Ok, now that I am past the post whore milestone....
Yes, I have a lot of experience with booking shows, tours, etc. In college, I booked shows, primarily punk and indie, for a few years. Dealt with a lot of bands, agents, etc, etc. Also, I have been in many bands through the years as well, so dealt with a lot of promoters, now on the other side of the fence.
This was all before My Space, and forums as we know them today.
I guess I have always had a DIY mentality about promoting shows and being in bands.
I was tired of no good bands coming to the Champaign area. I hooked up with another independent promoter and made things happen.
If a big out of town band was rolling through my town, and I wanted my band to play with them, I made MANY phone calls and put together a solid promo package to represent the band and ultimately get us on the bill. Of course this didn't always result in the band getting on the bill, but it led to getting on other shows.
If I put together a big show down in Champaign, I would make sure I hit Chicago a few weeks before, and flyer at a lot of shows and stores. This did result in a number of people coming down for the show.
Shreddy made a good point. These are all activities that were more effective in the 90s than they might be today.
I still though firmly believe that it is VERY limiting to only promote a gig online. I know TONS of people who don't go to forums ever. Their main source of finding out about shows is from flyers, Illinois Entertainer, the Reader, etc.
Well, anyhow, just my two cents. Certainly not trying to argue, or say that one way of promoting is right and another is wrong.
Much appreciated!!!
