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Promoting Yourself
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minddoctorsmakeacid
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
74
Posts :
577
Posted : Jul 22, 2010 17:09:37
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Hi guys,
I have signed a contract with a promotion agency last year but they dont get me many gigs.
When they call me to play is usually on their parties and that's only once every 2, 3 months.
The contract allows me to play for other people as well so Im trying to promote myself in order to get more gigs.
How do you go about promoting yourselves?
Do you send promo packages or get in direct contact with people?
Do you call, send mails or both?
Who do you reach? Party organisers? Booking agencies?
Please help guys.
Thanks in advance. |
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Lord Deo
Started Topics :
7
Posts :
215
Posted : Jul 22, 2010 19:38
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throw your own parties. easier if you throw a party in collaboration with other DJs or live acts - so the number of attendees can increase. check each and every local venue, talk to venue owners, managers, bartenders, bouncers. Usually they will ask about your follow up. the bigger the number of people attending your parties, the easier will be to get a venue.
dropping demos at the venues, from my personal experience is ineffective, its less likely gonna get heard keeping in mind the "busy" schedule of venue employees. so talk business, discuss door policy, admission price, minimum number of required people to bring, your cut from bar and the door etc etc.
and as for promoting - it's your party so you'll gonna have to put all into it: flyers, online / offline promotion. ask your friends, and friends of your friends, spread the word.
it requires a lot of work and its success depends only on you, but at the end of the day its more rewarding than just playing at some regular gig. www.venomous2.com
www.myspace.com/venomous2
www.myspace.com/asymmetricnoisesyndrome |
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Ascension
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
170
Posts :
3642
Posted : Jul 22, 2010 19:50
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#1 rule to promoting yourself and getting booked consistently- don't be a dick.
Seriously, I haven't been throwing shows that long and it amazes me that djs/producers don't realize that if they're an a-hole they won't get booked again. Parties are enough work, no need to throw a douche wrench in the works.
Examples being- running the mixer above the level you're told to stay at, constantly asking the promoter for dealers, playing trance music on the chill stage, complaining about things that aren't the promoter's fault
If the promoter sucks or isn't doing what they promised, you should definitely say something. In the end the promoter is the one who is booking/paying you, just don't have unrealistic expectations. Taking care of artists is one thing myself and the group I do shows with prides ourselves on, and I know other orgs aren't the best about this, so like I said, if they promised you something and didn't follow through, it's their fault, otherwise you're probably just being annoying.
^Didn't mean to sound ranty, just something it seems people overlook a lot. http://soundcloud.com/ascensionsound
www.chilluminati.org - Midwest based psytrance group |
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minddoctorsmakeacid
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
74
Posts :
577
Posted : Jul 22, 2010 21:08
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cheers guys but Im still in need of advice.
Throwing parties is out of the question, been there done that too much hassle.
As for respect, I like to be respected so I respect people arround me, never had complaints from management.
Really need to know is who to aproach and how.
Peace |
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Ascension
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
170
Posts :
3642
Posted : Jul 22, 2010 21:26
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Where do you live? Might be more helpful to ask someone in the region. In general though, sending promos to promoters is usually the best way to do it. I've gotten emails, forum pms and facebook messages from artists wanting to play at parties, any of those work fine by me.
In the US we usually don't have to deal with booking agencies (I hate dealing with artist that have an agent to be honest, it's much easier to deal directly with the person- I'm sure this is different in other parts of the world where it's more common).
http://soundcloud.com/ascensionsound
www.chilluminati.org - Midwest based psytrance group |
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aciduss
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
112
Posts :
1490
Posted : Jul 22, 2010 21:42
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Get yourself a very well designed image.
Nice logo, biz cards, myspace and official website will make you look professional and will increase the chance of getting booked since you will be reflecting the quality of your work and persona and thus your music.
Get into a label or make your own with dj / producer friends then work your public relations in order to release your music and make it know to your target.
Good luck. |
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piXan
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
107
Posts :
807
Posted : Jul 22, 2010 21:58
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Quote:
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On 2010-07-22 21:42, aciduss wrote:
Get yourself a very well designed image.
Nice logo, biz cards, myspace and official website will make you look professional and will increase the chance of getting booked since you will be reflecting the quality of your work and persona and thus your music.
Get into a label or make your own with dj / producer friends then work your public relations in order to release your music and make it know to your target.
Good luck.
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yeahhh i agreee image + sounds+ charisma
www.soundcloud.com/elektroakustica/sets/downtempo/ |
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demoniac
Demoniac Insomniac
Started Topics :
85
Posts :
1281
Posted : Jul 22, 2010 21:59
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Ascension
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
170
Posts :
3642
Posted : Jul 22, 2010 21:59
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Business cards and promo cds to hand out at parties are a really good way to go too. I generally have an easier time keeping track of things sent to me online though. I'm sure it different for everyone, because some ppl don't check messages online. Promoting in all of these ways is probably the best, just don't over do it 
http://soundcloud.com/ascensionsound
www.chilluminati.org - Midwest based psytrance group |
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makus
Overdream
Started Topics :
82
Posts :
3087
Posted : Jul 22, 2010 22:28
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Recently I don't do almost anything. A rare message in Facebook, Myspace or forums is everything for what I have free time nowadays.
However the only thing I always tried to do is to make and release the best music I can and hope that it will bring some attention to me. From my experience this is the slowest, but most rewarding way of getting gigs.
Internet promotion is very good nowadays. Try some of the basic things. Start with creating a web space where anyone can see who you are and listen to what you do. A short bio, several photos, event list, discography and several tracks/mixes is enough for start. Then make this webspace known. If your music/sets are good you will be probably heard.
It is very important to play music locally, at your country. It is easier to manage as you probably know several promos in person.
Timely updates, bringing new info about you, and constant work on your skills and music will definately bring good results.
www.overdreamstudio.com |
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minddoctorsmakeacid
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
74
Posts :
577
Posted : Jul 22, 2010 23:01
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aciduss
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
112
Posts :
1490
Posted : Jul 23, 2010 02:40
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I am talking about real design here... invest some money on a professional logo and web design, no offence but your site looks like all 90's, the graphics could be much better too...
Something catchy like:
http://www.boomfestival.org/boom2010/
Well i know you are a single artist not an event promoter but i bet you can improve a lot your site.
Check Tom Cosm's too:
http://www.cosm.co.nz/
Also get on LastFM !
Don't forget to link all your social networks together. |
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minddoctorsmakeacid
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
74
Posts :
577
Posted : Jul 23, 2010 02:56
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Yes I know my site is horrible Ive only spent a couple of hours doing it thats why.
Ill make an effort to make it better.
About the logo the reason I haven't done another one is because I was promissed one by my promoters.
Im already on Last FM but still trying to see how it works.
Thank you |
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elastic_plastic
Re-Boot
Started Topics :
112
Posts :
1612
Posted : Jul 26, 2010 13:30
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usually i feel this is how it works:-
1)you can drop in your sets to various party organisers.
2)Keep a good rapport with most of the people involved in the party circuit which will help you get some parties in some way or the other.
3) the best possible way would be to start producing some good tunes and get some big releases which shall automatically help you get parties around the globe. |
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Trevon
Started Topics :
6
Posts :
376
Posted : Jul 26, 2010 14:45
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yes. i think the main key is to release music.
send demos to foreign labels, contact event promoters out of your country. try brazil, japan and stuff.
if you have nice tracks that probably wont be released, make an EP and put it on ektoplazm.com
as someone said, the design and logos are very important. create a consistent look in all your pages, web, myspace, etc.
tom cosm site is running on Joomla.
if you have a domain and webspace, you can easily setup a wordpress or joomla portals and customize the design.
use social networks. soundcloud is rockin right now!
at least for house, tech, dnb and dubstep. not sure about trance! eheh xD
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