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Get your Band Out of the Garage and Into a Gig
Part III: Band Websites, Booking Agents, Managers, and Sound
Technicians
Part 1: Presskits & Demos
Part 2: Band Promotion
Website promotion can be a valuable tool for your act. If your band is
serious about playing out and does not have a website, get one started. Many
local internet providers offer free web space with some of their email packages.
For example, maybe you have and AOL email package. Look into building a website
on www.members.aol.com/youremailaddress. Many people have free web
space under their email plan and don’t even know about it. Also, if your web
savvy, try building a website with Microsoft Front Page (Discontinued, but
Microsoft now supports Expression Web), or Dreamweaver. They are fairly
simple to use and the website design themes are great for start up and
established bands alike. You may have to purchase server space from a provider
to build a website. Shop around for a good price on the internet.
Host your Web site with IPOWER!
They have great rates and website creation tools built into the price of your
server. Once you have your website, add your URL web address to local
band website listings. Do an internet search in your city for keywords like
bands, band websites, band listings, or any specific keywords to your band.
Email the site and have your URL web address added. Email any concert calendars
or events calendars in your area to have you show dates added. You would be
surprised at what you’ll find in your area.
Sometimes band members are musicians and nothing more. If that’s the case in
your band, try looking for a band manager. Many times someone you know like a
parent or friend may take an interest in your project. See if they would be
interested in booking your act. A lot of time a parent or someone close to the
band will help out for free. If your not so lucky, try looking for a manager who
has contacts in the industry. Make sure this person knows the direction of your
band and does not get to meddlesome or cause problems in your project. Try these
steps before approaching someone who expects a percentage of your band rewards.
Booking agents can be another valuable resource to get your band some gigs. Most
booking agents charge a fee for there service, so be aware of that. Do some
research on the internet or local yellow pages to find booking agents in your
area. Look up Entertainment Bureaus in your phone book. Also, you may want to
check the Better Business Bureau website
www.bbb.gov to make sure the booking company is reputable. Sometimes it can
be difficult to get more popular booking agents to deal with new talent, so shop
around and see if they will deal with your band.
As your act becomes more established you may need the services of a sound
technician. Many venues have their own PA or sound systems and will charge for
the use of this service. Find this information out ahead of time. Other times
you will have to bring your own sound system or hire someone to bring their
equipment and run sound. Be aware that running sound can be expensive. So, if
there is a way to run sound in house it may be a good idea to try that first.
Although, a good sound guy can mean the difference between a good and bad
performance. Your band could play great, but if the audience is hearing feedback
through the performance the show could be very difficult to get through . Make
sure to do a good quality sound check before every performance.
Once your band gets out and plays live all the work involved will be worth it.
The band will see where is stands rather quickly and the members can adjust as
time goes along. It’s not always easy to get out of the starting blocks, but
with hard work and persistence your band can get out of the garage and into a
gig.
For more information on how to get gigs, press kit and demo tips, band
resources, and website promotion visit the Media Web Source website at
http://www.mediawebsource.com. This
site is a valuable resource for start up and established bands everywhere.
Article written by:
Media Web Source
http://www.mediawebsource.com
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