WHAT SEPARATES THE MAJORS FROM THE MINORS
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Greetings Gospel Reggae Artists,
as I sit at my computer tonight compiling the next mass mailer to the 30,000 on GospelReggae.com's e-mail list and MySpace Friends, I decided to include a few press reviews on Avion Blackman's latest album "Sweet Life." After a few hours of sifting through more than 30 reviews and features in major magazines, it hit me-the one thing that sets a major release apart from the rest is publicity.
Of course talent is good-but not essential. Big money is key-but not necessary. And a major label is beneficial-but not critical. If you have an album and you want the world to know about it-you must tell them. The way that the top artists and major labels do this is through a publicist.
Think about it, why is it that an actor like Brad Pitt all of a sudden comes out of hiding to do a talk show? His publicist booked the interview to promote his latest movie. In fact, I dare you to find someone on a major US talk show (like Letterman or Leno) or in the news without a scandal or an event (like an album, movie or book release). It doesn't happen. And the one person that secures all of these is a Publicist.
They are expensive, but absolutely essential. The publicist services your album to hundreds of news and media outlets worldwide. He/she secures interviews with press and radio. It can cost two thousand dollars for a full-page ad in a major magazine, but who is going to truly respect and believe the self-written hype in your ad? For that same two thousand dollars you can hire a publicist and get 20 or more features in a wide array of magazines and media outlets. And if your album is good then the critics will sell it for you!
So next time you release an album and you want to get the biggest bang for your buck, hire a publicist that has worked projects that have made a huge splash in the media. A legitimate publicist does this for a living and has an excellent reputation with all the major media outlets. When they talk, the media listens. When they send out an e-mail the Associated Press prints it. When they service your CD it gets listened to. And when they follow up on the servicing with a phone call or e-mail people write about your project. These major media outlets don't want artist calling them, but expect to be contacted by publicista.
How is it that two of Christafari's albums sold over 150,000 units each? At least partly because of a publicist. Why are Papa San and Stitchie two of the highest profile Gospel Reggae artists in the world? Sure talent and their former careers have a whole lot to do with it, but I have seen them both walking up and down the corridors of the Renaissance Hotel in Nashville, TN during Gospel Music Week--With their publicist.
So next time you release an album, do yourself a favor and hire a publicist. Because potential new fans may never hear about your album otherwise.
By the way, we'll be in Nashville, TN at Gospel Music Week once again this year from April 18-22 with our Gospel Reggae Booth. I've been at every GMA week since 1994! It is essential if you want to break into the CCM or Gospel industry. If you are interested in attending please visit:
http://gospelmusic.org/
I want to hear your opinion on this matter (whether you agree or disagree). I have posted this writing on the GospelReggae.com blog. Simply visit the following link and click on the BLOG link:
http://www.myspace.com/gospelreggaemusic
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Want your music video serviced to hundreds of TV stations and video shows worldwide? Then let us do it for free! Reply to this e-mail if you are interested and I'll get you all the details.
Blessings in Christ,
Mark Mohr
Christafari
GospelReggae.com
Lion of Zion Ent.
Positive Music Agency
