What are some ways to get bands to come in and record?? and pay, too??

  • Thread starter Thread starter runforrestrun09
  • Start date Start date
R

runforrestrun09

New member
I've recently started my own recording business for local bands to come to. The problem is, none have really come. I'm a high school senior, and I'm doing this for my "senior project", which is a graduation requirement... We have to have a physical project as well as a research paper, and my phyical project is constructing a studio in my bedroom. Literally.

But my problem is that no bands really have taken me seriously- I've had bands schedule to record, and then reschedule at another studio because it's cheaper, or free... I'm only charging $9.00 and hour, which I feel is realllllyyy cheap...



How can I get my business out there, and get bands to come in??? Is it image, or quality... what is it??

This is my "studio/label's" myspace URL: www.myspace.com/yourholidayfromreal
Please help,


James:confused:
 
runforrestrun09 said:
I've recently started my own recording business for local bands to come to. The problem is, none have really come. I'm a high school senior, and I'm doing this for my "senior project", which is a graduation requirement... We have to have a physical project as well as a research paper, and my phyical project is constructing a studio in my bedroom. Literally.

But my problem is that no bands really have taken me seriously- I've had bands schedule to record, and then reschedule at another studio because it's cheaper, or free... I'm only charging $9.00 and hour, which I feel is realllllyyy cheap...



How can I get my business out there, and get bands to come in??? Is it image, or quality... what is it??

This is my "studio/label's" myspace URL: www.myspace.com/yourholidayfromreal
Please help,


James:confused:
Click to expand...

Id make some flyers, also give them some combo packages, like the first song is free or stuff like that, let them know your work is good and prove it. :)

Try to emphasize what can you offer that the other studios cant, maybe its the quality of the work, the installations, gear, etc...
 
Do you play any instruments? Record some samples and show people what you can do.
 
Find a "real" studio and volunteer or intern there. Or, at least one that has a few paying clients' projects done or doing.

So you lost the price battle. Big deal. If you are any good, your time, talent and training have value. Don't even try to beat "free." Can't be done. Charge what you are worth.

And fer cryin' out loud, stop taking yourself so seriously. You are a SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL, not freakin' Phil Spector.
 
Hey man, I'm someone like you, a senior in highschool. How i started out was going to some live shows of some local bands around my school, pretend to take an interest, tell them you'd love to have them come in to record, give them a sample of your work, your number, your website, schmooz em alittle bit, what band doesn't want to hear how much they rocked. most bands will be like COOL RECORDING WE ROCK THIS IS AWESOME WERE AWESOME and they'll come, act professional so they feel like its a big deal. try that out, it worked for me and i've gotten away with charging 20 an hour. :p

-Barrett
 
Take the prices out of your flyer, no one cares that you paid $80 for a behringer mixer or $300 for a mic. Gear matters little if you results are good, let the mixed songs speak for themselves.
 
I'd probably recommend registering an actual domain name for your studio.

I tend view any business whose only web presence is a myspace as less professional than one that actually has a web page.
 
I have purchased a domain for it-
www.holidayfromrealrecords.com

I lack the HTML knowledge to make it professional-looking; I had my friend put up a "coming soon" banner...

What kind of information should I put up?
Should I mention prices/equipment at all??

I'm also mentoring at a pro studio in a local town close by- should I put this on my 'label's' site??

Ahhh I feel stupid haha any help would be greatly appreciated:cool:
 
I would also reccomend experimenting with not charging per hour but per project (for example $150 for a 3 song ep) Most young bands don't want to risk the per hour rate since they have no idea how long it will take to get the results they want.
 
I would be careful "pretending" to like a band and "feigning" interest. If you really do want to record other musicians' work, that meas you should have a genuine interest in what they are doing, not simply doing lip service and hitting "record."

It shows that you are willing to put in a bit of effort by taking some of the steps on here, but be wary of telling people what they want to hear just to get business.
 
Subanez said:
I would be careful "pretending" to like a band and "feigning" interest. If you really do want to record other musicians' work, that meas you should have a genuine interest in what they are doing, not simply doing lip service and hitting "record."

It shows that you are willing to put in a bit of effort by taking some of the steps on here, but be wary of telling people what they want to hear just to get business.
Click to expand...

Sorry I didn't mean to come off as ingenuine, it's just for me being a newbie as well, I try to get as much experience as I can at this stage. From what I've been hearing experience is everything. Sorry for the faulty advice, haha disregard my statements.

Sorry,
-Barrett
 
it's all about your work and your image plays an important roll as well.

For example when I went to your myspace i'd instantly not take you serioiusly at all..

where all those graphics done in ms paint? they look absolutely horrible. No offence but this actually plays a role. If you put out a professional looking site, business cards it will definately help. Right you look like some kid that has a computer and a mic (even if that's true you want to stand out as a studio) marketing and branding along with examples of your work..

go to shows and hand out business cards. Talk to venues.. try to book a battle of the bands type thing where the winner gets free studio time. things like this will give you plublicity and hopefully some experience. Once you get a few bands booked then treat them super well and try to do some of your best work.. the first few bands are crutial to spreading the word
 
runforrestrun09 said:
I have purchased a domain for it-
www.holidayfromrealrecords.com

I lack the HTML knowledge to make it professional-looking; I had my friend put up a "coming soon" banner...

What kind of information should I put up?
Should I mention prices/equipment at all??

I'm also mentoring at a pro studio in a local town close by- should I put this on my 'label's' site??

Ahhh I feel stupid haha any help would be greatly appreciated:cool:
Click to expand...

Off the top of my head, the primary thing you'll want to give yourself legitimacy is real contact information: a phone number and a street address (plus e-mail for convenience).

Photos of your studio are usually a good idea. They show what kind of work environment and equipment you have.
 
eeb said:
it's all about your work and your image plays an important roll as well.

For example when I went to your myspace i'd instantly not take you serioiusly at all..

where all those graphics done in ms paint? they look absolutely horrible. No offence but this actually plays a role. If you put out a professional looking site, business cards it will definately help. Right you look like some kid that has a computer and a mic (even if that's true you want to stand out as a studio) marketing and branding along with examples of your work..

go to shows and hand out business cards. Talk to venues.. try to book a battle of the bands type thing where the winner gets free studio time. things like this will give you plublicity and hopefully some experience. Once you get a few bands booked then treat them super well and try to do some of your best work.. the first few bands are crutial to spreading the word
Click to expand...

If I lack the knowledge to publish a professional site, and also the money to get it done, what changes would you suggest I make to my site(s)??

I agree those pictures are pretty sad, I just threw them together... but what can I do to improve on this??? :confused:

thanks ...
 
If you ask me i suppose you will definitely need some money for that.
 
I'm going to be brutally honest here, sorry. Your "studio" looks like some kid with a couple mic's and an interface, in his mom's basement. Unfortunately, you are at probably the worst time in history to try and open a studio. Most real studios are going under, and I know that at least around here, you can get in a studio with hundreds of thousands of dollars in gear, in a designed acoustic space, in a commercial building, for just about whatever you offer.

Now, for the good news. You can probably work out a freelance deal at a real studio in your area for peanuts. Then, hunt around for bands you like and tell them what you can do for them at this great studio, and for what price. It is probably the best time EVER to be a freelance engineer. :D
 
My experience has been to have a good "portfolio" of what you can do (so to speak) as far as recording. Include a wide variety of styles and be creative. Try to set goals (both short term and long) and achieve them, document your achievements. Good luck!
 
runforrestrun09 said:
I've recently started my own recording business for local bands to come to. The problem is, none have really come. I'm a high school senior, and I'm doing this for my "senior project", which is a graduation requirement... We have to have a physical project as well as a research paper, and my phyical project is constructing a studio in my bedroom. Literally.

But my problem is that no bands really have taken me seriously- I've had bands schedule to record, and then reschedule at another studio because it's cheaper, or free... I'm only charging $9.00 and hour, which I feel is realllllyyy cheap...



How can I get my business out there, and get bands to come in??? Is it image, or quality... what is it??

This is my "studio/label's" myspace URL: www.myspace.com/yourholidayfromreal
Please help,


James:confused:
Click to expand...

It's what the band already feels accustomed/comfortable to. At $9 dollars an hour, many people will question you at that price. Bands won't neccessarly go for cheap. Even location doesn't matter too much. Much of it is coming up with a real good reason why they should switch studios and start going to yours. Write down your answers. Think up of some good Incentives that might drive change. A great atmosphere will definitely drive customers. If they feel almost at home in your spot, able to relate & work with the engineer perfectly, chances are they will switch studios to yours. More services than just recording may help too. They may rather go to a place and have things all done there for their project instead.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top