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Conference napalm::guitar

Title:GUITARnotes - Where Every Note has Emotion
Notice:Discussion of the finer stringed instruments
Moderator:KDX200::COOPER
Created:Thu Aug 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3280
Total number of notes:61432

1773.0. "Building a promo package." by ASAHI::SCARY (Joke 'em if they can't take a ...) Tue Apr 10 1990 09:03

    My band is currently getting a promo package together to send to clubs,
    a booking agent, etc.  Anybody got any pointers on what appeals to club
    owners and talent agencies ?  Here's what we've got ...
    
    1 - A cover page with our name and a small picture of the band.
    2 - A biography page, telling what kind of music we do, plus a brief
        bio of each member, including our full-time sound man.
    3 - A set list - cover material first, then a seperate section for
        original material.
    4 - An equipment list, broken down by member, PA gear, and stage
        lighting.
    5 - A sample contract, extracted from here and editted.
    6 - A 8x10" black and white glossy of the band - taken at a railroad
        tressel (<---sp).
    7 - A copy of a full length studio cassette of original material.
    
    All in all, the present package is 8 pages plus the glossy.  What do
    you think ... too much ... too little ... too ?
    
    
    				Scary
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1773.1It's not a biography...WEFXEM::COTEBain DramagedTue Apr 10 1990 12:2515
    Far too much!!!
    
    A short tape. 3 or 4 tunes at most. They don't even have to be full
    length.
    
    A picture.
    
    1 page description of band, type of music.
    
    A few business cards.
    
    The idea is to catch their interest *immediately*. Your package will
    put them off because it looks too complicated.
    
    Edd 
1773.2ASAHI::SCARYJoke 'em if they can't take a ...Tue Apr 10 1990 13:0110
    This will probably be used by a talent agent rather than a club owner.
    This package will *hopefully* show our strong points and limitations
    too.  I mean, we couldn't play a real big club or show, and I'd rather
    give the booking agent as much ammo as they might need to get us some
    big dollar gigs.  And a lot of clubs pay more money for a band that has
    released an album, that's why we were gonna include that instead of the
    usual 3-4 song demo.
    
    
    				Scary
1773.3NRPUR::DEATONIn TentsTue Apr 10 1990 13:084
	Call me paranoid, but I'd definately not publish an equipment list.  

	Dan

1773.4Smaller...ELESYS::JASNIEWSKIThis time forever!Tue Apr 10 1990 13:2817
    
    	Only going on from what I've heard, .1 is correct - keep it
    small. It's kinda like the standard rule of keeping your resume'
    to 1 page. You must assume that the person who's attention you're
    trying to get "doesnt have the time" to look through a large portfolio.
    You have to assume that this person will find it "annoying" to have
    to go through "all this" - and that they'll just blow it off in
    favor of another band's package that they can decide yes/no within
    a couple of *minutes* of their time, including listening to the
    tape. That's why it isnt even necessary to have all of any one
    song - no one listens to the whole song anyway - they forward through
    the tape to the first 30 seconds of each song, hopefully going yes-yes!
    -YES!!!
    
    	Joe Jasniewski
    
    	
1773.5PELKEY::PELKEYIt's great to be a turtle!Tue Apr 10 1990 15:0715
  
Defintely keep it short.

Bios are recommended, but I don't like em.

I'd rather a picture, a full up to date songlist, and two or three
either full songs, or portions will do.

Basically, unless you sit down with the person you want to do
business with, they'll never listen to a full tape.

Equipment list isn't necessary.

I really don't think the larger majority know or care what the stuff means...

1773.6NO equipmentCOOKIE::G_HOUSEGreg House - DTN 523-2722Wed Apr 11 1990 03:248
Definately dump the equipment list.  It's totally irrevelant what kind of 
equipment you *own* since you can rent anything you need for a gig if you
want to anyway.

I know of *lots* of bands around here that rent PA equipment (and pay someone
to run sound most of the time) for all their gigs.

Greg
1773.7go ask alice,NWD002::MILLSSCThu Apr 19 1990 07:409
    I dont want sound like a broken cd? but i agree you dont need a
    equipment list save that for accountant and if you havent already
    write your state about getting a small business license.on your
    pictures you might try various settings and use color and black
    and white  it might help you adapt to the place your playing 
    	bottom line get out there and play and if they cant take a joke
    		Then TURN IT UPPP!
    
    		SCOTTY