Press Rollout:
Mail CD w/ Bio, Artist photo and cover letter indicating artist is local as well as CD Release events dates to the entertainment editors. In the cover letter indicate you are available for interviews should they wish to do a feature article, a CD Review and a listing in the weekly events section as well):
1. Local High School Newspapers
2. Local College Newspapers
3. Local Entertainment Weekly
4. Local Daily Newspapers
Radio Rollout:
Mail CD w/ Bio, Artist photo and cover letter indicating artist is local as well as CD Release events dates. In the cover letter indicate you are available for interviews should they wish to feature you on the air:
1. Local College Radio Station (Music Director)
2. Local Commercial Radio that plays your type of music (new Music show DJ/Director)
Retail Rollout:
Select one or two stores in your town to consign your CD's into. It's best if they are stores that report to Soundscan (you must have a bar code for this to matter) because then your sales become visible to the major label A&R community. That way you can direct your fans to the outlets where the CD in your street promo and from the stage. Ask the store if they will do a display with a few of your posters on the wall or in the front window. Also ask if they will put you in the new release rack.
Internet Rollout:
Develop a website for your band. Even a simple website is important. Use the website to:
A. Post press releases about the upcoming CD release, tour dates, retail action and all band activity
B. Post two 60 second MP3's of songs from your upcoming CD and ask fans to pick which song should be your 1st single
C. Have people sign the guestbook and create a contest where you give away a free T-shirt, CD and tickets to the show to the winner of the drawing
E-mail Marketing Roll Out:
Develop 3 e-mails and have them ready to send to you address books of fans:
1. Ask another local band in your area that is somewhat similar in style to you if they would be willing to forward your 3 CD- Release e-mails to their addressbook with and endorsement. That we you will hit not just your fans but other bands great fans too. Offer to reciprocate anytime the other band wants you to. Announcing Upcoming CD Release as well as the two CD Release events
2. Week of Show e-mail inviting people to the two shows
3. Show follow up e-mail letting everybody that was not there see pictures of the gis and some cool stories.
Touring Rollout:
Create a master calendar for the next 4 months of when and where you would ideally like to play. Then send out booking kits (CD/press photo/Bio/Gig History) to the venues. Follow up. Here's a hint; it's better to play a lesser venue and pack it than it is to play a better one and have it half full. If you pack a place, even a small place, the night is a success and everyone that ws there will tell their friends "The place was packed". That what creates "the buzz". Also, if you lie and sweet talk yourself into the great venue and don't deliver... it may be a long ass time before you get a chance to play there again!
Street Promo Rollout:
Put up posters with gig date written on them at
1. Local Record Stores
2. Local Head shops
3. Local Coffee Houses
4. Surf/Skate/Snowboard shops
5. Venue where the gig will be at
6. Near the High Schools & College Campuses
All major labels are looking at Soundscan figures on a weekly basis. For your CD to appear on Soundscan reports you must have a barcode on you CD and have the title registered with Soundscan. Then, CD's sold in chain and select independent retail outlets will appear on all Soundscan reports. Soundscan will also register venue (live performance) sales from approved Soundscan labels.