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How to make my band work: Free advice

OK, we get a lot of bands contact us to ask for management. The problem is we can't manage everyone! So here are some ideas and Free Advice.

1. Keep the band going and don't change the name!.

A lot of bands just don't keep at it long enough or they change their name. It takes a long time to build a band and to gain the fans that you need to be able to start making an impact on the world. Aim to stay together forever. Bands like the Kinks and Quo kept at it for years, Never give up!

And don't change the name. You will loose a lot of fans and end up having to start over. People will always refer to you as " they used to be..."

2. Use your demos well.
What is a demo? I have never met a band who went into the studio to make a bad recording. They may not have made the recording they wished for due to lack of finance or technical expertises but the demo is a historical document, of that moment, in the bands development and the fans will want to know what was going on, who was in the band and what they sounded like.

Use it to make a release. The punk DIY attitude really does work. Make a demo, make it into a CD with a cover and sell it a gigs and to friends and family. Get it into all the sites (myspace,bebo, etc) and start building fans. Not only is it fun but you will make enough money to do the next recording and the circle starts again.

If You Can make a mini album(6 tracks over 18 mins less that 28 mins) or an album ( over 6 tracks more than 28 mins). If a single does not get Radio support it's gone in a blink. An Album will last for ever. Really 20 years later I'm still selling mine. OK not many but you get the idea.

3. Use the media
Get a video camera or at least a phone and make a video diary/ blog of what your doing day to day. Put these up on your access sites and keep them updated. Start collecting friends and keep them informed about gigs.

A video will be seen by 1000's of people, only 50 may see a gig. Work the radio to the best of your ability. Most DJ's like to hear from the local bands. Work the local Press and Fanzines and try to spread the word via the internet.

4. Invest in yourselves.
Money is always a problem but these days you need to invest in yourselves to make things happen. The old indie trade is just not there anymore. Start a band fund and each put in a set amount per week. Even if it's a fiver. It will soon build upto a day in the studio.

A five piece band must have 10 friends, family or relatives each who will all buy a copy of the album, a T Shirt etc. When you do these thing it starts to happen. Make a business plan with achievable targets. Work out where you are and where you want to be and how to get there and keep pushing.

5. Do 1 positive thing a day.

Do 1 positive thing a day for the band. Try to get a gig, send out a demo, spend an hour on myspace adding friends.

At the end of the month that's 30 positive things! At the end of the year, its 365!!

If each member of a five piece band does 1 positive thing a day then that's 1,825 things that are happening !!!!!

Here are some contact details that will help you if you cant do it yourself. they will not do things for free but we use them and recommend them.