any suggestions on getting the word out?

[volsball]

Does anyone have any suggestions on ways to get the wrod out about a local band. So far, they are trying the usual with some success. (flyers, posters, free cds, etc..) They do not have a myspace space. Is that really a good idea. Does it help a lot?

[lumpy]

volsball,
Guess it really all depends on what they're goals are. If they are shooting for gigs it sounds like they are on the right track. I found it always helped to cozy up to some of the more popular local bands and volunteer (read beg) for opening act slots. And when I say volunteer I mean playing for free.

The myspace thing is new to me also. I'm kind of surprised that it's so popular. It's a pain in the ass to use, and the results are kinda disappointing. Some bands really have a knack for the myspace thing and their profiles look really nice. Mine looks cheezoid. The thing about myspace is that it forces you to network, or whore yourself in that the only way to get people to visit your profile is let them know you exist. I think myspace is an evil necessity these days.

I find the promotion aspect of running a band the most sickening; hence the lack of success we have. We are putting a little more effort into it though with myspace and trying to book some shows after a year of sitting around drinking beer, watching Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and listening to Frank Zappa. It helps whenever everybody pitches in.

Lump

[brandondrury]

They do not have a myspace space. Is that really a good idea. Does it help a lot?

I've got plans to make a video on how to use Myspace to really push your band / music. Myspace can be insanely powerful if you understand how to use the tools properly.

You really need to fit in with the 18-25 year old demographic to make it work. (I'm 26, so that my be why I also think that Myspace is an evil necessity). I still think that Myspace is not nearly as powerful as running a real www.yourband.com site, but that's easy for me to say. That's what I do for a living.

The band marketing thing takes a ton of work and it doesn't take any work at all. It's kind of tricky to put into words. I guess I mean that you need to bust your tail to use all the tools properly, but in the end it's up to the fans to spread the word. I've seen a few cases where a band's music was spread by word of mouth from friend to friend. This is the only way to really make the process work.

Of course, if you want your music to spread itself, it needs to be good enough that your target audience wants to spread the word. Most people can barely hold their band together. It's much tougher to write truly great music (whatever that is!)

Brandon