CD Release Party Strategies: Insider Secrets for Independent Bands, Musicians, and Songwriters--How to Have a Major Label Event on a Shoestring Budget [Audio CD]

David Hooper (Author), David R. Hooper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2004

On this 2-CD set, you'll get over two hours of specific tools and strategies that will help you to hit the ground running with your new music release, reach new fans, make more money, and get the publicity you need.

Regardless of your genre, the 2-CD set will help you to bring in more people to your album release party, keep your budget under control, and teach you how to make the most of the limited window of opportunity you have when releasing a new album.

A few things you'll learn...

- The Real Reason People Attend Live Shows
- How to Save on Venue Rental, Catering, and Other Expenses
- Maximizing Revenue with Simple Merchandising Techniques
- Using Direct Mail to Increase Show Attendance
- Selling Tickets in Advance
- Listening Parties vs. Performance Showcases
- Setting Up Multiple Streams of Income
- Using Alternative Venues
- Holding Multiple Release Events

Let David Hooper personally guide you through the techniques and strategies he has used to create hundreds of successful live events for hundreds of bands, musicians, and songwriters.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Hooper is the founder of Kathode Ray Music, an artist development organization specializing in promotion and marketing of independent msuicians and bands. He is known for combining traditional music business and direct marketing knowledge with guerrilla techniques necessary for independent bands to compete.

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Kathode Ray Music (September 2004)
• ISBN-10: 0975436104
• ISBN-13: 978-0975436103
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,225,423 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Superficial and overpriced, September 30, 2005

By 

songwriter "Laura" (Davis, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: CD Release Party Strategies: Insider Secrets for Independent Bands, Musicians, and Songwriters--How to Have a Major Label Event on a Shoestring Budget (Audio CD)

I was disappointed in this product. If it were a book, it would be more of a pamphlet than a book, and never worth the price charged for the cd. Many of the topics "covered" are merely mentioned with maybe one "expert" tip thrown in. For example: according to him, the key to sending out mailings is addressing them by hand. That's pretty much all you need to know. At one point, he tells the listener to stop the recording and write long lists of answers to specific questions. In good faith, I did as he said. Then he dropped the ball and never explained the purpose of that exercise or followed up on it in any way. The topic he covers most thoroughly seemed to be the range of ways to serve alcohol at an event, which was not high on my list of concerns. If alcoholic beverages are crucial to your music, this cd could be just what you need.

The bonus CD included serves primarily to promote Discmakers, and secondarily has some interesting anecdotes. Still, I felt manipulated. What he proves with this CD is that he is a master of promotion, who can make people pay a lot to get a little, and then thank him for it. I can't help wondering if he even wrote the positive customer reviews himself. Being a master at promoting is not the same thing as having a top quality product, and I suppose that is the most useful lesson I got out of this cd.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This c.d. will help you, it is upfront and honest, October 7, 2004

By 

Steve Lentz (Montello, Wi. U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: CD Release Party Strategies: Insider Secrets for Independent Bands, Musicians, and Songwriters--How to Have a Major Label Event on a Shoestring Budget (Audio CD)

For all independent musicians...this c.d. is for you. Dave knows the music bussiness inside and out and his C.d. Release Party Strategies c.d. is right on. If there is anything you have'nt thought about when releasing your c.d, Dave does the thinking for you. With all the things independent artist have to keep track of, this c.d. is a great tool to have and to refer to. The second c.d. is a bonus, the telephone interview talks about the reality of the bussiness. It will make you think twice about the bussiness, how you approach the "bigger" picture of being an independent.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CD Release Party Strategies Indeed, September 24, 2004

By 

Bob Baker "author, MusicMarketingBooks.com, F... (St. Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: CD Release Party Strategies: Insider Secrets for Independent Bands, Musicians, and Songwriters--How to Have a Major Label Event on a Shoestring Budget (Audio CD)

David Hooper often credits me with giving him his start, since I was the first person to feature him on a music conference panel several years ago. I may have given him that initial push, but Mr. Hooper has long since made his own unmistakable mark on the indie music world. (Fans of the old "Kung Fu" TV show might imagine the Master saying, "Grasshopper, it's time for you to leave.")

On disc 1 of "CD Release Party Strategies," his latest resource, David goes over an in-depth checklist of important things to consider when planning your event -- the choice of venue, what's involved in offering food and beverages, choosing a date, and a ton of details I had never even imagined before listening to this.

On disc 2, things kick into high gear as David interviews Tony van Veen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Disc Makers. Tony shares a lifetime of great advice on how to package your CD and use it to draw attention to yourself, make money and build a music career.

David concludes the second CD with an exhaustive list of Release Party questions and answers. You'd be hard pressed to find a question that isn't answered on this two-CD set. Great advice. Soak it up!

-Bob Baker, author, "Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook"