How do you advertise?

[stories]

Hi,

 

I’m going to start by saying I’m not expecting to get much if any response to this question, but hoping a couple of people are able to share some thoughts.

 

I’m predominantly a freelancer, but I have several jobs over the summer that I own a small(ish) PA system for and which nicely fill a few diary holes over the year. I’m getting to the point now that the PA needs to ether stop growing or start paying for its self year round (to pay for storage and maintenance).

 

So what I am looking to get some advice/thoughts on is the question of: How and where do you (small <500ppl gig’s, owner operator PA suppliers) advertise your services and find clients?

 

Now I realise this is kind of like asking for trade secrets and don’t expect much of a response, but I am hoping for a tiny bit conversation on the subject and a few ideas.

 

My original thoughts, Yellow pages, Google, local area local music resources don’t seem to be turning up many leads and those seem to mainly be scraping the bottom of the barrel. The work my system usually does is all word of mouth and via contacts, so I’m currently pulling my hair out trying to expand the client base at the moment, large brain freeze moment…

 

Cheers

 

M

[gareth]

Word of mouth and a lot of 'networking' is far more effective than any sort of advertising.

[StevieR]

Our experience has shown that good ol' word of mouth plus internet searches produce the bets results overall.

 

Steve

[Roderick]

Target local venues to would suit your PA system and have a chat with them. Often they will have people hiring the venue and looking for advice on 'technical stuff'.

Also target local wedding planners and event organisers, let them know you are out there and what you have done.

Print up business cards to leave with people (Vistaprint are pretty cheap and quite good quality).

But don't send out flyers, they'll end up with all the other dross. It does pay to go out and meet people face to face. And when you meet them, talk about service rather than every detail of every mic you have, unless asked for.

 

Good luck!

[Nick S]

Print up business cards to leave with people (Vistaprint are pretty cheap and quite good quality).

 

I use a UK based company called Moo for my cards, it's the only 'hard' advertising I do. They're a little bit more expensive than Vistaprint or the other bulk printers out there, but the quality is great and they allow an unlimited amount of different designs, which is great for showing off portfolios and the like. I highly recommend them. But aside from that, the only advertising I really do is just maintaining a portfolio online. Most of my work comes from word-of-mouth or networking.