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Resources page
sponsored in part by Inferno Labs web design:
http://www.infernolabs.com
(pro websites
for artists, labels and other businesses)
.: Read the article below by
Tim Sweeney, who over the last 20 years has helped
several major labels (Columbia, Epic, MCA, Universal, Warner
Bros., Capitol, Mercury, Polygram, Revolution, Hollywood
(and their sub-labels), and well known independent labels
(Restless, Metal Blade, Enigma, Accretions, etc.) develop
the careers of some of their most promising and successful
artists of all time.
Getting More
Reviews from the Press
By Tim
Sweeney
A lot of artists
seem to be having problems getting the writers and reviewers
of newspapers, magazines and websites to talk with them
about their music or write about them, their CDs or review
their live shows. Here are three thoughts to keep in mind
when dealing with the press.
1. Always send an Artist Profile instead of a press kit.
A press kit identifies you in this industry as a
“non-priority artist” they can skip over without reviewing
your material and most press people will do as soon as they
see one in the package. A press kit doesn’t provide the
information the writers and reviewers need to write a good
article about you. As I talk about in TIM SWEENEY’S GUIDE TO
RELEASING INDEPENDENT RECORDS PART 2, an Artist Profile is
specifically designed for the media and to be used in your
web site. It provides the press with the story you want them
to write about you. * Most press people like to look at an
artist’s web site. Do not use a press kit in yours because
it is missing the key elements that get people interested in
buying your CD. As a result it will not help you generate
the number of CD sales you want every month.
2. Bi-weekly or monthly updates are critical. While
it is important for you to communicate to them how your
music is of interest to their readers, you also need to tell
them how many CDs you are selling every month and how the
“buzz” about you is growing. Do not send press releases
about upcoming shows! Send them actual updates.
3. Your live shows are key. One of the biggest ways
the press measures the interest in you is based on how many
people are coming to your shows. Obviously an artist that
can attract 300 people to a show versus 30 is a sign to the
writers that people are interested in you.
I am covering this subject in detail at
www.MusicStrategies.com . If you haven’t written your
Artist Profile yet or you are not getting the number of
people you want to your shows, be sure to use my book, TIM
SWEENEY’S GUIDE TO RELEASING INDEPENDENT RECORDS PART 2.
Tim's book available at his site:
www.tsamusic.com
Past Articles:
Getting
More Press Reviews
by Tim Sweeney
Motivation
by Tim Sweeney
Who's
on Your Mailing List?
by Tim Sweeney
How To Generate
More CD Sales In Record Stores by Tim Sweeney
Being in Control of Your Music
by Tim Sweeney
How to
Put Out Your Own Record by Wendy Day
Business Basics by Wendy Day
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