Editorials and Articles

ok, before everyone gets all in an uproar, let me clarify something real quick, there are select locations in areas, where posting a flyer is beneficial , and you are a fool not to put one up there, what im talking about is the practice of printing out a 1000 flyers for a show and posting it all over town in any place where there is room. you know, the tactic preached on every band resource book, website, newsletter etc. in the known universe. i will go out on a limb and say they are all full of crap, other than those few locations, general flyering is a waste of time and money.

years ago before the internet took hold, this was a good practice as it was the only way to get the word out about shows, but those days are long gone. when was the last time you actually looked at another band's flyer? when was the last time you went to a show on a whim cause you saw a random flyer? when was the last time you went to a show after seeing about it on a bands website? or from getting emailed about it? how many people not in bands pay attention to the street post plastered 10 layers deep with flyers?

before you go saying how its like billboard advertising, and getting your name out and seen, yes if you get rent a billboard you will get the benefits without a doubt, but to expect the same results from an 8x10 soaked and stained piece of paper is just naive. once again when was the last time you checked out a band from a flyer? how about your friends not into the local music scene?

to be honest flyering will cause more problems than good, for one alot of the bands have flyers that are questionable in taste, and shouldn't be in public, im not a prude, and can talk dirty enough to make a sailor blush, but there is a time and a place for all that and your local streets aren't the place. while you may think you will get alot of notice with shock value, and actually you will, it is just going to alienate you from everyone that matters, club owners and promoters. they control the venues, and no matter what they say, they are in it to make money. who's going to come out to see the band that has put the nasty flyer all over town? who is going to want to take the chance? hmmmm i can book a band that will make enough to pay the bills, or book the band that pissed everyone off, and actually offended me as well, easy choice.
just remember you don't go from your practice space to stadiums, you have to start on the local level.

plus flyers just make your town look trashy, have a little civic pride, a good reputation will help you more than any flyer, group together with some bands, and clean your town of the flyers everywhere (hint: you wouldn't be able to buy the publicity this would generate) while this is sort of hippie sounding it really drives me nuts, being in all these different cities, that are beautiful and pristine, then come across blocks where every flat surface is covered with old and torn flyers that no one ever read or cared to read. luckily many towns are adopting laws that prosecutes offenders.

okay i have pointed out a problem, now ill give a solution, or two solutions to be exact.
1. use websites - most local scenes have forums, message boards, gig calendars that allow you to list your shows for free, people actually interested in music and going to see music read these, and will actually pay attention to and attend shows advertised there, if your area doesn't have a site that offers these services, start one, its pretty easy to do...
2. newsletters- give visitors to your website the chance to sign up for email notifications of shows
3. take the time you would spend flyering, practice instead, if you get good enough people will find out about you, don't worry.