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| How to Make a Good College Flyer |
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| posted by Derek Sivers on Saturday March 24 2001 @ 12:12PM PST |
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If you're making a flyer to get gigs in the college market, here's my opinion/experience about what you should put on your flyer:
1. big photo showing a happy fun performance
2. clear sentence about what you do ("acoustic reggae duo", "jazz metal 4-piece band")
remember your flyer is next to comedians, jugglers, lecturers, metallica, drum circles...
3. name your price range clearly ("PRICE: $700 - $1500 depending on travel. Just call and ask!")
4. your phone number and email in big bold letters - with a tagline asking them to call
5. testimonial quotes from other colleges or venues ("one of the finest performances we've had here all year!" - the College of St.Angus, "the crowd couldn't stop laughing at his lyrics!" - the Thirsy Bastard)
WHEN TO SEND YOUR FLYER? EVERY FEW WEEKS! Remember: getting your flyer the first time is not an event. Think of the first time you saw a TV ad for something. You didn't drop what you were doing and rush to the store. You had to see the ad 50 times and then be in the mood for it, with cash in hand, before finally bought what they were selling.
Repetition is the key. Send them something every few weeks and maybe one day in 6 months they'll call you for a video. Some schools will keep your flyer around and call you a year later. You need to be planning ahead with this.
NOTE: Color flyers, done on a color printer, are more expensive but get a better response.
Anything else work exceptionally well for you? Reply here!
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Can I see some examples of good college flyers (i.e., following Derek's guidelines)?
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"I've made a good living playing colleges for the last 4 years. Been hired by over 350 colleges around the Northeast. I made good money doing it, but also wasted TONS of money sometimes, doing things wrong. Here's my best advice, from experience, on what works and what doesn't..."
all those years with this method and not ONE flyer? cmon -pleeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzee just show us one!
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If I had even one, I'd be glad to post it here. But when I moved CD Baby from Woodstock to Portland, I threw out all my old promo materials. Sorry!
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Derek,
thanks for all the info. One question: is it
necessary to send a cover letter with college
flyers?
tx
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>is it necessary to send a cover letter with college flyers?
I think it's smart.
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And how about if you need a gig within 3 months of sending the flyer?
Do yuo think it could work to put "only available in this area until the month of XXXXX"?
something like that?
And say there are 100 colleges in New York. Would you say that if you can afford it, it is better to send them all a demo rather than waiting for them to request a demo after they've received the flyer???
CD-Rs are cheap now so why not send a demo with every flyer and a note saying "video on request"
mark
www.bedroomtalent.com
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Go for it. Can't hurt to try!
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You can also throw a short video clip on the CD for no additional cost if you burn them yourself....
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For $250, my company will take your songs, profile, email address, and video link it all on a custom CD-ROM that can be mailed out. This way you can make a direct impact in one shot. We can do the copying for you if you want, but I would recommend doing it yourself.
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Go to www.digitalememories.com for more info on getting CD-ROMs made
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| by
on Wednesday August 02 2006 @ 06:32PM PDT [ reply | parent ] |
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I was wondering if printing a bunch of 8.5 x 11 posters instead of individual flyers would be as good an idea.
You could then put a price range instead of a fixed price - and the whole thing could end up costing a whole lot less than individual color prints from an office printer...
What do you think Derek?
Thx,
Jason
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Go for it! Please post back here to let us know how it goes.
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Derek,I've read your college article and this one on flyers, some very good advice and some deep cynicism. I was a college concert promoter in '90-91, never wore a pink sweater....and threw out a lot of repetitive flyers. There ARE promoters out there looking for unique acts. I booked one act from as far away as Paris for example. I think as far as cost goes, POSTCARDS are a sure bet and DIRECT phone calls with candid to the point questions are great. For instance, "which student activity coordinator might book an alternative rock songwriter that plays piano?" You might get directed to the Women's Center or the squad of students that are setting up Earth Day. Also I suggest you find out the exact office hours of the person you are trying to reach through the regular staff of secretaries in whichever Student Activities Office you are trying to reach. These student positions are frequently work study and have to keep to at least a vague schedule of identifiable work time........sd
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If you are planning to market yourself with the multiple flyer technique that Derek recommends, and you need multiple color flyers, I have found a pretty cheap place to get them done -
http://www.color-copies-online.com/
The great thing about this is that you email them your document so you don't have to xerox some original that came out of your color printer. If you use the heavier stock paper they offer, you've got yourself a beautiful color xerox, obviously not as high quality as if you'd gotten them done at a printer, but I'm really impressed with their work and they are FAST. I get my work UPSed about two days later.
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I'm curious about their color work. I've done brochures and other work with color photos at Kinko's before. The problem I've had is that, often, blacks look like a separate layer floating on top of the other colors.
This isn't a total killer, but it makes me wary of using color copiers for serious work. Flyers, I'm not so worried about.
I wondered what your experience has been with these.
Thanks.
Jonathan
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The odd black on color copies does not
happen on all machines. A color laser tends
to have Black that looks glazed!! I have found
the at the newer Xerox machines do not have
that problem. Check with your vendor to see
what kind of machines they use. Ask for a
sample!
Bill
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Hi Derek! It's Elissa Ray(E*Ray). You remember...
I'm Kelly's "one more thing" girl!!!! I called you that day that you were setting up a computer(working with windows I think). It was a Saturday. Anyways, I'm just back on your sight and getting a ton of wonderful help as usual on promoting my friend Aagee from the group 'L7U'. and even though I don't have a question( because you cover EVERTHING so exstensively!)I just thought 'what the hell', and decided to say what's up. I just wanted to let you know(again) how much I appreciate all you've done for all of us trying to make it here in the music industry. Like I told you before, it is so refreshing to meet someone in the industry that is working for the love of the music. You are so down to earth and I am so glad I was able to talk to you on the phone and express my thanks, in person. You've been so helpful. I've been promoting your website like crazy since I read Esquire and ESPECIALLY since I talked to you. I hope everything is going well with you. Look for L7U at CDbaby in a month or two. We WILL be there. Thanks Derek. Have a hella good day.
Bless,
Elissa Ray (E*Ray)
Artist and current manager of L7U
Ps. please tell Kelly I said hi and that I still do have 'one more thing' to annoy her with!!!
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Derek:
Is there a separate listing for colleges more interested in one genre than another? Like, Jazz?
Thanks,
Barb
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All colleges are interested in anything you can get them interested in.
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| by
on Saturday February 05 2005 @ 10:16AM PST [ reply | parent ] |
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How hard is it to get an unknown Rap act booked at a college? I need a clear answere, and not it isn't hard at all please.
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How hard is it to get a rap act booked at a college? I need a clear answer and not it isn't hard at all please.
Thanks
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>How hard is it to get a rap act booked at a college? I need a clear answer.
How hard is it to get a job?
How hard is it to find a husband?
How hard is it to climb a rock?
It depends on the job, the husband, the rock, and the person asking.
Would an answer here on a bulletin board change your life? If so, then I'll tell you what you need to hear: "Easy! Go for it!". Now you'll approach them with the confidence it takes to get hired? Or maybe you need to hear "Hard! Work hard!". Now you'll put in the extra work it takes to make a great first impression?
The only way to know is to do.
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I'm a click away from purchasing the college listing but have one question. If I don't have a video(yet) am I wasting my time with approaching colleges. AND when I do get a video together, does it HAVE to be a "proffesional" edited version, will a digital cam corder someone brings to a gig be fine or is that too low budget?
thanks
jimmy prav groove assault
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Jimmy - Not wasting your time, no. It REALLY REALLY HELPS to have a video, but you can at least get started without it and start to do mailings to colleges.
When you do get a video, yes it should be very professional. Remember that the other acts competing for the same $1500 gigs are acts that spent $10,000 on their videos sometimes, because they know that a great video can book them another 50 gigs at $1500 each.
Just using a bad handicam edited on your VCR will hurt you more than having no video at all.
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On Jan 5, Jimmy asked:
"when I do get a video together, does it HAVE to be a "proffesional" edited version, will a digital cam corder someone brings to a gig be fine or is that too low budget?"
On Jan 8, Derik's reply was:
"When you do get a video, yes it should be very professional. Remember that the other acts competing for the same $1500 gigs are acts that spent $10,000 on their videos sometimes...Just using a bad handicam edited on your VCR will hurt you more than having no video at all."
My Response:
In 2003 we played 183 shows. They didn't all pay $1,500, but some did. Some paid more. We book ourselves (we don’t have a manager and we aren’t with a booking agency). The package that we sent out included a one page bio, a business card and a 5 minute video shot by a friend on a cheap camcorder at a couple of different shows and edited by another friend at his school. The audio was very poor and the quality of the video was pretty bad, but it was edited into a bunch of short clips over a 5 minute playing time and it showed what we do (we have two hot chicks in the band and we jump around a lot…and we have a lot of fun). The point is that we had an AWESOME RESPONSE to our poor quality video that we made for free (well, almost free - we had to pay for video tapes). The only people who ever said anything bad about it were trying to get us to hire them to shoot a better video. Derik is right that you should have the best quality possible, but it’s been my experience that it’s better to go out and do what you can than wait around until you’ve got the cash for things to be perfect. That's just my opinion though ;-)
-Ricky Zero of the band McFly
www.mcflyband.com
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I just bought a program called "Video Explosion Deluxe" from Office Depot for $80 and it is a great user-friendly video editing program. All you need is a digital camcorder or an 8mm with a DV port. It's got all kinds of neat effects and scene transitions and stuff. We used it to make our first rock video for the local music channel... The Austin Music Network, and honestly, it looks like we spent a shit-load of money on it. I'm also going to use it to make a live sample video. Ok... bye
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Hey, I just wanted to say, I checked out your band's website. Congrats on getting all though shows w/ the video you described. But to be honest, I doubt you got those gigs 'cuz of the video or your performances. I'd say it was due to the fact your a cover band. And a cover band normally is a safe bet for someone who doesn't a.)know much about music or bands and b.)just wants a band their sure will be appealing. Honestly, no offense to your band, but cover bands have it much easier then orginal music bands; much more risk involved with booking them. Don't come off sounding all high and mighty 'cuz of the the gigs you booked and say it was because of your stage performance in your video.
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Looks like Dennis has never played in a cover band! Getting gigs for original bands can be hard but they dont roll out the red carpet for cover bands either. Thats a lot of gigs in a year for any band. It might not be because of their video tape but i dont think its just because they play covers either.
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Derrick,
Thanks for this! I've been a NACA member for 2 years and am quite frustrated with it. (you didn't even go into the annoying NACA rules!) I showcased at NACA South this past fall and got 2 gigs out of it. (I'm a solo singer/songwriter) (it was a 'roving artist' showcase and I don't think the kids take that as seriously) I felt good about my showcase and the students were complimentary--til it came time to book the gigs. Nerve-racking!
I'll be buying the list from you and kissing NACA goodbye! There's also APCA where you can 'buy' a showcase, but again, it's extremely expensive!
Thanks again.
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I would like to hear some of your music i am a solo singer/songwriter as well and want to know how it is working for you i am justnow getting into it and i am making my first cd this week
Thanks,
Chino
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I am very appreciative of your advice and have been booking shows through your suggestions. I have also been approaching student organizations who often promote better than student acitivities do. Try finding an organization within the student body and approach them with a unique fundraiser.
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This sounds interesting! Any examples you could give us?
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Yes. For instance if you contact a fraternity or sorority and offer propose that if their organization sets up a concert, promotes and provides sound equipment you will play a concert for them and split the door or take only a certain percentage and the organization can take the rest. obviously pitch it to them with it being more prettied up.
Thanks,
Keith Griffis
Waking Grey
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Derek-
I was interested in ordering the College Database for bookings as you advertised in "The Indie Bible", but the url says the page has been moved and it asks for member information. I'm not a member.
How can I order the database?
Thanks!
Cindy
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You can always just PayPal or mail a payment for $75 to us. It's only the payment-acceptance thing that is inside the members area. Sorry about that. Call the CD Baby office and ask for Jamie.
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Can you reccommend a video production team/producer to make a good video? I am in NYC.
danny
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Video production teams are a dime a dozen in NYC. Ask around. Hard to sneeze without spraying one.
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contact me... I know a good videographer who won't charge a fortune. (in NYC).
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If you are looking for a videographer, my friend Denny Daniel has been doing this for years. His website is:
www.dennydaniel.com
and his email is:
solacex@aol.com
He's an amazing and creative videographer, and he's done a lot of work with bands around NYC.
If you decide to contact him, be sure to tell him that Rachel referred you. You might get an even better deal out of it (though he's already got great pricing).
Rachel (:
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You can check out www.digitalememories.com too. They will put the video into custom CD-ROM that you can make copies and mail out to colleges so your songs, bio, video, links, etc. are all in one disc. Saves you a TON of money on printing...plus you can have the information updated regularly as the band grows and gets more reviews...
www.digitalememories.com
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Another suggestion for those who have f/t jobs and are still plugging away at their music: Texas has a music directory full of excellent information covering all TX State musical resources.It is updated annually. Check and see if your state has such a directory.
The TMID has listings of annual festivals, colleges, radio stations, promoters, managers, you name it toyota! the URL is www.governor.state.tx.us/music
Thanks for all the wunderbar information!
Namaste!
Brigitte Miller
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Hey Derek (or anyone that is interested / in the know and willing to share their expertise)...
My NYC-based rock band is about to do the whole college promotion thing, with the hope of getting as many shows as possible at schools around here.
I had a couple of questions, and I wondered if anyone would have any insight.
- We're going to be sending out our press kits to colleges in a couple of weeks. I read on one of the articles on cdbaby that June is a very good time to hit the student activity boards, for a number of reasons.
One of my band mates was skeptical, thinking that we may have missed the boat for shows in the fall semester. I figure, even if that's true, we can get a jump on the spring semester and certainly get in on some orientation events at schools. Is my bandmate right? Or are we in line to be considered for all of it - orientation, fall, and spring gigs? I think this is the case, but what do you think - what are the prospects for a band sending out their stuff in early June?
- Another thing my 'mates were skeptical of (hey, we're New Yorkers, we're naturally that way!) was that a color flyer alone would do it. We're thinking of sending along with our flyer temporary tattoos of our band logo. Seems like a cheap thing that would at least separate us from the crowd. Think this is a worthwhile idea?
Also, if there are schools that we're familiar with and think we'd be a good fit, should we send along our CD as well?
We also have a wealth of positive reviews to cite. Shouldn't we include our press clippings? If not the entire set of clippings, would a one pager with quotes about our CD / live show be worthwhile?
- Does the database have info for the kinds of folks who will be around in the summer?
That's it, your thoughts are def. appreciated. Thanks cdbabies!!!
Matt
Hieronymus Bosch
www.hbosch.net
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I think that you have alot of questions that could easily be answered by a public relations/marketing person. You should invest in having a consultation with someone or just see if there is someone in a local college that is going into music marketing/promotion. You might even get an up and coming manager that would be willing to promote you for cheap!
Janice
Creative Director
blue heron music
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I bought the college list last year and played 6 colleges last year, for the first time. I got the gigs from emails & cold calls. It's totally possible to get lots of college gigs. All you need to do is a lot of administrative work. Calls, emails, flyers, press kits etc. It's all a question of being a good administrative assistant for yourself.
I don't have a video yet, but I do have a great website and CD. Everyone will tell you different advice, but when it comes down to it, go through people you know, and if you don't know anyone, cold call, or mail out flyers.
Be persistant, yet charming.
:) athena
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