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Hi, this is David Jackel on behalf of Expert Village. I'm here to talk to you about creating
and distributing promo cds for your rock show. Now, cds are a great way of reaching listeners,
because they are easily transported and they are easy to pass out. You should do it in
the right way. If you're sending cds to radio outlets, to the press (higher end stuff like
that) then actually print out cds. Get them professionally done. Make sure you take off
the shrink wrap before you send them out, because people don't want to take time taking
off shrink wrap. That may be what gets them to not listen to your cd. If you're putting
out cds that you are going to be handing out at shows or leaving at stores, then you can
make them yourself. Just burn them and put a simple cover on top. Nothing that involves
too much crazy printing, because chances are it won't look that good. It's better to have
just a simple photocopied print design that you put on top. Then the asthetic matches
the actual technology that you have. If you're doing a larger cd giveaway (like at shows)
just put your two best songs on the cd. Don't overload people with lots of information.
Remember that these days people get lots and lots of free cds. Most of which they don't
bother picking up, or if they do pick them up they end up throwing them out. So, give
people a reason to listen to your cd. Make the cover design interesting enough that someone
is actually going to pick it up. Maybe put a little sign there where the cds are that
explains what the music is. There's so much information that people are bombarded with
these days, you really have to go the extra mile. If you're giving away cds for the purpose
of promoting a show, then what you want to do is on the cd jacket put the down the date
of the show and the location. Then your web address where they can go for more information.
If you're giving away cds at a show, make sure that they are promoting the next show
coming up. A cd is a great way to promote your music. Just make sure the information
is on the cd so people know where to go after they've decided that they like your music.