Image via WikipediaTo append to yesterday’s post, I had some more ideas.

The essence of the post was that musicians should consider partnering with other creative firms and individuals to exchange some shared synergy with one another. If a band were to carry this to the professional extreme,  said musical group might hear their music in some more notable places –or maybe just a local TV ad… but it’s better than your buddy’s garage.

I was discussing the whole trade show phenomenon that many businesses use to promote themselves and it hit me. You can should apply the same strategy to trade shows. I’m not necessarily saying that your band should pay $1500 to sit at a trade show and pass out cards, but you should be the entertainment. Many event promoters have some kind of stage event, whether it be a fashion show or just a talk. Many event coordinators, thus, usually have to pay a DJ or have the sound guy run CDs and wrangle that whole thing.

You can offer to play the show for free, in exchange for the exposure. (don’t hate me for saying that)

I may get a couple emails from the whole “you should play for free” because it’s hard enough to make money doing this music thing. On the other hand, it’s not like most performers make that much from a show anyway. I believe that what you get out of the experience will far outweigh any negative from not getting paid.

If you’re smart (and obviously you are if you’re reading this blog), you will get your promotion machine cranked up prior to the show. You will get your name (and maybe your website) all over the program and any printed materials that are distributed. You will bring a short sh** ton of free bumper stickers, 1″ buttons, albums/singles, printed T-shirts and any other personal promotional tool in the book. –ESPECIALLY YOUR BUSINESS CARD!!

Next, you will walk around the place talking to people telling them to go the stage event at “x o’clock” to see the event and hear your band. You will also hand out every sticker and button in your possession. You will make sure that everybody and anybody that looks official in some way will get a copy or three of your business card. You then play the best damned background music you have ever played.

Thank the person who brought you and tell them you would be happy to do it again.

It’s one thing to promote a band at a Night Club, where people are in music and party mode. It’s a completely separate thing to promote your band when people are looking at wedding dresses, lawn equipment, new cars, fishing boats, and a host of other things. If you’re in a major metropolitan area (or even not), this is trade show season. Go get ‘em tiger!

TIP

DO: Always be professional, courteous, and remember that you are hired help –not the star.
DON’T: Annoy people, scare them off, get too abrasive with your promoting, and ignore authority/security staff.