Members Walters9515 Posted November 1, 2005 Members Share Posted November 1, 2005 What is a promo package? What would i need to have a good promo pack? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted November 1, 2005 Moderators Share Posted November 1, 2005 W...I gotta ask...how old are you?How long have you been playing?How many bands have you been in? You are asking questions that can be easily answered, but it seems like you are totally clueless about the entire process.... A good promo pack, for a start-up band is different from a band ready to go on the road. Start-up:A recording of the band, preferably LIVE, 3 or 4 songs. Make sure your contact info is on the CD/Cassette...A brief bio of the band and its members...how long together, influences, etcA clear picture, and please...do not pose in front of a brick wall, do not pose on a stairway...and do not wear t-shirts with other bands' logos on them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Walters9515 Posted November 1, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 1, 2005 Im im my mid 20's sorry but im new to this stuff most of the bands i been never had a promo package or a demo actually and didn't even want to play out that much so i don't know how to do this all by myself now whats the step by step processes of making a promo package? 1.) I record a demo2.) play out live3.) record the band live 4.) play open mic gigs5.) get a bio of the band 6.) Pictures of the band7.) what else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted November 1, 2005 Moderators Share Posted November 1, 2005 Originally posted by Walters9515 Im im my mid 20's sorry but im new to this stuff most of the bands i been never had a promo package or a demo actually and didn't even want to play out that much so i don't know how to do this all by myself now whats the step by step processes of making a promo package?1.) I record a demo2.) play out live3.) record the band live 4.) play open mic gigs5.) get a bio of the band 6.) Pictures of the band7.) what else? 1.) play open mic gigs (we already covered this part, right?)2.) record the band live at the open mic3.) write a bio of the band 4.) take digital pictures of the band5.) piece together a demo from the live recording from the open mic6.) put together promo pack and shop it around7.) get a gig and play out live Ok...now...cover band or originals? The original scene is easier in LA if you need to get started...there are plenty of places that will put you on stage as long as you pay them for a certain number of 'tickets'...we call this "pay to play"...an abhorrent but typical means of everyone making money except the musician. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kenm Posted November 1, 2005 Members Share Posted November 1, 2005 More like: 1. write some songs2. play a few open mic nights3. record a demo4. write a bio5. set up a website6. contact clubs7. send demo/bio or website info8. make flyers9. beg friends to attend gig10. contact every media outlet you can think of about gig11. keep going... Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted November 1, 2005 Moderators Share Posted November 1, 2005 Originally posted by kenm More like: 1. write some songs 2. play a few open mic nights 3. record a demo 4. write a bio 5. set up a website 6. contact clubs 7. send demo/bio or website info 8. make flyers 9. beg friends to attend gig 10. contact every media outlet you can think of about gig 11. keep going... Ken Websites are not usually all that beneficial to startup bands, which is why I left it off. Once you are out gigging regualrly and have a following, then the website is worthwhile. Too many band websites exist where the bands are long gone... Also, in LA...the media outlets...forget it...no one in the media gives a crap about club gigs unless you are a signed act. If the club promotes in the LA Weekly, Rock City, Times, Daily News, OCR, then consider yourself lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Walters9515 Posted November 1, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 1, 2005 Then how do i get a following bring a Clip board and pass out my demos for free at a gig how do i get more fans or a following what about websites to post my demo at ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Kozmo Posted November 1, 2005 Members Share Posted November 1, 2005 To answer your original question:What is a Promo pac?At a bare minimum it is a Demo CD, a portable CD player, headphones and your ability to sell yourself to a club owner or manager. Years ago I would take a Cassette Tape around in a sony walkman (state of the art at the time- dating myself). I would already have an idea that I could pull off a gig at the place. Go during the day or when they aren't crazy busy. Then ask if the club manager/owner (or whoever books music) was in. Most of the time they would sit down and listen to the tape, talk for a few minutes, ask questions,(how much, do you have a following, etc. ) I was able to work steady in S. Florida this way. I usually ended up with a house gig and a reasonabley stable pay check. I did know an agent through a freind, but the gigs I got myself were allways better and payed more. As far as expanding from just a CD: A promo picture (like you see hanging signed on walls of places), a set list, any newpaper articles that have been written about you, a letter from the freind that the last club owner became after getting to know you (references). An equipment list (or an idea of how your gear and the clubs will work together). But most of all, be a decent human being that is confident but not cocky. They may give you a shot if they like your personality even if you aren't the greatest musician they have ever heard. That hardest part is getting the work. The work itself is the reward. Good Luck! p.s. once you are there get e-mail addresses so you can send out lists of where your fans can find you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Walters9515 Posted November 1, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 1, 2005 Thanks alot for you information club promotes in the LA Weekly, Rock City, Times, Daily News, OCR, How do u get club promoters to write in those mags about you? Do you have to pay money? If i don't have a Following how do i get one because i can't play out if i don't have a following? Where is the best places to give out your demo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kenm Posted November 1, 2005 Members Share Posted November 1, 2005 Originally posted by daddymack Websites are not usually all that beneficial to startup bands, which is why I left it off. Once you are out gigging regualrly and have a following, then the website is worthwhile. Too many band websites exist where the bands are long gone... You are kidding right? A website is extremely beneficial. It gives folks a place to learn about you and your music. Sure, not a lot of people are going to find it on their own, but you tell your friends, you promote it at gigs, you have to have one these days. It is the new 8x10 glossy photo! I do most of my booking by e-mail these days and mostly point bookers to my website. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Walters9515 Posted November 1, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 1, 2005 Wait how do i get a website made? and well do i put it at? i need a server Should i just make my website at My space? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kenm Posted November 2, 2005 Members Share Posted November 2, 2005 definately start with myspace. It is a great way to meet other bands in your area. Once you have a site there, search for bands near you with similar influences and add them as friends. Then e-mail them and try to hook up shows and stuff. ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Walters9515 Posted November 2, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 2, 2005 What about garage band if im not using a Mac with garage band how do i get my demo on garage band mp3 datebase list? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted November 2, 2005 Moderators Share Posted November 2, 2005 Originally posted by kenm You are kidding right?A website is extremely beneficial. It gives folks a place to learn about you and your music. Sure, not a lot of people are going to find it on their own, but you tell your friends, you promote it at gigs, you have to have one these days. It is the new 8x10 glossy photo! I do most of my booking by e-mail these days and mostly point bookers to my website.Ken No...not kidding...I guess you didn't grasp wha tI was saying...what I said was that the time and expense for a start-up band is usually not worth it. I know of too many bands that put together nice websites, registered domain names, paid for hosting for a year, only to break up after six months. Once you are established and gigging regularly, then the website is absolutely part of the marketing plan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Walters9515 Posted November 2, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 2, 2005 how do i start a websites? How do i do this and how registered domain names? Who and where and how to paid for hosting for a year? What is all this called registering domain names and getting a host where do i go to get this all done please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlueStrat Posted November 2, 2005 Members Share Posted November 2, 2005 Hoo boy. Who dresses you in the morning? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Walters9515 Posted November 2, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 2, 2005 sorry im all new to this and don't know anyone that has this information Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlueStrat Posted November 2, 2005 Members Share Posted November 2, 2005 Originally posted by Walters9515 sorry im all new to this and don't know anyone that has this information Do you know how to use Google? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members THB Posted November 2, 2005 Members Share Posted November 2, 2005 Originally posted by BlueStrat Hoo boy. Who dresses you in the morning? No kiddin'! I thought this was a joke thread. Let's see, how do I add this post? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Walters9515 Posted November 2, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 2, 2005 No its not a joke i just don't know the information and im new to this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlueStrat Posted November 2, 2005 Members Share Posted November 2, 2005 My advice to you is to join a working band and learn the ropes from someone who's already doing it. Since you have a thousand questions and don't seem to have the slightest idea, (it's no crime, just a fact) you're ripe for getting your teeth kicked in from a very ruthless business. These things aren't learned overnight; they may take years of trial and error, and joining up with someone already doing them can save you a lot of the error part. That, or hire a manager. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Chao Posted November 2, 2005 Members Share Posted November 2, 2005 Originally posted by BlueStrat Do you know how to use Google? No, check the rest of his posting history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Walters9515 Posted November 3, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 3, 2005 Isn't a Website a Promo package now it has bio,history,pictures and mp3s hyperlinks What else does a Promo pack need or do different than a Website of your band? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlueStrat Posted November 3, 2005 Members Share Posted November 3, 2005 Promo packs are hard copies of your promo to put in the hands of prospective employers or agents. Websites are for fans or prospective consumers of your product. If you think that promoters, club owners or agents are going to take the time to go to a computer and log on to your website, well...it' ain't likely to happen. They want it so all they have to do is open your folder, look at your pics and read a short bio, and if they're intersted, they'll pop in the CD. In other words, they want all the work done for them. Kind of like someone else here, I might add. (like you , maybe?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Walters9515 Posted November 3, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 3, 2005 So should i just print out my Website the same information or is a promo package in a folder with pictures,bio, history, What kind of Folder? What do Promo Packs look like i never seen one? can you please show me yours or a examples please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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