Articles : 11 important things that every band should or shouldn’t do

It’s amazing how many simple things bands and/or band members do wrong, especially when it comes to internet presence. As somebody who spends more or less every spare minute watching band’s online profiles, replying to emails, or trying to help other bands, the amount of times I have wanted to pick up my laptop, drive over to somebody’s house, and beat some sense into them with it is actually more than infinity. Possibly even two infinities. So after a long, hellish day at work, here is me venting (while downing a few beers) and hopefully pointing out something that can help you. And while we’re at it, if there’s something else that seriously bugs you, let me know in the comment section below. Let’s open a few cans of worms…

1. List your contact email address on every single web profile that you have, unless your goal as a band is to miss out on gig and promotion opportunities. I know that sounds like a ridiculously obvious thing that anybody with half a brain would know, but you’re wrong…

2. Actually check that email address. Promoters won’t wait 2 or 3 weeks for a reply, they want to confirm every single detail about the show as soon as possible. In the few gigs I have organised, I’ve lost count of how many bands have replied with “yeah, we’d love to play” only for me to respond with “sorry, already have somebody else”. And even if you think “oh well, it’s only one gig”, there’s always the chance that promoter won’t bother with you again because he or she can’t wait that long for responses.

3. Either have a high-resolution band logo available on your website, or readily available elsewhere; again, a simple thing that far too many bands overlook. And please, oh please, have plain black-on-white version. Those designing posters (usually for free) don’t really appreciate spending their time trying to strip down some stupid version that you made in MS Paint with a cheesy glow or blurry background.

4. On a similar note, if you’re playing a gig, hang around and watch the other bands. Not only is it simple manners, especially if it’s one of the other bands that invited you to play the show, but it is noticed if you rock up, play your set, and piss off. That’s not a reputation that will benefit any band.

5. If you’re selling albums online, or giving your album out for free download, get a Bandcamp account. Not only does it have everything both you and the fan need (streamable tracks, album artwork, etc), it has a ridiculously easy interface to use and loads in no time at all. It has very quickly become the first piece of web presence I’ll search for when wanting to hear a band or buy a band’s album.

6. Keep in mind that you’re not the only band on the entire planet, so why not promote other bands that you like? The whole point of social networking is interactivity. Post a link on your band’s Facebook page to that other rad local band that you love. Hell, they might even do the same back as a thank you, or invite you to play a gig with them. It’s a simple theory, but it works.

7. Promote your fucking gigs. Yes, the whole point of the “promoter” organising your gig is to handle most of the organising and promotion, but it’s completely moronic of you not to help out yourself. In this day and age, it’s almost embarrassing how many bands do not promote a show they are playing; not even a Facebook status update or newsletter mail-out. You have access to the most important audience; your own fans! And personally, I am far more likely to contact bands about further shows who actually do a decent amount of promotion themselves. I’m sure I’m not the only one.

8. Don’t type entirely in capital letters on your band’s Facebook profile/Twitter page/anything at all. Not only does it make you look like an over-excited thirteen year old girl who doesn’t know what spelling or grammar is, it makes any mature person want to vomit out of their eye sockets. And on that note…

9. Have a bit of personality in your online presence. I realise I’m harping on a little bit about the internet, but it’s essentially the key thing connecting your with your fans (with the obvious exception of live performances). Nobody enjoys seeing fifty million Facebook updates comprised of the exact same thing that were in your last fifty million status updates about a gig you are playing. Use actual sentences, ask fans questions, reply to their comments, and for the love of god don’t use automated updaters. Or ignore that advice and have people delete you from their news feed. Whatever.

10. Spam is bad. That’s just a general note, but specifically: don’t go around posting “hey check out my band” (and even worse; your own merchandise) on status updates that other bands make. It’s fucking rude.

11. I don’t have anything else else to vent about (yet), but the important thing to note here is that this one goes to eleven.