Today’s post is in response to a question one of our readers asked after reading 5 WAYS TO INCREASE YOUR SHOW DRAW. How can anyone properly promote every single one of their shows when there’s only so much time in the day? The easy, simple and truthful answer is…wait for it…YOU CAN’T!
It’s the truth, there’s really no way you can adequately promote your shows unless you’re consistently spamming your Facebook followers and spamming your subscribers’ inboxes. And that doesn’t count because eventually they”ll unsubscribe, unfriend you, or just tune you out. So we highly suggest reading the below tips for how to handle promoting your tour dates while staying likeable.
1. Play Different Types of Shows
You can essentially play 4 different types of shows in 1 city in the same week without wearing out your welcome.
- a public show (club, coffeehouse, restaurant, etc)
- a college
- a private show (corporate, wedding, etc)
- a house concert
In this scenario, you only have to promote one thing – the public show. When you have this type of arrangement, focus on the event that requires your attention. Don’t tell people about all of your gigs simply because you want them to know your busy. Tell them only about the one that matters. Sure, they all matter, but only one requires you to draw. You can still put them all on your calendar, but push the one that needs the most help. Be smart about it.
2. Play With Locals
The whole idea behind sharing the bill with locals in other cities is that they can help with the draw, and they can help with the promotion. If you pick the right local(s) to share a bill with (an artist with a decent following and good social media presence), your job will be alot easier. In fact, everyone’s job will be much easier. Share the burden of promoting and do what you can to collectively make the event a success.
3. Plan Your Promo
Put a buzz out. Tell fans to “save the date” for when you’ll be in their city on your upcoming tour. The following week, highlight the most important shows on the tour. The following week pick a few other shows to promote. Consistently space out your promo over a 4-6 week time period. It doesn’t require too much planning, but spend a little time deciding how you will put the word out without over-saturating your news feed.
4. Page not Profile…or both!
Remember that your Facebook Music Page is more conducive to sharing show information and music news. The more you use it, the more your fans will too. Still, we highly support sharing your music news on your personal page. But remember that the profile is more relational. So news updates will be less popular and less received. Be alot pickier with what you choose to post on your personal Facebook page. Break up your posts: instead of just sharing your news, share everyday things to remind your friends that you’re not an infomercial. Or use tip #5…
5. Get Creative!
Carefully choose what you say and how you say it! You’re an artist. Take advantage of your creativity.
- Link to the event(s)
- Share a video from an artist you will be splitting a show with.
- upload a banner with your tour dates
- Share an Instagram photo
- Talk about the city instead of the show (i.e. “So what should the band do in Austin next week?”). Your fans will get the point.
6. Ask Your Fans for Help!
And last but certainly not least…ask your fans to help you! Ask them to share show details with their friends in the cities you’ll be in. If you read our last post, THE ART OF ASKING YOUR FANS FOR STUFF, you’ll understand how important this is. Just remember, word-of-mouth is still alive and well!
Good luck!
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