How Do I Score Reviews of my CD Before the Release?

30
December

    So here’s the second installment of  ”Ask Grassrootsy”.  If you have questions, be sure to send them in. Today’s Ask Grassrootsy question is something I’m sure most artist wonder about… THE BAND: Natalie John THE QUESTION: I am working on promoting my first original jazz music album. I’d love to score some reviews of [...]

Improvising…Because We're In a Recession, Yo! (Cutting Costs Without Cutting Corners #2)

12
November

  A friend of mine is super cheap!  She likes to make butterred popcorn by coating raw kernals with butter, putting them in a brown lunchbag, sealing the bag, and sticking it in the microwave.  I think its funny but give it a try and tell me if it works :) So…in light of coming up with alternative methods, here [...]

Creating a "One Sheet"

06
May

So what is a “One Sheet”?  It’s a music term. Literally its one page of information about you, your music, your acheivements and anything else that is helpful in “selling” your product.  By selling I mean selling the idea of your music and/or selling physical copies. Music PR Writer, Heather McDonald says it best… “A one [...]

More on Sending Press Releases – Good Tips from Great Sources

12
February

  This is the last entry of three entries on writing and sending Press Release. Check out the other two: Writing a Press Release – PR 101 Where, When & How to Send Your Press Release Other Great PR Sending Tips I found some excellent resources online with additional tips for writing/sending PRs.  Its worth reading Put [...]

Where, When & How to Send Your Press Release

11
February

About.com has an excellent article called “When Should I Send Out my Press Release.” It gives very helpful ideas…some of which I’ll repeat in this post. Before You Write the PR Even before you have your PR written (see “Writing a Press Release – PR 101” post), put together a list of contacts you want to target. [...]

Writing a Press Release – PR 101

09
February

  Press Release: An announcement of an event, performance, or other newsworthy item that is issued to the press. Having a press release might not be something that you need…not yet. But having a release alway helps to make you look a little more serious than the average musician.  If you’re just starting out, consider [...]

Sonicbids & Electronic Press Kits (EPKs): the Good, the Bad, the Ugly

26
January

  Sonicbids more or less introduced the world (and independent artists) to EPKs – Electronic Press Kits. EPKs provide a cost effective way for musicians to submit their music to potential booking agents, venues, festivals, reviewers, radio stations…etc. An EPK allows artist to post, a bio, pictures, press, upcoming shows, audio, video, and even sound requirements for [...]

How to Score Reviews of Your CD

04
December

This is broad topics.  First its important to know that if you’re trying to score a review in a print magazine, you need to contact them 3-4 months ahead of when you want the review to appear.  Why?  Print magazines work seasons ahead of time- they need to brainstorm cover stories, features,  do all the “research” behind [...]

Mimic the Artists You Respect

03
December

  Follow the artists you love! Why? Because it’s maybe the easiest way to get new ideas on how to promote your music.  It’s worth it to mimick artists who have a similar style as you do..and artists who are slightly abover your current success level. I’ll explain why below.  Here are some specific details [...]