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Links and tips for the business of doing art.
We know it's a dirty word, but if you want your work out there you have to package and deliver it. Whether you are a visual artist, musician, performer or writer we hope that you find useful information here.
Email info@amplifier.ky.net if there is a link or information that has served you well so we can add it. You are encouraged to comment on the art business sections of our forum (music, visual art, performers, writers)
Legal | Music | Filmmakers | Writers | Websites | Alternative Publications | Local Promotions
Legal: Know your rights as well as the rights of those with whom you work.
Music: Whether you have a band that would like to play locally on occasion or your want to take your music as far as you can you may find useful information here. In both cases it's largely about getting your name out there and building a fanbase.
- General:
- Presentation: Whether you are approaching a local bar, DJ or an A&R executive have professional looking promotional materials to make your first impression. Create a promotional package/press kit. It should include your full contact information, a picture, a brief bio and description of your music, press quotes if available, gig highlights if available and sound samples.
Today in most cases you can present your press kit via the internet saving time and money. Examples of online press kits are:
- Sonicbids: Sonicbids.com
 is a site that offers musicians a way to easily send professional looking "electronic press kits" by email. Members also have access to a directory of participating venues from festivals and bars to songwriting competitions and band contests.
- MySpace.com: MySpace Music has become a very important tool for musicians both in getting local gigs and in being signed by major labels. In addition to including all the important elements of a press kit, MySpace social networking functions help provide the opportunity to build a fanbase far from home.
- Once you are on MySpace if you are playing local shows DO NOT stop promoting locally by all means available.
- Website: Your own dotcom can be another form of press kit. It should include the same basic parts. Website promotions are discussed further below.
- Once you have a website DO NOT make the mistake of expecting everyone to come to it. It should be an addition to your promotions not a replacement of promotions such as newsletters, entering shows in other calendars and putting up posters.
- Approaching Venues: Find out the venues in your area that might book the type of music you play. Don't be afraid to suggest your music to a restaurant or recreational facility that is not currently featuring music.
- Music venues in south central Kentucky can be found in The Amplifier, Venues section by choosing "live music" in the search. Other entertainment publications may have similar information for their area on their websites - see Alternative Publications below.
- The Indie Bible: The Indie Bible lists thousands of places you can get your music reviewed or your songs played on the radio. All genres of music are covered.
- Gig Swapping: Network with other bands who have regular gigs. Find a band that has a following in another town and make a deal to warm up for them in their hometown and schedule them to warm up for you in your hometown. Chose a band with an established following similar to your typical audience. Bands and club owners benefit from introducing new bands this way.
- Major Record Labels:
- Radio Stations: College stations are particularly prone to playing new material. Area radio stations are listed in the Amplifier's Venue section under "resources".
- Organizations: Organizations introduce you to others with your interests as well as provide assistance in promoting your art.
Filmmakers:
Writers:
Websites: If you have or are considering a website, there are several things you can do to drive traffic to your site.
- Search Engines: You'll run into promotion companies on the net that for money will promote your website by registering it with search engines. You can do it yourself.
- Popular Search Engines: Below are a few search engines where you may want your site listed.
- Indexes: Indexes, like search engines contain links to sites, but usually are limited to a specific topic. Some may be tourism sites or city home pages. Some will require you to link back to them to be included in their database. Some may even cost money. But many, such as The Amplifier's Artist Index are public services. Here are a few that may be useful to be included in.
- Link Exchange: Linking is basically like word of mouth advertising on the internet. There are several ways you can increase the links to your site:
- Beg all your fans and friends with websites to link to you.
- Convince or pay businesses you deal with (such as music stores or nightclubs you play) to link to you.
- Convince or pay local and regional sites which showcase your hometown to link to you. Sites representing groups like Tourism, Chambers of Commerce and local web design and host services will often consider an entertainment section a valuable asset to their site.
- Convince or pay topic specific sites to link to you. Organizations and individuals in related professions may link to you. Try searching the major search engines using the same keywords that you would use for your own site.
- Many internet companies exist that will link to you in exchange for a fee or a reciprocal link using their logo.
- When you link to someone's site, let them know - they may link back.
- Traditional Advertising: Be sure to do all the traditional advertising you can for your website.
- Tell people about your site. Announce it on stage or at any public appearance. Tell your friends and family.
- Put flyers or business cards on local bulletin boards. Check music stores, venues and campuses - bulletin boards are common.
- Print your web address on all your stationary - business cards, letterhead, backs of envelopes and add it to any newsletters you send.
- Buy ads in publications, on radio and on television.
- Let local entertainment newspapers know about your site. Be sure it's prominently displayed on your promo information you send to anyone.
- Add your web address to promotional paraphenalia such as bumper stickers, T-shirts, matchbooks etc.
Alternative Publications: Ask about getting a writeup. When you play in a town get a copy of their local entertainment paper to see which venues present live music.
- Directories
- Alt Pubs in southeastern US
- Kentucky:
- Tennesse:
- Ohio:
- Indiana
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since 1995
