Are You Making These Daily Band Promotion Mistakes? (Challenge Inside!)
Let’s be real, being in a band is awesome. Writing music, playing gigs, the whole shebang. But let’s also be real: promotion can feel like pulling teeth. Like, you just wanna rock out, not spend hours glued to your phone. I get it.
But here’s the thing: even a tiny bit of consistent effort can make a HUGE difference. So, are you accidentally sabotaging your band’s growth with these common pitfalls?
Mistake #1: Radio Silence After a Gig.
You killed it on stage Saturday night. Awesome! But what happened after that? Did you just go back to your regularly scheduled Netflix binge? HUGE mistake.
Think about it: those people who were jamming with you at the venue are primed and ready for more. They want to relive that experience. What can you do about it?
- Challenge: Right now, go to your band’s Instagram or Facebook page and post a quick “Thanks to everyone who came out to [Venue Name] on Saturday! We had a blast! Here’s a killer photo/video clip from the show. What was your favorite song we played?”
Include a killer photo or short video clip. Don’t just tell them how great it was, show them. You want to get people engaging with the post, so ask a question!
- Bonus points: tag the venue in your post. They might share it, exposing your band to even more potential fans.
Mistake #2: Forgetting the Power of “Free.”
Everyone loves free stuff. Let’s face it, your fans want to know how much your merch costs, how to get in the band, to be a roadie, or to play the guitar, but they have to be able to listen to your music, before they start caring about the other things.
- Challenge: Share a free music track, or a free music download from your Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Bandcamp, or other platform! Do it NOW!
Mistake #3: Neglecting Your Email List (If You Even Have One!)
Okay, hear me out. Email might seem old-school, but it’s still a powerful tool. You OWN your email list. Unlike social media algorithms that can bury your content, your emails go straight to your fans’ inboxes. If you don’t have one, set one up today. Mailchimp is a great starting point and offers a free plan. If you have a list, but don’t use it, you are leaving money on the table!
- Challenge: Send a quick email to your list today, even if it’s just to say “Hey! What’s new? We’re working on [something exciting] and wanted to say thanks for being awesome!” Include a link to your latest music, a cool video, or a blog post (if you have one).
Mistake #4: Being All About the Sell, All the Time.
Nobody wants to be bombarded with “Buy my album! Buy my tickets! Buy, buy, buy!” all the time. You have to give value, entertainment, and connect on a human level. You should also follow people who follow you, and send them messages to start a dialog.
- Challenge: This is a great one. Reach out to one person that has followed you on your socials, and engage them in a short conversation. Start by thanking them for the follow, and ask them what kind of music they are into. You’ll be surprised at the connections you will make!
15-Minute Challenge Time!
Seriously, each of these challenges should take you less than 15 minutes. Pick one (or do them all!) right now. Turn on some music, set a timer, and get it done.
The key is consistency. Don’t just do this once. Make these small promotional acts a part of your daily routine. Even 15 minutes a day can help turn your band from a local act into a bigger deal. Now go rock it!
