club whatever promotional items you have. Posters, 
tapes, cds whatever.  Make a cool flyer for the show. If there is any way 
that you can have someone actually go to that town and spread flyers 
around, DO IT!!   If not, send some flyers and one good black and white 
copy to the person at the club responsible for publicity so that they can 
get have some more made if necessary and get them out. 
FOLLOW UP!
 
Anyone that was on a deadline or still deciding whether or not to do 
something in advance gets a call back in 3 days. (IF THEY REQUESTED 
OVERNIGHT, CALL THEM THE NEXT AFTERNOON!) Make sure they got the 
information.  Be flexible regarding interviews, phone calls, etc.  Invite 
them to the show  again.  If they were interested in doing a review, or 
just coming to check you out, call them back about 3 or four days before 
the show to remind them.  Make a check list of everyone that could 
possibly help you hype the show and make sure they're contacted. Now, you 
may say, "Gee! , that's a lot of trouble to go to just for this one 
little opening act gig!"    Well it is, but it will make a good 
impression on the club owner, and it will get you started on the 
publicity road in that city.
 
 
        Contact the promotion/publicity person at the club.  Go over 
everything you've done with them and help them double team some of these 
people.  Ask the club person if they have any other ideas for you.  
Listen to them! They know their market.   There are lots of ways to help 
promote a show.  These are just a few.   Ask other bands that have played 
there if they have any ideas.  Call the promotion person at the club 
about a week in advance of the show and ask if there is anything else you 
can do.  Make sure you talk with the club about guest-lists and how many 
you get. Some clubs are very strict about this.
 
        Questions? Write -----> m80@nando.net!