Promo Packs

[elom]

We've been contacted by a bookings agency that have a Young Farmers do in 6 weeks but no band. We can do it and they are desperate so a deal is in the offing. The money is 4 times what we get playing pubs and this could be a good break for us.

They want us to get a promo pack to them. I didn't want to seem like a small-time pub band to them (but you already know that we are!). One question, what exactly goes in a promo pack then?

[misrule]

I'm in a similar sort of boat at the moment, and -- knowing as much as you -- I figured photo, DVD of gig or CD of tracks and a short CV with contact details.

I'd keep everything short and sweet. I imagine they only want a taster.

Cheers

Mark

[RussFM]

You'll be wanting a biography (pad it out as much as possible, big yourselves up as they say!), a gigs list, a photo and a demo. The bio should mention any positive reviews, or even just comments from reputable sources, like a local promoter. Hope that helps!

[misrule]

[quote name='RussFM' post='36095' date='Jul 23 2007, 08:11 PM']You'll be wanting a biography (pad it out as much as possible, big yourselves up as they say!), a gigs list, a photo and a demo. The bio should mention any positive reviews, or even just comments from reputable sources, like a local promoter. Hope that helps![/quote]
There you are -- he knows

Thanks, Russ. Seems my guess wasn't up to much ...

Cheers

Mark

[The Funk]

[quote name='misrule' post='36108' date='Jul 23 2007, 08:27 PM']Seems my guess wasn't up to much ...[/quote]

Didn't see much difference between your post and his. Both pretty much covered it all.

Demo CD - 3 songs (best first)
Biog - 3-5 paragraphs. Don't go overboard.
Photo
Fact Sheet - places you've played, people you've shared the bill with, reviews, personnel etc.
Misc. - the DVD idea sounds cool

Edited July 24, 2007 by The Funk

[stingrayfan]

Be warned: if you're sending a DVD, make sure it's the best possible quality. Professional quality. Not a clip from a camcorder, locked off in the corner of a pub. It will say "amateur band" faster than you can get to the chorus of the first song on it!

For a pub band, keep it simple. I send:

1. Demo CD - good quality and well mixed with contact details on. Best song first. 3 or 4 track tops. Print the label if you can using your computer (you can buy sticky CD labels from Smiths)
2. Letter saying hello - again with contact details on
3. Setlist
4. Business card (again you can buy template card from Smiths and get great results with a home printer)

If you've got a band logo - print that on everything. Looks good.

I'm going to start including a flyer with our upcoming gigs on (makes you look busy and in demand) and a photo.

Bottom line, you're better off leaving stuff out of the envelope unless it looks slick.

[The Funk]

Yeah, I'd agree with that.

Also, stick your contact details on the CD as well. Recipients of your promo kit are often less careful with it than you are - it might all end up seperated from the CD.

[elom]

Thanks guys, that's really helpful.

If anyone would be so bold as to post their band biog that would be a really useful guide. (Or PM me if you're not so bold!)

elom

[bassjamm]

To give you some idea, my band Groove Cartel have got into venues like The Jazz Cafe (Camden) and The Yardbird (Birmingham) from sending out our demo/promoback. This would include a covering letter, the Demo, a business card, and a biog. We actually got into the Yardbird from sending off a link to our myspace page!

In my functions band, we inlude a biog of the band, a demo, links to websites, and packages available (background music in between sets, different forms of the line-up, etc). You don't need tonnes of pics, just get some half decent one's of you guys!

Jam

[The Funk]

That's a very good point about the covering letter! Forgot about that. It explains to the recipient what it actually is they've got before them.