Warning: include(../06spring-sidemenu.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/huav/public_html/columns/06spring-aahsothats.php on line 50

Warning: include(../06spring-sidemenu.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/huav/public_html/columns/06spring-aahsothats.php on line 50

Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening '../06spring-sidemenu.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/huav/public_html/columns/06spring-aahsothats.php on line 50

AAAH... SO THAT'S HOW YOU...
PROMOTE INDEPENDENTLY
Article by Jason Anfinsen

Do you have a band, book, film, or show that you want the people of Earth to experience? Not really sure how to get the word out? Hi, I’m Jason Anfinsen, artistic director of the Seattle-based independent theatrical revolution Jerk Alert Productions, and I want to help you market your project to a wide audience at no cost to you. Just follow these easy steps, and you too could be an independent force to be reckoned with in the underground art scene.

The best way to make someone hear what you have to say is by screaming your fucking face off. Jab the public in the eyeballs with your volatile passion. Sound off obnoxious sirens in their eardrums. Blast your mouthpiece loud and explain to the world that your art is your life.


PRESS KIT:
Design a kick ass press kit that quickly explains who you are and what you do. This package of materials that should include: a photo, a one-sheet biography with your history and contact information, a show flier, a CD / DVD (videos, documentary footage, hyperlinks, songs), and any other swag materials you have (Editor’s Note: See our “They Make You Famous” section in this issue for tips on press kits!).

MATERIALS:
Buttons, stickers, posters, fliers, postcards, iron-on patches, makeshift stationary, mail art envelopes, silk screen t-shirts, and anything else you can hand to someone are a great way for you to leave an extension of your project behind. Imagine some kid walking around Manchester with your band’s pin on his jean jacket collar or a cute girl in Sydney with your patch on her book bag – that’s pretty rad. Spend some quality time making your material look unique, and make sure to add everything that expresses who you are and what you do.

PRESS:
The next step is to get your fresh new kit into the hands of the press (newspapers, free weekly rags, college campuses, radio, television, public access television). Whip up a witty press release that includes every vital piece of information (name, address, phone, website). Don’t ever feel like you are bothering the media. I recommend that you send faxes, snail mail, emails, make phone calls – demand that they listen to your roar.

INTERNET:
Since all of you cybertronic geekouts get your information on the net or email, hook up a cheap website or create a free MySpace site and upload your photos, bio, songs, podcasts, video, and blogs. Register people for your newsletter or mailing list, and send out coupons and upcoming show information. Make friends and share information. Contacts are the key to everything in this goddamn country; meet people and align forces for a communal takeover.

TAKE TO THE STREETS:
Once you have tackled the information highway, get out of the house and onto the road. Take your dad’s love shack van for a spin up to Canada or down to Mexico, crash at friends’ houses, and invade their unsuspecting city. Sell bootlegs out of your trunk, have impromptu book readings in the centrally located downtown fountain, stage street theater pranks that lead to television coverage.  Flip a car over, spray paint it pink and plug in for a live set. Any publicity is good publicity – unless you’re a politician.

MAIL ORDER / DIY BUSINESS:
Mail order is a fun way to distribute, and it connects you directly to the person supporting your creation. Paypal PayPal makes it easy to transfer money globally, and once money is involved, I strongly recommend that you get on the books and start an LLP or LLC company. You have a birth certificate, marriage, divorce, death certificate… why not get all parties in ink, sealed by law? That way no rotten ass limey bastards like Andy Rourke or Mike Joyce will sue you after you become successful (see: Now Morrissey Knows How MC Hammer Felt).