here are all types of reasons why you might find yourself needing a new player for your band. The first thing that you should do is ask around. Getting a personal recommendation is always best. If you're lucky, you may know someone in your area who would fit the bill perfectly.
But, unfortunately, this isn't always the case. So, if you need to go outside your peers to find a band
member, the following are some suggestions that might be helpful.
a. Search the Internet:
One of the great things about the Web, is that there is an expanse of information on very specific
categories. Search the genre most relevant to your situation.
b. Check Regional Papers/Music Rags/Zines:
Many publications carry listings of musicians seeking other musicians. Most regional publications, especially if they're music-related, have quite an extensive listing of this category. You
should also find corresponding web sites for all of the above, then locate the online "Musicians seeking
Musicians" section.
c. Web Site Postings:
There are tons of music web sites that will allow you to post this type of listing as well. Check out www.communitymusician.com for some of the most active message boards that I've seen. You can also find quite an extensive listing of sites that offer music referrals at http://www.indie-music.com/referral.htm.
d. Use Search Engines:
"Search All Words" for, "musician wanted classified." You'll receive a ton of listings of regional places
where you can post information. My own current favorite is www.copernic.com which searches all of the search engines. If you don't want to deal with the download that this engine requires, I would then recommend trying www.google.com, instead.
e. Discussion Groups:
You can join discussion groups. I moderate a discussion list with Derek Sivers of CD Baby alled "MusicThoughts" at Egroups.com. You can subscribe by sending a blank email to musicthoughts-subscribe@egroups.com. You can also check out all the other communities that are at www.egroups.com as well. There's a ton of them!
f. Local Radio Shows:
Most radio stations have, at least, one local show each week, if not more. Contact the station advertising department personnel and ask whether
they run announcements regarding musicians seeking other musicians to perform with. The station might also have a similar section on its web
site. Check it out.
g. Post In Regional Print Newspapers:
As you begin to spread the news, you will most likely need to create some sort of classified ad. Why not post a listing in the regional papers? These types of listings are generally not very
expensive.
The key to creating an effective classified ad, is to use as few words as possible that will convey a lot
of information. As you sit down to write, you must keep the following in mind:
* You want to make sure that your ad appeals to the kind of musician you are seeking.
* You want to avoid a bunch of unqualified applicants who will waste your time.
To the above end, also keep the following in mind:
* Make sure that you don't use terms that could be considered too subjective. For instance, stage
presence could mean very different things to different people. So, clarify your intended meaning.
* Be sure to specify your physical location. If you're listing in a regional publication, you might actually
want to list an address, as opposed to something that would have national exposure where you might only list your city and provide further info to those that inquire. Better yet, make sure you convey that you are local by including your telephone number.
* When describing the band, avoid making such statements as "your band is amazing," for it doesn't tell the reader very much. You should, otherwise, stick to factual info about the music, such as style and genre.
While many people prefer to shy away from comparisons, they can often be helpful. I toured with a band that described itself as, "rage against the
chili peppers." People understood what the music was about far better than when it was described as "Hollywood Hip Hop hype Rock with a melody."
* You also want to let people know in advance if you have any significant scheduling requirements, such as heavy touring or late night practice.
Don't forget... editing your ad is KEY! You must be as concise as possible. Continuously review your
writing, trying to eliminate as many words as possible. You'd be surprised how succinct you can make things. After you've written a draft of your ad,
leave it, then come back to it a few hours later or the next day to work on it more. Repeat this process as
many times as necessary. It will make a big difference.
Don't forget to keep track of your contacts. Everyone whom you speak with, should be entered into your database so that you have easy access
to their information. Your database is also your most valuable marketing tool. The larger it is, the better your reach when you promote your music.
You want to maintain and build your database at every turn. If you'd like to read more on how important your database is, along with ways to
constantly build it, please feel free to email me at cb@IndieMusicForum.com, and I'll direct you to a corresponding article that addresses it.
(Marketing Note: Notice my tactic for getting your contact information in order to build my own database. The article that I mentioned has a ton of
great information and, when you email me to request it, I will have your email address. Start keeping an
eye out for methods such as this, and use examples that you think work well).
