
Expert Music Career Advice For DIY Musicians
4 Times You Shouldn't Take the Gig
The Number One Mistake Bands Make Right After Booking a Gig
The Ultimate EQ Cheat Sheet for Every Common Instrument
15 Reality Checks Young Artists Need to Hear

No Email Blasts Required: 5 Creative Secrets of Getting Press for Your Band

Unique merch is only one creative PR angle. (Image via slayer.backstreetmerch.com)

There are few things in this world that can't be solved with a little creativity, including public relations. In fact, you could say the whole business is built off of little creative approaches designed to bring your brand (and band) into the spotlight  and into the eyes and ears of people who don't yet know they want what you have to offer. That's why a good PR agency should never be afraid to think outside the box. And as a DIY band, neither should you.

Columns, ask a publicist

Dec 3, 2014 11:00 AM

Janelle Rogers

Ask a Publicist: 5 Ways to Tell a Compelling Story in Your Bio

Moonbabies. (Image via undertheradarmag.com)

If you've ever attempted to write your own band bio, you know how difficult it can be to be objective and also create something that would be interesting to the reader. A few weeks back, I posted the article "6 Components of a Great Bio" and emphasized the importance of knowing your own story, which is how you differentiate yourself from other bands and stand out from the crowd.


Out-of-the-Box PR: Why You Need to Look Beyond Music Publications

Rufus Wainwright went out-of-the-box by appearing on Dinner With the Band in 2010. (Image via popwatch.ew.com)

Music publicity isn't just about being featured in music magazines or doing music-specific press pieces and features. Yes, those are major parts of it, but there are other out-of-the-box media outlets and publications that can help spread the word about your band to a fresh, new, and different audience. Essentially, it's preaching to the non-converted.

Columns, ask a publicist

Nov 26, 2014 09:00 AM

Amy Sciarretto

Which Type of Music PR Firm is Best for You?

Elle Varner and her publicist, Ashley Weatherspoon. (Photo by Johnny Nunez)

Most record labels have in-house PR departments overseeing all of the label publicity efforts. The department can be comprised of a single publicist, or it can consist of two to three people. It can also be as large as 10 to 15 people with a variety of fancy titles and hapless assistants dividing the labor. In these cases, a different publicist is sometimes responsible for specific bands, and different levels of people work on different campaign elements, from TV bookings to tour press. With all that manpower, why do so many labels, managers, and artists hire out and spend money on an independent PR firm? Why pay money for something that's already being provided by your label?

How Pentatonix Built a Social Media Powerhouse

The members of Pentatonix. (Image via billboard.com)

For many musicians, FacebookTwitter, and YouTube are just different places to post the same thing. This approach can work, but if you really want to grow your fanbase and attract a dedicated following, you need to give each platform its own role and use it to drive traffic to your other channels. In the end, you'll end up with a funnel that drives potential fans to connect, forge deeper engagement, and ultimately become paying customers that support your career.