Every band dreams of making it big. How you get there is dictated by the choices you make and how dedicated you are to the process. One major thing you can do is devise a fully considered marketing strategy. Marketing is possible even on a shoestring budget, so there will be places to move if you look in the right direction. Here are five things every band must do to get that all-important exposure.
Get on Social Media
Modern musicians have a lot to gain from being active on social media. These platforms are great business tools with high versatility. You can reach out to fans, create content, promote gigs, and even sell merchandise alongside plenty of other options too. Plus you can always count on your core fan base to share your posts and promote your official page, which will increase your reach too. Social media handles should be added to every advertisement and engagement, and be easy to spot at any gig.
Book as Many Gigs as Possible
So, being on social media is all well and good, but you will need some gigs booked in to actually promote your band. Consider hiring a manager to organise and boost your diary, or take matters into your own hands and scout some venues. Local pubs, restaurants, hotels, university student unions, and even parties and weddings are always looking for bands to audition and book, so there are plenty of options. The more gigs you have, the more your presence will grow. In addition, you could even make your own t-shirt with your band’s logo printed on it to hand out at shows. This not only serves as a stylish merch item but also acts as a walking advertisement for your band.
Have Some Professional Photos Taken
For any musician, professional headshots are a smart move. As a band, an ensemble photo shoot will be worth the investment for three reasons. Firstly, it will boost your brand by making you look more professional. Secondly, you can use the photos for anything, for instance, an album cover or profile picture to boost your marketing. Thirdly, a professional portrait photographer will understand the assignment and give you the best outcome for your budget.
Network with Fellow Artists
The music scene is a close-knit community. There’s a good chance that local bands know each other and work collaboratively to organise gigs and so on. You need to become actively involved in your musical environment in order to boost your profile and make important industry connections. These relationships, otherwise known as networking, will open a lot of doors and lead to new opportunities.
Keep the Content Flowing
Content is going to be your best friend when it comes to advertising and increasing the number of your fan base. Modern musicians need a modern approach, and content is what the world wants to see. It can tie in nicely with the above point about social media because the two go hand in hand nicely. Content can be anything from new song teasers to band member update reels. The key is to be engaging.
Marketing your band can be a lot of fun. Organize a photo shoot for the whole crew and transform those picture to video to take your vision to social media, so you can really reach the masses. Don’t forget, gigs are your best bet on increasing exposure and boosting your marketing.