Obscure But Effective Band Advertising Options

Once your band has established what can be termed a "following," there are a few free advertising tricks that you can utilise with only a little effort in your part. Some may theoretically cost your band money....but.....where better to invest in return on your bands ingenuity along with its obvious talent.


The most blatant and effective free advertising that I have seen stems back to the days of the old blues bands in the States where they would either sit outside the venue that they were performing in that night, slap-bang in front of their poster. The other, for the more financially lucrative, was to drive around the block of the venue that they were performing in that night. Again, the band/artist poster being clearly visible.


These two 'advertising stunts' actually work better away from your home town....they've heard you before, remember? The Rolling Stones are perhaps one of the best examples of this, driving around a block performing their latest songs. Obviously they were playing at a local stadium....they are The Rolling Stones, after all.

Having partaken in the aforementioned advertising exploits, there are two important factors that I would suggest to you. Firstly, if performing directly outside your venue, only perform for approximately half an hour and do it during lunch hour. The second and to my mind the most important, is to do a 'practise run' with the truck, driver and P.A. system in order to give him and your band the 'feel' for what is right, pace-wise and sensation-wise. As good a driver the truckie is, you will still feel like you're on a small ship. NEVER let this show. Do whatever it takes.


The final piece of free advertising is something of an obscure one....but it works better than you will initially know.


After every every fourth album that your band releases, run a campaign. "Download all four albums and receive a free t-shirt." This can be done quite easily. From the profit of selling four albums in one hit, you can afford to send each fan who participates. This can be tracked by your website designer and/or manager.


I can hear cries of "....But we're losing money!...." No you're not. When was the last time anyone randomly downloaded four of your mp3s?  Even after the expense of creating the t-shirt (which is zero and the cost of posting it to the lucky recipients you are not only financially better off but the advertising benefits have a huge ripple effect. Not only do these fans tell their friends of this great deal and free t-shirt, they will be wearing your bands t-shirt too. BRILLIANT advertising. Hint: keep the t-shirt design basic with your bands name prominent. 


I suggest Audiolife for t-shirt creation advertising and the cheap postage option. Both are excellent qualities offered by the company.


These are but three advertising options that are both obscure and come at minimal cost and time on your bands part. At the end of the day, you will reap the rewards from these advertising options.


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