band promotion

promote your music with images – Top 10

November 21, 2011 By ASYLUMseventy7 Leave a Comment

A picture is worth 1000 words, so save time writing them by using some strong imagery and creative thinking to promote your music

With photo dominated social Media platforms like, Tumblr, Instagram, Twitpic and pinterest promoting via pictures has never been easier.

Here are ten tips to get you started…

1, Album Art

Using your album artwork is a great way to get your band some attention, after all this is what the artwork on your CD is for. use it as your avatar, post it as a free download to be used as wallpapers/screensavers.

2, Fans and Audience

Fans love bands that take notice of them, it is the difference between someone who likes your band and someone who will help you promote your band. Include pics of your fans, fans rocking out at gigs or you with your fans.

3, Studio and Recording Sessions

Fans who love a certain band like to feel included in more than just the gigs, so post pics of your latest recording session or band practice.

4, Other Bands

Post pictures if you go to a show as a fan as well as the other bands on the same gig as you, show yourselves having fun and interacting too.

5, Backstage

This is another hidden view for fans, so why not show them the fun and pranks you can get up to?

6, Venues

Show off the venues you play, let people see your journey to out of town venues, if you see some interesting landmark, graffiti or just something funny, let others in on it.

7, Scan Press Coverage

This may seem obvious but if you get a good review, show it off! By scanning or grabbing a screnshot of the original you add interest to it and make people want to read it more than saying “here’s a link to our latest review”

8, Handwritten Lyrics

Hand written lyrics are another of my favorites. Fans love to know what you’re singing and what it is about so why not include the scribbled notes along the way. hand written is so much more interesting than a print out.

9, QR codes

QR Codes (A mobile phone , that can be used for a weblink, message, text ) are an interesting way to promote your website, a lyric, facebook page, gig or anything you want really, so why not start?

10, Gig posters

Creative and interesting layouts along with imagery are a great way to promote a gig but also your band, they can get people wanting them on their walls, retweeting/reposting/sharing the artwork and therefore your bands name. take the time to put that extra thought into each gig and see how it can pay off.

Filed Under: Advice and answers, inspiration, Music industry, Photography Tagged With: band promotion, photo, photographs, pictures, promotion, social media, tumblr, Twitter

CD Duplication companies

September 15, 2011 By ASYLUMseventy7 6 Comments

So you have your band together, your songs written and rehearsed, you have recorded them, sorted the mixing, mastering and even got the artwork ready to help you stand out in that huge crowed, but where do you go to get it all put together and ready for sale/distribution?

Here is my list of CD duplication companies.

Please feel free to add your own in the comments section.

Filed Under: Advice and answers, Music industry Tagged With: album, band, band promotion, CD, CD duplication, CD manufacture, Disc, duplication

An overview of CD packaging

August 25, 2011 By ASYLUMseventy7 Leave a Comment

CD cases and packaging are an often overlooked consideration in the release process. Here are a few options to think about.

CD cases.

Jewel case – Standard old school chunky look or the new sleek modern.
Digipak – Great for the special edition or limited single you want to really grab attention and look special.
Simple card sleeve or plastic wallet – A great option for small demos, promos and free gig gifts.

CD artwork, booklets and inserts.

Printed card and paper parts of the package include:

J card inserts for CD single cases.
Booklets & cards for the front and inserts for the back tray of standard jewel cases.
Digipack packaging.

This is where most people want to get the help of a professional designer and artist. The cover of your CD and artwork is the first thing customers/fans see and it is this that will help attract new fans to your music. To understand the design process of a professional designer I wrote out my usual design rout here

All printers and duplication specialists with print facilities will use templates for the artwork print process so even if you are using an outside source for your album artwork and design make sure you use the right template usually downloadable from the printer/duplicators website.

Remember colours on your graphics can come out different to your original artwork, so make sure that all copies and proofs are approved by all first! If the run is radically different to the agreed proofs you should be able to get it redone free.

On body art work for your CD

On body artwork for your CD always gives the finished product the professional look all bands should be striving for.

This is basically the same rules as the booklet and insert printing, remember to follow templates, and as always it is best to get a professional to do the work for you or at lease check over and proof the work prior to sending off to the printers.

Check out some CD album artwork and design by ASYLUMseventy7

and Get committed to creative Music design!

Filed Under: Advice and answers, Graphic design, Music industry Tagged With: album packaging, band promotion, bands promotion, cd artwork, cd artwork design, music industry

Band Merchandise printing

March 7, 2011 By ASYLUMseventy7 Leave a Comment

I am always being asked about where to get the stickers, badges, banners and T-shirts I design printed, I am happy to do this myself and organize the full production as many of you will know but for those with designs ready here are my 10 top merch print and production companies.