2 of 9

Write now Article Tools

I have been promoting music, be it mine or others, for the past 11 years. I'm not sure exactly why people struggle with this because it is really a natural process. When we, as people, create something, it is only expected that we want others to see/hear/feel it.

Part of promoting music, maybe the most important part, is the person promoting it. How do they convey the message that you are trying to send? It is this trust in others that creates a negative bias for utilizing others for promotion; you need to be able to look past that and understand that anyone willing to spread your message is trustworthy in their own way.

The best way to find these amazing promoters is at shows (if you're out there playing them; which you should be.) Those people have already shown you commitment to your 'product', even though I HATE calling it that. They are the ones you should immediately approach in regards to telling others about your music. Think about it: most concert goers are in high school or college and affiliate with around 100+ people a day (regardless of their relationship with each individual); if one person wore your t-shirt and talked to people about that shirt you have just reached a much larger audience then you would have sitting at home. Right?

Another great idea that will cost you a couple bucks is the creation of Pins and Stickers. You should NEVER EVER charge for these items unless you have donation can on your merch table, etc. You should hand these babies out like water; everyone I know will slap a sticker on a notebook, computer, folder, what have you. And, I can't tell you the last time I went a whole day without seeing a purse lined with band pins. This might cost you $200.00 total for 1000 pins and 1000 stickers. That's the potential to reach 2000 people with your band name and web URL; that wouldn't be bad, would it?

When you get those Pins and Stickers you should seek out some of the finer members of your elite team that you've begun to establish, and give them a set amount to hand out to the masses at their local hang outs and clubs (if you want to ensure it's getting done: require them to take digital photos of the people with the stickers and pins on them.) They will love being in charge of something and you will love the jump in unique page views that will occur.

To cap this off for now, I will bring up the most overused product of promotion to come out in the past 30 years: THE POSTCARD FLIER. It's genius, it's affordable, and it's sharp looking! If you visit clubflyers.com you can get 1,000 full color, one-sided postcards for FREE (you simply pay the low shipping and handling costs.) They have a quick turnaround and they look absolutely amazing. I just used this company to aid in my promotion of the film "Second Coming" which just premiered last week to some pretty rocking reviews. The postcard was simply the movie poster and website URL and PEOPLE LOVED THEM! They used them to get cast and crew to sign on, they stuck them in purses and pockets to be hung in offices, lockers, bedrooms, etc. All this excitment cost me around $12.00 in shipping.

I hope this article shed some light on a couple easy to utilize options for building a street team and more aptly promoting your own music.

Learn more about this author, J. Michael Storey.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Tips for effective street teaming and music promotion?
We want to hear your view. Write now!