Promoting Each Other

[Chris Fuller]

My wife and I were talking last night about how it's too bad that people don't promote each other more. In the modern age, indie-artists have much more freedom to choose how much effort to put into self promotion, but it's also never been easier to promote your friend's shows and music. Before we left to see my friend, John Hodell, play last night I sent out a MySpace bulletin and a Twitter about his show. I think it took me about 2 minutes to do, and it gave me a nice warm fuzzy feeling to do something for someone else and not have it be about me all the time. Imagine if we all did that for each other.

[Chris Fuller]

I would also like to add in reference to my friend, John Hodell, that he had a pretty good turn out at his show despite the fact that he does no promotion other than personal verbal invitations. He just asks people to come!

[Alun Parry]

I think this is a cool idea Chris. It'd be really pretty easy to put together a myspace collective of local artists who were prepared to bulletin each other's gigs.

Nobody likes a leech though. I wonder how those people who never bulletin and so only get the benefits could be spotted?

[Chris Fuller]

Well, I know what you mean. You have a good idea, though it's actually more complex than what I was thinking. It can happen on a smaller, simpler level. If you're going to a show tonight, just throw up a quick bulletin telling your friends what time to meet you. As for the leeches, I guess I trust in karma to take care of them.

[Danelle Harvey]

So true! Its all about karma for me, don't worry about those with dodgy intent guys, just do the best that you can do with the best intent- be true to who you are and don't lose your soul- you can't go wrong this way.

Good on you for doing something so selfless and positive for your friend Chris, never change!

Danelle

[Alun Parry]

one great way to promote each other is to do your own gigs instead of asking for one. all you need is a venue with a capacity of about 70 people. if you and 3 other acts bring 15 each then you've got a gig of 60 people, even if your posters attract nobody!

at the worst you'll be playing to 45 people who've not heard you before.

[Chris Fuller]

Yes, I want to do more joint shows. I'm trying to set up a three-way show with my friends right now.

[Bob Baker]

Chris, Great idea. In fact, that's one thing I hope to accomplish with this new network: Provide a forum not only to share ideas, but venues, media contacts, even each other's audiences.

There's another warm fuzzy idea for ya.

Bob

[Alun Parry]

I do a regular podcast that promotes a load of local artists. I always start the show with one of my tunes, and then there's 5 other artists from the local area on it too. It gets a few hundred listeners every fortnight which I guess is the equivalent of putting on a gig every fortnight and getting a few hundred people to come.

One additional idea I'm having is to make (with the other artists agreement) bundled music available from the show for free download.

So I could have Acoustic Playtime Bundle Volume 1 - say 18 tracks from the first 3 shows etc

[Chris Fuller]

That's awesome.

[Concert Cabs]

Well said Chris, I agree with your statement 100%. We must turn to our friends and fans for support, not only to help spread the word about the music, but to physically connect as many people as possible to the music.

[davidshanesmith]

Hi Chris, you might remember me from the song nights at Jack's place. what up. Hope all is well. do you have music online? I'll go look. I'm just browsing for people and coming across whoever I come across. Here you are talking about John. I just filled up my last little handmade booklet that he made me, now I need another one. Off I go. Hope all is well.