Marketing my new album...
- Thread starter StressWon
- Start date
God
Creator of the Universe
ill o.g.
You have to budget yourself - how much do you want to spend? What skills do you possess that can help you? Can you do some webdesign? Are you good at drawing?
Who do you want to market to? Are you trying to get management? Are you just trying to sell to the people?
I posted some stuff for the smash brothers about publicity stunts. That's almost a requirement in my book.
Focus on what you're good at, and don't focus on your weaknesses. I'll post something more in depth later - but at least budget your expenditures for your album and know who are you trying to market to?
That will enable you to map out a strategy and how long you want the messaging to occur.
Who do you want to market to? Are you trying to get management? Are you just trying to sell to the people?
I posted some stuff for the smash brothers about publicity stunts. That's almost a requirement in my book.
Focus on what you're good at, and don't focus on your weaknesses. I'll post something more in depth later - but at least budget your expenditures for your album and know who are you trying to market to?
That will enable you to map out a strategy and how long you want the messaging to occur.
we are in the same boat my dude... its def an uphill battle without a budget. Matter of fact its like rock climbing with no safety gear lol.. i would love to drop some stacks to a publicist and have them do that shit, but thats not happening. In additiobn to the ill advice god gave, I would def try and get ur shit reviewed ... alot of websites and magazine have addresses right on there u can mail ur shit to for a review. Although it could also backfire if they hate it lol... but its worth shot. U can always advertise a solid review. Ive seen lots of independent cats ive never heard of get good reviews at okayplayer,hhdx..etc.. def get ur shit on itunes too man... itunes is cool cuz u can get a peak of all the tracks in full quality. Ive bought albums on the strength of the snippets ive heard. But god is right.. its best to do something to get peoples attention then throw the music part in it after. Having good music just isnt enough nowadays cuz theres just too many artists out there. The good news is that most of them suck but its still a needle in a haystack.
StressWon
www.stress1.com
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 68
word. I could draw and I do all my own web design.
I'm looking to get noticed. Not necessarily for the dough. I just want more heads to get the album. I want cats to know who I am and what I do,,,feel me?
Yeah, it aint cheap,,,but yeah I'm gettin the itunes shit together. Should be up by next week. Thinkin bout gettin some flyers done. Just like I would promote a show, I would promote the album that way....I dunno. I'll try anything.
The good folks at General Mills Cereal didn't like that idea. I now have a restraining order from them.
God
Creator of the Universe
ill o.g.
I don't really know what to say – you live in rural Pennsylvania. You won't get any “street cred” unless you have a compelling life story – like you HAVE to live in the Poconos because you had to get away from running an international drug cartel, or are so fucking violent that the view of lakes and mountains calm your nerves.
Either way, you catch my drift. The rap scene in Wilkes-Barre is not off the hook. I'm sure thug-life in Scranton is tough. So you have to look at a couple geographic factors:
You live “in between” two major media markets: NYC and Philly. These are competitive as fuck, especially if you're not “from” there. Ingratiating yourself in their scene costs time and money – something you don't have. I would steer clear of going into the big city for now.
You live near small-markets like Scranton, etc. This is an advantage. For example. You can easily get media attention by doing a publicity stunt of some sort (check out my publicity stunt post: https://www.illmuzik.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21611). The stunt will get you minor news coverage, and is good for your press kit.
I really get the idea though – that you don't even really want to focus on the long term – press kit, find management, try to book local tours. You just want your stuff out there and accessible – right?
If that's the case – hit up bloggers. Lots of them. The thing is – everyone else is doing the same thing. YOU NEED TO BE DIFFERENT. Doesn't have to be the music – but what you stand for (your narrative), the way you look, etc. Like I told the Smash Bros., dude- BE DIFFERENT and you WILL GET NOTICED.
Is local radio in the area responsive to local artists? You might have an advantage since you're in a small market. Fuck – if I were you, I would even intern for a local station, it's easier than trying to go to Power 106 or whatever in NYC. You can be a part time intern, but you'll learn the ropes.
These are ideas. As for a cogent plan, you gotta have a more focused goal than “I just want people to hear my music.”
I think if you have good music, you should target management in NYC for possible representation and then work from there. Find out who they are and make kits marketing yourself. They will then be able to book you, and you'll get the music career started that way. I wouldn't even fuck with record execs. That's a different ball game.
But good management can get you the right gigs, etc. You just have to show you're willing to work with them and help THEM make bread (self-interest) so they can HELP YOU.
But your image, the way you are presented, web site, music all have to look very professional.
Damn, I'm tired, been up all night - haven't slept for 30 something hours. I didn't know cats had stripper poles in jacuzzis at their house.
Man, insanity.
Either way, you catch my drift. The rap scene in Wilkes-Barre is not off the hook. I'm sure thug-life in Scranton is tough. So you have to look at a couple geographic factors:
You live “in between” two major media markets: NYC and Philly. These are competitive as fuck, especially if you're not “from” there. Ingratiating yourself in their scene costs time and money – something you don't have. I would steer clear of going into the big city for now.
You live near small-markets like Scranton, etc. This is an advantage. For example. You can easily get media attention by doing a publicity stunt of some sort (check out my publicity stunt post: https://www.illmuzik.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21611). The stunt will get you minor news coverage, and is good for your press kit.
I really get the idea though – that you don't even really want to focus on the long term – press kit, find management, try to book local tours. You just want your stuff out there and accessible – right?
If that's the case – hit up bloggers. Lots of them. The thing is – everyone else is doing the same thing. YOU NEED TO BE DIFFERENT. Doesn't have to be the music – but what you stand for (your narrative), the way you look, etc. Like I told the Smash Bros., dude- BE DIFFERENT and you WILL GET NOTICED.
Is local radio in the area responsive to local artists? You might have an advantage since you're in a small market. Fuck – if I were you, I would even intern for a local station, it's easier than trying to go to Power 106 or whatever in NYC. You can be a part time intern, but you'll learn the ropes.
These are ideas. As for a cogent plan, you gotta have a more focused goal than “I just want people to hear my music.”
I think if you have good music, you should target management in NYC for possible representation and then work from there. Find out who they are and make kits marketing yourself. They will then be able to book you, and you'll get the music career started that way. I wouldn't even fuck with record execs. That's a different ball game.
But good management can get you the right gigs, etc. You just have to show you're willing to work with them and help THEM make bread (self-interest) so they can HELP YOU.
But your image, the way you are presented, web site, music all have to look very professional.
Damn, I'm tired, been up all night - haven't slept for 30 something hours. I didn't know cats had stripper poles in jacuzzis at their house.
Man, insanity.
shadeed
Go Digital or Go Home
ill o.g.
The best possible option is hitting me up with a PM, I'd love to help you get things going.
StressWon
www.stress1.com
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 68
once again, thanks. I feel you 100%. LOL, I guess I should have stayed in Jersey. I ain't tryin to make up no bull for street cred tho. I know too many cats out there talkin that B. S. to begin wit.
I just started over wit the website:
www.stress1music.com
Still workin on it. I have been contactin a few people and the percentage of interested parties was more then expected. Along wit the advice here, I think I can make somethin happen.
Already uploaded everything last night.
Word, I remember you sayin that, I'm finishin up all the designs tonite for kunaki.com
Wit Yamie on unemployment, I'm fuckin hit these days,,lol.
check ya PM box homes..
The Mastermind
This Illuminati Be Illin'
ill o.g.
A lot of universities put out newspapers or magazines and will usually have a review section. If you get a copy to them you might get a look in.
I used to write reviews for one of those mags and the record companies used to ignore us regarding hip-hop and send all their rock stuff. That used to drive me crazy because there was plenty of hip-hop fans on campus.
There's a lot of people on a uni campus and the review sections tended to be one of the only bits of those mags anyone looked at.
I used to write reviews for one of those mags and the record companies used to ignore us regarding hip-hop and send all their rock stuff. That used to drive me crazy because there was plenty of hip-hop fans on campus.
There's a lot of people on a uni campus and the review sections tended to be one of the only bits of those mags anyone looked at.
5th Sequence
Hip Hop Head, Certified
I didn't see this mentioned but if you press a ton of copies in paper sleeves or something, post up outside after the shows of other acts that are playing in or around your area. Pass your CD out (maybe a sampler of 3-5 songs, the whole thing, however you want to play it) to the people as they leave the show.
It's as simple as saying "if you enjoyed the show and you prefer hip hop with content, you might enjoy my stuff." hand em a cd. Just pick which shows that you expect your fanbase to be at and do a real, actual attempt at getting your cd's out. include ur web and contact info on it.
You can even get the cd with a printed label on it so the cd itself looks decent, and just a paper sleeve to keep costs down or something.
I plan on doin this heavily when/if/ever i release something.
It's as simple as saying "if you enjoyed the show and you prefer hip hop with content, you might enjoy my stuff." hand em a cd. Just pick which shows that you expect your fanbase to be at and do a real, actual attempt at getting your cd's out. include ur web and contact info on it.
You can even get the cd with a printed label on it so the cd itself looks decent, and just a paper sleeve to keep costs down or something.
I plan on doin this heavily when/if/ever i release something.
i dunno abut flyers .. i mean i dont knock any idea ... but i used to promote clubs and flyers were hands down the most ineffective method of advertising (im talking just generally, not even music related)... its all one way .. u give them the flyer they either take it or they dont and 98% they dont fuck with u. u could hand out flyers that say come to stress' house and get free weed and strippers and crack all night, and i bet still that less than 10% of strangers u gave the flyer to (realistically less) would come. the roi is horrible. the best methods imo are ones where u get info from the customer (email, number etc) and in turn u give them something. that way u can keep a contact list for things like email blasts and what not. u can kepp hitting them up instead of a one time thing... uh oh .. i just thought of something that could possibily help us both out... ill pm u .