freestyle artists mistakes in promoting themselves

[cafreestyler]

since a topic of promoting was brought up, and people arguing over it, whether it's the label or artist's fault or whatever, here is a question/comment i have.
i think some artists do hurt themselves by not promoting themselves with enough effort. i won't say to try to get on mtv, because mtv is not ready for freestyle yet.
but some radio stations play freestyle. commercial radio stations like KTU or 106.7 Jamz, and college radio stations like KSJS. what i have seen is kind of disturbing (and i'm talking SOME artists, not all, but still quite a few). the problem is them being inaccessible. they are not at the level of Madonna, Nelly, or Nsync. they can't be waiting for reporters and radio stations banging on their doors asking for an interview or show. i have seen or heard of several instances where a freestyle artist has been approached by a radio station or college station, or newspaper, for an interview and being denied. either their request for an interview was denied, or they never heard back from them. i won't name names, but i have heard this before. i have heard delicious d ask if artists want to perform at KSJS in front of many people. no one responded. i know radio stations or clubs have asked some artists to perform, many have turned it down. i don't know if the artists are looking for too much money or whatever.
but all these oppotunities i mentioned above- the artists should be JUMPING on these opportunities. get your name out there. i can give you a good example of what a freestyle artist should try to follow. ashley, who is always on the messageboards, always willing to do interviews, being active in trying to promote herself. hey good things happen. she was at the 106.7 Jamz show. good things happen when you work hard.

 

[Ashley]

CaFreestyler;

Thankyou for using me for an example . I Do things a bit of an orthodox method but Id rather handle that stuff personally for I had bad expierences with my label as far as bookings , interviews etc.

I also take a moment everyday to check the boards, reply to emails, and try to assist fellow artist and fans . I dont only do it for myself but for the progression of the style.

 

[Peter]

:yeey

 

[Fanaticjoe]

U go Girl . Its not your part but @ Least your doing it the right way.


Best of Luck

 

[cafreestyler]

Ashley,
sometimes i think the label can at times hurt the artist. since you are an artist you make sure you work hard to get at everything. sometimes a label can receive calls or messages, and put that in a pile and take forever to get to them. or lose them. they can be diffilcult and you have to make sure you have the right people representing you. i know some one who wanted to do an on air interview with an artist (who will remain nameless), the call went to the label's office, and was not heard from. this person called the office 4 more times and never got a response. the station wanted nothing in return, just an interview, which no doubt would have helped the listeners learn more about her and help record sales. but i have heard of several other instances like this. or times when an artist (or label) would not bring the artist to a club, car show, or anything that would only help promote the artist. i don't know if the labels or artists got too greedy or whatever, but in the end everyone lost. so people should take notes from artists like Ashley and others who have a very active role in promoting.

 

[Kenny Guido]

its not up to the artist to do the promotions. handling promotions is a very big task. an artist has too many things to worry about.

 

[Ashley]

True artist have alot of things to worry about , but i dont want to ever deny an interview or misss out on a booking because some forgot to return a call or email . Ive been through that and It made look stupid so Im Not as big as other freeestyle artist so i dont get the booking agencies knocking down my door , but I do it throiugh u Kenny and others Ive met so far no problems.

Im working on getting a booking agency to handle my affairs until then its plain old Ashley

 

[Kenny Guido]

ever since i attended a freestyle show, I have always heard artists promote thier music on stage. whats wrong with that?

in the rap world, its the same thing. again, whats wrong with that?

nothing wrong with going on stage, going on the radio and going on tv and promoting the music. I hear it in all genres of music.

 

[DeliciousD]

well, I see the same mistakes.


I use to Do Marketing for WEA, and would love to help Freestyle Artist. Now I work for a Airline and would Go visit them strores Clubs, and Radio station they can' get to. I would go in Person for them, and many time I offeredto help... but not one person has asked for my help!!

all but one, Mr G!!! o well, it take about the same energy to drop one album, than it does the others. Thats why I'm putting My own Project together!!!


watch and see, how to get some peeps Viewing all around the Country!!

I'm gonna be visiting a City Near YOU!!! Very Soon!!

 

[Ashley]

Ive emailed you several times and left you a Pm on remix .com ?

 

[cafreestyler]

True artist have alot of things to worry about , but i dont want to ever deny an interview or misss out on a booking because some forgot to return a call or email .

that's exactly what i'm talking about.

 

[DeliciousD]

Ashley, The only thing you PM on Remix was asking me how the song was doing!!

I'm talking about REAL Nation wide Promotions, hitting up a few state, Radio along with Retail!!!

 

[Ashley]

See D thats why I do it myself Im going on what My people told me .Im sorry My bad . If your intrested you have my email and phone #.


I would love to have your services your expierence speaks for itself. Working together and doing it right Thats what Im talking about.


Labels, artist , Cmon ......

 

[MARKLUVZCYNTHIA]

That's kewl, but I think the biggest thing that hurts promotion is not having a video to accompany your song. Videos are pretty much a necessary part of the music buisness these days. If you can't make a video than that limits your popularity that much more. Me personally, I watch video channels more than I actually listen to the radio. And if you think about the club scene, yeah you might hear a banger up in the club but what's the name of it? Who sings it? This is information that you'll get on the radio or from a video. I don't understand why they don't make videos. I've seen so many low budget videos that looked like they were shot on a street corner with pops camcorder! But they get rotation as i've seen some of these videos more than once. Forget about MTV! VH1 has this show called "Fresh" where they air all new stuff from all new artists. They also have a show called "Red Eye" that airs mostly dance videos. BET will pretty much give anything a chance.