I posted a thread named
http://www.guitarforum.co.za/general-music/how-do-you-promote-your-gigs/ with a poll attached. I thought I'd let it run for a month, the forum supposedly has 5k members, you could expect a 5 % turnout?
At the conclusion, we have 20 members taking the vote.
From the low participation rate and personal experience I could think of two reasons:
1. Most bands and musos are oblivious to the need of marketing their gigs, the 'If the band is good people will come see us” crowd.
2. Most bands and musos are selfish, not wanting to reveal their secrets, the “My way to the top is by climbing up your back” crowd.
So in my years of dealing with bands and musos, I've found option 2 is the most common. From backstabbing to downright sabotage of other bands gigs, not to mention the standard “Battle of the Bands” colluding against the strongest candidate tactics etc. etc....
This “selfish” strategy ignores the basic dynamics and structure of our music industry. It is small, a fish bowl, and very fragmented. Everyone is fighting for their little corner of the market. What’s a fraction of a fish-bowl? A shot glass? So you can be a big (sel)fish in a shot glass.
So how about an “anti-Battle of the Bands”, or a “Cooperation of the Bands”. Would it not be wiser in the long run to rather work together towards building a stronger, healthier music scene, thus increasing the total market share for everyone?
I say buckets for everyone!!!
CLARIFICATION UPDATE: I see the indifference to above mentioned poll as a symptom of the bigger problem. I was not expecting a monster turnout, it does not phase me in the slightest that it had a luke warm response. So sodd the damned poll already!!
Have a nice day.
