Want To Start Getting Your Band’s Name Out There? Here Are Some Tips You Should Know About
Lucy Hudson
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Here are a few tips to help you put your best foot forward into the world of PR, publicity, and branding.
You know when your band starts sounding good enough that they deserve to be heard. There is nothing like the realization that you are onto something, that you have a sound that is going to stand out from the crowd and that there is going to be an audience out there that is going to love you.
However, there are plenty of bands out there that deserve an audience but have never found it. You might even know a couple yourself. In our social media age, it can be harder than ever to cut through the noise and make a name for yourself. Of course, a lot of musicians will do everything in their power to avoid the PR and promotion side of things. And while there is nothing wrong with being all about the music, if you want to turn your passion project into something that you can share with as many people as it deserves, you are going to have to learn about how promotion works and put the time and effort in. Here are a few tips to help you put your best foot forward into the world of PR, publicity, and branding.
Your Social Media Matters
Here is one that you should get working on as soon as possible. A good social media profile is the cornerstone of a modern publicity strategy, no matter whether you’ve got a massive budget or if you are doing it all yourself. It is important to note that it is not just enough to have a page and to leave it at that. You need to think about what kind of messaging you want to be putting out there, and what kind of media you have at your disposal.
On the one hand, a social media page is a great way of keeping your fans informed about the latest updates, from upcoming releases to any live performance dates. It’s also a great way to let your audience know about any COVID-19 guidelines that venues may have as places reopen. But it is also a great way to grow your audience if you approach it correctly. Make sure that it is not just functioning as a newsletter, but as something which offers a sample of what your band is all about.
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You Are Going To Have To Settle On A Name
This point sounds simple, doesn’t it? But how many conversations have you had in your band about your name, and whether you should change it? It is rare indeed that a band sticks with the first name that they come up with. That can be for a lot of reasons, but often it’s because the person who thought of the name did not have a clear idea of what the band sounded like before they did so. It is relatively easy to think of a good band name. It is a lot more difficult to think of a good name for your band.
There are several different factors to consider. The first, as we mentioned, is your sound. Does the name suit your personality? Is it the kind of name that will catch people’s attention if they don’t know anything about you? And, arguably most importantly, is it a name that people are going to remember? If you are struggling with how to choose a band name, PIRATE.com put this article together to help you narrow down your options and make the right choice. With locations around the globe, PIRATE offers rehearsal and practice space for bands, solo acts, and DJs, and they have a wide range of blogs and expert advice to help anyone who is just starting out.
You Need To Know Who Your Audience Listens To
We are not talking about the other bands that you think your target audience likes (although that is not bad information to have). We are talking about the industry figures, the cultural commentators, and the DJs who have an influence on what they listen to. A few years ago, this was a lot more straightforward. You would have a certain number of music publications and journalists who were the go-to for any up-and-coming act to send a demo to. You would also be confident that, if a certain radio DJ played your song, then people would hear it.
Nowadays, the field is a lot more open, as even social media platforms like Tik Tok are moving into radio. That is good news in that you don’t have to worry about what’s going to happen if that DJ does not want to play your track, but it means that you are going to have to work a lot harder to find the people who can have that impact. Do your research and find out what sites are publicizing acts that you feel a similarity to. Don’t be shy about sending out links to your work and don’t be afraid to ask for advice. There is always going to be a lot of groundwork that you can do yourself but at a certain point you are going to need help from people who have been on this journey before.
You Need To Have Plenty Of Material
Everyone dreams of being able to break big with a single track, but if you want to make sure that your profile continues to build, you need to make sure that you have more in the bank than that. You may well find that if you find a promoter or manager who wants to work with you, they will want to make sure that you have a good number of tracks that are already at a serviceable stage.
Think about booking some time in a professional recording studio to make sure that your material is in a state that you are happy with before you start approaching people who can get your band out there. This is also crucial when it comes to your social media strategy. People who like your music will obviously want to hear more of it, and if you can’t give them that, then you might find that they turn their attention elsewhere.