10 Ways to get noticed

Posted on 17th May 05 by Contributor | 0

Artist:
Author: Shel Horowitz

10 Ways for Unknown Musicians to Get the Word Out

By Shel Horowitz

When Clear Channel controls the radio and the monopoly newspaper doesn't like you" how do you win over new audiences"'

The good news: there are many" many ways. Here are ten of my favourites.

1. Approach a local college or alternative radio station or community
   access cable TV station with a programming idea" like a live songwriter
   showcase. Other musicians will want to be a part of your show" and
   you'll build an audience for your own music""and theirs.
2. Write CD or concert reviews for a local alternative "or mainstream" paper.
3. Give copies of your CD away to public radio and TV stations for their fund drive premiums.
4. Organize" publicize" and perform at charity events for your favourite causes.
5. Lead song writing or performing workshops in the schools
   "these are usually paying gigs" and all the parents hear your name".
   Invite some of the kids to perform with you" they're sure to bring a
   bunch of relatives along who will pay for their tickets and maybe buy a
   CD.
6. Announce your gigs in every community calendar. Newspapers"
   magazines" radio stations" community web sites" cable TV stations""they
   all run event listings. Type out one paragraph that includes a tag line
   about what you do" such as "Sandy Songwriter" River City's 'Home grown
   Bono"' will perform labour songs and love ballads at The Trombone Shop"
   444 4th Street in Downtown River City" Wednesday" January 15" 7 p.m."
   If admission is free or there's a charity connection" say so. Include
   contact phone number and e"mail.
7. Find Internet discussion groups related to your cause.
   Whether it's immigration" voting reform" peace" safe energy" the right
   to choose…there will be discussion groups online. Post responses and
   include a "sig"""a short on"line business card. Use different sigs for
   different purposes. Here's one of mine "in a real e"mail" it would be
   single"spaced":

   Shel Horowitz" mailto:shel"frugalfun.com" 800"683"WORD/413"586"2388
   "I make the world INSIST on learning why YOU'RE special"

   News releases" brochures" newsletters" ad copy" web copy" resumes" etc.
   http://www.frugalmarketing.com " http://www.principledprofits.com

8. Set up a simple low"cost website. Include a couple of sound
   clips" pictures of you performing" a place for people to sign up for
   your fan newsletter" a link to your favourite musicians" and" of
   course" your tour schedule and gig availability.
9. Get exposure on other people's websites. Write CD reviews"
   endorse their music with a blurb" submit articles on the local music
   scene…and always include your contact information and a statement
   that encourages people to visit your site.
10. Use the letters columns. Call in to talk shows. Post messages
    to Web forums…in short" use every feedback tool you have to spread
    the word.

Copywriter" marketing consultant" and speaker Shel Horowitz is the
author of six books and publisher of five websites" five webzines and
three ezines. His two most recent" Principled Profit: Marketing That Puts People First and Grassroots Marketing: Getting Noticed in a Noisy World have
both won awards. He's currently engaged in a campaign to get 25"000
people to sign""and spread""the Business Ethics Pledge:

Article Source: ezinearticles.com