What do you do to get the word out about upcoming shows?  What works the best? What doesn't work at all? Do you do anything with social media or videos that your fans love on the road?

New Reveille - 1,818 Trackers

We tend to notice that people really dig it when we post little acoustic snippets where we’re practicing for our shows. I can’t say we get such traction when we try to create “call to action” type posts. Our fans really prefer it when we are just our genuine selves trying to share our love for music with them.

Sway Wild - 1,739 Trackers

Before tour we always send out a big e-blast to our mailing list (usually geographically catered to whichever region we are bound for, unless there is other big news of new album releases etc). Don't send too many blasts or readership will decline and, well, you'll just be annoying. Make them creative and engaging and worthy of your fans' precious time. Instagram/Facebook/Twitter posts are key. Often times we'll stage silly awkward photos or occasionally even do short promo videos for specific shows. What works best is having a promoter who really gets behind the music and wants to get folks out to the show. What really works is playing over and over again in a town and building a following (while not overplaying). You can't expect to just invite a bunch of people to a Facebook event and then have it magically fill up. It requires a lot of hustle and persistence and the more real live humans that you can get helping you to spread the word, the better. WORD OF MOUTH is the best way to get folks to shows.

Harmonious Wail - 965 Trackers

Like all of you (probably) I would rather play music than tweet about it - but then things are as they are aren’t they?  We once played a gig in DC and a friend came to the gig and berated me for not getting to know we were coming to his town - he had heard it from a friend. I said But I did send out an email to our fan list and he said, yeah I get those but I don’t open them —   Next time we come through DC I titled it - H Wail DC gigs and went to him a special one with his name on it and said open this one! geez. FB events are our main way to promote along with word of mouth -0 again emails to fans. I think it is also very helpful to really hit up the venue to have them jump in  there. These days everyone is shirking the promotion part of the puzzle and it ultimately lands on the artists plate and do-list. Frustrating to spend more time typing than play the mandolin. Live videos are cool - even b.s from the road - here we are wandering around the Kwik Trip (again) or here is the singer pumping gas.

Twin Guns - 948 Trackers

Let's say that the promoter(s) AND the clubs usually bear responsibility in PROMOTING the shows in specific cities, especially when your band is at an underground level; one could also use the support of other local bands with a fanbase that are opening, or headlining the gigs, but nonetheless, we always promote the shows on social media (mostly through Instagram and Facebook), posting photos, videos, and sharing other posts from fans and friends. The bands really need to do as much as possible to get the word out there, and take nothing for granted. Sometimes works, sometimes doesn't.

Greg Hoy - 521 trackers

Instagram is our favorite! We also have a longer form video series called 'Limited Mileage' on YouTube and FB. Each episode is a short montage of different time periods of the tour. It is essentially fun, b-roll stuff however we do a little series within it called 'Behind the Gear' where we explore changing guitar strings, drum heads, windshield wipers, etc. It's poking a little laugh at those video influencer how-to folks on the internet in our own way. We're also old school analog and send posters to clubs a few weeks before our dates.

The Imaginaries (Shane) - 166 Trackers

We use social media to promote gigs and tours, as well as our email list blasts. We also try to book morning shows in the cities we will be playing that night to help promote the show. Facebook ads have worked well for us. We plan on doing a lot of fun things with social media/videos on our upcoming tour/s.

Cynthia Brando - 165 Trackers

As an out of towner, you may not be known in the place you are performing, so it’s really important to reach out to local media a couple months prior. I try to get an interview about my show by reaching out and saying that I have a unique or interesting story which we ALL have. Reach out to newspapers, local blogs and radio for write ups and interviews. I also contact lifestyle publications that may not necessarily be music centric but willing to do a story about me; give them an idea for a story-for example, what it's like traveling to different towns as a stranger....perhaps you have a cause like homelessness or mental health. There may be publications in the place you are playing that address your cause. Write them and tell them you are visiting and have something to say and some songs of meaning. A lot of places also have publications on LGTB issues and news. 

I mail the venue a physical poster. I also make social media posts and TAG the venue so that they will repost. On Twitter, I also tag the chamber of commerce or city event twitter accounts; you can find them by typing @ and the city name. All media outlets usually have twitter accounts too and might repost. I make an Eventrbrite listing for every show because people who are not sure what they want to do that evening will sometimes check out Eventbrite if they are doing a general search of events. Also list your event in every online calendar for the city.

The OSYX - 147 Trackers

Keep your tour goals in mind. You want to build your fan base, sell merch, and set the stage for your next tour. Send posters to the venue, ask the support bands and promoters about local radio opportunities and publications. Platforms like Bandsintown can help you to engage your audiences before you even arrive in town all from the convenience of your smartphone. Utilize your van time to reach out, send thank you messages, and promote the local bands you play with using playlists, photos, and video. They will generally return the favor. 

The Normal Living - 95 Trackers

I think this really depends on your fan base but word of mouth is always the best. I know it is old fashioned, but actually speaking to a few people and inviting them to the show is most effective. If you find yourself in an analog dialogue with someone, chances are they will come to the show and even bring a few people.

In the digital realm, facebook events seem to work the best. The facebook notifications and reminders really help. For people not on facebook, we also use our email list. It’s tried and true.

Great road tested advice.

Be kind to everyone you meet and greet along the way and, if at all possible, try to catch the sets of all the bands on the bill.

Johnny & The Mongrels - 95 Trackers

Anything "behind the scenes" that we can share with our fans is gold when promoting a show. They love to get a glimpse of what life is like for us to make them feel like they're along for the ride. So Instagram probably works the best for capturing and sharing upcoming shows for us. Using specific FB groups that we've joined has had some success for us as well. It gets your shows in front of some potential audiences you might not normally market to.