| An independent band is ready to market themselves | | | | recognition could help your chances of the student |
| by touring after: putting a core band together, | | | | activity director hearing about your band before you |
| rehearsing new music, and recording music for a CD, | | | | inquire about doing shows. |
| or an EP. Selling products during a tour such as | | | | An alternative way to book shows at colleges is by |
| t-shirts, CD's, stickers and other marketable products | | | | performing at the National Association for Campus |
| are essential for a band to do to fund the project. | | | | Activities Showcase. |
| Booking shows can be an impossible thing for an indie | | | | Each February NACA hosts the National Convention |
| band to do if the band do not know the best way | | | | which brings together artists, music agencies and |
| to grab a club promoter's attention. Promoters and | | | | university entertainment buyers. The National |
| club owners generally book in advance, so it is | | | | Convention allows college representatives to see live |
| imperative that a band contacts them months, | | | | showcases and organize co-op buying with |
| maybe a year before touring. | | | | neighboring universities. |
| Bands need to create flyers/postcards, and send | | | | Bands such as Dave Matthews Band and O.A.R. have |
| them out constantly. Not just to different promoters, | | | | been success stories through the association. |
| but repeatedly to the same promoters. Sending a | | | | Performing at the convention may be costly, but can |
| flyer to the same promoter should be done every | | | | be worth it in the long run for the band. In order to |
| month or so to let them know you are serious about | | | | be on the showcase, a band must first become a |
| the opportunity, and to get them to remember your | | | | member of the association. Several other costs come |
| band. | | | | into play in order to buy a booth, register and then |
| A high quality color flyer does make a difference | | | | submit the band. An acceptance fee is also charged if |
| when promoting your band. Obviously, it receives | | | | your band is chosen to play. |
| more interest with solid content listed on the flyer. | | | | Networking is key for indie bands even if they do |
| 1. Performance based photo | | | | not get chosen to play college shows at the |
| 2. The genre of music your band plays | | | | conference. There are other businesses such as bar |
| 3. Contact information in bold | | | | owners, entertainment venue promoters and |
| 4. The band's price range to do a show | | | | organizations in attendance at the showcase. |
| 5. A couple lines of reviews from media outlets who | | | | Social networks can also be key to landing gigs for a |
| covered past shows | | | | band. My suggestion is to check out what venues are |
| Besides clubs, colleges are another alternative venue | | | | popular within the indie band world. Check other indie |
| for bands to play their music live. | | | | bands' pages and see what venues they are playing |
| The popular way to grab a college representative's | | | | at in certain cities. |
| attention is by sending your flyer/postcard with a | | | | Send them a message and ask about the promoter |
| CD, and placing phones calls to the student activity | | | | of a certain venue, or just utilize the print marketing |
| director who handles live entertainment. | | | | that was previously mentioned. |
| Sending your CD and press release to college radio | | | | Visit naca.org to view more information about the |
| stations and newspapers is also a good way to make | | | | association and their fees. |
| your name known on various campuses. Getting early | | | | |