Band Business Money Tips

If you or your Band gig in the College Circuit, here are three easy things you can do to increase your Fan base leading to increased success in your profession of choice:

1.
Make sure you visit two popular near-campus CD stores. Give a free CD to them so they can play it in the store (stores are looking for music they can play for free). When people go in they hear your music. If they like it, they will ask who it is and where they can get it.

Make sure the CD shop knows where they can get it (usually they will just grab the CD Case to find out more – consider having a small sticker put on the CD cases you give to the shops that says where they can buy the CD Music from).

2.
At the colleges you do shows at… Line up guest spots on the local college radio stations. Radio Stations need good content just like any newspaper or magazine, except Airtime is more powerful for you because you are a musician. You work in a sound related industry. Written articles will reach some music fans, however articles reach more readers rather than music listeners. People that are bigger Fans of listening to music will listen to shows on the Air.

On-Air Interviews make for good content and gives you some good airplay. When you set up your On-Air Interviews, send ahead some prepared questions for the Host to ask you on the air. This helps the radio station have an idea of what their listeners can enjoy when you are on. The questions can be about you, your music, your career so far, why you are in town, your CDs and where they can learn more about you, hear your music, and get your CDs.

A BIG KEY TO HELP YOU LEVERAGE THIS RADIO SPOT THE BEST is to also have about three copies of your CD for the Host to give away as prizes. They can give the CDs away to listeners that call in to ask you questions on-air (or however they want to arrange for callers to call in to win them). This helps the radio station build more happy and excited listeners and increases your chance to build your name, sales, and AIRPLAY.

3.
Do you take someone along on your tours to help you with business functions such as collecting Fan emails for your list and selling merchandise during your shows?

I helped someone about a week ago with two performances (a Friday and Saturday show). I pulled together some merchandise and arranged for a merchandising table. The merchandising for the two shows alone brought in an extra $1,300.

This is a great way to increase your profits. And, keep in mind… the people excited enough to buy the items you are selling are new passionate Fans – people that want to have a memento of the experience you bring them and want to have a connection with your world. Why turn these people away by not having items for them to buy?

You and your Fans help each other. You give them an experience or present them with something they find exciting through your music and/or show, and they provide you with the financial means to increase your ability to give them more of what they like and want. Each one of your Fans is a mini-investor in your business. You and your Fans share an exchange of positive benefits.