So, you're in a pub playing a gig or even just at an open mic session. It's gone pretty well and you say "Hey, my name's [Insert name here] thank you for being a great audience, good night". Not great is it? There's a muted clap but the noise of the conversations drowns out your plea for recognition and that's it, you're forgotten!
So here's an idea for self promotion. Take your own Beer Mats. They'll be in front of the audience all night and you get multiple opportunities to get your name remembered!
They're not that expensive to get printed, you can buy 1000 for around 10p each and the more you buy the cheaper they are. They are an ideal way of promoting you and your music as people can pick them up and pop them in their pocket for later use. They could even become collectables.
Things to consider:
Check with the manager/owner. They probably won't mind as you're saving them money but best to check first. Not everyone will be open to this kind of promotion but many will.
Get them double sided and use a promo photo on one side and the other for text etc.
Always use a QR code. They're being used more and more and it makes it really easy for people to get straight to what matters. There are loads of free QR code generators online, Go get one!
Tell the audience the beer mats have a QR Code and if they point their phone camera at it they can click straight to your website / mailing list / music on Spotify. Many won't know this and will try it out anyway. One more point of recognition!
Introduce them mid set and do it again at the end, "Don't forget your beermats people"
Tell your audience about them and that they're theirs to keep! After all they can be used equally well at home to protect their desk or coffee table. People love freebies ๐
Tell them too they can buy 5 for ยฃ1! Why not, it's merch after all. Some people will want to support you just because they enjoyed your music!
Take a Silver or Gold paint pen and you can offer to sign them too as a momento.
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