Posting Publicity Packages - proposals?

Subject: Posting Publicity Packages - proposals?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 03:03 PM

OK, OK, I apologize for the alliteration.....

I have a friend who occasionally get asked for publicity photos and information, and she's asked me to help her work up a publicity package. What should a performer send out to solicit gigs - and once a gig is booked, what should she have available to send the venue to publicize the gig?

Should she have a package on her Website, or should she send it by e-mail or on CD or on paper, or what?

Do any of you have online publicity packages you can give us a link to, or do you have samples you could e-mail me? [[e-mail]]

Thanks.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Posting Publicity Packages - proposals?
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 04:26 PM

ONe of the best things she can have/do is provide a quick return for acknowledgement of receipt, imo. When I had an ad agency and worked on such projects, pre-internet, this was a self-addressed, stamped postcard, included in the package, which simply said, "we have received your materials and are looking them over." It's a quick way to make sure the package really did get to whomever and saves one from any embarrassing call of "Did you get my materials. No? Oh that darn post office, I'll have to see what happened." At least with a postcard, you know and, if you never get it, you can then call to resend or whatever.

You can also do this with email, in that you request a notification when they open the email, which you can do from your email program.

I like the way Chris and Thomas have their press available etc. on their website, along with a slide show of images and other stuff on their Myspace page.

I see Jed Marum has publicity stills available on his website.

I am sure there are lots of other Mudcatters' pages that would be helpful.

kat

Subject: RE: Posting Publicity Packages - proposals?
From: Blowzabella
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 04:39 PM

To send to a prospective booker - you need to send something which includes images (a variety), biog, some idea of what you have done before, some reviews and something which indicates what you sound like.

Be wary of just sending links in emails to websites and such - once opened and read, an email is hard to find amongst a load of other emails and many corporate systems block myspace etc.

Personally, i prefer hard copies. If I'm interested / intrigued by what I receive, I may then look up on a website. Our system at work has rubbishy speakers which do no performer justice, so Iprefer a cd which I can listen to in the car, on the way to / from work.

Always remember that the onus is on the performer to provide. It's unfortunate but true. If you sent them something a few years ago, and they ask for it again, never say - you will have it on file somewhere. It's the performer who is looking for the booking and there will be so many other performers sending stuff in that there is no incentive for the prospective booker to look through three years of material. (They might well have moved office twice in that time) They'll just move on to the next act.

Subject: RE: Posting Publicity Packages - proposals?
From: Brendy
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 04:55 PM

I have a 'Press' section to my website, as well.

There any venue can download a Press Release in PDF format, and A3 & A4 Flyers (also in PDF).
I also have an MP3 page, where mostly Live recordings can be downloaded.

The Press Release is just basically what I've been up to for the most of my life, and the Flyers are reasonably good quality resolution.

If a venue wants 'a CD', I normally tell them to download what's on the site and burn it themselves, but I can make one up (with labels and covers 'n all) and send it to them if they insist.

I know it seems an unconventional way to approach advertising, but I have been amazed how many venue owners and Festival organisers go for the 'DIY CD' idea.

... and ..., it saves on packaging. ;-)

Many venues don't play CDs anymore, anyway.... Over in these parts most decent venues have all their CD collection MP3'd, and play skip-free randomised playlists.

If any of them want A2 or A1 Posters, I'll post them off to the places.

B.

Subject: RE: Posting Publicity Packages - proposals?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 09:03 PM

Brendy (and others) - it you have a Website and don't mind, please post a link.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Posting Publicity Packages - proposals?
From: Brendy
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 09:39 PM

No problem, Joe My Website

B.

Subject: RE: Posting Publicity Packages - proposals?
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 10:58 PM

That's what I was thinking, Brendy. When I worked at an arts centre it was unbelievable the amount of submissions we'd receive. A lot more than we could ever use. Most artists did not send a SASE, so their stuff was either filed forever in a dark, dusty closet no one ever went in, put in the dust bin, or taken home by employees. It's how I found out about Fair Stood the Wind, an early cassette tape from the guys at Mystic Seaport.

Subject: RE: Posting Publicity Packages - proposals?
From: Brendy
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 11:37 PM

I think the way people store, and listen to, music nowadays is changing. Everything lives in the computer these days, kat.

Over the years, here in Scandinavia, I have witnessed the MP3 Revolution, and with faster broadband speeds, everybody who is anybody has their life story and complete discography online. ID3 tags take the place of Track Lists, and lyrics can be included within the code. CD Covers are .jpeg's. Printers have taken up where the bulky tube of posters left off, and again, A3 Laser Jets are now a part of any self-respecting Entertainment Manager's office today.

In short, there are very few filing cabinets left... I think they're called .cab files now... ;-)..., and busy Ents Managers are more liable to take the subway home plugged into their iPods, as they listen to the latest aspirants to their venue in peace.

The one's I deal with up here find it easier to 'Play & Print', and though the physical CD is certainly more 'professional looking', they are easier mislaid and/or damaged than the humble MP3 is, and many people I have turned on to the idea over the years have noticed the benefit of the system.

I think you have asked me a once or twice, kat, whether or not I had a CD produced. By the time I got around to being able to make a few usable recordings, the World was converting to MP3.

I burnt 1000 CDs of 9 tracks selected from the webpage, printed the labels, front & tray covers, and bought jewel cases for them. I sold them all at €10 a pop here last Summer.
They were MP3 CD's though...., and everyone who bought it knew and accepted the fact. It's also amazing to find out how many people don't actually own a standalone CD player.
Hands up who owns a laptop.....

I think that's the way Publicity is going these days, Joe and kat The tangible snail mail packages are fine, and will still have their place in the World of 'booking the musician'..., but people have busy lives, and if the Venue owners are agreeable (cos I'll always clear it with them first...), I'll just direct them to my website, simple enough as it is.

B.

Subject: RE: Posting Publicity Packages - proposals?
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 11:52 PM

Yep, I think you are right, Brendy. I am having a hard time convincing/explaining that to my brother and I think the classical music world is probably a bit slower coming round, but it sure makes more sense to me and it means a lot less loss for an artist as well as less cost for materials, etc. Thanks for the info.. I've just really enjoyed all of the sound files you have on your website. Some pretty fancy pickin' there.:-)

Subject: RE: Posting Publicity Packages - proposals?
From: Brendy
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 12:11 AM

You're too kind, kat... thanks, meluv ;-)

Yes. The Classical World does tend to have a bit more formality about it..., as well as having the added advantage that not too many beer-drenched hands commit the sacrilege of fogging up the playing surface.

Barstaff can be lethal sometimes in this regard....

B.

Subject: RE: Posting Publicity Packages - proposals?
From: open mike
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 01:17 AM

ch3eck into the sonicbids site
they can be a great resource
as can oasis disc manufactrurers
and others...who send samplers out
and connect artists with radio,
venues, etc.

also becoming a member of the folk alliance

that organization helps to showcase performers.
they are holding their annual event in memphis
in feb. they also have a west coast regional
in the fall....2008 will be in oct. phoenix

they also hols workshops on promoting your self,
and other topics. one of the main ideas i heard
about at the far wesr regional in vancouver in
november was about the "one sheet" which is an
inseert to bge sent with c.d.'s containing
contact info, bio, and other facts of interest.

Subject: RE: Posting Publicity Packages - proposals?
From: Brendy
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 12:47 AM

Here's Andy Irvine's Publicity page: Click

B.

Subject: RE: Posting Publicity Packages - proposals?
From: Rasener
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 02:34 AM

The best thing any performer wishing to be booked at any venue, is to have a Myspace or Youtube website.
I find a video or 2 of an actual performance tells me more than any CD can. Failing that a varied selection of songs or tunes on the Myspace or Youtube website to give the organiser an idea of the versatilty of the performer. A good example of what I mean is this website A very helpfull website from my point of view
If a performer sounds good, then I will wait to see them locally, live. If I enjoy that, I will invariably try to book. However, just becuase I like somebody, I still think about if the act will be suitable for the audience.
Once booked, all the performer needs to do is have a couple of very good quality photo's in action, that I can pick up by e-mail or from the website to put on the posters.
We do our own posters and promote the performer in a way that we think will attract an audience. What a performer thinks is important for promotion may not be how the organiser sees it.
A poster with just a photo on it, does not sell the performer, unless that person is well known in the area.

I hope that helps to see how I see things, but of course other people will have different viewpoints.

Subject: RE: Posting Publicity Packages - proposals?
From: Brendy
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 03:19 AM

MySpace and YouTube seem to be custom-made for today's trends, alright....

B.