How do you plan the perfect CD release gig?

If you’ve spent months writing and recording your new CD (let alone doing all the artwork and other stuff) you’ll want the CD release gig to be perfect. It needs to be an event that people will get excited about, something special and remarkable. How do you do that?

Here are some ideas:

• List it on Live Unsigned – Every day thousands of people look at the Live Unsigned listings looking for gigs in their area, make sure you’re there.

• Book a venue small enough that it will sell out – Make sure the venue will be rammed, even if only holds 50 people! There is nothing worse than a half full big venue.

• Support a cause – If you make the gig a benefit for a good cause some people will feel more inclined to come. Helping others makes everyone feel good.

• Social media is your friend – As we all know social media isn’t about shouting at people. Make sure you’re active on Twitter and Facebook, talking to people in the run up to the gig. People are much more likely to go and see a band if they feel they know them. Write on your blog about the preperation for the gig, from the rehearsals to choosing the right stage clothes. Make people feel part of your journey.

• Contact your friends – In the early stages of your career most of your audience will be your friends, then friends of your friends. Make sure they come! (Top tip, send them a text, everyone is inundated via social media, a text message might just get through).

• Order the CDs early! – A CD release party with no CDs is a grim affair, make sure you get the lead times from the CD duplicators.

• Have more than just CDs – Get badges, stickers and T-Shirts. They’re cheap and they’ll help people to remember you. Invest in promotion.

• Get email addresses – At the gig try and get an email address from everyone who comes. Make sure you mail out to the people already on your list well in advance of your gig.

• Make sure your live set is great – There is no point playing live unless you’re amazing. Video your practice sessions so you can see your gig as your audience will and improve anything that needs sorting. Rehearse the set in the same order until you can do it in your sleep.

• Flyer any local gigs – If the big band in your genre is coming to town make sure you flyer the queue at the gig. It’s not just about giving out the flyers, it’s more about the flyers giving you the opportunity to have a chat to the people. Take time to build relationships and you’ll have more chance of people coming to see you.

• Make sure the press are aware – OK you can’t make them come but it doesn’t hurt to ask, you never know….Make sure that any local bloggers and podcasters are also on the guest list.

This is just the start, make sure your CD release party gets people talking. You only get one chance to give your album or EP that big push, make sure you put in the effort to make it happen.