The Undercover Band

If a music PR ever asks you the question “Well… What’s your budget?”, RUN!  This is definitely a red flag and this person or company is trying to take as much money as possible from you, in order to provide you exactly the same service and results regardless of the budget you give them. Must-Read:  My Best Tips on Promoting Music With No Budget With Music PR, the results are determined by several factors: the quality of the music, the artist’s history and previous press and their angles, and the quantity and quality of promotion materials (teaser, promo video, live video, pictures, artwork, music video, etc..) The biggest misconception of a PR campaign is to think that the more you pay the better the results. It doesn't work like that, because PR has already done the hard work getting all their press contacts and developing their network. So, in any way, they'll send emails to the same contacts, whether you pay a lot of money or not. A Music PR should already know the price a...

An essential question for your success! As much as artists need a PR at some point in their career,  most of them actually  don't know what a PR does.  They often  confuse " promotion " and " marketing " and have misconceptions  in this entire area, and what they pay for. That's why I decided to wear my PR jacket and explain the best that I can  the differences between them, so  you can make the best decision for your next campaign,  to set the right goals and the right budget. Music promotion has changed completely from what it used to be 20 years ago, which could explain the confusion!  Originally, music marketing and promotion were one concept, designed to get to sell as many CDs as possible.  Must-Read: WHAT DOES A PITCH LOOKS LIKE? Music promotion has changed with time, how will you adapt to it? MUSIC PROMOTION Music promotion is handled by a P.R., also called a Publicist. How was  it  before the internet e...

Either you submit your music to online blogs, printed magazines, playlists, radios or podcasts, you need to send a "pitch"... But for the last time, what is a "pitch"? Think about the best way to sell a new product, but instead you're promoting your music..! It's basically the email you're sending to the blogs, magazines, playlists, radios, podcasts, etc In this email, and in a few phrases, you'll present the best way possible your new release, with catchy words and the best highlights (for example that your new song was produced by a Grammy award winner super famous guy). Must-Read: How to Get the Most Out of Your Radio Airplay? The content of this email (or pitch) is combined with a shorter version of your press release.  It has to make people want to listen to your music, or intrigued, or curious, or like you even before they heard your music. (it's the most difficult part!) This email should look professional, straight to the poi...

1. ) Don't think that you need a publicist right away. "You do not need a publicist if you're a relatively new band who has yet to put out an album, can't tour outside of your hometown or your general geographic area, and if the cost of hiring a publicist is going to hurt you financially," says Seide, who's repped Tool, Baroness, and the Melvins. If you're planning to release your first song, your first EP or your first album, I truly think that a DIY publicity approach is the first strategy to do.  Think about the bigger picture: If your goal is to be featured in NME, there's a long journey of work, research and efforts before getting their attention and writing something about your music. Even the most expensive PR won't accomplish that miracle. There's no shortcut. Period. So reach out and connect with local music writers and editors, smaller regional and national music blogs, and maintain a robust social-media presence by pos...